Sometimes you want your dog to come for the ride with you.
And if a motorcycle is your only way of getting around, you’ll need an accessory of some kind (unless you’re like our friend in east Asia with a patch of carpet glued onto the tank and a dog riding there since he was a pup).
Solutions range from boxes that mount to your bike to rucksacks specifically designed to house your dog comfortably. Here’s our list.
Best Motorcycle Dog Carriers Reviewed
Petsfit Carrier
This is a backpack-type carrier solution. It’s advertised as a small pet carrier with a recommended weight of 7kg, so we’re confident you could get some smaller breed, mature dogs in there too.
600D Oxford cloth is durable, if not waterproof, material to construct the pack with, and we can’t fault how this is put together.
Vents on the top and bottom ensure a decent amount of airflow, and the 30cm x 21cm base and 41 cm height will keep your pet cool and comfortable so long as they meet the size guidelines.
A removable fleece lining for winter is a nice extra feature, and the mat at the base of the pack is removable and machine washable.
The foldable design is easily one of this solution’s best selling points for motorcyclists, making this bag stashable in a pannier or box pocket.
Pros
Foldable design- Inexpensive
Foldable designCons
- A bit lightweight for full-time use
A bit lightweight for full-time useRC Gear Pro Pet Carrier
This is a backpack-type solution and can be used to carry both cats and dogs.
Decent padding in the adjustable straps and a rigid, padded back area means this could also be used for activities like hiking too.
The top opening lets your pet stick its head out while still attached to the leash and sturdy D-ring. This is a nice option if your pet gets nervous when they can’t see what’s happening.
Mesh panels in the lower section of the bag also help with ventilation and visibility, meaning that your pet should feel in the loop, no matter the situation.
One important thing to note here – while this is reinforced to some extent, it’s not a motorcycle-specific solution like some of the more expensive options on our list.
The Kuryakyn carriers are designed like miniature roll cages to keep your dog out of contact with the ground as much as possible in an accident.
This backpack-type solution is a lot better than nothing but not in the same league as the mounted-box solutions as far as safety goes (or price!).
Pros
- Well-made at the price
- Suitable for walking and hiking
Cons
- Not sturdy enough to recommend as a long-term solution
Kuryakyn Grand Pet Palace
The Kuryakyn Grand Pet Palace comes with a multitude of backrest straps, adjustable nylon straps, and D-rings to make it easy to attach to a variety of bikes and scooters and features a shoulder strap so you can easily take your pet off the bike.
A rigid frame, UV-rated, rugged 1200 denier nylon, and removable rain cover keeps your pet safe from the elements and safer in the event of a fall.
We like the rigid base, easy-to-clean, removable cushion, and adjustable leash – easy to see a pet being comfortable there for an hour or so.
A top window lets you communicate with your dog and keeps things cool when needed in combination with the mesh side panels.
The floor space comes in at 47cm x 33cm, and the Kuryakyn is 35cm tall.
This might suit someone serious about taking their dog with them regularly but isn’t ready to pay the premium price for the Pillion Pooch.
Pros
- Can be adapted to fit a variety of bikes
- Decent construction and waterproofing
Cons
- Some users report getting 5 years of regular use
Buyer’s Guide
Considerations, care and cost
Crate VS Backpack
The safest solution (and probably the most comfortable for both of you) is to mount a box onto the bike.
Safety is covered by this kind of solution, having a stiffer, more durable construction and the fact that they stay mounted on your bike in the event of an accident.
If you lose control and need to go down, sliding on the armour at the back of your jacket is often where you want to be. Just not if your best friend is strapped there.
If you expect to carry your dog regularly, consider a mounted crate-style solution.
Weather Proofing
For UK riders, this is always something worth thinking about.
Most of the units on our list are at least water-resistant.
The level of protection from the cold and elements tends to climb with the more you spend.
The backpack-type solution offers the advantage of keeping your pet next to your body as a heat source. Still, it’s worth spending a little extra if you’re riding in cold, wet conditions.
Mounting And Safety
We can’t make any claims about the safety of any of these solutions other than the obvious. Those with roll cage protection and higher dernier nylon will perform much better in a crisis.
Mounting solutions are considered safer than backpack types because of the unpredictability of coming off a motorcycle at speed.
Under normal riding conditions, a pet is less likely to be crushed by the bike’s weight when mounted than be crushed by the rider in a backpack.
I’ve landed on my back before with enough force to kill a timber wolf.
Portability
The backpack-type solutions have off-bike portability in spades. But even the mounted box-style options on our list have features that help mitigate this disadvantage.
The Pillion Pooch uses a quick-release system to get eh box off quickly, but I can’t imagine carrying that around for very long.
The Kuryakyn and Saddlemen offer better solutions with carrying straps that allow you to lift the box off the bike like a piece of luggage and move it around.
Legality
When it comes to the legality of carrying pets in boxes and backpacks, there is no specific offence being committed by carrying the animal.
However, a creative prosecutor could get a dangerous driving charge to stick, depending on how the dog is secured.
There are a few ways to mitigate this risk. Using purpose-made solutions where the collar secures your pet and inside a box/bag helps. If you live in a small, rural area, dropping into your local police station for a chat about it first might be an option.