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