Unlike taking a trip by car, where you can pack everything but the sink, traveling by motorbike requires you to be more selective about what you bring. And anything that’s on your “can’t leave the house without it” list, you need a way to get it on your bike. SW-Motech offers an incredible range of motorcycle luggage in a variety of styles and sizes, along with racks, holders and adapters.
These services enable a customizable, modular approach to assembling your motorcycle, all designed and manufactured with the quality and attention to detail often attributed to engineering. German art. SW-Motech also manufactures all sorts of great accessories for safety, protection, navigation and power (caution: sit down with your favorite refreshment and browse the page. their web will lead to temptation).
Related: New equipment: Center pillar of SW-Motech
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Our 2022 Honda CB500X Long-Term Test Bike is an affordable, efficient, lightweight adventure bike that’s perfect for solo touring, but in inventory form, it’s not luggage as well as luggage rack. We scrolled through SW-Motech’s US website, entered the year, make and model in the “My Bike” filter and clicked on the “Luggage” product category.
First, we wanted a way to carry our luggage, so we ordered the Street-Rack ($252.95), a small rear rack with multiple fasteners made of black PU coated 5mm aluminum. We only plan to use the Street-Rack as a fastening point and holder for the back bag, but SW-Motech also offers rack extensions, flask ring adapters for attaching PRO flask bags, and a variety of adapters for different styles and brands. top case.
Next, we ordered the PRO Side Carrier ($350.95), which is made of black powder-coated 2.5mm steel. Not only is the side rack compatible with SW-Motech’s own luggage, but a conversion kit is also available for use with Givi/Kappa, Hepco & Becker, Krauser and Shad luggage.
For luggage, we ordered one SysBag WP M (Waterproof, Medium; $249.95) to use as a back bag and two SysBag WP L saddlebags (Large; $399.95 each) with The adapter plate allows them to be quickly attached or removed from the Transport PRO Face. The SysBag WP L has a lanyard, so if you don’t want the quick release adapter plate, this bag alone costs $319.95. However, the straps must be threaded through the slots in the carrier’s metal plates, so filled bags can move around, especially on off-road riding, where the straps can become damaged. wear down over time. With the added convenience and security of adapter plates, they are well worth the extra money.
Because I traveled halfway around the world to test Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 in India (see Review Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 First Ride here), our esteemed former EIC and mechanical expert Mark Tuttle were kind enough to handle the installation in my absence. From his installation notes: “Overall, a nice, heavy-duty system that is fairly easy to set up with the least amount of work. It took me about two hours, mostly because each hook on the adapter plate had to be secured with four screws and nuts @#$%&, or 32 pairs in total. SWM should install these first. IMHO setting up the system is probably best to be (at least somewhat) mechanically inclined, although the instructions are very clear and it uses high quality hardware.
Installation of the Street Bracket or Side Bracket PRO requires the removal of the CB500X’s passenger handle, but the side supports can serve as a safety support for the passenger. Although the manual calls for drilling the rear fender to secure the rear crossbar, Tuttle says that’s not necessary; it aligns easily enough with the license plate holder’s holes.
A convenient feature of the Side Bracket PRO are the Quick-Lock latches that allow the holder to be removed by a quarter of a turn, leaving only minimal attachment points for a neat look. Since the pins are located directly behind the loop portion of the bracket, securing them with a flat-head screwdriver is difficult. However, SW-Motech sells a Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Key Chain ($11.95) that includes not only a tie tool for PRO and EVO side brands, but also hexagonal keys in five sizes and a bottle opener. If you are concerned about theft, a Screw Kit ($11.95) is available to replace the Quick Lock pins.
Once the PRO Side Plate and adapter plates are installed, literally attaching two SysBag WP Ls to each side – simply align the hooks on the latches, lift the release lever and pop them right up. The SysBag WP M sits flat on the passenger seat and the Street-Rack, and its straps are used to secure it in place like a rear bag.
SysBags are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) with rubber-like EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) components and heat-welded seams, and they feature roll tops made of 210 Ripstop TPU to prevent water and dust. They feature reinforced handles, MOLLE patches for attaching accessories, eyelets for locking cables, Velcro closures for bundling excess length straps, and removable interior pockets. An outer flap covers the roll ends and secures with quick release buckles, inside the flap is a zippered pocket. The volume of the M bag is expandable from 17-23 liters and the volume of the L bag is expandable from 27-40 liters. The L bag also has interior compartments and an easily accessible outer compartment for raincoats, thermos or other items.
Overall, this is an impressive, high-quality setup that adds up to 103 liters of capacity on the Honda CB500X or other motorcycles. One thing to keep in mind, however, is the extra weight. Street-Rack adds 6.2 lb; SysBag WP L adds 6.4 lb per bag and 3.0 lb per adapter plate, for a total of 18.8 lb; and SysBag WP M add 4.2 lb. In total, that’s 29.2 lb before adding any gear.
The total cost of this setup is $1,677.65. Given its quality and versatility, it’s a good investment in a luggage system that will last for many years. The only question is, where will you go first? A good place to start is Website SW-Motech.
