Wolfman Luggage is a family-owned and operated business founded by Eric Hougen, a passionate motorcyclist and the company’s designer. Eric’s son, Quinn, is Wolfman’s COO and head of sales. Based in Colorado, Wolfman’s motorcycle luggage is designed and tested in the United States, and the company has been serving the adventure, dual-sport, and touring community for many years.

Related: Wolfman Dual-Sport Luggage | Gear Review

Lisa Hougen, aka “Mrs. Wolfman,” was recently diagnosed with meningioma brain tumors, and one of the tumors is located on the back of her right eye. Lisa’s surgery is scheduled for late April at the UCLA Health Brain Tumor Center. Wolfman Luggage is holding a benefit sale to raise funds to help defray Mrs. Wolfman’s medical expenses.

This following is a message from Wolfman Luggage: “Among the many hard decisions we are facing is how and when to share this sensitive news. We know that our ADV motorcycle community and loyal Wolfman customers will care. Step up to say prayers/well wishes/send us love and healing thoughts and hopefully buy lots of our WP (welded products) luggage to soften the blow! We are a small family-run business and we thank you immensely for your support! –Eric, Lisa & Quinn”

All too often we take our health for granted, and a major illness can rob us of our personal and financial security. We encourage you to buy some well-designed, well-made Wolfman Luggage and support a family that serves our motorcycling community with excellent products and good customer service.

Wolfman Luggage Benefit Sale details:

• 20-45% off Wolfman’s WP line.
• Reduced pricing is on the Wolfman Luggage website, no discount code needed.
• Not valid with other discounts.
• Threadworks and PACK are not included
• Free shipping for orders of $150.00+, continental U.S. only.
• All sales are final
• While supplies last.

Unlike taking a roadtrip in a car, where you can pack everything but the kitchen sink, traveling by motorcycle requires you to be more selective about what you bring. And whatever is on your “can’t leave home without it” list, you need a way to carry it on the bike. SW-Motech offers a bewildering array of motorcycle luggage in various styles and sizes, along with carriers, racks, and adapters.

These offerings allow for a customizable, modular approach to kitting out your motorcycle, all designed and manufactured with the quality and attention to detail so often attributed to German engineering. SW-Motech also makes all kinds of cool accessories for safety, protection, navigation, and power supply (beware: sitting down with your favorite refreshing beverage and perusing their website will lead to temptation).

Related: New Gear: SW-Motech’s Centerstands

Our 2022 Honda CB500X long-term test bike is an affordable, efficient, light-duty adventure bike that’s perfect for solo touring, but in stock form, it has neither luggage nor a luggage rack. We surfed over to SW-Motech’s U.S. website, entered the year, make, and model into the “My Bike” filter, and clicked the “Luggage” product category.

Related: Motorcycle Camping on a Honda CB500X and Husqvarna Norden 901

First, we wanted a way to carry luggage, so we ordered the Street-Rack ($252.95), a small rear rack with multiple tie-down points that’s made of black PU-coated 5mm aluminum. We only planned to use the Street-Rack as a lashing point and carrier for a tailbag, but SW-Motech also offers a rack extension, tank ring adapters for mounting a PRO tankbag, and a wide range of adapters for various styles and brands of top cases.

Next, we ordered the PRO Side Carrier ($350.95), which is made of black powdercoated 2.5mm steel. Not only is the side carrier compatible with SW-Motech’s own luggage, but adapter kits are also available for use with Givi/Kappa, Hepco & Becker, Krauser, and Shad luggage.

For luggage, we ordered a SysBag WP M (Waterproof, Medium; $249.95) to use as a tailbag and two SysBag WP L (Large; $399.95 each) saddlebags with adapter plates that allow them to be quickly mounted to or removed from the PRO Side Carrier. The SysBag WP L has lashing straps, so if you didn’t want the quick-release adapter plate, the bag alone is $319.95. However, the straps must be threaded through slots in the carrier’s metal plates, so loaded bags would likely move around, especially during off-road riding, which may wear on the straps over time. Given the convenience and added security of the adapter plates, they’re worth the extra money.

