Finding a luggage rack for Harley Davidson that actually works is definitely not an easy task. There’s a lot to consider, from how much cargo you plan to carry, the cost of the rack, to the appearance of the carrier when it’s fully attached to the motorcycle. To ensure that you don’t make a wasted purchase, ensure that you get Harley Davidson luggage rack bags specifically designed for large tank motorcycles.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a few different perspectives on the Harley Davidson luggage rack for Street Glide. We’re going to present some secrets and tips on choosing the best cargo carrier for your hog. But before we get into that, check out our reviews of some of the best luggage racks listed below.
Table of contents
- Benlari
- PBYMT Black
- Benlari Black
- Dasen Chrome
- Amazicha
- Eagle Skull Five Bar
- Aufer Chrome
- Sissy Bar Backrest
- XKH Chrome
- Kolemo Black
- AIRCMT
- Motherwell MWL
- HTTMT
- How to Choose The Best Luggage Rack for Harley Davidson
- Can You Carry Luggage on a Motorcycle?
- How Much Luggage Can You Put on a Motorcycle?
- Can You Wear a Backpack While Riding a Motorcycle?
Benlari
13
Benlari is a product that gives you good value for money. It’s compatible with many Harley Davidson motorcycles, including Touring, Road King, Street Glide, and Electra. Designed to be strong and sturdy, this cargo carrier is made of heavy gauge steel. It’s capable of carrying loads of up to 30 pounds.
Overall, the Benlari looks well made. It has a powder coating to ensure its sturdiness. Once we’re done with the installation process, we noticed that the rack was slightly off-center. However, this is by no means a big problem, especially for a luggage rack for Harley Davidson, which costs less than 100 USD. If you want to save your money for some other things, this product will be perfect.
- What We Love:
- An affordable, well-built Harley Davidson rack. Comes with a heavy gauge steel frame.
- Pros:
- Quick installation
- Heavy gauge steel
- Elegant look
- Weight capacity of up to 30 pounds
- Cons:
- It’s slightly off-center
PBYMT Black
12
PBYMT is another affordable product worth considering, especially when you’re working on a tight budget. The price of this luggage rack is only a third of the official Harley product, but it works just as well. Most users, especially Street Glide owners, say that this cargo carrier has a tight fit. It’s also come with solid build quality and a nice paint job.
We especially love the packaging. As soon as we ordered PBYMT, it came in a sturdy box, wrapped in plastic and protected by Styrofoam. Unfortunately, no manual or instructions are included. However, this shouldn’t be a big problem since the installation process is fairly simple. It’s not rocket science, and you should be able to figure it out on your own. Overall, PBYMT is a slick product. If you’re looking for Harley Davidson luggage rack bags but don’t plan on spending a lot, this carrier will be great.
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- What We Love:
- It costs only a third of the official Harley Davidson product but works just as well
- Pros:
- Quick-release
- Premium quality
- Stylish
- Perfect fit
- Cons:
- Requires separate purchases of 4-point docking system kit
Benlari Black
11
Are you looking for a Harley Davidson luggage rack for Street Glide? Then Benlari Black is your answer. This steel alloy rack is specifically designed to work well with a classic Street Glide and other Harley models such as the Ultra Limited, Touring Road King, and Electra Glide. It’s professionally crafted from high-quality, sturdy steel. Apart from that, this luggage carrier is also resistant to weather and harsh environments. It won’t be easy to fade or scratch.
The installation process is guaranteed to be a breeze. Benlari claims that the Black can be installed and removed from your bike in just seconds. Furthermore, the package consists of a luggage rack and a mounting hardware kit. Sadly, neither instructions nor manuals are included. But on the brighter side, Benlari offers a warranty of up to six months from the date of purchase.
- What We Love:
- Professionally crafted from high-quality sturdy steel. It’s also resistant to weather and harsh environments.
- Pros:
- Tight fit
- Made of sturdy steel
- Quick installation
- Includes a mounting hardware kit
- Cons:
- No manual provided
Dasen Chrome
10
At first, we’re a little skeptical about Dasen Chrome. If you scroll through the product pages on Amazon, there are dozens of bad reviews about this chrome rack. Nevertheless, it turned out that this cargo carrier worked flawlessly! It fits perfectly on our 2020 SGS without any modification required. As for build quality, this carrier is nothing compared to the official Harley product. However, if you want to save a few dollars and don’t plan on carrying too much cargo, Dasen Chrome will be a great alternative.
Apart from that, we also love the design of this luggage rack for Harley Davidson. It looks really nice and in line with the aesthetics of the bike. The only downside is the mounting point. Depending on the year your bike was made, you may need to bend the rack slightly to get a tight-fitting.
- What We Love:
- A cost-effective alternative to a luggage rack for Harley Davidson
- Pros:
- Easy to install
- Triple polish
- High-quality chrome
- Rust-resistant
- Cons:
- May require a little modification
Amazicha
9
Amazicha is one of those Harley Davidson rack bags that work beyond our expectations. Since this is an OEM product, we really didn’t expect much from this metal rack at first. But you know what? This carrier is perfect! We tried it on an Electra Glide Police, and the results were amazing. The carrier is securely attached without any issues. But for a smoother installation process, we recommend putting blue Loctite on the bolts.
