Adding motorcycle parts and accessories to your bike doesn’t have to be difficult and you don’t need to be an experienced mechanic to achieve great results if you want to customize your bike yourself. Part 2 of this series will help you add storage options to your motorcycle that will significantly increase the amount of stuff you can carry on your next ride.
Genuine leather saddlebags are as easy to install as the name suggests… “Universal Throw-over Motorcycle Saddlebags” are as easy as throwing them over the rear fender and tying them down securely. There are more sophisticated mounts and supports available for these types of saddlebags if you don’t mind installing a separate bracket system. Because not all sizes fit all, The Bikers’ Den carries several sizes as well as styles of throw-over motorcycle bags. Although they may be a little harder to take care of, each one of these bags is made from genuine leather… if you wouldn’t wear pleather or fake leather yourself, why make your bike wear it?
Leather Motorcycle Toolbags Make Perfect Emergency Bags
For carrying smaller items, a leather motorcycle toolbag/windshield bag is a perfect solution. These small leather bike bags make for great emergency bags for carrying tools and emergency supplies that you want to have anywhere you ride.
For the ambitious motorcycle do-it-yourselfers, adding a set of motorcycle hardbags will provide you with the satisfaction of a truly unique bike storage solution that is stronger and more secure than leather saddlebags and touring trunks. There are several manufacturers of aftermarket hardbags for most motorcycle brands so choosing the ones that you think will look best on your bike is key. As these fiberglass hard bags are made in different shapes and sizes, a good idea is to find pictures online of the bags installed on your bike. This will allow you to judge whether the lines and shape of the bags will “fit” with the overall look you are striving for. Although the mounting of these bags is more involved than throw-over saddlebags, as long as you take your time and follow the instructions, you should have no problem (and if you really don’t want to install them yourself, you can easily find a local bike shop that can mount them for a reasonable price).
In part 3 of this series, we will take a look at motorcycle seat covers and suction cup passenger seats that will provide you and your passenger with a comfortable ride that your backsides will thank you for.