Because I was halfway around the world testing the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 in India (see my Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 First Ride review here), our esteemed former EIC and go-to mechanical guru Mark Tuttle was kind enough to tackle the installation in my absence. From his installation notes: “Overall a nice, heavy-duty system that was fairly easy to install with a minimum of fiddling. Took me about two hours, largely because each hanger on the adapter plates must be secured with four @#$%& screws and nuts, or 32 pairs total. SWM should preinstall these. IMHO installing the system is probably best left to the (at least somewhat) mechanically inclined, though the instructions are clear, and it uses high-quality hardware.”

Installation of either the Street-Rack or the PRO Side Carrier requires removing the CB500X’s passenger grab handles, but the side carrier arms can serve as secure handholds for a passenger. Although the instructions call for drilling the rear fender to secure the rear horizontal support arm, Tuttle said it wasn’t necessary; it aligned easily enough with the license plate bracket holes.

A nifty feature of the PRO Side Carrier are Quick-Lock fasteners that allow the carrier to be removed with a quarter turn, leaving behind only minimal attachment points for a clean look. Since the fasteners are immediately behind the loop part of the carrier, securing them with a flathead screwdriver is tricky. However, SW-Motech sells a stainless steel Multitool Key Chain ($11.95) that includes not only a fastener tool for PRO and EVO side carriers but hex keys in five sizes and a bottle opener. If you’re concerned about theft, a Screw Set ($11.95) is available to replace the Quick-Lock fasteners. 

Once the PRO Side Carrier and adapter plates are installed, it’s literally a snap to mount the two SysBag WP Ls to each side – just line up the hangers on the pins, lift the release lever, and pop them right on. The SysBag WP M was laid flat on the passenger seat and Street-Rack, and its straps were used to secure it in place as a tailbag.

The SysBags are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) with rubber-like EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) components and thermally welded seams, and they have roll tops made of 210 Ripstop TPU to keep water and dust out. They have reinforced handles, MOLLE patches for attaching accessories, eyelets for cable locks, Velcro fasteners for bundling excess strap lengths, and removable inner pockets. An outer flap covers the roll tops and secures with quick-release buckles, and inside the flap is a zippered pocket. The M bag’s volume is expandable from 17-23 liters, and the L bag’s volume is expandable from 27-40 liters. The L bag also has inner dividers and an easily accessible exterior compartment for stashing raingear, a thermal layer, or other items.

Overall, this is an impressive, high-quality setup that adds up to 103 liters of storage on the Honda CB500X or other motorcycle. One thing to keep in mind, however, is the added weight. The Street-Rack adds 6.2 lb; the SysBag WP L adds 6.4 lb per bag and 3.0 lb per adapter plate, for a total of 18.8 lb; and the SysBag WP M adds 4.2 lb. All in, that’s 29.2 lb before adding any gear.

The total cost of this setup is $1,677.65. Given the quality and versatility, it’s a good investment in a luggage system that will last for years. The only question is, where will you go first? A good place to start is the SW-Motech website.

See all of Rider‘s luggage reviews here.

Several years ago, I tested the first generation of Nelson-Rigg’s Hurricane Waterproof Backpack/Tail Pack, which impressed me with its practicality, functionality, and versatility. Nelson-Rigg has redesigned its entire line of Rigg Gear Hurricane waterproof luggage, which also includes saddlebags, duffel bags, and roll bags.

As with the original, version 2.0 of the Backpack/Tail Pack is made of waterproof, UV-resistant, vinyl-coated 24-oz. polyester tarpaulin fabric with electronically heat-welded seams. Rather than the previous 40-liter and 20-liter options, the new bag is available in a single, happy-medium 30-liter size. One of the key updates is the new 4-point Rigg Strap system, which uses a set of adjustable cam-lock straps to secure the bag to a motorcycle seat and/or luggage rack. Once the straps are cinched tight, the bag stays put even during aggressive off-road riding. I gave it a good thrashing while testing the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, and it passed with flying colors.

RELATED: 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R | Review

The main compartment of the bag has a large top opening that seals shut with a roll-down, dry-bag closure secured with quick-release buckles. A closable purge valve makes it easy to squeeze out excess air when closing the bag, and there’s a sleeve pocket inside that accommodates tablets and laptops up to 15 inches.

