Three Luggage Setups We’ve Actually Used for Two-Up Touring
When you start packing for two people on one motorcycle, you learn fast that “just buy a bigger bag” isn’t the answer. Space matters. Balance matters. And if the setup starts messing with comfort around mile 150, trust me — you’ll hear about it.
On a solo trip, you can probably shove gear wherever it fits and call it good. Two-up? That logic falls apart fast. Weight distribution becomes noticeable. Space disappears quicker than you expect. And your passenger’s comfort isn’t optional — it’s part of the ride.
We’ve tried a few different luggage setups on real trips — not parking-lot posing, actual miles. Some worked better than others. These are the three we’ve actually loaded on the bike and put real miles on.
Why Luggage Matters on a Two-Up Motorcycle Trip
I’ll be honest — luggage isn’t usually the first thing on my mind. It’s more like an afterthought once the bike is loaded and we’re standing there staring at it thinking, “Yeah… that might be a problem.”
When you’re riding two-up, space disappears fast. I have no idea what works on a solo ride, so don’t ask. The Passenger Princess is on every trip. Two people’s gear adds up quicker than you think. And even if a bag never actually shifts, you still catch yourself checking the mirrors wondering if you strapped it down tight enough. Maybe that’s just a guy thing.
On a long touring day, you want quick access to rain gear, extra layers, snacks, or water without unpacking half the bike at every fuel stop. The right setup makes that easy. The wrong one has you rethinking your packing skills halfway through the ride.
What We Look for in Luggage for Two-Up Touring
Our setup isn’t a stripped-down solo build. We ride a 2020 Road Glide Special with a King HD luggage rack and the stock rider backrest — no tour pack. So whatever bag we run has to work with the bike, not fight it.
Most of our trips are 2–3 nights, with our longest pushing five. We’re hotel riders, not campers (the Passenger Princess has standards), so we’re packing real clothes — not just a spare T-shirt and optimism. That also means hair products, makeup, and everything required to look good so she feels good — even though no one at the gas station is paying attention. And that stuff takes space.
Here’s what matters most to us:
1. Backrest Clearance
If a bag interferes with the rider backrest, it’s out. On a long two-up ride, comfort isn’t up for debate. The bag can’t push forward or mess with my passenger’s posture.
2. Easy Access at Fuel Stops
We’re not unstrapping half the bike just to grab a hoodie or a rain layer. Quick-access pockets matter more than bragging about how many liters a bag holds.
3. Secure Mounting on a Luggage Rack
With a King HD rack and no tour pack, the bag has to stay put. If straps loosen or it starts shifting at highway speeds, you’ll feel it immediately — and so will your passenger.
4. Realistic Capacity for 2–5 Nights
Two people’s gear adds up fast. The bag has to handle it without feeling overloaded or awkward on the bike.
5. Durability for Mixed Riding
Our trips aren’t just smooth highway miles. The bag needs to hold up without falling apart after one season.
For us, it’s pretty simple. The bag needs to be well made and hold up to real use. If it can’t handle that, it’s not coming with us.
Let me say this — I’m terrible at remembering to take photos when we’re actually out riding. I try to stay in the moment, which means I don’t always grab pictures. If you follow me, you’ll notice that’s a theme around here.
The images in this post are from the manufacturers’ websites. The opinions and real-world feedback are 100% ours from using this luggage on actual two-up trips.
Saddlemen S3200DE Expandable Sissy Bar Bag
View full specs on Saddlemen →
This was the first bag we bought with the intention of taking real road trips. Then it sat in the basement for a couple years before we finally decided to take a trip to Big Horn National Forest. When we did use it, it was packed to the brim with everything we thought we might need — plus extra clothes “just in case,” because apparently we were preparing for every possible scenario.
Mounting & Fit
It slides over the passenger backrest and straps to the luggage rack. It took a couple tries to get it sitting right on our Road Glide with the King HD luggage rack and rider backrest, but once we had it set, it didn’t move.
Capacity
We used this bag on a 4-day run through Big Horn National Forest, to Cody, Wyoming, up to Billings, Montana, and back home — all hotel stays.
It has an expandable section if you need extra room. We didn’t use it, but it’s there if you need it.
Build & Materials
The bag feels well made. Solid material, strong zippers, nothing that feels cheap. From the way it’s built, I think it’ll handle plenty of use and abuse
What We Liked
Enough space for real two-up packing — not just the basics
Outer pockets that actually made fuel stops easier (sandals, sunglasses, lightweight layers)
Feels solid and stays organized without digging through everything
What Could Be Better
I don’t like how the smaller top round bag secures to the main bag
There’s no true carry handle — you’re basically using the backpack straps to move it around
Ideal For
This is a solid option if you want something that mounts over a passenger backrest and gives you room for a few days on the road.
