For motorcyclists who value style, quality, and functionality, finding the right gear to complement their ride is crucial. If you own a BMW R NineT — or are thinking about getting one — you’ll know it’s a bike built for customization.

That’s where Longride comes in, offering premium saddlebags designed to not only match the R Nine T’s rugged, retro style but also enhance its practicality without compromising its aesthetic.

In this post, we’ll explore why the BMW R NineT is the perfect motorcycle for personalization and why Longride makes the best saddlebags to complete your ride.

The BMW R Nine T: A Blank Canvas for Customization.

The BMW R Nine T has become a favorite among bike builders and riders alike for one main reason: it’s the ultimate "blank canvas" for customization. Designed with ease of modification in mind, the R Nine T stands out as one of BMW’s most versatile motorcycles. Here are a few key reasons why:

• Modern Design with Classic Appeal: Unlike many retro-inspired bikes, the R Nine T wasn’t based on an old model. Instead, it was designed from the ground up to merge vintage aesthetics with modern engineering. Its minimalist design, featuring clean lines and a minimal amount of plastic, allows for easy modifications without clashing with the bike's timeless look.
• Built for Modifications: BMW intentionally made the R Nine T easy to modify. With removable rear frames and exposed metal components, this bike invites riders to make it their own—whether it’s swapping out the seat, upgrading the exhaust, or, as we’ll explore here, adding custom saddlebags.
• The Meaning Behind the Name: The name “R Nine T” pays homage to the boxer engine that has powered BMW motorcycles for over nine decades. It symbolizes BMW’s heritage while offering a modern machine that can be tailored to each rider’s preferences.

Whether you’re a fan of café racers, scramblers, or classic roadsters, the R NineT provides the perfect foundation to create a bike that suits your style. But what’s the point of customizing your bike if your accessories don’t match? That’s where Longride comes in.

Longride: The Perfect Match for Your BMW R Nine T

When it comes to accessorizing a bike as high-quality as the BMW R Nine T, cutting corners with cheap gear just isn’t an option. With its European pedigree—hand-built in BMW’s Berlin factory—the R Nine T deserves luggage that enhances its style and doesn’t detract from its premium feel.

That’s why Longride saddlebags are the perfect match.

• European Sourcing, Top-Quality Materials: Longride uses only the finest materials, all sourced from Europe or the UK. Some of our components, including leather and metal fittings, even come from Germany—the same country where your BMW R Nine T is crafted. This ensures that our saddlebags not only look the part but are built to last.
• A Modern Retro Style: Just like the R Nine T, Longride saddlebags are designed with a modern retro vibe. Our soft saddlebags, such as the Mini Patriot SK and Racer SK, blend classic materials with contemporary features, creating luggage that’s both stylish and practical. Together, the R Nine T and Longride saddlebags embody quality, reliability, and timeless design.
• Enhancing, Not Hindering: Many saddlebags on the market don’t live up to the standards of a premium motorcycle like the R Nine T. They either look out of place or detract from the bike’s overall aesthetic. Longride saddlebags, on the other hand, elevate the look and feel of the bike by reinforcing its rugged, retro charm. In other words, our bags enhance what the BMW already has to offer, making your motorcycle look even better.

Why a Saddlebag Frame Matters.

BMW’s R Nine T isn’t just customizable in terms of aesthetics. The bike’s frame and mounting points make it easy to securely attach a saddlebag frame, which is where Longride's system shines.

During our work on the R Nine T, we discovered that BMW’s stock bolts are perfectly adequate for medium-sized saddlebags and moderate loads. However, if you're planning on heavy packing for longer road trips, we recommend pairing your saddlebags with a couple of duffle bags, like Longride’s Large Traveller, for the back of the bike. You could also add a tool bag to the fork to maximize storage without sacrificing balance.

That said, using a saddlebag frame has clear advantages:

• Quick-Release System: If you opt for Longride’s saddlebag holders, you’ll benefit from our quick-release system, which lets you attach and detach the bags in seconds. This feature is a game-changer for riders who need flexibility and convenience on the go.
• Protection from the Exhaust: Without a saddlebag frame, your bags might sit too close to the exhaust, potentially damaging them — or worse, the contents inside. Our frame ensures that the saddlebags are kept at a safe distance, so you don’t have to worry about heat-related issues.
• Stability and Security: A saddlebag frame guarantees that your bags are securely mounted, even when you’re carrying heavier loads. This is especially important for long trips, where you’ll want your gear to stay firmly in place without shifting or dragging on the road.

Best Saddlebags for Your BMW R Nine T.

When it comes to choosing saddlebags, we recommend two models that perfectly suit the BMW R Nine T’s style:

• Mini Patriot SK: A cool roll-top design, photographed here in classic khaki, perfect for everyday use or short trips.
• Racer SK: A square-shaped saddlebag that offers more structure, slightly more space, and an external pocket, ideal for riders who need extra storage with no compromises made on looks.

Both saddlebags are designed to work seamlessly with our saddlebag holders and quick-release system.

Installing Longride Saddlebag Holders: A Quick Guide.

For detailed installation instructions, please refer to our YouTube video, where we walk you through the process step by step. Here’s a brief overview:

• 1. Choose Your Setup: You can opt for a left, right, or both-side configuration, depending on your needs. In the video, we opt for a left and right setup, pre-assembling the frame before attaching it to the motorcycle for ease. But you can also mount each element individually, starting with the two flat brackets under the seat frame.
• 2. Adjust Saddlebag Height: The Longride holders allow you to position the bags higher or lower by flipping the mounting brackets. This will move the side rails accordingly and result in the saddlebags sitting slightly higher up or lower down on the bike.
• 3. Spacer Tubes: Depending on your exhaust setup, you can choose to use the spacer tubes to create distance between the saddlebags and the bike. They go between the side rails and the luggage frame. In the video, we use them to create space between the saddlebags and the exhaust pipe.
• 4. Final Assembly: Once the frame is mounted, tighten all bolts and ensure everything is secure before hitting the road.

Ready to enhance your BMW R Nine T?

The BMW R NineT is a bike that’s meant to be customized, and Longride saddlebags are the perfect luggage to take your ride to the next level. With European-sourced materials, a modern retro design, and practical features like the quick-release system, our saddlebags don’t just complement the R Nine T—they elevate it.

• Shop the BMW R NineT saddlebag holders.
• Shop the saddlebags.