Carrying Cargo On Your Motorcycle

A motorcycle can mean a lot of things, from thrills to freedom to efficiency, but they’re rarely used for hauling cargo. The small size and weight make transporting most items nearly impossible, but sometimes it’s necessary. That’s why we here at Langston Motorsports have put together some ways to carry cargo on your bike. To learn more, or to see the motorcycles we have for sale, contact our store in Perris, California, today!

Not Your Lap

We want to get this out of the way first—no matter how small and light the cargo is, your lap is not a safe storage space. Even if you could physically manage it, you’re putting yourself, your cargo, and everyone around you at risk. This is partially because it can interfere with your steering, partially because it forces you to divide your attention between balancing your cargo and paying attention to the road. If there are any unexpected hazards, you could be in for it.

Straps

With any motorcycle with a flat space on the back, like a second seat or luggage rack, you might be able to secure small items using adjustable straps of one kind or another. Ratchet straps, for one, can help hold cargo in place for short distances, but you shouldn’t rely on this in difficult riding conditions or for long distances. The cargo might still slip, and if your bike isn’t built for this, the tie-downs themselves might slip. Bumps and jolts could also damage the cargo, since every one of them will be transferred directly to it with no cushion.

Bungee cords are also an option for light items and short rides. You can even make your own tie-downs by threading a bungee cord under the surface your cargo rests on. This still doesn’t eliminate the risk of slippage or damage, though.

Saddlebags & Trunks

Thankfully, these iron horses don’t rely on those methods. You can equip yours with saddlebags of a variety of sizes, shapes, and types, but most can just be thrown over your motorcycle with few, if any, mechanical modifications. They’re equipped with padded, secure space for storing small or medium items, supplies, and clothing.

For something with a bit more room, you can also equip your motorcycle with its own trunk. These won’t be quite as spacious as a car trunk, but they rest on the same flat space you might be trying to strap cargo down to and create a much safer, more secure storage space. Some trunks might even come with racks for additional cargo, backrests, extra tail lights, and more.

We hope these ideas help you get your stuff where it’s going more safely and conveniently! For more information, or to see our motorcycle selection, contact us at Langston Motorsports. We proudly serve the people of Temecula and Orange County, California—let us serve you today!