So you're going on a trip...
...and need to haul clothes, shoes, and all the other "essentials". Or maybe you commute to work on your bike and have to carry a laptop or lots of papers. Either way you need more than the underseat storage or a small backpack. So what are your options?

• Tank bag - this is the workhorse for touring riders, where you can keep maps, keys, cameras, faceshield cleaner, and all the other little stuff you need on the road. Or if you're commuting it is a good place to stick toll money or EZ-Pass type transponders. Tank bags come in two basic types: magnetic and "strapped". The magnetic ones use strong magnets and usualy some sort of safety strap to hold onto your tank. They are easy to take with you when you leave the bike and a good choice if you want to use a bag intermittently. They obviously don't work on non-magnetic tanks (like some BMWs) and less obviously on tanks that have been repaired with a lot of Bondo. If you carry magnetic media (remember floppy disks?) you have to be careful too. Strapped tank bags usually have some fleece base and are attached at the steering head and seat by quick release buckles. The main negatives to using a tank bag are the possibility of tank finish scratching, a feeling like "something is in the way", and for some folks using aftermarket bars and/or big bags the switches may hit the bag or interfere with steering. If you get one, things to look for are a clear map window big enough to hold a map unfolded once, some outside pockets for change and small items that might get lost in the main bag, waterproofness, or a waterproof cover, and if you choose a magnetic bag, magnets that are really strong. I had one bag blow over on me in a strong crosswind. Not fun.
• Seat bag - a popular choice for folks who don't much like tank bags, or need a little more room. These usually attach via straps or bungees to your seat or frame. They also come off quickly, so are a good choice for commuters. Obviously they make your Monster a "monoposto" machine. Some models incorporate their own rack, and can provide a kind of backrest. One downside for shorter riders is that it is harder to get on the bike - you can't just swing a leg over. In a pinch you could use a gym bag and bungees, but it isn't likely to be waterproof and may flop over the sides of the bike.
• Saddle bags - now we are talking serious storage. Saddle bags come in soft sided or hard case variety. Hard cases have dedicated mounting frames while the soft cases usually strap to the seat or frame. Even Ducati has gotten into the act with their own line of hard cases, similar to the ST2/ST4 cases. Hard cases can be locked to the bike, and locked closed, providing secure helmet storage while you're away from the bike. Hard cases are also usually waterproof without requiring a separate cover. On the downside their frame is still there if you decide to take them off for sport riding. Soft saddlebags aren't lockable, and usually require a separate rain cover, but when they are off the bike there is no sign they were ever there. Soft bags are typically much less expensive and more likely to work on multiple motorcycles with little or no additional cost. Either soft or hard bags will reduce your ability to lane split or park in tight spaces, so be aware of that. Also, on the monster, adding saddlebags will generally eliminate the possibility of carrying a passenger - the pegs are often covered by the bag. If you have added high-mount aftermarket exhaust pipes, most saddlebags won't work. Even if you have low pipes, check to be sure the bag you are considering doesn't touch the pipe and melt. The good news with saddlebags is that the weight you carry is down low, so is less detrimental to handling than carrying a lot of weight up high.
• Top case - this is a hard case, often attached to the same type of rack as hard saddlebags, and provides alternative or additional storage behind the passenger seat. Usually these are big enough for one or two helmets, and because they are lockable are a good choice for commuters. The downside is the weight they carry is up high, and because of their size it is easy to overload them.
• Messenger bags - this is the minimalist approach. If you don't want anything stuck on your bike and you're not riding really long distances, messenger bags are fast, comfortable and bigger than most backpacks. You can get laptop sleeves and most folks that commute by bike use them. Styling ranges from sedate to garish. You want to be careful though to get the real item from either a motorcycle shop or bicycle shop - they've become fashion items and the ones in the clothing stores are typically junk.
• Tank panniers - these are an obsure item, mostly seen on hard-core tourers (think Baja or Africa and big dual sports). They drape over each side of the tank, holding the weight down low. I have never seen them used on a Monster, probably because the bar to tank clearances are small. (Don't believe me? Ask how many Monster owners have gotten a golf-ball ding from a tipover!)

So those are the options for your stuff-hauling. To get the comments of your fellow Monster riders on what they use and like or don't like, we have the following survey: