These days, there are a ton of different dirt bike accessories to choose from. It’s even possible to find the right gear to go dirt bike camping and off-road touring.
To start heading out on these camping and touring trips, you’re going to need a set of dirt bike saddlebags. These are necessary for carrying your camping gear and bringing everything else you need on your bike.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at the best dirt bike saddlebags and best dirt bike panniers that you can find online. These should help you get started with camping, touring, and for taking longer rides on your dirt bike.
Let’s jump right into it!
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The Best Dirt Bike Saddlebags and Panniers
Nelson-Rigg RG-020 Dual Sport Saddlebag (Best Dirt Bike Saddlebag Overall)
It’s the Nelson-Rigg RG-020 Dual Sport Saddlebag that we recommend as the best dirt bike saddlebags for most riders. This is a durable and well-designed set of panniers that are ideal for dirt bike and dual sport riders.
Nelson-Rigg is a well-known and popular company when it comes to high quality, premium motorcycle luggage. These are the features you can expect using the Nelson-Rigg RG-020 Dual Sport Saddlebag for your dirt bike trips and dual sport adventures.
When it comes to storage, each bag has a capacity of 12L per side, for a total of 24L. When expanded, each bag can hold 15L, for a total capacity of 30L. This storage space is plenty for camping gear and other dirt bike accessories you’re riding with.
For mounting, these bags securely mount to a dirt bike rear rack or the back of the seat using velcro straps and quick release buckles. To help prevent your paint and plastics from getting scratched, there is an anti-slip and scratch protective panel on the bottom.
Along with the main, expandable, zippered compartment, there are additional compartments for extra storage and organization. Under the main compartment is an easily accessible tool pocket, where you can stash your dirt bike tool kit or other small accessories.
Other features worth mentioning include the self-fastening straps, oversized zipper pulls, and easy installation. Overall, the Nelson-Rigg RG-020 Dual Sport Saddlebag is one of the best dual sport saddlebags for taking with you on your next adventure.
Chase Harper Dual Sport Saddlebags
The Chase Harper Dual Sport Saddlebags are another great choice if you’re looking for panniers that are large and rugged. These are specifically designed for dual sport motorcycles and dirt bikes, making them ideal for taking with you on your next trip.
Thanks to the universal fit, these saddlebags can be installed on a wide range of dual sports and dirt bikes. With the adjustable velcro straps, quick release buckles, and loop mounting system, these are easy to install regardless of what you’re riding.
Each side has 17L of internal storage, for a total of 34L. This is plenty of space for stashing your dirt bike camping gear and other accessories you’re riding with.
As for the design, constructed from industrial-grade, ballistic urethane coated nylon. They’re highly durable, lightweight, tear resistant, and water-resistant for protecting your gear in all weather conditions.
The slim, contoured design helps to give them a streamlined appearance when mounted on your bike. It also means they’re aerodynamic, so they won’t slow you down while you’re riding.
Overall, it’s the Chase Harper Dual Sport Saddlebags that we would recommend if you’re looking for the best cheap dirt bike saddlebags. These are ideal if you’re on a budget and you still want to head out on a trip without having to spend thousands on luggage.
Wild Heart Motorcycle Saddlebags
The Wild Heart Motorcycle Saddlebag offers a large amounts of internal storage as well as a completely waterproof design. Along with some other great features, this set of bags is a great choice for longer dirt bike camping trips, especially in rough weather conditions.
With the universal fit, these can be installed on a wide range of different dirt bikes and dual sports. Helping to keep the bags in place are velcro straps and a series of buckles allowing for multiple adjustments.
When it comes to storage, these offer an impressive 50L total capacity, or 25L in each bag. This is more than enough room for some of your dirt bike camping gear and other riding accessories.
As for durability, these feature a high-strength design with strong joint sewing and alloy buckles. They’re also waterproof, meaning you don’t have to worry about your gear getting wet if you happen to get stuck riding in the rain.
On the outside of each bag is a series of loops as well as large reflectors for better visibility. These loops make it even easier to carry additional luggage and strap the rest of your gear to the outside of the bags if you run out of space.
Overall, despite their simple design, the Wild Heart Motorcycle Saddlebag are another great choice if you’re looking for the best dual sport saddlebags. These are waterproof, well-designed, and great for taking with you on a longer motorcycle camping trip.
Giant Loop Mototrekk Panniers
The Giant Loop Mototrekk Panniers are one of the best dirt bike saddlebags currently available. If you’re heading out on a rugged, off-road adventure, you’ll definitely want to consider these when it comes to carrying your gear.
What makes the Giant Loop Mototrekk Panniers so unique is their own Giant Loop mounting technology. These bags come equipped with an integrated mounting system that uses aluminum hooks for better securement and stability.
What this means is that you don’t need to worry about the bags flying off or coming loose when you’re riding, especially in rough and technical off-road conditions. Since there isn’t any additional mounts or hardware required, these are easy to install and can be used on a wide range of dirt bikes and dual sports.
