Suzuki C1500T first ride - MOTOR GERR

They may be about as relevant in the UK as a 50ft Winnebago or eight-litre SUV but, if you hadn’t cottoned on already, ‘baggers’ - or be-bagged or panniered cruisers designed for comfort and custom style and, usually, also with Plexiglass screens, a relaxed riding position and footboards instead of conventional footpegs, are big news in the U S of A.

Historically it all (probably) started with the Harley-Davidson Road King and romantic images of a never ending stretch of road in the deep south heading towards a shimmering  horizon; a cruisers’ dream to head into the sunset; touring in relaxed comfort with a huge V-twin barely ticking over, thumping away between your knees.

Which is probably why the ‘bagger’ class has in recent years proved so popular (particularly in the US where numerous magazines, shows and more are dedicated to them) and there are now so many to choose from.

Obviously Harley and Victory have baggers in their line-ups, but so too, in the US, do Yamaha/Star (with the V Star Tourer, Deluxe and five or six more), Honda (with its new 1300 Custom and F6B ‘Wing), Kawasaki (VN1700 Voyager and VN1700 Classic Tourer) and even Triumph (Rocket III Touring) and Guzzi (new California Touring).

Obviously few of these bikes make it to the UK but even so it was clear Suzuki was lagging behind. Hence the new C1500T.

The flip side of that is Suzuki’s had plenty of time to suss out the opposition and do its homework. The twin bags have been integrated neatly into the design and have the same finish as the seat, which is a nice touch. They also feel robust and solid.

On the downside, they aren’t detachable nor are they large enough to accommodate a lid. However, they do open really wide for easy access. Suzuki says they’ll carry 50.5l of luggage and there’s an optional rear rack with sissy bar if you want to carry even more.

These panniers also feature a small cut out so they don’t get in the way of your pillion’s legs. However the rear pegs are rather high. Suzuki has also fitted a small crash bar to the left hand side to protect the luggage should it fall over, which, unfortunately, I managed to test after embarrassingly toppling over at a standstill.

These panniers also feature a small cut out so they don’t get in the way of your pillion’s legs. However the rear pegs are rather high. Suzuki has also fitted a small crash bar to the left hand side to protect the luggage should it fall over, which, unfortunately, I managed to test after embarrassingly toppling over at a standstill.

The crash bars did an amazing job and the bike was virtually unscathed. You’d certainly never have guessed it had been on its side with both wheels off the floor!

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