sw motech pro travel bag

Motorcycle Tourer

Real-World Review of the SW-Motech PRO Rackpack Tail Bag

Motorcycle Tourer | 27 December 2023 3 September 2023 | Gear , Luggage

If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ll know I’m a fan of the humble roll bag. While many riders prefer the rigidity and security of hard luggage and a top box, the flexibility and versatility of a roll bag are of much more use when touring.

I’m not saying one way is better than the other; it’s just what works for  me .

As I come towards the end of my current trip (a 10-week tour to Corsica and the Picos de Europa via France, Italy, and Switzerland), the SW-Motech Pro Rackpack has firmly become my bag of choice for carrying my kit – particularly my camera, lenses, tripod, drone, laptop, tablet, and all the rest of my tech stuff.

While soft roll bags are great for utilising otherwise unreachable spaces, they don’t really work for rigid camera cases because too much space goes to waste. And when you’re touring, space isn’t a luxury you can afford to squander.

This is where the SW-Motech Pro Rackpack came to my rescue.

Note: SW-Motech did not pay us to write this review. They did, however, provide us with the product. Despite this, they have had no influence on the formation of our opinions or the content of this article.

What is it?

The 32-42L expandable Pro Rackpack is a part of SW-Motech’s Pro lineup. The range includes numerous travel bags, tank bags, and various mounting options. You can view the SW-Motech PRO Range here.

The Pro Rackpack is an expandable, semi-rigid tail pack that can be used with or without a mounting plate (more on that later.) As far as tail packs go, it’s relatively simple – but its simplicity is done incredibly well.

It’s made from high-quality materials, uses a patented lashing system for attachment, and includes small details that make touring much easier.

Overall, it’s a quality product that is well thought out and simple yet elegant.

SW-Motech PRO Rackpack Tail Bag: Tech Specs

• Universal fit for almost all motorcycles
• Large mesh compartment with zipper on the inside of the lid
• Additional storage thanks to two outer pockets with covered zippers.
• Inner mesh compartments with zippers on both outer pockets
• Volume expansions on both outer sides
• Underside made of anti-slip material
• Robust lashing eyes for secure fastening of the bag at 4 points and for lashing accessory bags
• Made of durable and highly UV-resistant 1680D Ballistic Nylon with splashproof inner lining
• Reflective details for better visibility
• Zipper management: Elastic loops prevent the zipper pulls from fluttering
• MOLLE attachment made of stable Hypalon material on the upper side for attaching accessory bags.
• Simple and quick attachment of the bag to the motorcycle with loop straps with a patented lashing hook.
• Weather protection thanks to the supplied waterproof inner bag
• Sturdy carrying handle
• 1 x PRO Rackpack tail bag
• 1 x Waterproof inner bag
• 4 x Loop straps with lashing hook
• 1 x Shoulder strap
• Material: 1680D ballistic nylon
• Colour: black / anthracite
• Size: 33,0 x 56,0 x 26,0 cm / 13.0 x 22.0 x 10.2 in
• Total Weight: appr. 2,4 kg/appr. 5.3 lb
• Total Volume: 32,0-42,0 l

Mounting the SW-Motech PRO Rackpack Tail Bag

At first glance, I thought the Pro Rackpack could  only  be mounted on a plate – which put me off. But thankfully, this isn’t the case.

If you want the ultimate in sturdyness and space, it can be mounted with a plate as an alternative to a top box. You can use an existing top box plate or purchase one of SW-Motech’s purpose-designed racks from the Pro lineup. These include the Street Rack and the Adventure Rack. 

If you don’t want to mount the Rackpack on a plate, secure it to the pillion seat or a sissy bar as an alternative to a standard roll bag or tail pack. This was perfect for my needs as I ride a relatively small bike (a Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX) and didn’t want the extra length to destabilise my bike.

Mounted on the pillion seat and secured to the grab rails, the Pro Rackpack sits closer to the centre of the bike, minimising the ‘sway’ you sometimes get when you load up the rear.

