In brief. Motorcycle bags are chosen based on where they mount on the bike: handlebar, tank, crash bar, tail, sides, or rack. Each location has a typical volume, a mounting system, and a weight limit. Before comparing brands and prices, clarify three things: how many liters you need for the trip you’re actually taking, what the bag attaches to on your bike, and what level of water resistance you need.
This guide compares the six luggage categories and offers a method for calculating liters per night. We also explain what IPX6 and IPX7 really mean under the IEC 60529 standard, how much weight panniers can carry, and what Article 170 of the Highway Code says about width. The guide concludes with three ready-made setups featuring products available from Endurrad. Technical data is as stated by the manufacturers and is identified as such. Estimates are labeled as estimates.
There are six places on a motorcycle for a bag, and each has its own rules
The bag’s name matters little. What matters is where it mounts, how much space it offers, and how securely it stays put at 130 km/h or on a dirt road.
| Position | Typical volume | Mounting | Strength | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handlebar | 1-3 L | Straps or Velcro on the crossbar | Phone and small items in plain sight | Minimal volume, watch out for cables and controls |
| Tank | 3-10 L | Ring on the fuel cap, magnets, or straps | Opens without dismounting, detaches at the gas station | May touch the handlebars at full lock |
| Crash bars | 5-6 L per side | Straps around the bar tube | Uses otherwise empty space, low and central weight | Depends on tube diameter, bars required |
| Tail and seat | 20-90 L | Straps on the rack or passenger seat | No rack, moves from one motorcycle to another | Weight sits high and far back, shifts if poorly strapped |
| Sides (panniers) | 23-45 L per side | Model-specific racks, sometimes straps | The largest volume with the lowest center of gravity | Make the bike wider, almost always require racks |
| Rack (top case) | 28-45 L | Model-specific mounting plate on the rack | Locks, fits a helmet | Weight overhanging behind the wheel, low load limits |
A travel setup almost never works with just one bag. Usually there’s a tank bag for things you need while riding, a large volume on the sides or tail for clothes and camping gear, and sometimes a small reserve on the crash bars for tools and rain gear. The sections below will help you decide which of these pieces you need and in what size.
Count liters by nights away, not by guesswork
People who buy luggage that's too big fill it anyway. Those who buy luggage that's too small end up strapping a bag over the seat. The right capacity depends on how many nights you're away and where you sleep.
| Type of trip | Approximate total capacity | Typical setup |
|---|---|---|
| Day trip, everyday use | 5-15 L | Tank bag or crash bar bags |
| Weekend in a hotel, 1-2 nights | 30-50 L | 40-50 L tail bag plus tank bag |
| One week in a hotel, solo | 60-80 L | Pair of 30-40 L side cases plus tank bag |
| One-week camping trip | 100-130 L | Side cases, tail bag for a tent and sleeping bag, tank bag |
| Two-up, with a passenger | 90-120 L | Side cases plus top case. The passenger seat is unavailable for luggage |
The detail that makes the difference is the shape of the load, even more than its capacity in liters. A half-empty 50 L tail bag sags and shifts under the straps. That's why the best dry bags have an internal plate or a vent valve that lets air out after closing. This topic is covered in more detail in our guide to 40, 50, 66, or 90-liter tail bags and in our guide to why a dry bag shifts during a ride.
Choose the attachment system before the bag
Many returns and bags left in the garage have the same cause: the luggage was right, but there was nothing to attach it to. Each type of bag has a specific requirement to check on your motorcycle.
Tank bags: rings, magnets, or straps
Classic magnetic tank bags have magnets in the base and sit directly on the tank. They only work if the tank is made of steel. They won't stay in place on plastic, aluminum, or a tank cover. LOBOO bags use a different solution: a ring that screws onto the fuel cap mounting points and stays on the motorcycle. The bag attaches to the ring with magnets and mechanical clips, so the tank material doesn't matter. The part to check is the ring, which is specific to each motorcycle family and sold separately. The bag cannot be mounted without the ring. Find all the product codes in our guide to mounting rings for tank bags.
Crash bar bags: tube diameter matters
There is no list of compatible motorcycles for crash bar bags, because compatibility depends on the bar tubing. LOBOO Wanderer BHGB11T bags attach to bars measuring 22 to 28 mm. The inflatable BHGB05T bags, on the other hand, require a 25 mm round tube, as specified in the manual. Measure the outer diameter with calipers where the bag will go. Also check that there is clear space behind the bar, away from cables, brake lines, and the radiator. We explain how to get the most out of your bars in the guide to crash bars.
