Motorcycle saddlebags have been around for more then 50 years.  They are great for storing supplies for long trips.  From everything like purses, tools, first aid kits, drinks and snacks, to spare helmets and cleaning supplies for your bike.  There are so many uses for motorcycle saddlebags, as very few of the necessary items for long trips or even trips to the local supermarket actually fit in the pockets of bikers.  In addition, there are a few items that should always be carried by bikers, and the pockets won't accommodate them all, but motorcycle saddlebags will.  With all the motorcycle saddlebags out there, what sets them apart?  There are two main types of motorcycle saddlebags.  There are hard mounted motorcycle saddlebags, and there are throw over motorcycle saddlebags.
 
Hard Mounted Motorcycle Saddlebags
 
For more stability, these hard mounted motorcycle saddlebags are definitely in the lead in this area.  In the 1950's a group of bikers drilled holes in their fenders to attach the motorcycle saddlebags.  This prevented them from flying off and flapping around.  After some major motorcycle manufacturers got wind of the new trend, they saw how popular it was among the bikers.  Instead of having the bikers drill holes into their fenders, they made mounting for motorcycle saddlebags.  These hard mounted motorcycle saddlebags are now custom on many bikes, and can be added to many more.  If you add these hard mounted motorcycle saddlebags to a package with a new motorcycle, you might end up paying more then you would if you added them yourself.  The dealer marks it up when they are adding it to the accessories.  Now the question is whether you want hard leather or soft leather.  Hard leather provides better protection for your items then the soft leather motorcycle saddlebags because the hard leather would resist any objects bumping into them better then the soft leather motorcycle saddlebags.  These generally have mounting brackets to keep them off the wheels and other vital motorcycle parts.  
 
Throw Over Motorcycle Saddlebags
 
The advantage of throw over motorcycle saddlebags is that it is not necessary to make any modifications to the motorcycle, whereas hard mounted motorcycle saddlebags required modifications that have quickly been included by most manufacturers.  Throw over motorcycle saddlebags are like the name says attached by throwing them over the seat of the motorcycle. Generally they go in front of the signal flasher and over the stocks.  Many times these types of motorcycle saddlebags require removing the seat to install the throw over motorcycle saddlebags.  These types of motorcycle saddlebags are generally harder to install, but they are traditional types of motorcycle saddlebags.  While the hard mounted motorcycle saddlebags are easier and more sturdy, the throw over motorcycle saddlebags are the motorcycle saddlebags of the original bikers, before the hard mounted motorcycle saddlebags were designed.  While some bikers or motorcycle enthusiasts may be daunted at the thought of the work involved in installing throw over motorcycle saddlebags, some true bikers revel in the ability to work with their hands to make something all their own.