Best Soft Motorcycle Luggage

If you ride motorcycles long enough, inevitably you’re going to want to go on a motorcycle trip. And when you decide to go on a trip, you’re going to need stuff. The challenge becomes finding a place to store all that stuff. Behold – soft luggage. Granted, most of you know the definition of soft luggage, but if not, each bag here has some kind of textile exterior and is not constructed from a hard-shell plastic or metal. Now there are a million and one options when it comes to bags to fit on your motorcycle. Here, we’ve picked a few different ideas to suit a wide-ranging field of motorcycles. All are at least water resistant, and only one is motorcycle-specific.

Having a bunch of stuff with you is one thing. Packing it all neatly and having it all organized is another. The Biltwell EXFIL 80 can hold everything you need for a motorcycle adventure and keep it organized, too. As an added bonus, the large external tool compartment is padded on the outside so you can lay your back right on it. It easily unzips to put your tools and smaller items right at your fingertips without unstrapping the bag from your bike. The tool compartment holds nine deep sockets, seven combination wrenches, and includes a mesh pocket and a flat document pocket. The bag itself holds 55 liters, is UV treated, and water resistant. If you need more protection from the elements, a full waterproof sleeve is tucked away in one of the pockets.

Shop for the Biltwell EXFIL 80 Sissy Bar Bag here

While tankbags exist that are both bigger and smaller, the 15-liter capacity of the Givi XS307 XStream Tanklock is a nice middle ground to hold nearly everything you’d need. Meant to be used with Givi’s TankLock system, which is a ring mounted around the gas cap, the bag itself features a plate which then “clicks” into place atop the ring and stays secure. A pull tab then releases the bag when you need to take it off. This eliminates the need for magnets or straps to keep the tankbag in place and offers a simple, yet stable and secure platform. As for the tankbag itself, it can stay compact like you see in the image above, or it can expand up to its 15-liter capacity to hold even more. The 1200D nylon is rugged, and the zippers are waterproof (a hi-viz cover can protect the entire thing from the elements). There’s a shoulder strap for wearing the bag off the bike, and media ports to connect cables and things to your devices. Lastly, if you’re old school and use maps, there’s an integrated map holder. It can also hold a GPS, and the touchscreen-friendly panel means you can still use it while in the holder.

Shop for the Givi XS307 XStream Tanklock 15L Tank Bag here

Sometimes sportbike, or sporty-bike riders, still crave the occasional weekend trip. It’s for this reason, the Kriega US-30 Drypack exists. Available in larger and smaller sizes as well, the 30-liter version seen here is a nice middle ground for most people. Technically, it can be used on nearly any motorcycle, but it works particularly well on sporty bikes. The 100% waterproof bag can fit directly to the bike’s subframe or can be solid mounted under the seat. The US-30 also comes equipped with removable shoulder and waist straps, so it can be carried courier style, on or off the bike. The pack is easily attached or removed by four quick-release buckles, without the need for extra bungees or rain covers. US Alloy Hook Straps allow tailpack combinations of up to 90-liters to be carried without any loose straps remaining. Custom CNC milled, aircraft grade, 6061-T6 alloy hooks attach to four discreet web loops that are located on the sub-frame of the bike, which makes this suitable for traditional one-piece motorcycle seats and bolt-on seat pads/racks, as well as standard seats. The packs can be mounted inline or across the seat.

Shop for the Kriega US-30 Drypack here

With its clever quick-mount strap design that easily secures to almost any sissy bar or backrest, the Momentum Freeloader sissy bar duffel bag from Kuryakyn is a nice companion that can hold a ton of stuff – 2,375 cubic inches of stuff (when fully expanded), to be exact. The wide-open main storage compartment with top-roll design offers complete versatility in carrying capacity plus security for all your cargo. The 1200 denier textile is UV treated, and a rain cover is also included for inclement weather. On the front of the bag, as you can see in the image, the bungee cords allow you to stuff clothes, sleeping pad, or other loose items for quick and easy storage on the go. There’s also a carrying handle and shoulder strap, so you can take everything with you off the bike.