Panniers: the rack determines which ones fit
Strap-on panniers that rest on the seat are universal, but they're also the least stable. Hard panniers attach to side racks made specifically for the motorcycle model. Each system has its own standard. LOBOO Wanderer semi-rigid panniers and ALPS inflatable panniers fit racks with 18 mm tubing. PIKE TRACKER aluminum panniers fit only LOBOO racks, not GIVI, SW-Motech, or original BMW racks. The rule of thumb is simple: choose the rack for your motorcycle, and the rack determines which panniers you can install. Compare the three technologies in the guide to aluminum, semi-rigid, or soft luggage.
Top case: plate and luggage rack
The top case attaches to a plate, and the plate bolts onto either the original luggage rack or a reinforced rack. Almost always, the load limit depends not on the top case but on the rack. It's worth checking the guide on how much weight a motorcycle rack can carry and the guide to top case plates.
- For a tank bag: count the fuel cap bolts and look up the matching ring's part number.
- For crash bar bags: measure the tube's outer diameter at the exact mounting point.
- For panniers: check which racks are available for your motorcycle's make, model, and year.
- For a top case: check the permitted load on the luggage rack in the owner's manual.
- For tail bags: check the distance from the exhaust, especially with high-mounted exhausts.
IPX6 and IPX7 don't promise the same thing
“Waterproof” is not a technical rating. The IP rating is: it is defined by the IEC 60529 standard. The second digit indicates protection against water and corresponds to a specific test.
| Rating | Test conditions | What it means on a motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| IPX4 | Spray from every direction, about 10 L/min for 10 minutes | Light rain and spray from the road |
| IPX5 | Water jet at 12.5 L/min from 3 m, for 3 minutes | Continuous rain |
| IPX6 | Powerful jet at 100 L/min from 3 m, for 3 minutes | Heavy rain, wet highway riding, washing |
| IPX7 | Immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes | River crossing, bag dropped in a puddle, muddy dirt road |
For road use, IPX6 is more than sufficient, even on long trips in heavy rain. IPX7 is for those who ford rivers, leave their bags on the ground at camp, or ride a lot of dirt roads. Before buying, it is worth checking three details that product specifications often overlook.
- The closure matters as much as the fabric. A roll-top must be rolled several times to achieve its stated water resistance, and the Wanderer manual explicitly says so. A zipper only provides a watertight seal if it is waterproof.
- External pockets are usually not covered by the IP rating. For the LOBOO Wanderer 50 L tail bag, the manufacturer specifies that the IPX6 rating applies to the main compartment, not the external pockets. Keep your phone and documents inside.
- Not all hard cases have an IP rating. The manufacturer does not state an IP rating for PIKE TRACKER aluminum cases: their water resistance relies on the lid seal. For delicate items, the best solution is an inner bag.
Soft, semi-rigid, inflatable, or aluminum: four answers to four different questions
There is no single best solution. Each of the four technologies sacrifices something to gain something else.
| Criterion | Soft (dry bags) | Semi-rigid | Inflatable | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight when empty | The lightest | Low | Low | The heaviest: stated weight of 11.6 kg per pair for the PIKE TRACKER 35+30 |
| Anti-theft | None or cable lock | Lock on the strap | Steel cable with lock | Lock in the lid |
| Crash behavior | Tears or shifts out of place | The edges are protected; the shell deforms | The air cushion absorbs the impact | Gets dented and can protect the bike |
| Off-road | Good, if strapped on properly | Excellent | Excellent | Unobtrusive: hard edges close to your legs |
| Everyday use | Mount and remove | Unclip by hand | Deflate and stow away | Fits a helmet and locks |
| Price on Endurrad | From €54 (40 L tail bag) | €981 for the set, racks excluded | From €626 per pair | From €644 per pair, racks excluded |
- you use more than one bike or your bike has no available racks;
- you need luggage a few times a year;
- your budget is limited;
- you want a clean bike on Monday morning.
- you often leave the bike unattended in the city or at a hotel;
- you need to store your helmet;
- you travel two-up with lots of luggage;
- the luggage stays mounted all year.
