Finding a reliable motorcycle chainsaw mount is basically a requirement if you spend your weekends clearing overgrown trails or heading deep into the woods for firewood. It's one of those niche accessories that you don't think you need until you're staring at a massive downed pine blocking your favorite single-track trail. Sure, you could try to bungee cord a saw to your rear rack, but that's a recipe for a ruined saw or, worse, a nasty crash.
If you've ever tried to balance a sharp, oily, heavy piece of machinery on a moving bike, you know the struggle. A dedicated mount changes the game entirely. It's about more than just convenience; it's about making sure your center of gravity stays manageable and your gear actually arrives in one piece.
Why You Actually Need a Proper Mount
Let's be honest, riding a motorcycle is already a bit of a balancing act. When you add a ten-pound chainsaw into the mix, things get twitchy fast. Most guys who do trail maintenance or backcountry camping realize pretty quickly that the "backpack method" is a terrible idea. Carrying a saw on your back is uncomfortable, dangerous in a fall, and makes you top-heavy.
A motorcycle chainsaw mount keeps that weight low and centered—or at least securely fixed to the frame. Whether you're a forest ranger, a volunteer trail builder, or just a guy who likes to go where the road doesn't, having a solid way to haul your saw is a life-saver. It keeps the sharp chain away from your legs and prevents the saw from bouncing around and snapping its handle or leaking bar oil all over your seat.
Different Styles of Mounts for Different Bikes
Not all bikes are built the same, so not all mounts work the same way. Depending on what you're riding—whether it's a beefy adventure bike or a lightweight dirt bike—you've got a few options.
Rear Rack Scabbards
The most common setup you'll see is a scabbard-style mount that bolts onto the rear luggage rack. These are usually made of heavy-duty plastic or aluminum. You slide the bar into the slot, tighten a couple of knobs or a strap, and you're good to go. The weight is kept behind you, which is great for visibility, but it can make the front end feel a little light if you've got a massive saw back there.
Front Fork Mounts
Some riders swear by mounting the saw up front on the forks. This is popular with trail builders because it's easy to reach. You don't even have to get off the bike to see if the saw is still secure. However, it can affect your steering. If you're riding technical, tight stuff, having that extra weight on the bars can be a bit of a workout for your forearms.
Side-Saddle Mounts
If you have pannier racks, you can often find or fabricate a motorcycle chainsaw mount that sits off to one side. This keeps the weight lower than a rear rack mount, which helps with handling. The downside? Your bike just got a lot wider. You have to be really careful about clipping trees or rocks on the side where the saw is hanging.
What to Look for Before Buying
If you're shopping around, don't just grab the cheapest thing you find on the internet. There are a few "must-haves" for a mount to actually be useful in the real world.
Durability is king. You're going to be vibrating the living daylights out of this thing. If it's made of thin, flimsy metal, the welds are going to crack within the first fifty miles. Look for thick-gauge aluminum or steel with solid mounting points.
Padding and Protection. You don't want metal-on-metal contact with your saw's bar or engine housing. A good motorcycle chainsaw mount will have some sort of rubber or high-density plastic liner. This dampens the vibration and keeps your saw from getting chewed up by the mount itself.
Ease of Access. If it takes you ten minutes to untie and unbolt your saw every time you hit a log, you're going to get frustrated. The best mounts have a quick-release system—usually a heavy-duty rubber strap or a cam-lock—that lets you grab the saw, cut the log, and get back on the bike in a couple of minutes.
The DIY Route vs. Professional Mounts
I've seen some pretty creative DIY solutions over the years. I've seen guys use PVC pipes, old milk crates, and even pieces of plywood bolted to their subframes. If you're handy with a welder or a drill, you can definitely make your own motorcycle chainsaw mount on the cheap.
The DIY route is great because you can customize it to your specific saw and bike. But, there's a catch. If your homemade mount fails at 40 mph on a gravel road, you're looking at a destroyed chainsaw and a potentially dangerous situation for anyone riding behind you. Professional mounts are tested for those vibrations and loads, so they're usually worth the investment if you're doing serious miles.
Keeping Things Clean (Or at Least Less Messy)
One thing nobody tells you about hauling a saw on a bike is the oil. Chainsaws leak. It's just what they do. Bar oil is sticky, gross, and it gets everywhere. When you've got a motorcycle chainsaw mount, you need to think about where that oil is going to drip.
If your mount is right over your exhaust, you're going to have a smoky, smelly ride. If it's near your rear brake rotor, you've got a serious safety issue. I always recommend putting a small rag or a specialized "oil diaper" at the bottom of the scabbard to catch the drips. It saves you a lot of cleaning time later on.
Handling and Balance Tips
Once you get your motorcycle chainsaw mount installed, don't just head out and try to hit jumps. Your bike is going to handle differently. The extra weight, especially if it's mounted high or far back, changes how the suspension reacts.
I usually suggest stiffening up your rear preload a click or two to account for the weight. Also, be mindful of the "pendulum effect." If the saw is hanging off the very back of the bike, it might want to wag the tail a bit in the corners. Take it slow for the first few miles until you get a feel for the new balance point.
Safety First
It sounds obvious, but make sure the saw is off and the chain brake is engaged before you mount it. Also, never ride without a bar cover (scabbard). Even if the mount is secure, an exposed chain is basically a rotating steak knife waiting to catch your gear or your leg if you take a tumble. Most mounts are designed to work with a plastic bar cover anyway, so just leave it on.
Check your mounting bolts frequently. Motorcycles vibrate—a lot. What was tight at the trailhead might be vibrating loose after five miles of washboard fire roads. A little bit of blue Loctite on the mounting hardware is a very smart move.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, a motorcycle chainsaw mount is one of those tools that transforms your bike from a simple toy into a workhorse. It opens up so much more terrain because you're no longer stopped by every fallen branch or trunk across the path. You become the hero of the riding group when you're the one who can clear the way.
Whether you buy a high-end aluminum scabbard or bolt together a custom rig in your garage, just make sure it's rock-solid. There's nothing quite like the feeling of riding deep into the backcountry, clearing a path as you go, and knowing you've got everything you need strapped securely to your machine. It's about freedom, and a good mount is exactly what gets you there. Don't overthink it—just find a setup that fits your bike, secure it well, and get out there. The trails aren't going to clear themselves!