Unless you’ve got a full dresser, adventure tourer or sports touring motorcycle, chances are you’re short on luggage space. Thankfully there are relatively low-cost, quality luggage options out there for all motorcyclists.
One of the best-known brands is Viking Bags, and for good reason. The Viking tail bag featured in the video at the top of this post that I bought back in 2016 is still going strong after seven years of use on three different motorcycles.
This week I’m trying out a new set of Viking saddlebags that are specifically designed for street and sport bike-style motorcycles.
Called the Momentum Extra Large, the bags have a compact design that expands via sturdy-looking zippers to swallow up to a total of 2,440 cubic inches of luggage between the two bags.
When expanded for road trips they’ll easily swallow a few days-worth of stuff while maintaining a sleek look while they’re zipped up and just being used for odds-and-ends.
Even in the closed position they’ll accommodate a summer jacket. Each side also has an outer pocket for things like smartphones or wallets.
Better yet, they come with MOLLE attachment points so you can store extra gear.
MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, allowing you to securely attach stuff like keys, water bottles and pouches to increase luggage capacity.
Viking says its bags are made of Cordura, which is a heavy-duty synthetic fiber-based fabric.
The bags are lightweight with an adjustable Velcro-attached center that makes them easy to throw over your bike’s rear seat and then quickly secure them with the included clip-on straps.
When you ‘re ready to head-in for the night, they also include carry handles.
The bags are rigid, so they’ll maintain their shape, even when empty and they don’t need the costly mounting brackets that hard luggage requires.
Viking kept night-time visibility in mind with reflective piping. They also include water-proof liners that can double as storage bags when it’s time to put them in the garage.
For motorcyclists that need more storage, they’re also designed to complement Viking’s Momentum tail tag bag, which the company says can be quickly snapped on top of the saddlebags.
The bags have bright red interiors, which Viking says makes it easier to find stuff when it’s dark.
The bags easily swallowed my camera gear to shoot this video and for a trip out to Jacksonville Beach, Florida to grab a few aerial shots.
On my motorcycle you can position the bags multiple ways, depending on which look you prefer. I’m sort of thinking I like the deep slant look best.
I haven’t used the bags long enough to comment on their long-term durability, but based on the other Viking bag I own, I’m guessing they’ll provide years of use.
The bags retail for $249.99 but can often be found on sale for much less.
Viking Bags provided EV Rider with the saddle bags featured in this review but did not have any editorial input into this post or video’s production, nor did it see an advance copy. EV Rider’s editorial policy regarding review units is available for anyone that would like to review it.
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