6 MIN READ
How to determine which motorcycle luggage you need
To determine which motorcycle luggage you really need, it is important to take several factors into account. In this blog, we will talk about questions you can ask yourself and we provide some tips to determine the right luggage for your motorcycle.
Luggage for a motorcycle trip
To make a motorcycle journey or a short trip, you need more gear than you would use for your daily commute to work. Before you spend your hard-earned money, here are some things to consider while choosing the right luggage, .
Solo or Duo?: Are you riding the motorcycle alone or is there a passenger with you? If you’re riding with a passenger, it’s important that this person can also sit comfortably and isn’t squashed between the rider and the luggage.
Travel Duration: For a short trip, you might not need extra gear, it’s possible already have the required gear. For a long journey, you’ll need more luggage and therefore more storage space is needed. Lay out everything you want to take with you and figure out what isn’t necessary and can be left at home. Remember that a motorcycle can handle a lot, but the load capacity remains limited.
Type of motorcycle: Not every motorcycle has the same amount of luggage capacity. A motorcycle that is made for racing will have fewer luggage options than a touring or an adventure motorcycle. Cruiser or chopper riders might also be limited in their options. But those who are creative with saddle or rack bags can take quite a lot with them. If people in India can fit a truckload onto a 125cc motorcyle, what’s stopping you?
Type of terrain: What kind of roads will you be riding and what terrain will you be tackling? Those who go off-roading and expect minor wipeouts will prefer soft luggage or sturdy aluminum cases. Those who primarily drive on the highway will prefer a full set of cases in lightweight plastic or aluminum.
Weather conditions: What weather do you expect to encounter during your journey? In dry areas, waterproof luggage isn’t necessary, but those who expect heavy rain should check in advance whether all luggage is waterproof. Rainwear will not be an unnecessary luxury.
Personal preference: How much luxury do you need? Can you do what you want with fewer resources or do you want to be prepared for every possible situation and want to carry all kinds of accessories for comfortable camping, for example?
Consider the points above and decide for yourself how you can make the puzzle with different types of luggage. But just what different options are there?
Soft Luggage
Soft luggage is the type of luggage that is easiest to use. This includes backpacks, tank bags, and saddle or luggage carrier bags. As the name suggests, this luggage is soft, lightweight, and easy to handle. Some soft luggage can be adjusted according to the volume (often described in liters) to remain as compact as possible.
Motorbackpack:
A motorcycle backpack isn’t an ordinary backpack, as they are made of wear-resistant material. They have been designed to evenly distribute the weight across your shoulders and back, and thanks to an extra fastening trap across the chest or a waist belt, it prevents the bag from swinging back and forth while riding. In short, a motorcycle backpack can be convenient for short rides and offers a lot of flexibility.
+ Ideal for short trips or commuting
+ Quick access to your stuff
+ Budget-friendly solution without making modifications to the motorcycle
+ Also useful besides the motorcycle
– Fragile items are not protected
– Avoid rigid objects for your own safety
– Not suitable for heavy loads
When choosing a motorcycle backpack, it is important to pay attention to waterproofing, the maximum capacity and the fit for your body.
Tank Bag:
A motorcycle tank bag can be useful for short rides and provides easy access to your belongings. You have instant access to your small items such as phone, wallet or bank card. However, it’s important to consider the limited storage space. You can attach a Givi Tanklock tank bag using a practical click system on a mounting ring that you can mount on your fuel cap or you can attach a tank bag using magnets or straps.
+ Everything you need within reach
+ Minimal adjustments to the engine without disturbing the balance
+ Budget-friendly
– Possible obstruction of the view on your dashboard
– Be careful that the tank bag and your handlebars do not clash
Saddle or Rear Rack Bag:
A saddle or luggage carrier bag, also known as a motorcycle bag, can be easily placed on the passenger seat or attached to a luggage carrier. Using some straps, tension belts or a luggage net, you can quickly attach and detach this from your motorcycle. They offer a lot of space, which makes them very practical.
+ Lots of storage space
+ Easy attachment to the motorcycle
+ Large selection of waterproof saddle or carrier bags for protection against all weather conditions
– You cannot leave the bag on your motorcycle
Hard luggage or cases
With hard luggage, we mean hard cases in all shapes and sizes. By putting your luggage in hard cases, it is provided with excellent protection. The cases are mounted and locked onto the motorcycle using the required mounts. You can leave a hard case on the motorcycle without worrying that someone will run off with the contents. It’s ideal for transporting an extra motorcycle helmet. Often, different versions of the type of hard case you want are available, so you can be sure that it matches the style of your motorcycle. To install hard cases, you’ll need a mounting system. You can easily check our luggage search engine to see which hard cases fit your motorcycle and which mounting system you need.
A top case holder is not always equipped with a Monokey or Monolock mounting plate. With Givi holders, you often need to buy a separate plate so you can choose the mounting system you prefer.
Givi top case:
A Givi top case provides ample storage space and excellent protection. Thanks to the convenient Monokey or Monolock system, you can quickly click the cases onto the motorcycle and easily remove them again. Perfect for long rides and carrying larger items. Due to their construction, these cases are both light and sturdy. Givi has plastic and aluminium cases available.
+ Large storage space
+ Easy to mount and remove
+ Good protection against weather conditions and dirt.
+ Some Givi top cases have an optional passenger backrest
– Big investment, but a sustainable luggage solution.
– Plastic top cases are less suited for riding off-road
Givi side cases:
Givi side cases offer plenty of storage space, good protection, and are suitable for long rides and carrying a lot of luggage. A complete case set can even contribute to the adventurous look of your motorcycle. However, it’s important to consider the potential impact on handling if you load the side cases unevenly. Also, keep the width of the side cases in mind when you’re going to filter through traffic. It’s important to carefully check whether the mounts for the side cases can be combined with the existing mount for the top case. Not all combinations are possible.
+ Ideal for long journeys
+ Easy to attach and remove
+ Cases can be left on the motorcycle
– Negative impact on the motorcycle’s driving behavior when load is unevenly distributed
– Your motorcycle becomes significantly wider
How can you check if a certain case will fit your motorcycle?
Our range of Givi cases is so extensive that you might not see the forest for the trees. That’s why at RAD have developed a luggage choice assistant. By answering a few questions or selecting requirements, you can get a selection of suitable luggage solutions for your needs. Whether you’re looking for a case, motorcycle bag, backpack, or tank bag. We’ll have what you’re looking for. This way, you can go out and make that motorcycle trip or journey you’ve been dreaming about for so long.
Related links:
Nathan is our webshop employee who is ready with advice and assistance to help customers. When he is not answering customer questions, he writes helpful texts and blogs for the RAD site.
[…] the essential items with you or opt for extra luggage or motorcycle cases to carry more. In our motorcycle luggage blog we discuss some luggage options to keep it organized. Also consider weather-resistant clothing, […]