Read more of Rider‘s luggage reviews

The outside of the bag has a side pocket with a drawstring closure that holds a water or fuel bottle up to 30 oz. A large panel on the back is covered in MOLLE webbing for attaching other items, and the panel is hinged on the bottom to provide access to the waterproof document pocket on the other side. The panel also conceals a durable mesh pocket that can be used to stash items for quick access or hold an optional hydration bladder ($19.95). Both sides of the bag have rubber carry handles and loops for attaching items or threading the Rigg Straps.

Large, adjustable, contoured backpack straps have a connector strap across the chest for added security. The backpack straps have outer strips of webbing for attaching a GPS locator, a multi-tool pouch, or other quick-grab items, and there are clips on each strap for securing a hydration tube. When using the bag as a tail pack, the backpack straps can be hidden behind the padded, breathable back panel.

The Hurricane 2.0 Waterproof Backpack/Tail Pack is a well-made, durable piece of motorcycle gear that is even more practical, functional, and versatile than before. Covered by a lifetime warranty, it’s a solid value at $169.95.

For more information, visit NelsonRigg.com.

Over the past nine years, I have taken four major cross-country motorcycle trips, all of them covering well over 11,000 miles. (Read about one of them here: “One Ride, 47 National Parks”.) I am always looking for an easier, more efficient packing system to improve storage and accessibility on the bike. After researching various options, I found the Pakit Rak and Bag for my Honda Gold Wing.

My requirements were simple: 1) the bag needed to be waterproof through torrential downpours; 2) it must not affect the handling of the bike; 3) it should be easy to put on and take off; and 4) it must be secure so I can leave the bag unattended. On my most recent 15,000-mile, 75-day trip (“The Great American Deli Schlep” in the December 2021 issue of Rider), the Pakit Rak and Bag checked all four boxes.

Check out more of Rider’s gear reviews

The rack is positioned behind the Gold Wing’s rear tire, just below the trunk, and the rack and bag are narrower than the integrated saddlebags, so it does not create additional wind resistance. The rack is rated for a maximum of 25 pounds, including the bag. The weight limit was never an issue because I store my heavy gear, tools, etc. in the side panniers. The Pakit Rak Bag is my hotel bag, so it holds my clothing, CPAP machine, toiletry kit, and other overnight essentials.

The bag, which measures 21 inches (W) x 12 inches (H) x 11 inches (D), offers 13 gallons (49.2 liters) of storage capacity in the main compartment, which has internal pockets. There’s additional storage in the expandable zippered side pockets, and the bag includes a shoulder strap and a rain cover. When the bag is on the bike, I always use the rain cover to protect it against the elements, dust, dirt, and road grime.

The Pakit Rak can be mounted in two ways: 1) a receiver bracket that attaches directly to the bike’s frame, or 2) a hitch bracket. The hitch brackets are less expensive than the receiver bracket; see the company’s website for pricing based on Gold Wing model/year (GL1200, GL1500, GL1800) and hitch type. For my 2018 Honda Gold Wing, I went with the receiver bracket option ($575). The bracket is made of 18-guage sheet metal and stiffened with tube steel, and the attachment tube is made of 1-x 1-inch structural tube steel. Everything is powdercoated black, and once the hidden frame bracket is installed, you never see it.

The attachment point for the rack is behind the license plate. When the bag is placed on the rack, it can be secured with a metal bar that runs through the bag and locks in place. For the receiver bracket version, a cotter pin secures the rack to the bracket; an optional locking cotter pin provides additional security.

For more information, visit pakitrak.com.

Whether cruising the pavement or banging along a remote dirt road, tankbags are a rider’s most convenient place for storing frequently used items. Where else could I keep my sunscreen, hat, and snacks so easily at hand? I’ve used several high-capacity bags over the years on various motorcycles, and although appealing for the sheer volume of stuff they hold, I find large bags can also interfere with bike control. This is most noticeable when standing on the pegs while riding off-pavement. The Nelson-Rigg Trails End model, part of its Rigg Gear Adventure line, creates no such problem.

It has a useful 12-liter capacity, and is expandable vertically to 16.5 liters. Securely mounted to my Yamaha Ténéré 700’s tank with four side-release buckles and the requisite straps, it stays put over the roughest ground, yet is easy to partially remove for fueling. The Trails End’s base is slightly tacky to assist in stabilizing it, and there are protective fabric tabs where the straps contact the tank.

