Cycle Leather

There is a bag for every occasion. There are duffel bags, lunch bags, sling bags, backpacks, shopping bags, sandwich bags, marble bags, and beanbags. When choosing any type of bag, we must consider our own needs, as well as the pros and cons of various bags. However, after choosing bags, such as leather saddlebags, we must then determine what to put inside those bags. Here are some categories of gear that you should stuff into your motorcycle saddlebags, before your next road trip:

1. Tools, spare parts, and maintenance products

When on a motorcycle road trip, the roads can be rough. Make sure to bring a tool kit to make any minor repairs to your cycle. You may need to add some additional items, such as vice grips, which are not included in the tool kit. Tire problems are one of the most common issues during road trips. Make sure to bring a patch kit, tire irons, an air pump (with CO2), a proper spoke tool, etc., to make minor repairs to your tires. While you do not need to bring a toolbox’s worth of tools, bring the bare necessities. Being stranded in the middle of nowhere can be as thrilling as a root canal.

2. Food, glorious food

The name of the game is convenience. Be certain to pack food items that are easy to prepare, or require no preparation at all! Some suggestions include candy bars, canned food (i.e. baked beans, beef jerky, chili, stew, etc.,) energy bars, freeze-dried food, oatmeal, and trail mix.)

Buying some of your food in small towns that you pass through, can provide two benefits. You will be required to pack less food, which will allow you to travel faster. Furthermore, this will allow you to support some of the local economies. Oftentimes, small businesses in small towns rely heavily on the income from tourism. Thus, buying from small convenience stores or gas stations not only helps you, but also the towns that you include in your road trip.

3. Odds and ends

Besides the basic gear to keep your motorcycle running and your stomach full, you should also bring an array of other items, which can become quite handy during your motorcycle road trip. Some of these items include:

• AAA card
• Binoculars
• Blanket
• Camera
• Cash
• cell phone
• compass
• extra goggles
• extra socks
• GPS
• Lighter
• Maps
• motorcycle gloves
• rubber gloves
• sunglasses
• sunscreen
• water filtration pumps
• waterproof matches
• zip ties

4. Cold weather gear

Include items such as waterproof clothing, a fleece vest, an extra pair of lined leather gloves, and thermal underwear, to stay warm in frigid weather. Remember to pack and dress in layers, to avoid freezing or frying. Temperatures can range greatly during a single road trip.

One of the keys for any successful motorcycle road trip is to bring the right gear. The key is to bring enough, but not too much. These aforementioned tips will help you to pack light for heavy riding.

Here is an interesting photo I came across.  I couldn’t find any additional information about it’s origins, but it appears to be a type of one-wheeled motorcycle (or possibly two closely-set wheels, it’s difficult to see in the picture). 

Looks to me as though it would have all the stability of a hedgehog on a caffeine-buzz.  How do you handle reverse-torque when accelerating?  And if it is two wheels, how do you make a turn without the outside wheel coming off the ground at speed?  And, oh yeah, where do you hang the saddlebags on this thing?

At least the guy in the photo has the good sense to be wearing a leather motorcycle jacket and a helmet.  Personally, I would be wearing some leather motorcycle chaps and gloves as well.  On second thought, I don’t think I would get on it in the first place.

Some of my favorite scenes in ‘Dark Knight’, the latest installment of the ongoing Batman saga, are those involving the BatPod.  An apparent escape vehicle, which first appears in the movie when the Joker toasts the BatMobile with an RPG and it is just about to self-destruct.  The Batpod emerges from the wreckage, just before the whole thing goes meltdown, in the form of a very cool,  low-slung, two-wheel hybrid.

The front and rear tires are enormous at 508 millimeters, with the engines contained within the hubs of each wheel.  Having no handlebars, it is steered by sleeve-like shields that fit over the arms and actually rotate around the bike’s frame by twisting the entire upper-torso, functionally integrating the rider into the bike.  With foot pegs mounted 3 1/2 feet apart on either side of the tank, the rider actually lies on top of the tank, belly down, again actually integrated into the machine.

Of course all of the obligatory batman equipment is retained, machine-guns, cannons, flame-throwers, grappling hooks, etc…

The actual working version used in the movie was designed by Nathan Crowley, and a fine job he did.  Maneuverability appears to be incredible, as the wide tires and low center of gravity indicate it should be.   I only have one question…   Where do I mount my leather motorcycle saddlebags? 

 Riding on a motorcycle doesn’t leave your hands free to hold stuff other than your bike’s handlebars. Bring and carry all your stuff without any problems by simply selecting a set of motorcycle saddlebags made of premium leather in a size and shape that best meets your needs. You can now dress up your ride with the time-honored classic looks of these durable leather bags.

These motorcycle saddlebags are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and styles. They come in a variety quality leather options, like full-grain leather and buffalo leather, that are very affordable and yet durable. They are great for bringing along all your gear on whatever type of bike you ride.

Another motorcycle accessory that is seeing increasing popularity is the Leather Travel Bag.   While they have been around for quite a while, an increasing number of new and inovative designs are appearing on the scene to fit every need large and small.

 Most of these mount on the back rest or ’sissy bar’, often on an accessory luggage carrier and add extra storage space beyond, and sometimes ‘instead of’ saddlebags.  These are especially handy when you take road trips and need to pack some extra clothes, food, or whatever.

While some motorcycle enthusiasts may think it prudent to stick to the basics and not invest in any fancy accessories, others believe motorcycle accessories are a right of passage. Many motorcycle add-ons can make riding more convenient. One problem with riding is that there isn’t any storage space. On a sunny summer day you may feel like taking a ride to the state park for an outdoor picnic, but end up driving because there’s no place to store the food.

Normally you will see leather saddlebags when a rider is going on a long trip. But more and more riders are utilizing saddlebags for everyday activity. Saddlebags may contain a variety of supplies including; tool kits, clothing, food and important documents. The bags can be found in a many of materials, colors and styles.

Since the days of the old west Saddlebags have been an important part of our traveling gear.  If you were going to be going very far on your horse and you knew you were going to need to bring something back, you made sure to take along your saddlebags. 

The same holds true of our present day two-wheeled ’steeds’.  If your gonna’ be going very far (even to the local store, lol) and you’re gonna need to bring something back, or take something with you when you go), you need a good set of saddlebags.  The plastic or fiberglass ones are ‘ok’, but for classic style and versatility - you just can’t beat a great set of genuine leather saddlebags. 

Not only do they look great, but they will stretch and conform to odd sized cargo like a plastic or fiberglass saddlebag never could.  And with proper care and conditioning, they can have an amazingly long life.