It’s definitely not your sister’s favorite watering hole. But if you’ve ever spotted a motorcycle with sissy bar rolling down the highway and asked yourself “What’s going on back there?”, you’re in good company. A sissy bar for motorcycle riders can be as simple as a short bracket or as wild as a towering chrome statement piece—either way, it’s been turning heads since the 1960s. Think of it as part safety feature, part luggage carrier, and part rebellious style icon all rolled into one.
In this post, we’ll explore the origins behind the name “sissy bar” (hint: it has a lot to do with biker attitude), dive into the history that transformed it from a basic fender strut into an emblem of freedom, and look at different old school sissy bar designs alongside modern takes. You’ll see how they’ve been adapted for comfort, creativity, and sheer spectacle—whether you’re talking about a bobber with sissy bar, a towering chopper, or a cruisy bagger. So buckle up (or lean back) and get ready to see why this classic motorcycle add-on is still riding strong.What Is a Sissy Bar on a Motorcycle?
The motorcycle sissy bar is a metal bar that mounts to the rear of the motorcycle and extends above the rear of the passenger portion of the seat. The original function of the sissy bar for motorcycle enthusiasts was to supply a mounting position for the rear fender—it was nothing more than a fender strut.
In the late ’60s, bike builders started extending the sissy bar and using it for lashing luggage or just making cool, old school sissy bar designs.
These days many riders use a motorcycle with a sissy bar because it gives the passenger something solid to lean against while riding. Others install them simply because they’re stylish or because they offer an easy way to mount luggage racks, flags, or other accessories.
In fact, some places even require a passenger handhold by law, so having a sissy bar can serve a practical need beyond just the look. Racers once favored shorter, hoop-style bars for easy loading and unloading of their bikes, while custom chopper fans often stretched them sky-high as a form of self-expression.
Whatever your preference, the sissy bar has been around awhile, and it’s more than likely here to stay—part safety feature, part luggage rack, part rebellious icon. Here is a Gasbox Bolt-on Chopper Sissy Bar on a 2016 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster, showing how even modern bikes blend functionality and style with a sleek backrest design.
Here is a Gasbox Bolt-on Chopper Sissy Bar on a 2016 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster.
Why Is It Called Sissy Bar?
The sissy bar gets its name as a bit of a “dig” toward the user. Originally the motorcycle sissy bar was often referred to as the sister bar—like having your sister riding on the back of the bike. In the early 1960’s, some states initiated laws that mandated the use of a bar on the back of a street motorcycle for safety reasons, but at the time many bikers weren’t too concerned with safety regulations. Bikers began calling these mandatory bars “sissy” bars because they didn’t appreciate having to comply with a law they saw as unnecessary.
Still, the sissy bar for motorcycles remains the common term today—although, in some corners of chopper culture, you might hear it called the bitch bar or the bitch stick. Some builders even made excessively tall bars as a rebellious statement, and the name stuck. Whichever term you choose, we’ll stick to calling it the sissy bar around here.
History of Motorcycle Sissy Bars
A short version of a sissy bar was originally found on early motorcycle race bikes. The fender strut was extended just over the back of the rear seat because it created a good hold position, making it easier to load and unload bikes in and out of transport vehicles. This is how the Harley Davidson sissy bar came to be. Racers often favored short, hoop-style bars for quick maneuvering and loading—especially on brakeless competition bikes.
It wasn’t until the early 1960’s with the introduction of the motorcycle sissy bar laws that the sissy bars we are so familiar with were created. In response to the new laws, some bikers started making ridiculously tall sissy bars as a form of protest. These tall custom sissy bars later became part of the classic chopper look we know today. They used a variety of materials to fabricate these sissy bar designs such as tubing, rod iron, plate metal, and even welded chains. Some enthusiasts added decorative elements or integrated them into their exhaust mounts, further blurring the line between function and art.
Page 32 of the California Choppers catalog from 1972 shows a wide range of sissy bars available for custom motorcycles.
The sissy bar gained more popularity when the bicycle industry introduced wheelie bicycles like the Schwinn StingRay. These bicycles had an elevated seat that also used an extended sissy bar. This elevated seat allowed the rider to change the weight distribution, making wheelies a cinch.
The sissy bar remained popular through a good portion of the ’70s, gaining visibility with the release of the movie Easy Rider, featuring the popular Captain America chopper ridden by Peter Fonda. That iconic tall bar became a symbol of freedom and rebellious style, inspiring many riders to replicate the look on their own bikes.
This Double A Chrome Plating ad in the back of the March 1972 issue of Big Bike Magazine advertises custom sissy bars sales, as well as springer front ends and other chopper parts of the era.