Shop for the Kuryakyn Momentum Freeloader Sissy Bar Duffle Bag here

While the rest of the bags listed here are motorcycle agnostic, the La Rosa canvas solo bag is the exception. Made for 2004-2017 Harley Sportsters, the La Rosa’s slim design fits right alongside the fender. It’s not that big, but will hold a few extra essentials you may want to bring. Constructed from 24oz thick waterproof, military-grade canvas, it’s reinforced with thick leather straps. But really, the reason it’s on this list is because of the 30 oz bottle holder, ideal for carrying extra gas to supplement the notoriously small Sportster tanks.

Shop for the La Rosa Canvas Solo Bag here

A less expensive alternative to the Enduristan Monsoon 3 panniers, the RG-020 saddlebags from Nelson-Rigg are ideal for dual-sports instead of big ADV machines (though the RG’s can also be used on the bigger bikes). Made from UV treated and water resistant 1680D Tri-Max Ballistic nylon, it attaches via self-fastening straps with quick-release buckles. Each bag can hold 12 liters, but can expand to hold 15 liters each. There’s also a convenient tool pocket under the main compartment with external access. Complete with reflective piping for better night visibility, and rubber coated oversized zipper pulls for use with gloved hands, the RG-020 comes with a lifetime warranty.

Shop for the Nelson Rigg RG-020 Dual Sport Saddlebags here

Whether you have a Gold Wing or an Electra Glide, the Saddlemen BR4100 Dresser Bag was designed to fit perfectly on the back seat of most dresser style bikes, so if you prefer to travel solo, take advantage of the extra space of your passenger seat and carry 4,100 cubic inches of stuff. Its fully rigid design means you can lean against it, even when empty. The full-size zippered top opening gives easy access to the contents inside, and a carrying handle and shoulder straps allow you to take it with you off the bike. Constructed of UV- and weather-resistant 1200 denier and leather-like vinyl, the bag is plenty tough.

Shop for the Saddlemen BR4100 Dresser Back Seat Bag here

The Saddlemen Cruis’n Teardrop Saddlebag’s shape perfectly fits today’s cruisers, while its streamlined design allows stock turn signal locations to be used. These bags include solid adjustable mounting brackets and hardware needed to fit most popular cruisers, including those with hard to fit forward mounted turn signals. The forward opening lid stays open for easy access to the bag’s interior space and frees up your hands for loading gear. Large mesh pockets inside the bags are ideal for holding maps, and the zippered yoke attachment allows the bag to be removed quickly. There’s even a convenient carrying handle. To keep the items inside the bag secure, each bag has lockable twistlock closures and padlocks are already included. The standard bags measure 18″ L x 10.5″ D x 5.5″ W, while the jumbo size is 20″ L x 12″ D x 6.5″ W.

Shop for the Saddlemen Cruis’n Teardrop Saddlebags here

Because even hipster bikes need luggage too, SW-Motech introduces the Legend Gear LS1 and LS2 Saddlebags, which are available with capacities of 9.8 and 13.5 liters respectively. The bags can be fastened to a universal SLS holder that attaches to nearly any bench style seat and can hold one or two Legend Gear saddlebags. The bags themselves are made from Solid Napalon synthetic leather and water-resistant wax-coated canvas, with a roll-top water-resistant design. Inside, waterproof liners keep your contents dry. The bags are sold individually, and the SW-Motech SLS Saddle Strap is required for mounting.

Shop for the SW-MOTECH Legend Gear LS1 / LS2 Saddlebags here

When it comes to good old fashion, old school soft saddlebags, the TourMaster Select series are a good example. With a capacity of 12 liters for each bag, they can hold a good amount of stuff. Constructed from heavy duty, 600D Carbolex and 1680D ballistic nylon, the adjustable mounting yoke can be permanently mounted under the seat of some motorcycles. Removable neoprene layers help protect the motorcycle from scratches, while the hinged lid provides easy access to the main compartment – there’s even a small amount of storage space inside the lid, too. Big external pockets add extra storage capacity, and once you get off the bike the included carrying handles make it easy to take the contents with you. A rain cover is also included. Once you’re done with the bag, internal panels support the bag and help it keep its shape even when there’s nothing inside. If you need even more than the 24 liters of storage the saddlebags provide, the TourMaster Select tail bag was designed to complement the panniers.

Shop for the Tour Master Select Saddle Bags here

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