Check out more of Rider’s motorcycle gear reviews

Sewn from UltraMax synthetic fabric, which is said to resist fading (as it has for 8 months), the Trails End maintains its tapered, box-like shape, and it features reflective piping all around. The twin zippers are easy to operate and designed to prevent dust entry, and the two narrow side pockets are large enough for my faceshield cleaning kit, a few small tools, and a notebook.

RELATED: 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 | Long-Term Ride Review (Part 2)

Perhaps best of all, the left pocket doesn’t sound the 700’s horn with the bars at full lock. Since the bag is narrow, the map pocket can’t accept two folds of an AAA map, requiring some field origami to make one fit. The clear top is touchscreen-friendly and includes an inside pocket with a net to hold a phone, but my phone had to be securely supported from below (as in stuffing a shirt in the bag) for me to use it easily. At the rear of the bag is a weather-resistant power port; from there, a cord can be run into the map pocket.

With the bag in its unexpanded configuration, the extra two-layer body material from the extension crowds the interior a bit without seriously limiting volume. The large hump of my Yamaha’s tank steals space too, so those extra 4.5 liters when the bag is expanded are invaluable for stashing an extra layer or stocking up on Fritos at the last gas stop before camp. This is a handsome, well-built bag, with its only flaw being some imperfect sewing to attach the map pocket net and second power port.

The Nelson-Rigg Trails End Adventure has a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, and comes with a tight-fitting rain cover with a clear top and the ability to extend to protect the expanded bag. It sells for just $119.95.

For more information, visit nelsonrigg.com.

As our recent test of the Suzuki Hayabusa shows, a big, open-class sportbike can make for one heckuva sport-tourer. But touring means going far, often for days at a time, and that requires luggage to carry gear. Earlier this year we tested Nelson-Rigg’s Commuter series tankbags, both the Lite (up to 8.4 liters when expanded) and Sport (up to 14.5 liters). They offer strap and magnetic mounts in the same bag, which is perfect for the Hayabusa, since the front of its tank has a plastic cover and the back is steel.  

When I needed to pack gear for several days to ride up to the Progressive IMS Outdoors show in Northern California in July, I used the Sport tankbag and matching tailbag. To accommodate different bikes and needs, Nelson-Rigg’s Commuter Tail Bag comes in three sizes: Lite (up to 15.3 liters, $109.95), Sport (up to 22.3 liters, $119.95), and Touring (up to 33 liters, $149.95). I opted for the Touring version.

The Hayabusa has a large passenger seat (for a sportbike), which is removable with the ignition key, and it has a large wrap-around grab handle. The Commuter bag has four adjustable straps that connect to quick-release buckles on the outside. Pairs of straps are connected via looped ends, and they run under the seat. I looped the rear straps around the grab handle for extra security. Installation took only a few minutes, and I was able to remove the bag and the straps even quicker. Once installed and loaded, the bag remained secure and the straps tight, even after a full day of tossing the ’Busa around on California’s ultra twisty Highway 1.

In its standard configuration, the Commuter Touring measures 14 x 12 x 9 inches and holds up to 24.8 liters. When expanded, its height increases from 9 to 12 inches and total capacity tops out at 33 liters. The bag is made of Nelson-Rigg’s proprietary UltraMax fabric that offers UV protection against fading, and molded EVA panels help the bag maintain its shape even when empty. Inside the bag is a light gray interior, straps to secure contents, and a large mesh pocket inside the dome-shaped lid. The exterior has a non-slip, non-scratch base, a flush-mount reflective handle, and reflective piping. A rain cover and shoulder/backpack strap are also included.  

Overall, the Commuter Tail Bag is a great piece of luggage that’s well made, versatile, stylish, and reasonably priced. It’s also backed by a lifetime warranty.

For more information visit: nelsonrigg.com

Wolfman’s Peak Tail Bag WP provides a compact but versatile storage space on any motorcycle with a dedicated luggage rack. Its black wedge-shaped exterior is constructed of 840D nylon TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) laminate with radio frequency-welded seams. The “WP” in the name refers to Welded Product, though the Peak is also waterproof. It has a reflective yellow Wolfman logo accent on the narrow side, and a matching yellow bungee on top.

