Motorcycle Saddlebags vs Motorcycle Trunks - A Comprehensive Comparison

If you are one of those motorcycle enthusiasts who love traveling long miles to visit scenic spots and enjoy cross-country tours, you must be familiar with saddlebags and motorcycle trunk bags. Both are motorcycle luggage bags, allowing you to carry useful stuff on a motorcycle tour. There are several benefits of installing saddlebags and motorcycle trunk bags on a motorcycle besides improving the storage space. These luggage options also provide your motorcycle with a stylish look. If you find it difficult to choose between motorcycle saddlebags and trunk bags, this article will provide a comprehensive comparison and utility aspect of both luggage options.

Saddlebags are one of the most popular modification parts and are considered universal motorcycle luggage options. They come in pairs installed on both sides of the rear fender. Most factory-made cruisers and almost every bagger and touring bike are fitted with saddlebags as standard equipment. They are available in different shapes and types and provide adequate storage capacity.

Leather saddlebags are the most stylish luggage bags with a distinctive look. Leather saddlebags are mostly installed on touring bikes and cruisers to provide them with a high-end vintage look. They have characteristics of both hard and soft saddlebags. Leather saddlebags are strong and rigid, unlike soft saddlebags. However, they fail to maintain their original shape after being used for years.

Soft saddlebags are lightweight and compact. They are made of synthetic material and are used on most sports, naked, and performance-oriented bikes to keep the overall weight of the motorcycle low.

Hard saddlebags are mostly installed on baggers, sports-touring, and adventure bikes. As the name suggests, they are usually made of ABS plastic, metal, and fiberglass. The hard shell cases prevent deformation even after years of use.

Motorcycle trunk bags are another type of motorcycle luggage bag that is installed at the rear ends of the motorcycles. Most trunk bags are attached indirectly to the rear fenders of the motorcycles by first installing luggage racks. A luggage rack helps in firmly mounting the motorcycle trunk bag. They are bigger in size and provide a balanced look to a motorcycle. However, it is not always necessary that a motorcycle trunk bag provides more storage space than saddlebags.

Motorcycle trunk bags are also of different types depending on the type of material used for their construction.

A hard trunk bag is made of hard industrial-grade plastic to ensure better strength and protection from harsh external conditions. Hard motorcycle trunk bags keep the luggage secure from moisture and dust.

On the other hand, there are also soft motorcycle trunk bags made of synthetic material to use on sports and performance-oriented motorcycles. The aim is to keep the overall weight of the motorcycle low while enjoying the long motorcycle trips at the same time.

Soft motorcycle trunk bags do not last longer as they deform after using them for a few months and also wear out earlier than hard saddlebags.

There is another type of motorcycle trunk bag that is made of leather and they cannot be categorized as hard or soft trunk bags due to their unique characteristics. Leather trunk bags provide a more premium and classic look to your motorcycle. When it comes to stiffness, leather trunk bags are somewhere between hard and soft trunk bags. They can keep their shape intact for years. However, they become saggy at a certain point and require fixing.

If you are to choose between motorcycle saddlebags and motorcycle trunks, there are several factors that you must consider before making a decision. However, which one of them will suit you the most, depends on your preferences and the motorcycle you ride. Let’s talk about different aspects that can help you choose between motorcycle saddlebags and motorcycle trunks.

Motorcycle saddlebags are the most common type of motorcycle luggage option installed on motorcycles, especially for those riders who love to travel long miles on their motorcycles. Over time, saddlebags have become a requisite motorcycle part mostly on cruisers, touring bikes, baggers, sports touring bikes, and adventure bikes. They have adequate storage space to fit most of the rider’s essential stuff, including documents, spare gloves, rain suits, food, tools, and mobile accessories. However, they are not spacious enough to store a motorcycle helmet. Considering the space they offer, motorcycle saddlebags are good for casual weekend rides and city traveling. Motorcycle saddlebags not only restrict the rear wheel view, they also make it uncomfortable for passengers to sit on a motorcycle to a certain extent.

Motorcycle trunk bags have more space than saddlebags as they are big and can even store a motorcycle helmet securely. Motorcycle trunk bags are usually installed along with the saddlebags to improve the storage capacity of a motorcycle. Motorcycle trunk bags are usually installed on heavy-duty touring and sports-touring bikes and are an essential luggage option for those who love going on long motorcycle tours and cross-country rides.

When it comes to style and aesthetics, motorcycle trunk bags are not the preferred option of most riders when compared to saddlebags. In fact, trunk bags are usually installed along with saddlebags. Trunk bags make the motorcycles look too big and bulky, giving them an extended look. You cannot install a motorcycle trunk bag on every motorcycle. It only looks good on powerful and heavyweight motorcycles, like the full-dressed touring bikes.

Motorcycle saddlebags complement the look of a motorcycle, especially if you ride a cruiser. Being installed on both sides of the rear fender, it gives a balanced and bulky rear-end look. If you prefer the classic styling of a cruiser motorcycle, installing leather saddlebags provides a premium look. Leather saddlebags are the most stylish, especially those that come with studs and fringes to provide an exclusive vintage look to a motorcycle. Considering the American motorcycle market, the most favorite types of motorcycles are cruisers and touring bikes, which makes motorcycle saddlebags a very popular luggage option.

Motorcycle trunk bags are safer and provide better luggage protection than saddlebags. This is mainly because of their mounting position.

When it comes to the protection of your essential stuff carried on a motorcycle, motorcycle saddlebags are not as safe as motorcycle trunk bags. In case of a motorcycle crash or collision with another vehicle, motorcycle saddlebags are at greater risk of getting damaged and pressed against the ground due to their mounting position. In certain cases, motorcycle saddlebags are also prone to get scrapped, scratched, and damaged if you lean your motorcycle to a greater extent.

Motorcycle saddlebags are not versatile, unlike motorcycle trunk bags. They can only be used to store luggage and sometimes come with additional factory speakers on expensive luxurious full-dressed baggers.

Motorcycle trunk bags, on the other hand, are quite versatile as they can be used for several purposes besides carrying luggage. As they are usually mounted on a luggage rack or sissy bars, this provides more luggage mounting options, such as the ability to mount a sissy bar bag. You can also use motorcycle trunk bags as backrests to ensure a more comfortable touring experience.

Choosing between motorcycle saddlebags and a motorcycle trunk bag can be a difficult decision if you are unsure about them. However, it mostly depends on your preferences, needs, and the type of motorcycle you ride. If you use your motorcycle for daily commutes, casual rides, and city traveling, motorcycle saddlebags are the most popular luggage bag options. They improve the aesthetics of a motorcycle, particularly cruisers, touring bikes, and baggers by providing them with a classic look. If you love the vintage look on your motorcycle, installing leather saddlebags that come with studs and fringes is the best option. For performance-oriented motorcycles, including sports and naked bikes, soft saddlebags made of synthetic material are the ideal options.

On the other hand, motorcycle trunk bags aren’t mostly standalone equipment. They are usually installed along with motorcycle saddlebags to improve the storage capacity and transform the motorcycle into a full-dressed touring bike. However, they are more versatile and spacious than saddlebags.

If you want to check out and try more luggage bag options to install on your motorcycle, Viking Bags’ online store also has tank bags, handlebar bags, tool bags, and backpacks. Along with a wide range of motorcycle bags, Viking Bags also offers a complete touring kit, including fairings, sissy bars, crash bars, and backrests to transform your motorcycle into a full-dressed touring bike.