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