Overall, this docking hardware kit works really great. It does exactly as advertised. Apart from that, the installation process is pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, the included hardware doesn’t fit. Meanwhile, the washer was too big. If you’re planning to buy this product, we recommend preparing your own set of tools. But other than that, everything will work just fine.
- What We Love:
- Simple installation process. Works exactly as advertised.
- Pros:
- Durable
- Easy to mount
- Custom style
- Detachable
- Cons:
- Not for those who don’t like OEM products
Eagle Skull Five Bar
8
The Eagle Skull Five Bar would be a great alternative for anyone who needs a Harley Davidson luggage rack for Street Glide. It has an almost flawless fit. The build quality is excellent, while the chrome plate is great. What’s even greater is the fact that this cargo carrier is offered at half the price of a genuine Harley Davidson rack! If you’re not willing to spend over 300 USD for a new rear rack, this chrome carrier is definitely a no-brainer.
Another thing worth mentioning is how fast the shipping process is. We received our unit just two days after placing the order. Overall, we’re really satisfied with this product. It’s definitely cheaper and works just as well as most motorcycle luggage racks. It is totally recommended!
- What We Love:
- Nearly flawless build quality at half the price of a genuine Harley Davidson rack
- Pros:
- Simple installation process
- Affordable
- Perfect fit
- Looks great
- Cons:
- Sideplates required for install
Aufer Chrome
7
Featuring die-cast wings, the Aufer Chrome is a solid Harley Davidson luggage rack. The chrome finish is nice, and the fitting is more than acceptable. Meanwhile, the installation process is quick and painless. We took the rack out of the box, and after five minutes, it was securely attached to our 2017 Street Glide. Apart from that, this product also comes in the perfect size. It fits small to medium-sized touring bags.
Our only complaint is that the rack needs a bit of adjustment to fit. It’s also recommended to apply some grease if you’re having trouble straightening the carrier. Other than that, Aufer Chrome is a well-built cargo rack. It lives up to its price and is well worth your time.
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- What We Love:
- It takes less than five minutes to install. Fits small to medium-sized touring bags.
- Pros:
- Die-cast wings
- 10 pounds weight capacity
- Easy to install
- Advanced processing technology
- Cons:
- It needs a little adjustment
Sissy Bar Backrest
6
Sissy Bar Backrest is a hidden gem. You may not have heard of it before, but let us tell you one thing. You shouldn’t let these Harley Davidson luggage rack bags pass you by. Get them while they last! Seriously, this rack is quality and totally worth it. The packaging is great. Everything is bubble-wrapped, and there’s not a single scratch on it.
Apart from that, this heavy-duty carrier also has a great matte black finish. The mounting holes are great, while the taillight cutouts are precise. Once installed, you can tie a bag of supplies to the rack. Heck, you can even still carry a passenger if you want!
- What We Love:
- Comes in a nice black matte finish. The mounting holes and taillight cutouts are precise. Totally worth your time.
- Pros:
- Compatible with Harley Sportster
- PVC material
- Solid steel
- Includes a set of screwdrivers
- Cons:
- There are no instructions
XKH Chrome
5
The XKH Chrome is a decent Harley Davidson luggage rack for Street Glide. This rear carrier is getting some pretty decent reviews on Amazon, so we decided to give it a shot. It arrived quickly, and we can immediately tell that this product is sturdy. But on the downside, this cargo carrier won’t work right out of the box. You need to make some minor fixes here and there. Nevertheless, they’re not something that can’t be done with basic mechanic skills and a few shots of drinks!
One user claims to have used this rack on a 600 mile trip with no issues at all. It holds just fine. To conclude, XKH Chrome is a good value for the money. Keep in mind that this rack won’t cost you more than 80 USD, so, understandably, there are some minor flaws here and there. But if you want something that works straight away, we recommend buying directly from Harley.
- What We Love:
- A sturdy luggage rack that won’t cost you more than 80 USD
- Pros:
- Chrome color
- High-quality
- Work with HD adjustable passanger backrest
- Great packaging
- Cons:
- Doesn’t work straight out of the box
Kolemo Black
4
Kolemo Black is a detachable rack made of sturdy iron. It’s fully compatible with newer Harley Touring models equipped with 4-point docking hardware kits. If you have one with a rigid-mount tour pack, you’ll need to purchase a detachable tour pack conversion kit separately.
As for quality, Kolemo Black is crafted from high-quality, tough iron. It has a nice black finish and a versatile harp-shaped design. There’s no official information on the maximum load capacity, but you shouldn’t have any problems hauling 30-50 pounds of cargo on this Harley Davidson luggage rack. And since this carrier has gone through impact and grid testing, you won’t see any scratches on its surface. Last but not least, the installation process is pretty straightforward. You should be able to finish it in seconds.
- What We Love:
- A tough metal racks fully compatible with Harley Touring with 4-docking hardware kits.