The bags themselves are designed with a 500D, PVC tarpaulin material. This means that they’re waterproof, weatherproof, and ideal for riding with in a wide range of outdoor conditions.
Thanks to this series of straps and buckles, these can be easily adjusted to properly fit your bike. It’s also possible to strap additional gear to the outside of the bags if you happen to run out of space.
Also worth mentioning is the shoulder straps, which can be used to carry the panniers if you don’t want to leave them mounted on the bike. This is a great feature to have, especially if you’re travelling in places you’re not familiar with.
Overall, the Giant Loop Mototrekk Panniers stand as one of the best dirt bike saddlebags for most riders. If you’re looking for quality, versatility, and durability, look no further than this set of bags as your dirt bike luggage.
Nelson-Rigg SE-3050 Sierra Dry Saddlebags
It’s not surprising to see the Nelson-Rigg SE-3050 Sierra Dry Saddlebags as another recommendation from Nelson-Rigg on our list. This is a great company that’s well known for their quality and reliable dirt bike luggage.
The Nelson-Rigg SE-3050 Sierra Dry Saddlebags are 100% waterproof dirt bike saddlebags that come with electronically heat welded seams. These features help to keep your camping gear and other luggage dry while you’re riding in wet and rainy conditions
Thanks to the universal fit, these can be used for a wide range of dirt bikes and dual sports. They’re also easy to install, thanks to the aircraft grade aluminum mounting hardware, quick-release buckles, and adjustable mounting straps.
On the inside are removable stiffeners, which help to keep the bags sturdy when they’re loaded with gear. They even come with saddlebag liners, which offers even more protection for the gear you’re travelling with.
Finally, there’s the bright yellow design which definitely increases visibility and safety when you’re on the road. As for storage, these hold 27.5L per side, making them ideal if you’re riding with a lot of gear.
Overall, the Nelson-Rigg SE-3050 Sierra Dry Saddlebags are yet another great choice is you’re looking for waterproof dirt bike saddlebags. Not only are these well-designed and durable, they’re loaded with features that will definitely improve your dirt bike riding experience.
Best Dirt Bike Saddlebags Buying Guide
Using saddlebags, as opposed to a backpack, offer a number of benefits to dirt bike riders. They’re essential if you want to head out on longer rides, especially on dirt bike camping trips or overnighters.
Even with our great recommendations above, it can still be confusing knowing which panniers to use for your bike. We put together this helpful buyer’s guide so you have a better idea on the different features to look out for when you’re shopping for saddlebags.
Internal Storage
The internal storage of the bags is one of the most important features that needs to be considered. This relates to how much space, usually measured in liters, the bags are capable of holding.
For day trips and shorter rides, a smaller capacity would be suitable. This would be anywhere between 10 and 20L of internal storage space. Alternatively, a motorcycle tank bag could be a good option if you don’t want to use panniers.
For longer trips and dirt bike camping adventures, a larger capacity would be suitable. This would be anywhere between 20L and 30L of internal storage space. With this much space, it’s easier to travel with camping gear and other dirt bike accessories.
Keep in mind that the storage is measured per bag. This means a 20L capacity per bag for a total of 40L of storage.
Mounting
Look for universal mounting when you’re browsing saddlebags. Having a universal mounting system means the bags can be mounted on a wide range of different dirt bikes and dual sports.
It also means you don’t need any special rear racks or other hardware to install the bags and keep them on your bike. Additional hardware will cost more money, need to be installed, and isn’t necessary with most dirt bike saddle bags.
If you already have a rear rack or luggage system installed on your bike, that’s not a problem. Thanks to the universal design of most panniers, they can be installed over the seat or with a rack system.
Installation
Speaking of mounting, the installation of the bags should be considered. Most of them use a series of hooks or velcro straps for installation.
This means that they can be easily installed and adjusted depending on the bike you’re riding. Take a look at the reviews to see what other riders have to say about installation and whether or not they had any problems.
Alternatively, head to YouTube and look for reviews or helpful videos about the specific bags you are interested in. There always happens to be relevant information online that can help you with your decision process.
Waterproof
If you’ll be riding in the rain, or other unpleasant weather conditions, keep an eye out for waterproof dirt bike saddlebags. These are designed specifically to keep your luggage dry and out of the elements.
Waterproof saddlebags are made with waterproof materials, such as PVC or tarpaulin. They also come with other waterproofing features, such as heat welded seams and roll-tops to keep the water out.
Depending on the bags, some of them may come with a waterproof cover. This can also be used to protect your gear if you happen to get stuck riding in the rain.
Price
The last thing to consider is the price of any of the saddlebags you’re interested in. This would depend on your budget and what you’re planning to use the bags for.
Entry-level, cheaper panniers can range in price from $50 up to $125. At this price point, you’ll get some basic features, making them ideal for day trips or shorter camping trips. Cheaper bags typically don’t offer as much storage, something else to consider.
Some of the higher end, best dirt bike saddlebags range in price from $150 up to $300 or more. These are better suited if you are planning on taking a lot of longer dirt bike camping trips, especially in rough conditions. These higher-end bags also come with better features, including more space and waterproof designs.
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