

"Hard" panniers commonly come in an injection molded plastic such as ABS, and "soft" panniers come in some form of textile (e.g. Panniers mount on either side of the rear of the motorcycle roughly underneath (but not interfering with) the seating position of the pillion passenger. They normally come in pairs but may be used individually. Modern touring motorcycles often have panniers or saddlebags fitted as standard or available as options.
#MOTORCYCLE STORAGE COMPARTMENTS SERIES#
XL Series III throwover saddlebags on 2005 Harley Sportster A banking false-sidecar known as the "Sidewinder" became available in the UK in the 1980s, intended to overcome learner-driver licensing requirement restrictions of 125 cc introduced in 1983, but its carrying capacity was restricted, being approximately equivalent to a tool box. Sidecars place a heavy strain on wheel bearings, wheel-spokes and suspension components even frames and engines may suffer. The cornering of "an outfit" is partly controlled by the throttle and this makes for interesting effects: A sidecar wheel brake - usually a pedal side-by-side with the motorcycle rear brake - helps considerably. In any case, the special sidecar tyres are poorly-suited to solo riding. Alignment of the sidecar is critical and the mountings come under considerable stress, making a quickly-detachable version largely impractical.

#MOTORCYCLE STORAGE COMPARTMENTS WINDOWS#
Sidecars such as the British Watsonian were coach-built in wood and had doors, sliding windows and even a sun-roof, but modern sidecars may be fibreglass or aluminium. Their peak popularity (160,000 in the UK in 1955, pre- World War II in the United States) came about when powerful motorcycles were available, but there were relatively few cars about. IMZ-Ural motorcycle with a "sports" sidecarĪ sidecar turns a motorcycle into a three-wheeled vehicle. Now also used at times in a humorous or mildly derogatory way to describe bling, such as anodized or chromed parts that add no functionality. The term Farkle (a portmanteau of the words functional and sparkle) is used within the motorcycle community, originally to denote useful add-ons, such as GPS or other upgraded components. An accessory may be added at the factory by the original equipment manufacturer or purchased and installed by the owner post-sale as aftermarket goods. Motorcycle accessories are features and accessories selected by a motorcycle owner to enhance safety, performance, or comfort, and may include anything from mobile electronics to sidecars and trailers. JSTOR ( May 2009) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: "Motorcycle accessories" – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. DRIRIDER specialises in tank-style bags, while a Honda bag complements your Honda cycle for a perfect fit.This article needs additional citations for verification. You can shop by brand or by style, making sure to keep your budget in mind as you browse. Motorcycle Storage BrandsĪs you shop for motorcycle bags, youll see some brand names you may recognise, including GIVI, Shad, Harley-Davidson and DRIRIDER. Some top boxes also include reflectors for added safety since they sit atop your cycle.

Soft bags may feature side compartments and additional storage for a flexible bag, and if you decide on a carbon fibre top box, look for a padded design for a comfortable backrest option. Choose a water-resistant bag if you ride in all kinds of weather, and opt for a tear-resistant design for a more durable approach to motorcycle storage. Once youve decided where you want your storage to sit, you can begin to focus on features. Also referred to as motorcycle luggage, tail bags secure via adjustable straps for a custom fit that wont budge as you bike. Available in a variety of sizes and designs, motorcycle tail bags are a bit more versatile than top boxes are, since the soft fabric creates a more expandable storage option. Made of either hard or soft materials, these zippered bags stay out of the way as you ride. Tail bags (also shrewdly named) sit at the rear of your bike. Theyre roomy, stylish and secure to your bike via elastic hooks or nylon straps. Often comprised of tough, heavy-duty material like carbon fibre, top boxes can do double duty as a backrest for your passenger. A top box, as the name implies, sits on the top of your bike to allow you to grab what you need in seconds. Top BoxesĪlong with saddlebags and tail bags, a top box is an easy-to-access storage solution for your motorcycle. Fortunately, you can expand your motorcycle storage options when you purchase top boxes and tail bags, two versatile types of accessories you can use to stow your belongings on your two-wheeler. Riding your motorcycle can be a fun and exciting way to get from place to place, but theres simply not as much storage as there is when youre in a car.
