SW-Motech Pro tail bag review | Minimum hassle for such generous capacity

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SW-Motech are a German company and specialise in making luggage for motorcycles, trying to ensure there is something suitable for every model. When I got this tail bag, I was riding the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST as my long termer and it fit perfectly, but I’ve since used it on two or three other bikes, and for the most part, the bag has been perfect for each of them. As this bag is labelled as universal, I tested it as such, and on the whole it has been a positive experience.

How practical is the SW-Motech Pro tail bag?

I took this bag with me on a weeklong trip to Budapest and back on the back of my last longterm test bike – the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST. As I had a pair of panniers it was ideal as it didn’t overhang on the seat and meant I could retrieve bits of luggage without it getting in the way.

You have the ability to expand the bag for extra volume (32-42 litres) which I found essential as I’m a serial overpacker, and with plenty of attachment points, it’s versatile with other luggage solutions too.

It’s easy to use with its four anchor points, and the anti-slip material on the underside means it won’t move too much as you attach it. And even when I accidentally left one of the straps on the bike and it got hooked around my drive belt, it was still able to secure the luggage all the way home from Budapest and beyond.

The internal pockets are handy (there is one in the ‘lid’ of the bag for your essentials that you need to grab quickly) but as they are outside of the waterproof liner don’t pop your electrics in here. The same goes for the exterior pockets, which I tended to use for snacks on the road, but the additional strap to help you carry it when you get to your destination is great too.

How durable is the SW-Motech Pro tail bag?

The bag is well made, and after nearly 4000 miles of hard riding through every weather it still looks good as new. The zips still work effectively, and the inner liner has proved to be waterproof too. But even when I’ve been caught out in light showers without the liner, the outer bag is splashproof too.

The only instance I had was when I accidentally left one of the straps on the bike after removing the bag. This then, due to my own stupidity, got caught up in the belt drive. I stopped almost instantly, and retrieved it, and it was still in once piece despite the ordeal, but badly stretched and ripped, but it got me back home from Budapest and beyond with the bag, so that goes to show how strong the materials are.

Does the SW-Motech Pro tail bag look good?

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the textile-looking finish as it is currently being used on a retro motorcycle and think a leather-look finish might suit better. But for a universal bag, it does the job and settles in with whatever surroundings it has. The colours aren’t garish, and off the bike it looks like a versatile piece of luggage too when it’s over your shoulder.

Is the SW-Motech Pro tail bag good value for money?

At near-as-makes-no-difference the £200 mark, there’s no denying that this bag is a touch more expensive than others on the market. But as I’ve alluded to before, what sets this apart from many others is the sheer quality of it. As long as a get a replacement strap (or make do with some ROK straps, but I haven’t tried to use one of those yet) I expect that this bag will see a lot more use over the next few years… possibly even the next decade.

So what’s the verdict?

Honestly, I don’t have any complaints about the bag. For something that has a great amount of volume and a limited amount of hassle, then you can’t go far wrong. The expansion means you can have a little extra volume when you need it, and if you’re touring in England then the waterproof layer is essential for keeping your kit dry – and when used properly is very effective.

I’ve used it on multiple motorcycles to test whether it is indeed universal, and so far, so good. I would like a spare strap just for occasions when I think I’ve lost or damaged one, but as long as your careful, this bag should last you a good few years, even with some back-of-the-bike abuse.

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