RELATED: Wolfman Dual-Sport Luggage | Gear Review

Beefy YKK water-repellant zippers with oversized plastic pulls allow access to the matching bright yellow interior, which features an integrated zippered mesh pocket on the top lid’s underside. Total capacity is 6.5 liters, which is plenty of room for food, hand tools, and basic rain gear. Overall, the Peak measures 10 inches long by 6 inches high, and its width narrows from 8 inches in front to 5 inches at the rear. Four robust straps allow for mounting to the motorcycle’s rack (it’s not designed to be mounted directly to a rear fender), and the bag features a non-skid base attached by hook-and-loop to the Peak’s bottom, which keeps it from shifting during riding.

Over a 5-month testing regimen, I exposed the Peak to a variety of weather conditions including extended winter rides below freezing and prolonged spring downpours. It proved to be very durable, and especially impervious to mud and road grime, which easily wiped clean off of the exterior’s nylon material with soap and water. The Peak’s water-repellant nylon exterior and welded seams kept the interior bone dry even after hours in torrential rain. Aesthetically, the Peak retains its shape whether full or empty thanks to its plastic-reinforced shell, which is an added bonus.  

Ultimately, Wolfman’s Peak WP Tail Bag impressed with its combination of useful practicality and rugged construction, in a size that’s just right for day trips. Its MSRP is $169.99. Wolfman luggage is designed and tested in Colorado, and manufactured in China.

For more information, visit wolfmanluggage.com.

Check out more product reviews and articles on Moshe K. Levy (aka Moto Mouth Moshe) on his website and YouTube channel.

As Egon Spengler famously warned in Ghostbusters, “Don’t cross the streams … It would be bad … Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.” No, I wasn’t building a proton pack in my garage, but I did need to ride our KTM 890 Adventure R to the Indian FTR S press launch in Phoenix. There I was on an off-road-ready adventure bike, wearing a helmet without a dirt-bike peak, a cruiser-style leather jacket, riding jeans, and high-top riding shoes.

Every Gore-Tex-clad, Instagram-famous ADV rider who passed me going down the road probably laughed so hard that Starbucks French Roast spewed out of their nose. Clearly I had violated rules of proper sartorial etiquette and must be banished.

Whatever.

I needed to get the hell out of the house and put some serious miles on the KTM, and I wasn’t about to wear one set of gear on the bike and carry another for the press launch. I’m not (that) vain. But I did need a place to stash my slinky black cocktail dress, laptop and other necessities for a two-night stay.

Standard equipment on the KTM is a luggage rack with burly passenger hand-holds and tie-down points — the ideal perch for Nelson-Rigg’s Sahara Dry Duffle Bag. Part of the Rigg Gear Adventure line of luggage, the Sahara is made of heavy-duty, waterproof 24-ounce tarpaulin PVC with heat-welded seams. Internal stiffeners help the bag keep its shape regardless of what’s inside, and a roll-top keeps the elements out. The bag has a 39.33-liter capacity and measures 20” L x 10” W x 12” H. A pair of adjustable compression straps further secure the outside of the bag, and it has a removable carry handle and reflective accents.

Four durable webbing straps with loops on each end attach to adjustable buckles (two on the front and two on the back) to secure the bag to the bike. The straps don’t stretch, so they required additional tightening as the bike’s vibration introduced a bit of slack. Being the paranoid sort that I am, no matter what bag I put on the back of a motorcycle, for extra security I always double up with a pair of Rok Straps since their built-in bungees maintain constant tension.

Although I didn’t encounter any rain or ectoplasmic slime on my journey, I dealt with some desert dust storms and nary a particle got into my gear. Overall, this is a solid piece of kit that will be part of my ADV arsenal for years to come. It’s available in Black or Yellow/Black for $114.95.

For more information: See your dealer or visit nelsonrigg.com

Those who use their motorcycles for more than the occasional leisurely cruise know the importance of quality luggage. When faced with the predicament of rush-hour traffic or a Sunday morning blast up your favorite road, having a convenient way to pack your daily essentials saves time and your sanity. Nelson-Rigg’s Commuter Tank Bags are a quick and easy way to get a little more utility out of your steed.