Over the years, motorcycle manufacturers have developed bikes with and without sissy bars, depending on the model and use. Harley Davidson® for example has produced many bikes in the Sportster® line that do not have sissy bars and other models like the Dyna® that do. You can still find a Sportster sissy bar through the aftermarket, or you can make your own.
Today’s motorcycle sissy bars are known more for their function than their form. Modern cruiser motorcycles often come standard with a padded sissy bar, giving passengers a good handhold as well as a place to lean against when riding. Some local laws even require a passenger backrest or handhold for safety, making the sissy bar a practical necessity in certain regions.
George Keeler's 1968 Harley-Davidson XLCH using a Gasbox DIY sissy bar kit to help mount his fender to his frame.
Common Types of Motorcycle Sissy Bars
The world of motorcycle sissy bars offers a diverse range of styles, each with its own unique look, feel, and function. Whether you're after a vintage vibe, practical luggage solutions, or enhanced passenger comfort, there's a sissy bar type to suit your needs. Let's break down some of the most common types you'll encounter:
Short Sissy Bars
Short bars are perfect if you’re going for a more subtle look on your bike but still want the functionality of motorcycle sissy bars. They give just enough support to strap small items or provide a handhold without dominating the overall design. Pros include a sleeker profile and fewer legal worries about bar height. On the downside, a short bar doesn’t always offer much in terms of passenger support.
Tall Sissy Bars
Tall bars deliver that classic chopper vibe people immediately recognize. They not only scream old-school rebellion but also offer extra support for passengers who appreciate something more substantial to lean on. The main draw here is style—nothing says freedom like a towering backrest on a bobber with sissy bar—but remember that laws in some places limit bar height. If you’re after that iconic look, tall sissy bars are where it’s at, but just be sure they’re legal in your area.
Rigid Sissy Bars
A rigid setup means the bar is firmly affixed to the bike’s frame. This style is popular among riders looking for a minimalistic design that doubles as a sturdy anchor point for gear. It’s a dependable option for those who want a permanent solution without having to worry about hardware loosening over time. The downside? If you’re not a fan of constant metal fixtures, it can be a hassle if you decide you want the bar off for a different style or to carry different luggage setups.
Detachable Sissy Bars
Detachable bars give you the best of both worlds—when you need a sissy bar for motorcycles (like hauling gear or providing back support), it’s there in a snap. When you want a cleaner look or are just riding solo, you can pop it off just as easily. It’s a convenient, modular choice for riders who like versatility. The only real drawback might be an extra step in mounting hardware and making sure it stays secure.
Padded Sissy Bars
If passenger comfort is your priority, a padded sissy bar is the way to go. It offers a cushioned backrest, giving the passenger more support on those longer trips. While rigid or tall bars may look cool, adding padding can be a game-changer on comfort—especially if you frequently ride two-up. Sure, it might add a little bulk to your setup, but for many riders and their passengers, that trade-off is well worth the added coziness.
Ideas On How to Use Motorcycle Sissy Bars
We’ve seen how a sissy bar can handle it all—from mounting your rear fender to giving passengers a place to lean and hauling your weekend gear. But whether you’re rocking a sleek bobber with a sissy bar or dreaming of a custom chain sissy bar, each design offers its own blend of style and function.
Sissy Bars Can Be Used to Mount the Fender to Frame
When you are building a bobber bike one of the issues you will face is figuring out how to mount the rear fender.
A custom build is exactly that, it’s custom. There are many ways to accomplish the build but how you decide to get there is up to you. It seems simple but depending on the type of bike you are building you may be trying to achieve a certain look.
Sissy bars often serve as the perfect bracket to hold the rear fender firmly in place—especially on rigid frames where clearance might be just a quarter inch from the tire. This setup helps you dial in the stance of your bobber with a sissy bar, ensuring the fender sits right where you want it.
Kevin Ludwig rolling in the deserts of Baja California, bag fully loaded for a weekend get away on his custom sissy bar.
For example, many custom bobbers use a rigid style (hardtail) frame and often the rear fender is placed less than a ¼ inch above the rear tire. The sissy bar allows you to mount that rear fender to the frame exactly where you want it. Depending on the style of the build you are going for, a sissy bar may be the answer.
This tough-as-nails Harley Shovelhead built by Zylstra Choppers uses the classic sissy bar to help mount the rear fender on this hardtail.
Sissy Bars Are Great for Hauling Gear & Bags
As early as 1913 Harley Davidson® was producing V-Twin motorcycles that incorporated a luggage rack that mounted over the rear fender via a fender strut. This allowed riders to strap luggage or other items to the back of the bike for transport.
If you have ever taken an extended trip on a motorcycle you know how difficult it is to take all of the necessities you need to accommodate being on the open road. Camping gear, clothing, food, tooth brush, beer, whatever your needs are. A sissy bar offers an easy anchor point for securing everything from a simple bedroll to a full set of saddlebags.
