| Saddlebags are most commonly used to carry | | | | Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha made their way into |
| luggage on a motorcycle. There are 2 major kinds of | | | | North American market they also made sure that the |
| motorcycle saddlebags. Throw over saddlebags and | | | | riders get enough room for the luggage. Yamaha |
| hard mount saddlebags. The concept of hard mount | | | | motorcycles are a classic example of this as they |
| saddlebags originated from throw over saddlebags | | | | manufacture most of their bikes with most room for |
| which were used in early 1950 for the first time. | | | | the saddlebags. They also make sure that the turn |
| As the motorcycle industry experienced a big boom | | | | signal does not interfere with the saddlebags, a |
| in 1960 especially after the Vietnam War the | | | | common problem with smaller motorcycles. |
| motorcycle luggage also evolved. As major | | | | In 1980 the motorcycle companies realized that most |
| motorcycle companies launched bigger and better | | | | 1000 cc and above motorcycles are used for long |
| motorcycle people started traveling farther on there | | | | rides. To further add value to their motorcycles they |
| motorcycles. Many riders formed groups and rode | | | | started selling motorcycles with fiber glass |
| cross country and from city to city. The throw over | | | | saddlebags. These motorcycles did well as most of |
| style of saddlebags was soon replaced by a better | | | | these came with the motorcycle specific luggage. |
| and more reliable way of carrying luggage. | | | | This also saved the motorcycle rider a lot of time |
| A group of riders drilled several holes in the back | | | | and headache. |
| fender of their motorcycles in order to permanently | | | | Despite the popularity of factory installed saddlebags |
| bolt the saddlebags to the motorcycle. This | | | | motorcycle riders still prefer leather saddlebags in |
| permanent installation resulted in the saddlebags being | | | | most cases. This is due to the fact that motorcycles |
| more reliable and sturdy. This step also contributed | | | | leather saddlebags can be customized to a greater |
| towards the aesthetic appeal of the motorcycle. The | | | | degree as opposed to motorcycle specific fiber glass |
| trend soon gained popularity amongst the riders. | | | | bags. |
| Motorcycle companies like Indian Motorcycle | | | | Most early motorcycle saddlebag companies used |
| Company and Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company | | | | studs, spots and conchs to decorate the saddlebags. |
| noticed this trend and soon started producing | | | | Recently the more advanced motorcycle saddlebag |
| motorcycles with struts. The struts enabled | | | | companies have started manufacturing and offering |
| motorcycle riders to bolt the motorcycle saddlebags | | | | saddlebags that are not only motorcycle specific but |
| without making any permanent changes to the | | | | also match the color of the motorcycle. Another |
| motorcycle such as drilling holes in the back fender. | | | | approach is to design the leather motorcycle saddle |
| Later the same strut enables other accessories to be | | | | bags in such a way that it blends in with the overall |
| securely mounted on a motorcycle such as | | | | design of the motorcycle. These advancements have |
| motorcycle carrier and sissy bars. | | | | resulted in more and more people willing to install |
| As the Asian motorcycle manufacturers such as | | | | saddlebags on their motorcycles. |