Viking Bags DAGR 34L Extra Large Sissy Bar Tail Bag
View full specs at Viking Bags
Click Picture for link
Viking Bags sent this one out as part of a sponsorship. The opinions are still ours, based on using it on our own two-up trip.
Mounting & Fit
The DAGR slides over the passenger backrest and straps down to the luggage rack. It’s a wider bag, so it took a couple tries to get it sitting right the first time, but once we had it balanced, it stayed put.
Once we had it strapped down, it didn’t move. No shifting at highway speeds, even packed full for a weekend two-up trip.
Capacity
We used this bag on a weekend two-up trip to the Cavalier Motorcycle Ride-In. It was colder than expected, so we packed extra layers. It fit everything — but it was maxed out.
Nothing felt forced in, but there wasn’t extra space for “just in case” items either. It did its job for the weekend.
Pack light and it works. Start stretching into 4–5 nights or throwing in extra “just in case” stuff, and it’s going to feel tight.
Build & Materials
The DAGR feels similar in quality to the Saddlemen. The hard-shell design gives it a more structured shape, and the materials feel solid. The zippers are strong, and nothing about it feels cheap. From the way it’s built, I think it’ll handle plenty of use and abuse — but we’ve only run it once so far.
What We Liked
The hard-shell design helps it keep its shape, even when it’s not packed tight
The carry handle actually makes it easier to move in and out of hotels
Feels solid and well built overall
What Could Be Better
I don’t love how the smaller top bag secures to the main bag — we ended up adding extra straps just to feel better about it
Even with the carry handle, it’s a little awkward to carry once it’s packed full
Ideal For
For us, this works better as a solid weekend two-up bag or a longer-trip option for a single rider. But to be fair, we could also just be terrible at packing.
Rick Rack Roller Bag Combo Kit for Harley-Davidson King Two-Up
View full specs at Rick Rack →
We picked it up during the 2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and right away it felt different from the strap-on bags we’d been running. And yes, I hear how that sounds.
Mounting & Fit
This is where the Rick Rack feels different.
Instead of straps, it uses a quick-release clamping system that locks onto the luggage rack.
No straps. No re-tightening. Clamp it down and ride.
It’s the easiest bag we’ve used to put on and take off.
Capacity
We ran this bag fully expanded on a 4-day trip. Clothes, toiletries, makeup, flip-flops, tennis shoes — it all fit, but it was at max capacity — and packed that full, it was heavy. No way around it.
The way this bag opens and packs — more like a normal suitcase — makes it really easy to overpack. Which we did. On top of that, the mounting bracket stays attached to the bag, so you’re carrying that extra weight too. That’s how we ended up with it feeling so heavy.
Build & Materials
The construction feels solid — same as the other two bags. The suitcase-style design, rollers, and pull handle make it easy once you’re off the bike.
On the road, it didn’t shift — even at highway speeds. I’ll be honest though, with that much weight back there, I was definitely hoping the luggage rack wasn’t getting stressed out..
What We Liked
The quick-release clamp system — no straps, no re-tightening
Packs like a suitcase and rolls into the hotel
Didn’t move once it was mounted
What Could Be Better
Easy to overpack, and once it’s loaded, you feel it — especially when lifting it off the kickstand. Shorter riders will understand.
Ideal For
If quick on-and-off matters, the Rick Rack is the easiest to deal with. No straps. No re-tightening.
Here’s How They Compare
The DAGR is the only one of the three with a hard-shell feel, which gives it a more structured shape.
For 4 to 5 days, the Saddlemen or the Rick Rack (expanded) both handled it. The DAGR works well for weekends but fills up fast once you start adding “just in case” stuff.
It really comes down to how you pack and how much convenience matters to you.
Final Thoughts
Saddlemen S3200DE
The Saddlemen sticks with the traditional strap-over-backrest setup and handled 4 to 5 days without issue.
Viking DAGR 34L
The DAGR also uses the traditional strap-over-backrest setup, but adds a hard-shell feel and more structure. It works well for weekends, but it fills up fast if you pack heavy.
Rick Rak Roller Combo
The Rick Rack uses a clamp system instead of straps, which makes it the easiest to load and unload. It handled 4 to 5 days when expanded, but the added weight is noticeable — especially if you overpack.
If We Were Packing Tomorrow
If we were heading out for 4 to 5 nights, we’d grab the Rick Rack.
The quick on/off clamp system just makes life easier. After a long day in the saddle, not messing with straps matters.
That said, if you prefer a traditional strap-over-backrest setup, the Saddlemen is still a solid option. And if you like a more structured, hard-shell feel for weekend trips, the DAGR fits that role.
At the end of the day, it comes down to how you pack and how much convenience matters to you.
If you’re planning a ride through North Dakota, we shared our experience at the Cavalier Motorcycle Ride-In.
