When we began the search for a set of aftermarket saddlebags to fit the Harley-Davidson Softail Standard, we knew there were a few ways to go. We could opt for a set of hard cases, which usually served up the most space and gave cargo a good measure of security and protection from the elements. But those often come with a weight and size penalty, plus we didn’t want to turn the Standard into a clunky, semi-permanent bagger. Or we could dumb things down with leather or textile throw-over-style saddlebags, which might swallow a decent enough stash of cargo and would be removable, but probably wouldn’t be very secure or as weatherproof. There are other variations on those themes, and that’s where SW-Motech’s Legend Gear LH Side Bag system slots in, trying to balance versatility, security, and function while trying to hit style points along the way.
The LH bags piqued our interest mainly because they’re fairly low-profile but still have dimensional shape, are sort of weatherproof (or at least weather-resistant), and are removable, plus they somewhat fit the Softail Standard’s spartan aesthetic (the Legend LH series includes similar bags for other Harley and Indian models as well) and wouldn’t muck up the lines of the bike too much.
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The Legend Gear LH bags are available individually or in our case, a kit “system” that bundles together a right side bag and a left side bag (both are bike-specific) along with the corresponding steel mounting brackets (Motech calls them “side carriers”), a lock set for each bag as well as waterproof inner liners. For the outer materials, the bags use a combination of fairly robust 600-denier textile and imitation leather with a diamond quilt pattern. It’s not a bad look, though the stitching might be polarizing to some. Giving the bags their shape is added ABS plastic, which lives inside each lid and back panel, with PE-reinforced sides to fill them out even more. The bags I got for the Softail Standard were different sizes, with the left side bag holding 25.5 liters (about 6.7 gallons) and the shorter right side bag having a smaller 19.5-liter capacity so that it could accommodate the stacked pipes on that side.
The mounting system is inconspicuous but stout, with the low-profile powder-coated brackets screwing onto the Harley’s existing fender strut making for a super-clean look. Each bags’ mounting points slot into cutouts in the bracket, and you can secure bags to brackets using the integrated lock mechanism inside each bag with a quarter turn of the handle. Each bag lid is also lockable, though let’s face it, you’re locking a textile case. That won’t necessarily foil a determined thief, but it might deter those snatch-and-grab goons looking for a quick score when you’re off the bike taking a bathroom break.
The result is a low-weight saddlebag that still has a solid shape for protection, is weather-resistant, and mounts cleanly to the fender. The 45-liter total capacity was more than enough to fit three days’ worth of clothes, tools, and snacks, and I had no issues accessing anything inside, though you have to make sure you seat the bag lid latch securely into its slot so the key could turn the lock solidly. No big deal. There’s also a series of MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) straps along the one of the sides of each bag should you want to strap on additional compartments or holders (of course Motech has plenty of options), which should come in handy on longer expeditions.
About 60 percent of my three-day ride was in the form of high-speed freeway stints, and the bags stayed secure on the bike throughout, with no flutter, shaking, or vibration. I only hit a bit of rain for an hour or so along the ride in Oregon, and with the waterproof rain liners (essentially roll-top dry bags) everything inside stayed dry as a bone. At the end of each day’s ride, it took only a brief minute to unlock and remove the bags and lug them up to the hotel room; the on-and-off design feels secure yet convenient when you need it to be. Once the bags are off, there’s no obvious and unsightly frame to muddy the bike’s lines, and even on the bike, we grew to like the LH bags’ looks.
All this convenience comes at a cost though, and at close to $1,000 for the two-bag “system,” the LH side bags will lighten your wallet considerably, though they’re only a little more expensive than other similarly configured, lockable, and mounted “soft cases.” It also would have been nice to see some more interior organization for the bags, though you can probably mock something up on your own easily. All in all though, the LH side bags ticked all the boxes and did just what I asked of them on every level, so the nitpicks really don’t hold much weight.
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If you’re feeling flush and looking for a versatile, removable, and convenient lightweight cargo solution, the LH side bags make a very good case for being on that list.
SW-Motech Legend Gear LH SideBag System: $977.95