Patented Lashing Hooks

As a touring rider, I have a love/hate relationship with straps. On the one hand, they work and do the job well. But on the other hand, they’re time-consuming, irritating, and a pain to get on/off in the rain.

The lashing hooks on the Pro Rackpack provide a new way of doing things and remove the headaches that come with regular straps.

Secure the bottom of the straps to your chosen mounting point using the loops, attach the hooks to the bag, and tighten. Removing the straps is the same in reverse – the entire process can be done in seconds.

At the bottom of the straps, you’ll find velcro fasters that allow you to tidy away any remaining material length.

It’s a simple way of doing things – but it’s done flawlessly. It makes you wonder why nobody came up with it sooner!

Securing the SW-Motech PRO Rackpack Tail Bag

One of the things I like about the Pro Rackpack is the versatility it provides. As mentioned above, you can mount it to a plate or secure it to the pillion seat . And you have the patented lashing hooks to secure it.

But once you’ve decided  where  to mount it, the versatility continues. Because whilst mounting the Rackpack using the dedicated straps and loops is the obvious choice, that isn’t the  only  way to do it.

For example, there were times on my trip when I opted to use Voile straps through the attachment loops on the  lower  corners of the bag rather than the hooks and straps.

Sometimes, I decided to attach the straps using the loops on the upper section of the bag – usually when it was top-heavy.

And there were numerous times when I used a combination of all three.

Simply put, multiple mounting options allow you to secure the bag optimally in any given circumstance – which is perfect for touring.

It’s Expandable

From experience, I know that no matter how much I plan (or practice) my packing pre-tour, it will always go wrong on the actual day of packing.

There are always additional, last-minute additions. And invariably, these late additions test the capacity of the storage space available.

The beauty of the Pro Rackpack is the expandable side pockets, which increase the capacity available from 32L to 42L. And whilst that doesn’t sound a lot, it actually makes a huge difference.

On the parts of my tour where I had to carry everything from one hotel to the next, I expanded the bag to fit everything in. And on the trips out (when I was returning to the same accommodation), I used the bag in its condensed form.

In essence, the bag played two roles depending on my day. It was a genuine game-changer.

To take this a step further, the MOLLE attachment on the top of the bag made way for additional attachment points on longer trips and when I wanted to keep my overnight bag handy when catching the ferry.

SW-Motech PRO Rackpack Tail Bag: Pockets and Spaces

As mentioned at the top of this post, the Pro Rackpack is simple – and I mean that as a compliment. SW-Motech hasn’t made this bag needlessly complicated – and it’s all the better  because  of it.

There is the main compartment of the bag (32L) that holds the majority of your stuff. As mentioned, this can be expanded by unzipping the pockets on each side – providing you with an additional 10L of space.

The inner sections of the side pockets house a zipped mesh compartment to hold smaller items, as does the inner part of the bag ‘lid’.

In the past, I’ve had luggage with tonnes of hidden pockets and secret hidey holes. And while this sounds like a good idea in principle, things get lost in the chaos of touring because you can’t remember where you’ve put them.

The simplicity of this bag means you know exactly where everything is.

Straps and Handles

When transporting the bag, SW-Motech has given us quality and efficiency – ongoing traits within this range.

The two high-quality carry handles on top of the bag have been kept purposefully narrow – just wide enough to get your fingers under and allow a firm grip when carrying.

A sturdy (and removable) shoulder strap connects to the same hooks you would use to secure the bag on your bike.

Is the SW-Motech PRO Rackpack Tail Bag Waterproof?

The one thing that bothered me about this bag (especially considering its sole purpose was to carry around £7,000 worth of camera gear!) was its waterproofing.

The outer part of the bag is not advertised as waterproof. It does, however, come with a waterproof inner bag.

On the inside of the main compartment, there are some strategically placed velcro strips. These correspond with velcro strips on the inner bag, ensuring a perfect fit in the space.

The top of the inner bag then has a drawstring to enclose your luggage before you zip up the bag’s main compartment.