Chris LaCour on his Yamaha XS650 chopper, the sissy bar loaded with all of his camping gear and also lending much needed back support.
Originally bikers would wrap their gear in canvas tarps or bags to protect their gear in case of rain or wet weather conditions. These days there are a variety of sissy bar bags constructed from water-resistant materials to do the job.
Strapping those bags to the sissy bar for transport is still a very common practice. This is usually a much better option than trying to bungy something to your seat that can slide off the bike and just disappear. Leaving you in the middle of nowhere, with no gear (or beer).
Tyler and Julia riding in style and comfort on a rigid Harley Sportster chopper. Note the small blanket for a little extra comfort and multi use.
Sissy Bars Are Comfortable for Passengers
In the 1930’s bikers were putting leather pads on top of the rear luggage racks creating a place for passengers to ride. If you have ever ridden one of these older bikes you know riding in the driver position was rough. Riding on the luggage rack was brutal, but that was the way people traveled for many years.
As motorcycles evolved, they started to develop to accommodate the needs of the riders. This included the needs of the passengers. Passenger seats Motorcycle two-up seats and sissy bars with backrest started to come standard on certain cruiser bikes and the comfort of the passenger started to become a consideration for motorcycle manufacturers. Some custom chopper sissy bar builds even extend the padding well above the seat, giving that “King and Queen” style for truly luxurious back support.
See how this sissy bar has a padded seat going all the way up? They call these a King and Queen Seat and the sissy bar is giving all of the support.
Riding on a motorcycle as a passenger can be difficult. Without a sissy bar you have to hang onto the driver or the seat itself. Depending on the driver and the terrain, this can difficult and is definitely not a comfortable way to ride.
Sissy bars are for all passengers alike! They help transport humans around safely and add some comfort to the ride.
Sissy bars for motorcycles give the passenger a firm place to lean against and hold onto. Depending on the style of the sissy bar the passenger may have a pad to lean against, or a good hand hold to help keep them stable. This is a much more comfortable position than having to lean forward especially when the driver needs to get a little aggressive with the front brake.
This crazy long chopper by Angelo from Buffalo, NY uses this high sissy bar to not only hold all his gear for camping but show off some of his craftsmanship skills with a welder and separate his bike from the crowd.
Sissy Bars Can Be a Form of Unique Self-Expression
Over the years the sissy bars have been a focal point of expression for the bike builder. Custom sissy bar designs can be simple or extravagant. They can be built for comfort, purpose, style or a combination of all three. The use of different fabrication methods combined with a variety of materials make designing a cool sissy bar a fun part of building a bike.
From welded chain loops to decorative cutouts and integrated lighting, there’s no limit to how riders can personalize their custom sissy bar. Some might even incorporate it into the exhaust mounts or carry a flag pole to really stand out in a crowd.
Staci Wilt and her custom Harley Sportster has a simple yet unique sissy bar that gives her bike function and style.
The design options are simply endless and over the years builders have used the sissy bar to express themselves in unique ways not often duplicated elsewhere on the motorcycle.
Sissy Bars are Cool
Ultimately sissy bars are cool! They offer a variety of benefits on a motorcycle and they can be fashioned into a unique form that stands out from the rest of the motorcycle.
Sissy bars have so many different functions which just makes them super cool!
It is interesting how inspiration can be developed from adversity and sissy bars on motorcycles is a great example of how that can happen.
Trey Guidry using his sissy bar to help balance while he kicks over his Slabside Harley Shovelhead
Photos of Custom Sissy Bar Designs In Action
The sissy bar is an extension on the rear of a motorcycle that rises above the rear fender.
Sissy Bars Secure the Fender to Your Bike’s Frame
Some sissy bars give your passenger something to lean back on.
Sissy bars can help with securing your gear.
Extended sissy bars allows you to carry more at once.
Mount a rear motorcycle fender with sissy bars for extra comfort on the road.
The sissy bar makes a motorcycle cooler.
Sissy bars offer secure mounting for riding with your stuff.
Sissy bars are fantastic for storage.
We hope the next time you see a cool sissy bar on a bike you will remember the history behind the part and be able to view it with a whole new perspective.

Scroll down and leave a comment at the bottom of this article:
Do you have a sissy bar on your bike?
If so, how do you find it most useful?
Or, if you don't like sissy bars, tell us why!
Ultimately, a sissy bar for motorcycle enthusiasts isn’t just about utility—it’s a reflection of personal taste, creativity, and yes, a bit of defiance. Between carrying gear across long stretches of open road, offering a secure handhold for passengers, and showcasing your individuality through custom sissy bar builds, this single addition can change both the look and feel of your machine. So whether you’re gearing up a bobber with sissy bar or upgrading a cruiser with some added flair, the sissy bar remains one of the most versatile and iconic features you can bolt on.
Related Products