How To Carry Cargo On A Motorcycle

Motorcycles are all things to all people, but they don’t often get used for hauling cargo. The small size and relatively low weight capacity makes transporting anything on a bike difficult, but sometimes it’s necessary. We here at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson know that sometimes you just don’t have a choice, so we’ve put together some tips for carrying cargo on your motorcycle. To learn more, or to see the motorcycles and motorcycle storage solutions we have for sale, contact our store in Eugene, Oregon, today.

Laps Aren’t Storage

First, we have to warn against the obvious last-second solution: carrying small cargo in your lap. While there might technically be room for it, carrying anything in your lap while on a motorcycle is extremely dangerous. That’s partly due to the potential interference it may cause with your steering, partly due to the fact that it requires you to divide your attention, potentially distracting you from a road situation that requires full focus. 

Straps

If your motorcycle has a flat space on the back or even a second seat, you might be able to secure small cargo to it using adjustable straps. Ratchet straps and other tools like them can hold your cargo in place for short distances, but it’s not a perfect solution. The cargo may still slide, and if your motorcycle doesn’t have purpose-built tie-downs, the straps themselves might slip. This also might damage delicate cargo, since all bumps and jolts will be transferred directly through it with little to no cushion.

Bungee cords can help a bit, allowing you to create your own tie-downs by threading a bungee cord under the surface your cargo will rest on. This might lower the risk of slippage, but it doesn’t eliminate it entirely. The risk of damage also remains. 

Saddlebags & Trunks

Luckily, these iron horses can be equipped with saddlebags. There are a number of types and sizes of saddlebag, but many can simply be bought and thrown over your motorcycle with few, if any, mechanical modifications. These provide padded, secure storage for small to medium items and supplies.

If you need a bit more room, you can also buy your own motorcycle trunk. These tend to rest on that flat space you might have been bungeeing cargo to, but are much safer and more secure. Different trunks might even have additional bonuses like racks for additional cargo, backrests, and extra tail lights. 

We hope these tips help you balance the freedom of a motorcycle with your cargo-carrying needs! If you have any questions, or want to see the motorcycles and motorcycle accessories we have in stock, contact us at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson. We proudly serve Albany and Corvallis, Oregon.