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Step 1
Know your luggage. Common types of motorcycle luggage are tank luggage, side luggage, cruiser cases, and roll-tool bags. They come in hard case and soft case styles, and are made from a variety of materials, though leather is often viewed as the best.
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Step 2
Determine how much luggage you really need. If you tour frequently, you obviously need more luggage. However, you can overwhelm your bike and make it unstable if you add too much luggage. On the other hand, if you overload luggage that isn't big enough you run the risk of losing your toothbrush on the highway and will still destabilize your bike.
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Step 3
Shop online classifieds, used motorcycle accessories shops, and used motorcycle dealers to find used motorcycle luggage. Always consider your bike in choosing the luggage. The fit is now pretty standard for all bikes, but sometimes the shape of your bike might prevent the luggage from being secured properly or might just not fit at all.
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Step 4
Bring your bike with you whenever possible if you're buying used motorcycle luggage. This way you can mount the luggage on your bike and make sure it's a good fit before you buy. Check to be sure the luggage doesn't exceed the width of your mirrors, and that it doesn't exceed your load capacity.
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Step 5
Inspect the luggage before you buy. Check for any rips or tears, malfunctioning locks and zippers, and any problems with clips or brackets. If it's a leather case, you'll want to check for stiffness or cracks that will affect the condition. If it has a lock, make sure you get the key and that the key works well.
