7 Motorcycle Luggage Options for Long Rides
The Nelson-Rigg CL-1060-S Rover Sport Saddlebags top this list because they mount on a wide range of bikes and include a rain cover that actually works. Riders who need guaranteed waterproofing should look at the Kriega US-20 Drypack, sealed with a roll top rather than a cover, while the Givi V56 Maxia top case handles daily commuting with a lock.
Capacity numbers are the easy part of shopping for motorcycle luggage. Mounting method and how waterproofing actually works decide whether the bag survives its first motorway downpour.
Buying by litres alone is how riders end up with a bag that blocks the exhaust or lets water straight through. We compared how each system attaches under braking, whether waterproofing comes from sealed construction or a separate cover, usable versus quoted capacity, locking hardware and compatibility across bike types. Owners consistently report that a forgotten rain cover, not a bad bag, is the usual cause of soaked kit.
What to look for
Soft, hard or dry: what each type of luggage is for Soft luggage stays light, cheap and fits more bikes, plus it does less damage in a fall, but it offers no security and usually depends on a rain cover. Hard cases lock, stay dry without a thought, and make daily use practical, though they need a mounting rack, add weight up high and cost more. Dry bags sit between the two, sealed against water with nothing to lose but no security either. Most riders eventually own more than one type, running a hard case for commuting and soft or dry luggage for touring.
Where mounting actually goes wrong A bag shifting under braking is dangerous, and any strap touching a hot exhaust or header will melt within miles. Check what your bike offers before ordering: a sissy bar, a luggage rack, subframe mounting points, or just a pillion seat. Throw over saddlebags and strap systems work almost universally, while hard cases need a bike specific plate. After the first twenty miles, recheck everything, since straps settle and tension drops once the load has moved.
Waterproof versus water resistant, and why it matters This distinction ruins more kit than any other buying mistake. Water resistant bags rely on coated fabric and a separate rain cover, working fine as long as the cover goes on before the rain rather than after. Waterproof bags use welded seams and a roll top closure, so water simply cannot get in. Sealed construction is worth the extra cost for unpredictable weather or touring. Packing clothes in dry bags inside a conventional pack is a cheaper workaround that also keeps things organised.
Best for touring loads versus best for a daily commute Weight carried high and far back changes handling the most, which is why a fully loaded top case makes a bike feel top heavy and vague at low speed. Weight carried low and close to the axles, as with panniers or saddlebags, has far less effect. Split heavy items between both sides so the bike does not pull one way, stay within the stated payload including your own weight, and bump tyre pressure and preload for a loaded touring run.
The best picks, ranked
Nelson-Rigg CL-1060-S Rover Sport Saddlebags
No dedicated rack is needed to fit these throw over saddlebags, which is the biggest practical advantage soft luggage offers. A weekend’s worth of gear fits per side, the bags keep their shape when partly loaded, and included rain covers handle weather. Heat shields help, but exhaust clearance still needs a careful check on your specific bike.
Pros
- Fits most bikes without a dedicated rack
- Holds shape when only part loaded
- Rain covers included in the box
Cons
- Rain covers must be fitted before it rains
- Exhaust clearance needs careful checking
Kriega US-20 Drypack
Fully sealed roll top construction, rather than a water resistant bag with a cover, keeps this pack dry no matter how long the rain lasts. A four strap harness grips the tail or rack tightly and does not shift under hard braking. Multiple packs link together, scaling from a single commute bag to a full touring load with the same hardware.
Pros
- Genuinely waterproof with no cover needed
- Mounting does not shift under hard braking
- Expandable by adding packs
Cons
- Roll top access is slower than a zip
- Expensive per litre of capacity
Givi V56 Maxia 4 Top Case
Turning a bike into practical daily transport starts with a large hard top case, since helmets and shopping go in and lock without a second thought. Two full face helmets fit in most cases, and the case mounts on a Givi Monokey plate, meaning a rack is required. Height and weight up top change low speed handling noticeably once loaded.
Pros
- Lock and leave convenience
- Fully weatherproof with no cover
- Very large capacity for daily use
Cons
- Requires a rack and mounting plate
- High mounted weight affects low speed handling
Nelson-Rigg SE-3000 Hurricane Dry Duffle
Welded seams give this duffle waterproof construction sized for a proper touring load, strapped across the pillion seat or a rack. No cover ever needs remembering, since the build itself keeps water out. Packing works more like a duffle than a case with no internal structure, which suits some riders and frustrates others.
Pros
- Waterproof without a separate cover
- Large capacity for multi day trips
- Packs down when empty
Cons
- No internal organisation
- Needs a rack or pillion seat to strap to
Saddlemen BR3400 Tactical Deluxe Sissy Bar Bag
Cruisers with a sissy bar or luggage rack gain a serious carrying option here, shaped to suit a laid back riding position. Expansion for longer trips comes standard, along with genuine internal organisation rather than one open compartment. Water resistance depends on the included cover, so heavy downpours need it fitted promptly.