Semi-rigid cases are becoming the go-to choice among adventure travelers. They have a technical-fabric shell with an inner panel that gives them shape, so they keep their form even when half empty and weigh much less than aluminum cases. Inflatable cases are the newest option: an air chamber provides the structure. The manufacturer of ALPS states a load capacity of at least 300 kg per inflated case. This is additional protection, not an approved safety device. For a closer comparison, see the guide to semi-rigid cases and the guide to aluminum cases.
Weight, speed, and width: the limits almost nobody checks
A bag has a load capacity, a maximum speed, and a width. These limits aren’t set by the bag seller: they’re set by the motorcycle manufacturer and the Highway Code.
Take as an example the figures BMW Motorrad gives for the R 1300 GS Vario system: 10 kg per side case, 6 kg for the top case, 26 kg in total, and a maximum speed of 180 km/h. These figures apply only to that system. They do, however, give an idea of the scale: ten kilos per side is reached quickly, and the top case, mounted behind the rear wheel on an overhang, supports much less than the side cases. For any luggage, the limits to observe are the motorcycle’s maximum permitted load, stated in the registration document, and the luggage rack’s load capacity.
What the Highway Code says
Article 170, paragraph 5, of the Highway Code prohibits carrying items on motorcycles that are not securely fastened, items that protrude more than 50 cm, and items that restrict the rider’s visibility. The fine ranges from €83 to €332. Under the current interpretation, also reported by Dueruote, 50 cm on each side of the motorcycle’s centerline means an overall width of about 1 meter with side cases. The manufacturer can approve a greater width with its own cases, in which case the figure appears in the motorcycle’s registration document. Before fitting a very wide pair of cases, it is worth measuring the overall width.
Weight distribution matters just as much as total capacity. Heavy items such as tools, water and a compressor should be carried low and close to the center of the motorcycle: in the panniers, at the bottom and toward the wheel, or in the crash bar bags. Light, bulky items such as a sleeping bag, jacket and sleeping mat should go at the rear. Reserve the top case for lightweight items and your helmet.
Three setups that work, from day trips to long journeys
These are three setups built with products currently available from Endurrad. Each one suits a different use.
1 · Day trips and everyday use, without racks
An expandable 4.5-6.5 L tank bag with its mounting ring, plus a pair of 6 L IPX6 waterproof crash bar bags if your motorcycle already has crash bars. Together, they provide about 17-18 liters of capacity, carried low and within easy reach, without making the motorcycle any wider. If you want everything in view, there’s also the 2 L handlebar bag with a smartphone holder.
2 · Weekends and short trips on any motorcycle
A 40 to 90 L IPX6-rated tail case with a pressure relief valve, or the 50 L Wanderer tail bag with an internal U-shaped plate that holds its shape even when half empty. Add a tank bag. No racks to install, and the capacity suits anything from an overnight stay to a week in a hotel. It’s worth keeping the 30 L foldable bag in your backpack for any extra luggage picked up on the way back. We explain how to strap it on securely in how to secure a seat bag.
3 · Long adventure trips, including off-road
Start with the side racks for your motorcycle. You can mount the Wanderer 40+30 L semi-rigid cases on these racks, with two 20 L bags included and a stated total capacity of up to 120 L. Alternatively, there are the 23 or 30 L ALPS inflatable panniers, rated IPX7, or the PIKE TRACKER aluminum cases, with a pair offering 65 to 90 L. Complete the setup with a tank bag, crash bar bags and, if traveling with a passenger, the 36 or 45 L aluminum top case on its dedicated mounting plate. For a complete motorcycle setup, see the guide on how to prepare your motorcycle for a long trip.
Mistakes that ruin good luggage
They're almost always the same, and almost always avoidable with five minutes of checking before ordering.
- Order the tank bag without the ring. With the ring-mount system, the bag won't fit on its own. The correct part number depends on your motorcycle's fuel cap.
- Ignore the crash bar diameter. BHGB05T inflatable bags require a 25 mm tube. For 22 mm bars, the BHGB11T model, which fits 22 to 28 mm, is a better choice.
- Strap down a half-empty dry bag. The bag deforms, the straps loosen, and the load shifts. Let the air out through the valve, or choose a bag with an internal structure.
- Put heavy items in the top case. The top case is the point farthest from the center of gravity, and its load limit is the lowest in the entire system.
- Don't forget the exhaust. Tail bags and soft panniers near the silencer can get hot or burn. Asymmetrical cases, like the PIKE TRACKER 35+30, have a narrower right-hand case specifically to leave room for the exhaust.
