Best Hard Saddlebags for Harley Davidson Sportster

The Sportster line of Harley Davidson motorcycles offers riders a classical experience no matter where they go, but finding the right hard saddlebags for your journey is sometimes a different story. Although each of the models within the Sportster line are a bit different – from the SuperLow to the 1200 custom – you will find that hard saddlebags designed for one will usually fit all. The best hard saddlebags will give your Harley Davidson Sportster a visual upgrade, but the main purpose is to carry luggage and other personal items easily.

Measure, Measure, Measure!

hard-viking-p-saddlebags-0-3Because of the simplistic styling of each model under the Harley Davidson Sportster series, hard saddlebags come in a variety of shapes and depths to suit the rider's needs. Your first course of action when selection a hard saddlebag is to determine how much room you'll need, and what kind of items you wish to store. Are you going to be traveling across the country and need enough room for clothes, a laptop and other valuables? You'll, of course, want to get a hard saddlebag that features a lock, because you can never be too careful on the road. Additionally, you'll need a hard saddlebag (or pair of saddlebags) that are deep enough for your personals, yet clear the exhaust pipe by at least two inches or more. Measuring is always necessary before you shop around, because you'll need to determine the acceptable height of each saddlebag used for your Harley Davidson Sportster.

Sportster Sophistication

Styling is generally the most important feature in finding a pair of hard saddlebags for your Sportster. While size and color surely matter, the shape of the saddlebags and how they contour to the rest of the bike will determine how natural the appearance looks. Do the saddlebags look like they belong on the bike, or do they appear to be thrown together in a rush? Saddlebag manufacturer Sumax creates no-frill, vintage-styled hard saddlebags for the Sportster, and you can even customize their models with your own pinstriping or LED lights. On the opposite side of the styling coin, Kuryakyn manufacturers sleek, modernized hard saddlebags that can really improve the appearance of your motorcycle.

Hard Saddlebags##### Protection From Nature and Thieves

Hard saddlebags require installation of a mounting system on your motorcycle, whereas soft and leather saddlebags can usually be thrown over. While soft saddlebags are easy to remove, hard saddlebags provide more support and protection for the contents inside. Many hard saddlebags these days come from the manufacturer with a soft lining on the interior, keeping the natural elements out and the personal items inside safe. For Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycles, riders can choose from a variety of hard saddlebags to best fit their motorcycling needs. The beauty of pairing hard saddlebags with a Sportster is transforming the beast into a whole new vehicle. You may not recognize your motorcycle with the new addition of the hard saddlebags at first, but an awesome pairing will make your motorcycle growl even more than before. Remember, always measure before you install any saddlebag mounts on your motorcycle, and consult your local shop if you need any guidance in selection.