Pros
- Shaped well for cruiser ergonomics
- Genuine internal organisation
- Expands for longer trips
Cons
- Needs a sissy bar or rack
- Water resistant rather than sealed
Cortech Super 2.0 Tail Bag
A short sloping sport bike tail rejects a square duffle, which is exactly why this bag’s tapered profile exists. Straps and a non slip base hold it in place, it expands when needed, and a rain cover comes included. Capacity stays modest by touring standards, a realistic tradeoff given what a sport bike tail can actually hold.
Pros
- Shape suits sport bike tail sections
- Non slip base prevents shifting
- Expands when you need more space
Cons
- Modest capacity for touring
- Relies on a rain cover for heavy weather
Chase Harper USA Aeropac Sport Tail Trunk
Decades of building bike luggage in the United States back this straightforward strap on tail pack, sized for commuting and day rides. Stitching holds firm at the stress points, and the strap system fits in minutes. Water resistance falls short of waterproof, so a cover or dry bag liner is worth carrying alongside it.
Pros
- Lowest cost of the bags here
- Quick to fit and remove
- Solid stitching at stress points
Cons
- Not waterproof without a liner or cover
- Limited internal organisation
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Type | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nelson-Rigg CL-1060-S Rover Sport Saddlebags | Throw over saddlebags | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Kriega US-20 Drypack | Fully waterproof roll top | Best waterproofing | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Givi V56 Maxia 4 Top Case | Hard top case | Best for commuting | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Nelson-Rigg SE-3000 Hurricane Dry Duffle | Welded seam waterproof duffle | Best tail bag for touring | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Saddlemen BR3400 Tactical Deluxe Sissy Bar Bag | Sissy bar and rack bag | Best for cruisers | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Cortech Super 2.0 Tail Bag | Tapered tail bag | Best for sport bikes | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Chase Harper USA Aeropac Sport Tail Trunk | Strap on tail pack | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose soft or hard motorcycle luggage?
Hard cases suit commuting because they lock and stay dry with no effort, while soft luggage suits touring since it is lighter, fits more bikes and does less damage in a fall. One hard top case plus soft saddlebags covers most situations if you want a single system. Security needs should decide first, since soft luggage cannot offer any.
Do I need a rack for motorcycle luggage?
Hard cases almost always require a rack and a bike specific mounting plate. Soft luggage generally skips that, since throw over saddlebags and strap systems attach to the subframe, seat and existing anchor points. Exhaust clearance still needs a careful check on any strap mounted system.
How waterproof is motorcycle luggage really?
Results vary enormously. Welded seams and roll top closures, as on the Kriega and Nelson-Rigg dry designs, keep water out indefinitely. Most other bags are water resistant and depend on a rain cover fitted before the weather arrives. Zips remain the usual weak point on anything not specifically sealed.
How much luggage can my bike carry?
Check the payload figure in your owner’s manual, which covers rider, pillion and luggage combined, since it is easier to exceed than most riders expect. Weight placement matters beyond the raw number too, so keep heavy items low and forward and split the load evenly across both sides.
Will saddlebags melt on the exhaust?
They will if clearance is inadequate, and this remains the most common installation mistake. Heat shields help on many bags, but shields only do so much on a bike with a high exhaust. Measure clearance with the bag loaded, since a full bag sits lower than an empty one.
Can I leave luggage on the bike when parked?
Only locked hard cases offer any real security, and even then they resist opportunists rather than determined thieves. Soft luggage should come off with you or get emptied of anything valuable. Quick release soft systems exist specifically so bags can go into a hotel room in one movement.
Does motorcycle luggage affect handling much?
Yes, particularly weight carried high in a top case, which makes a bike feel top heavy at low speed and can induce weave at higher speeds. Panniers and saddlebags carrying weight low have far less effect. Loaded trips call for higher tyre pressures, more rear preload and extra braking distance.
What size luggage do I need for a weekend trip?
For two nights, roughly the capacity of a pair of medium saddlebags or one large tail bag usually covers clothes, wash kit and waterproofs. Camping gear, tools or a laptop push that number up. Modest capacity you actually fill beats a large bag half empty and flapping in the wind.
Motorcycle saddlebags vs a top case: which is better for touring?
Saddlebags carry weight low near the axles and barely affect handling, while a top case sits high and behind the rider, making the bike feel top heavy when loaded. Many touring riders run both, using the top case for light bulky items and saddlebags for heavier gear.
Is dry bag luggage worth it for everyday riding?
Roll top drypacks like the Kriega US-20 make more sense for regular wet weather commuting than for occasional weekend trips, since the welded seal removes the risk of a forgotten rain cover entirely.
Final word
Fitting almost any bike, carrying a real load and needing no rack make the Nelson-Rigg CL-1060-S Rover Sport Saddlebags the best starting point for most riders. Choose the Kriega US-20 Drypack for genuinely bad weather riding where a cover is not an option. A daily rider should look at the Givi V56 Maxia 4 Top Case, which turns helmets and shopping into a non issue provided the rack and handling change are acceptable.
Tony Russo
Tony trained as an automotive technician and spent years in service and parts retail before moving into writing. He focuses on garage tools, car care products and accessories from a hands-on maintenance perspective.