Would this be enough to protect my gear from the rain? As it turns out, yes!

Earlier in my trip, I had to endure a few particularly soggy days around Mont Blanc. Holding my breath, I opened the bag to see the damage – but alas, the gear in the Rackpack had stayed perfectly dry.

Even the items in the side pockets (which are not protected by the liner) stayed dry – which is a testament to the build quality of this bag.

Those who know me will know that I don’t excuse products for not being waterproof! But I’m pleased to say the Rackpack did a superb job keeping everything dry during two days of heavy rain.

It’s Multipurpose

One of my biggest issues with hard luggage is that it could be more versatile. A top box (or a pannier) is a one-trick pony – it can only be used as a top box, and that’s all it will ever be.

But a roll bag can be used for multiple purposes – and that’s why I love them for touring.

On this trip, for example, the Rackpack was used as my main source of luggage. But once I got to Corsica and the Picos, it carried my shopping from the supermarket, protected my camera gear to and from shoots, and even doubled up as a make-shift barbell for home workouts.

It’s been used as a gym bag in the past, and it’ll be used as carry-on luggage next time I travel without the bike.

I value products that are multipurpose and can be used both on and off the bike in a variety of situations.

SW-Motech PRO Rackpack Tail Bag: Conclusion

The lasting impressions of this bag are hugely positive – particularly around the quality and attention to detail.

The finish is excellent, and this shows in bad weather – when it matters!

It’s small enough to be compact on the bike yet expandable when you need it to be. 

It’s flexible enough to accommodate your kit but rigid enough not to flop around when it’s light. And the endless ways of securing it mean you can get it right every time you pack for a ride.

Additionally, it’s just as useful  off  the bike as on it.

Over the years, I’ve amassed a tonne of touring kit. But out of all that gear, there are only three pieces that I refuse to leave the house without.

Now, there are four.

The SW-Motech Pro Rackpack has been a worthy ally throughout my 10-week trip. It has never let me down. And for that reason alone, it will be with me on all my future tours.

With thanks to SW-Motech and Motohaus

For more posts like this one, check out our Luggage section or view these selected posts:

Top Motorcycle Accessories for Your Next Long Trip

Is Soft Motorcycle Luggage The Way To Go In 2022?

Motorcycle Touring Packing Tips: Hard vs Soft Luggage

How we pick our destinations & plan our motorcycle tours.

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SW-Motech Launches PRO Travelbag For Your Biggest Adventures Yet

When you need your literbike to carry 65 liters of camping equipment..

Are you planning a motorcycle trip any time soon? If that sounds like you, and you’re planning to bring a bunch of stuff, and you’re in the market for a new tail bag, then SW-Motech has a new bag you may want to know about. Let’s take a look. 

The German gear specialist introduced its new PRO Travelbag tail bag in July, 2021. It’s pretty massive, with a bunch of space to carry a whole lot of your necessities on your next trip. Just how massive is it? The total volume is a whopping 65 liters. In fact, SW-Motech says it’s the largest bag currently offered in its Premium series. 

Best of all, it’s made to universally fit a wide range of bikes. It comes with SW-Motech's patented lashing hooks, and has a grippy bottom to help it stay in place on any passenger seat you like. Just set it on the seat, follow the included instructions, and lash it down securely so it stays where you put it on your next ride. 

Gallery: SW-Motech PRO Travelbag

It’s made of 1680 D ballistic nylon, and has all the added features you look for in a good piece of luggage. Reflective elements help you get seen by other road users, the lashing hooks are strong and robust so your bag stays in place and is quick to attach, and additional MOLLE attachments make it easy to strap some other bags onto your bag for even more storage.  

Three mesh compartments reside inside the lid, to help keep your items neatly organized inside. There’s also an included shoulder strap, for ease of carrying off the bike. Two exterior pockets have covered zippers, to help shield them from the elements. Unlike some other luggage, the SW-Motech PRO Travelbag comes with a waterproof inner bag, so you don’t have to purchase it separately if you want to keep your stuff from getting soaked.  