Available in two sizes — Lite (5.8 liters, or 8.4 liters expanded) and Sport (10 liters, or 14.5 liters expanded) — Commuter Tank Bags can be mounted to nearly any motorcycle under the sun, thanks to their four shielded magnets and four-point quick-release strap system. On motorcycles like our 2021 Benelli Leoncino that have a steel fuel tank, a Commuter bag can be securely installed in seconds with the foldout magnet tabs, and its soft underside protects paint. The magnets hold firm at freeway speeds and when getting bounced around the concrete jungle. Composite and aluminum fuel tanks call for the adjustable quick-release straps, which can be mounted in just a few minutes and use nonslip pads to ensure the bag stays put. 

I tested the Commuter Lite tank bag on our Benelli, and its smaller size is perfect for storing my phone, a water bottle and a few other necessities to get through a day at the office or a Sunday ride. There are smart features like a touch-screen-friendly map panel that allows you to check your device or paper map quickly and a charging cable pass-through. 

Like other Nelson-Rigg luggage, Commuter Tank Bags are made of durable UltraMax fabric that’s guaranteed not to fade due to UV exposure, and molded EVA panels help the bags maintain their shape. Circumferential zippers quickly transform the bags from compact to expanded, which is great if you need to shed a layer. They also feature reflective piping, a light gray interior, an adjustable divider, a mesh pocket under the lid and compatibility with Nelson-Rigg’s optional one-liter hydration bladder ($19.95). A removable waterproof rain cover is included.

Priced at $104.95 for the Lite and $124.95 for Sport with a lifetime warranty, Nelson-Rigg has hit a home run with these affordable, versatile tank bags.

For more information, visit Nelson-Rigg.

Hydration backpacks are much the same, right? A zippered bag with a couple of pockets that hold a water bladder, lunch and whatever else you drop in, like tools or a first aid kit. They hang on your shoulders with a set of padded straps; chest and waist straps are common as well. As an owner of multiple packs, that was my experience before Kriega introduced the Trail18 Adventure Backpack.

Created for dual-sport and adventure riders, but suitable for anyone needing a waterproof backpack, the Trail18 has 12 liters of waterproof storage divided between two roll-top compartments. One of those holds 11 liters and the other 1 liter. With this pack, bad weather is not an issue. Neither is water capacity, since it holds an optional 2- or 3.75-liter bladder in a 7-liter non-waterproof zippered section. The 1-liter waterproof pocket and a zippered catchall for keys and small items share that space. On the back is an expandable Hypalon web that’s perfect for clipping in my Spot device and stashing an extra layer.

Key to the Trail18’s comfort is Kriega’s patented Quadloc-Lite harness. Instead of typical backpack and chest straps, the harness is contoured to the body with the straps meeting at the mid-chest Quadloc button. For extreme riding there’s also a removable waist strap. Adjusting the harness straps the first time took some effort since the pack didn’t come with sufficient instructions for its disappearing strap system, best described here: https://vimeo.com/78951261.

Once adjusted, snapping the Quadloc snugged the pack to my back and chest in a way that felt solid and didn’t burden my shoulders. Removing the loaded pack was simple — release the Quadloc and give a quick shrug to pop it off my back. This is a huge improvement over straps that hang up on my armor, and neither operation requires further snap adjustment.

Our test pack has seen several dual-sport rides, including a three-day journey from SoCal to Big Sur, and eight days on the Idaho BDR. I found it easy to wear and easy to access once acquainted with the roll-top, snap-down entry to the main waterproof compartment. I carried 2 liters of water, plus snacks, first aid kit and incidentals, all with room to spare and no feeling of being overloaded. The T18 performed well in my hose test: the waterproof compartments stayed dry, but water did sneak into the zippered bladder pocket.

This Kriega is a rugged beast, sure to handle the occasional tumble. It’s constructed of 420-denier Cordura Lite, with taped external seams and heavily bar-tacked stress points. For cooling, the straps and back panel are lined with air-circulating mesh. The Trail18 exudes quality and delivers comfort, as it should for its asking price of $225. Colors are orange, lime and black.

For more information see your dealer or visit kriega.us