Aftermarket Luggage for Harley-Davidson: Choosing Bags, Mounts and a Practical Set-Up

The short answer: Buy luggage as a complete arrangement of bags, supports and mounting hardware. Confirm loaded clearance, access and permitted weights; capacity in litres does not establish how much weight the installation can carry.

Adding luggage can make your Harley-Davidson more useful for commuting, weekends away and longer tours. Aftermarket options range from compact swingarm bags to throw-over saddlebags, rigid cases and complete detachable systems.

The right choice depends on what you carry, whether you take a passenger and how your motorcycle is equipped. Capacity matters, but so do secure mounting, exhaust clearance and everyday convenience.

Choose the type of luggage that suits your riding

For everyday essentials, a small tool bag or swingarm bag may provide enough space without adding a full luggage system. Check the intended mounting position carefully, particularly around the final drive, suspension and exhaust.

Soft saddlebags offer flexible packing space and suit a wide range of styles. Some use straps across the rear seat or mudguard, while others attach to dedicated brackets. “Throw-over” does not automatically mean they can be used without supports.

Rigid saddlebags and hard cases provide a more structured storage space, often with lockable lids. Check whether the locks secure just the contents or also prevent the cases being removed from their mounts.

Tail bags, rack bags and sissy bar bags can be useful when you want removable luggage for occasional trips. Their suitability depends on the seat, rack or backrest arrangement actually fitted.

Check what the mounting kit includes

Aftermarket luggage may be sold as a complete kit, as bags only or as separate bags and mounting components. Before ordering, establish exactly what is included.

Depending on the system, you may also need:

• Saddlebag support rails or dedicated brackets.
• A compatible luggage rack or sissy bar.
• Docking hardware and fitting kits.
• Indicator or number plate relocation parts.
• Adaptors to work alongside an existing passenger backrest.

Brackets from different manufacturers are not necessarily interchangeable. A bag described as detachable still needs the correct mounting system underneath it.

Check whether the advertised price covers a pair of bags or one side, too.

Treat “universal fit” as a starting point

Universal aftermarket luggage still needs checking against your motorcycle. Strap length, mounting width, bag dimensions and suitable attachment points all affect whether it can be installed properly.

Model-specific luggage also needs a closer look when the bike has been modified. An aftermarket exhaust, replacement seat, relocated indicators or different rear suspension can change the available space.

Give the supplier the full model and year, together with details of relevant modifications. Photographs of the rear of the bike and any existing brackets can help resolve questions before you buy.

Pay particular attention to exhaust clearance

A bag that clears the original exhaust may sit too close to an aftermarket system. High-level pipes, larger silencers and altered outlet positions can all affect the space available.

Check the luggage manufacturer’s clearance requirements with the bags fitted and packed. Soft luggage can change shape under load, so an empty-bag check is not enough.

Keep bags, straps and buckles clear of hot components, the rear wheel, final drive and moving suspension parts. A heat-resistant panel or additional heat shield does not remove the need to follow the specified clearance requirements.

Match capacity to the permitted load

A larger bag gives you more space, but it does not increase the carrying capacity of the motorcycle or its mounting hardware.

Check the load limits for the bags, brackets and rack, as well as the motorcycle’s total permitted load. Allow for the rider, passenger and any other accessories already fitted.

Pack within the manufacturer’s instructions and distribute weight evenly where paired bags are used. Weigh your touring kit before departure rather than judging the load by how full the bags look.

Tools, locks and spare parts can account for a substantial share of the weight while taking up relatively little space.

Think about rain protection and access

Check whether the luggage is described as waterproof, water-resistant or supplied with a rain cover. These are different claims, and the closure system matters as much as the outer material.

Read any instructions for roll-top closures, internal liners and rain covers. Keep documents and other water-sensitive belongings in suitable protective pouches.

Consider how you will use the bags during a trip. Can you reach your waterproofs without unpacking everything? Can the lids open with your chosen seat and backrest fitted? Can you remove the bags easily when you arrive?

If you carry a passenger, make sure the luggage leaves proper access to the seat and footrests.

Try the complete set-up before a long trip

Fit and pack the luggage ahead of your departure date. Secure loose strap ends and check that lights, indicators and the number plate remain unobstructed.

Follow the luggage manufacturer’s inspection instructions and the motorcycle’s guidance for riding with a load, including any specified tyre pressure or suspension adjustments.

Recheck the attachments after an initial short ride. If a bag moves, rubs or begins to sag towards another component, resolve the cause before continuing.

Compare luggage for the job it will do

• Daily essentials: prioritise secure mounting, weather protection and easy access to the items you use often.
• Weekends away: consider removable bags or liners, access to waterproofs and whether the luggage can be carried conveniently off the bike.
• Regular two-up touring: check the complete passenger space, rack, backrest and saddlebag arrangement before settling on capacity.

Use your own packing list to judge size. A lock and tools occupy relatively little volume but can account for a substantial share of the permitted weight. Litres and load limits answer different questions.

Make a complete cost comparison

For each option, list the bags, supports, docking kit, required relocation parts and weather-protection accessories. Establish whether the listed price is for one side, a pair or a complete system. A detachable bag without its required mounts is not directly comparable with a ready-to-fit kit.

Also ask which parts remain on the motorcycle when the bags are removed and whether that arrangement works with your backrest. Convenience depends on the full installation, including access to release mechanisms.

A loaded check before departure

Pack the luggage as you intend to travel, within all applicable limits, and check its shape and attachment points against the manufacturer's instructions. Confirm that lids open, the passenger can use the seat and footrests, and loose strap ends cannot reach moving or hot components. An empty soft bag can sit differently once loaded.

Build time for a short, appropriate shakedown journey into your preparations. If a bag shifts or rubs, correct the cause before a long trip. Adding another strap is not a substitute for a missing support or an incompatible mount.

The Hogparts view

Choose aftermarket luggage as a complete system: bags, mounts and any additional fitting parts. Getting those details right makes the difference between useful storage and a set-up that becomes awkward once it is loaded.

When asking Hogparts about luggage, include your motorcycle’s model and year, exhaust details, existing racks or backrests and whether you carry a passenger. That gives us a much better starting point for checking suitable options.

Always follow the luggage and mounting manufacturers’ instructions, together with the load limits and guidance for your motorcycle.

Related guides

For the next part of your research:

• Aftermarket Sissy Bars and Passenger Backrests for Harley-Davidson: A Buying Guide
• Harley-Davidson Rear Shock Absorbers Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Suspension for Your Bike
• The Complete Guide to Choosing an Aftermarket Exhaust for Your Harley-Davidson

About Hogparts

Hogparts UK Ltd is an independent retailer of aftermarket motorcycle parts. We are not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Harley-Davidson.