The MSRP on SW-Motech's website is 280 Euros, or about $331. That price includes VAT, and shipping is free on this item. If you reside outside a VAT country, the pricing will probably vary by region. It’s currently available to ship immediately as of July 27, 2021, or you can inquire with any shop near you that stocks SW-Motech goods.

Source: SW-Motech

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PRO Travelbag Tail Bag 1680D Ballistic Nylon Black/Anthracite

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Description

Pro travelbag tail bag.

With a volume of 65 liters, the PRO Travelbag is the largest tail bag in the entire Premium series. Thanks to the conical underside, the bag can be ideally positioned on the passenger seat and easily and quickly clamped in place using the patented lashing hooks. The PRO Travelbag has a large main compartment and two spacious side pockets with waterproof zippers. The top features an overlapping lid that provides protection against moisture, and the sturdy fasteners are easy to operate even with riding gloves. There are two separate mesh compartments on the inside of the lid, and a further mesh compartment can be found in the lid to the main compartment below it. All three mesh compartments are perfect for storing smaller valuables and travel documents. Thanks to its shoulder strap, the PRO Travelbag can be converted into a travel bag in no time at all. The tail bag from the PRO series is made of indestructible 1680 D Ballistic Nylon, which was originally designed for military use. It also boasts high-quality workmanship and well thought-out features: reflective attachments ensure better visibility, robust lashing hooks secure the bags quickly and easily at the tail, and MOLLE attachments on the top and front allow accessory bags to be attached. The patented lashing hooks allow flexible attachment of the PRO tail bags. The straps are hooked and tensioned in one step. To remove the bag, the strap is released in one easy step and removed from the lashing eyelet by pulling on the drawstring. The excess strap length can be secured to the strap with a Velcro® fastener. This allows the bag to be used on different motorcycles, and the strap length can be adjusted accordingly.

• Universal fit for almost all motorcycles
• Three mesh compartments with zipper on the inside of the lid
• Additional storage thanks to two outer pockets with covered zippers.
• Underside made of anti-slip material
• Robust lashing eyes for secure fastening of the bag at 4 points and for lashing accessory bags
• Made of durable and highly UV-resistant 1680D Ballistic Nylon with splashproof inner lining
• Reflective details for better visibility
• Zipper management: Elastic loops prevent the zipper pulls from fluttering
• MOLLE attachments in strong hypalon material on the top and front for fastening accessory bags
• Simple and quick attachment of the bag to the motorcycle via loop straps with patented lashing hooks
• Weather protection thanks to the supplied waterproof inner bag
• Three robust carrying handles

Included in delivery

• 1 x PRO Travelbag tail bag
• 1 x waterproof inner bag
• 4 x loop straps with lashing hooks
• 1 x shoulder strap
• 2 x lashing eyes for attaching to the license plate holder
• 1 x protective foil
• Mounting instructions
• Material: 1680D Ballistic Nylon
• Color: black / anthracite
• Size: 75,0 x 33,5 x 31,0 cm / 29.5 x 13.2 x 12.2 in
• Total Weight: appr. 3,5 kg / appr. 7.7 lb
• Total Volume: 65,0 l
• Width of the large contact surface between the lateral indentations: 26cm

Payment & Security

Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.

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Refund policy, sw-motech warranty returns - wherever the product was purchased in the uk..

For all Warranty Returns, if your product falls under the above guidelines please go to the Motohaus Returns Material Authorisation (RMA) portal, at  http://motohaus.returnsportal.net/ .

Create an account and follow the instructions to receive an RMA number (Returns number), which is necessary so that we know which technician to send your item to once your product arrives with us! 

Once this has been processed, return the item to SW-Motech UK c/o Motohaus Powersports Ltd within 7 days from receipt. For your protection, Motohaus Powersports Ltd strongly recommend that you use a recorded-delivery service to return the item(s). When we receive the item(s) back we will contact you and offer you the correct product or a full refund within 10 working days (providing the item is in the condition as dispatched to you).