- Pros:
- Made of high-quality iron
- Harp-shaped design
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Cons:
- Prone to rust
AIRCMT
3
AIRCMT is a must-have for any touring enthusiast. This high-performance rack boasts an integrated structural design. The mounting system is thoughtfully crafted, allowing for easy disassembly and installation. Apart from that, this cargo carrier is versatile. You can use it as a support bracket, docking hardware, or a passenger backrest pad.
As we said earlier, this luggage rack is solid and robust. It’s crafted from hard metal and won’t break easily. You can take this carrier on a long ride and get top performance out of it. As for compatibility, this luggage rack for Harley Davidson is compatible with the Road Glide, Road King, Street Glide, and Electra Glide series.
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- What We Love:
- Boasts an integrated structural design with a thoughtful mounting system
- Pros:
- High performance
- Robust
- Detachable
- Easy installation
- Cons:
- There are no instructions included
Motherwell MWL
2
The Motherwell MWL is nothing but perfection. At 11×7 inches, this chrome shelf is larger than most similar products. However, this doesn’t necessarily make the carrier look bulky and ugly. Quite the contrary, it goes very well with the overall aesthetic of our Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide. Even with the bigger fenders, this rack still has its charm.
The only thing that might discourage you from buying this steel rack is the price. At around 180 USD, it’s quite expensive for an after-market product. Other than that, the Motherwell MWL doesn’t get a lot of reviews on Amazon. But if you’re willing to take the risk and don’t mind spending more, this is one of the Harley Davidson luggage rack bags to consider.
- What We Love:
- Measured at 11 x 7 inches, it’s larger than most luggage racks for Harley Davidson. It also goes well with the larger fenders.
- Pros:
- Alloy steel material
- Made in the USA
- Fits larger fenders
- Outside rails made of solid steel
- Cons:
- It doesn’t get many reviews
HTTMT
1
Last on our list is HTTMT Chrome King. It got quite a few bad reviews on Amazon, but we decided to take the gamble. As it turns out, this luggage rack is surprisingly good! We don’t even hesitate to compare it to the original Harley product because this carrier is really that great. It’s well packaged, free from any corrosion, and fits tightly. There’s no need for modification, bending, or anything. This cargo rack simply works right out of the box!
Our only complaint is with the uneven chrome finish. Some spots are still bare metal and look like air bubbles. Luckily, a 10 buck chrome paint pen can fix this problem in seconds. Overall, HTTMT Chrome is a really functional and satisfying product. It’s definitely worth your money and time.
- What We Love:
- Fully functional, decent quality, and not as expensive as the original Harley product
- Pros:
- Chrome exterior
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Great packaging
- Cons:
- The chrome coating isn’t uniform
How to Choose The Best Luggage Rack for Harley Davidson
Depending on the type of motorcycle, each luggage rack is designed to work differently. Of course, most rack models will work just fine with a wide range of motorcycles. However, it’s best to get a luggage carrier that’s specifically designed to be compatible with your motorbike. This also applies when you’re looking for a luggage rack for Harley Davidson.
Do a little research before you decide on any Harley Davidson luggage rack bags. See if the carrier fits your purpose, as well as the make and year of your vehicle. And if you don’t have time for that, you can check out some of our tips on choosing a Harley Davidson luggage rack for street glide below.
Mounting
You need to consider where and how the rack will be mounted on your bike. A luggage rack for Harley Davidson is generally mounted on the back of the seat. This will allow you to carry two or more bags. However, please note that the more weight you carry, the worse aerodynamics you’ll get when the bike is moving.
Cargo
Next, think about how much cargo you want to carry. If you really need to move a lot of stuff, we recommend that you look for bigger Harley Davidson luggage rack bags. Such bags are commonly referred to as panniers. They’re designed to hang over the rear wheels, allowing for better handling and more storage space.
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Aesthetics
A good Harley Davidson rack for street glide should be light and attractive. It shouldn’t interfere with the overall aesthetics of the motorcycle. Since it’s just an accessory, the rack shouldn’t be too prominent. Therefore, visual appeal is an important factor to consider when you’re looking for a luggage rack for Harley Davidson.
Can You Carry Luggage on a Motorcycle?
Yes, absolutely. By utilizing the additional luggage rack, you can attach a pannier bag to the back and sides of your motorbike. If you want, you can install a tank rack in the front and carry some extra cargo.
How Much Luggage Can You Put on a Motorcycle?
Actually, there’s no specific standard regarding this matter. However, most motorcycles are known to be capable of carrying loads of up to 400 pounds. Just make sure that all your cargo is tightly strapped and well balanced. Apart from that, don’t try to carry ridiculously heavy or bulky items on your motorbike as that’s very dangerous.
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Can You Wear a Backpack While Riding a Motorcycle?
Of course, you can. But be aware that most backpacks out there aren’t designed to be worn by a biker. If an accident occurs, the backpack can catch and twist the spine. Or, in another bad scenario, certain parts of the backpack can cause damage to the back of the body.