Please note  we do not refund shipping costs unless the goods were delivered faulty or incorrectly.

You can always contact us for any return question at   [email protected] .

General Refund and Return Policy

Damages and issues  .

Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.

Exceptions / non-returnable items

Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.

We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method.

In the instance where you have ordered an item that has unexpectedly just become out of stock, we will contact you to ask whether you would like us to process a special order for the item from the manufacturer in Germany. If you agree, this can take between 2 and 3 weeks to arrive due to the varying cross-channel transportation channels. Alternatively you can instruct us to process a refund if you choose to cancel your order. 

Please remember it can take between  5  and 10 business days   for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund to your statement . The amount may reflect as a credit into your account, or the original transaction on your statement will be edited to reflect to refund. Besides looking for a credit in your statement, please also review the original transaction on your statement when determining the successful conclusion of any refund. We unfortunately do not have any control over this necessary '5 to 10 business day' transaction period. This is the required time it takes for the different banks to process the refund request.  

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SW Motech Pro Travelbag Tail Bag - Black / Anthracite

65 litre universal fit tail bag with molle attachments, 3 mesh compartments and waterproof inner bag.

Select an option

Stock due in soon, verified customer reviews for sw motech pro travelbag tail bag.

I usually go for the smaller tail bag so it sits on my passenger seat but needed something bigger for days out. Very pleased with the construction and quality feel of the tail bag. Very roomy for all my needs. Very easy to put on and take off within minutes max. Once you get use to doing it, riding life becomes easier. 1) The side pockets are very big so thats a plus for putting spare emergency bike items for days out. 2) Has a waterproof bag but the tail bag does a good job at been water resistant and didn't get wet inside while been out all afternoon in the rain. 3) The straps are very easy to use so you never feel like you have to keep it on. *My only complaint is a personal one so it likely wont apply to you. My Indian scout has a low fender seat so the top clips when opening hit the paint on the fender if I rush to open it. This is a personal issue though and doesn't affect the overall rating and use of the SW Motech pro travelbag tail bag.

This wasn't my first choice due to the price, however my first choice was returned as it didn't sit right on the bike. The SW Motech Travelbag is an excellent fit for my GS and the finish and quality of the bag is of a high standard. Lots of room, and side compartments for documents etc.

Although I haven't yet tried the bag I'm well impressed with the quality. It's not a soft bag so doesn't flop around, some kind of flexible structure inside. It's got a big flap that zipps up and pockets inside as well as a waterproof bag to put your kit in. I can't imagine it's gonna get wet through anyway. Lots of anchor points and straps supplied too. Overall it's a great looking bag and looks good on my black tiger sport

Superb, robust and roomy bag but not too bulky.

• Description
• Manufacturer

SW Motech Pro Travelbag Tail Bag - Black / Anthracite

• Made of durable and highly UV-resistant 1680D Ballistic Nylon with splash-proof inner lining
• Universal fit for almost all motorcycles
• Three mesh compartments with zip on inside of lid
• Additional storage thanks to two outer pockets with covered zips
• Underside made of anti-slip material
• Robust lashing eyes for secure fastening of the bag at 4 points and for lashing accessory bags
• Reflective details for better visibility
• Zip management: Elastic loops prevent the zip pulls from fluttering
• MOLLE attachments in strong hypalon material on the top and front for fastening accessory bags
• Simple and quick attachment of the bag to the motorcycle via loop straps with patented lashing hooks
• Weather protection thanks to the supplied waterproof inner bag
• Three robust carrying handles

About SW Motech

Germany's leading motorcycle luggage company can trace its roots back to one bike adventure in 1994. Engineer Jurgen Swora wanted the right luggage for a trip to Libya on his Honda Africa Twin, so he made his own. His creation was so popular among friends that it led to the birth of SW Motech in 1999. Now charging into its third decade, SW Motech is still true to those original principles of high-quality engineering. Craftsmanship with metal remains the foundation of the company, which has grown to over 200 employees, and now it has a wide range of soft luggage to complement the hard luggage around which the company made its name.

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