Technical specifications: bags available from Endurrad
Specifications declared by manufacturers, verified against Endurrad product sheets. Prices and availability current as of 10/16/2026.
- Volume
- 4.5 L, expandable to 6.5 L
- Mounting
- Tank ring, 4 magnets and clips
- Base adjustment
- 11 cm fore and aft
- Fabric
- 2520D ballistic nylon
- Ring
- Not included, motorcycle-specific
- Volume
- Fixed 10 L, semi-rigid
- Dimensions and weight
- 340 × 260 × 190 mm · 900 g
- Mounting
- Tank ring, 4 magnets and 4 clips
- Included
- Rain cover
- Ring
- Not included, motorcycle-specific
- Capacities
- 40, 50, 66 and 90 L
- Water resistance
- IPX6
- Construction
- PVC with high-frequency welding
- Lock
- Patented magnetic roll-top closure
- Extras
- Air release valve, wet/dry separator
- Volume
- 50 L
- Water resistance
- IPX6 on the main compartment
- Fabric
- 840D composite TPU, 0.65 mm
- Structure
- Removable U-shaped plate
- Extras
- Backpack straps, MOLLE, valve
- Volume
- 6 L per side, 12 L per pair
- Water resistance
- IPX6, roll-top
- Compatible bars
- 22 to 28 mm tube
- Structure
- U-shaped PP frame
- Installation
- Straps, no tools required
- Volume
- 6 L per side, 12 L per pair
- Compatible bars
- 25 mm round tube
- Stated load capacity
- ≥ 300 kg with bag inflated
- Inflation time
- ≥ 6 hours stated
- Note
- Accessory protection, not certified
- Volume
- 40+30 L (40+40 only for R 1300 GS), plus 2 × 20 L bags
- Water resistance
- IPX6
- Frames
- 18 mm tube, not included
- Anti-theft
- Key lock, two cylinders per pannier
- Extras
- MOLLE, reflective inserts
- Volume
- 23 or 30 L per pannier
- Water resistance
- IPX7, waterproof zipper
- Stated load capacity
- ≥ 300 kg with pannier inflated
- Frames
- 18 mm tube
- Anti-theft
- Steel cable with lock
- Configurations
- 35+30, 35+35, 37+37, 45+38, 45+45 L
- Weight
- 11.6 kg per pair, 35+30
- Water resistance
- Perimeter gasket, IP rating not stated
- Frames
- LOBOO only, not included
- Standard
- Lock, interior light, lining
- Volume
- 36 L (one full-face helmet) or 45 L (two helmets)
- Shell
- Aluminum, stainless steel hinges
- Lock
- Key, two keys included
- Mounting plate
- Not included, motorcycle-specific
- Finishes
- Black or silver
Browse the full selection in our tank bags, tail and seat bags, crash bar bags, motorcycle trunks and top cases, and, to see everything on one page, motorcycle panniers and bags collections.
Frequently asked questions about motorcycle bags
What types of motorcycle bags are there?
How many liters do you need for a one-week motorcycle trip?
Are soft bags or hard cases better?
What’s the difference between IPX6 and IPX7?
Can side bags be fitted without frames?
How much weight can I put in my motorcycle bags?
How wide can motorcycle side bags be under the Highway Code?
Does a magnetic tank bag fit a plastic tank?
Do crash bar bags fit all engine guard bars?
Do inflatable bags really protect in a fall?
Why does the tail bag shift during a trip?
Can I keep my phone in the outer pocket of a waterproof bag?
Are aluminum cases waterproof?
Which bags are best suited to off-road riding?
Not sure which bag to start with?
Tell us your motorcycle’s make, model, and year, and what kind of trip you have in mind. We’ll tell you which ring, frames, and capacities you need before you order. Find all the luggage in motorcycle cases and bags and the full range in the LOBOO collection.
Sources. IEC 60529, IP protection ratings (test parameters summarized by Oriental Motor, “IP Ratings Chart”); Highway Code, Art. 170 (text and penalties from Brocardi.it, updated 25/04/2026); Dueruote, “Motorcycle panniers: width and approval” (17/05/2022), for the interpretation of the 50 cm limit and the reference to Regulation (EU) 44/2014; BMW Group PressClub, “BMW Motorrad presents Vario luggage system for the BMW R 1300 GS,” for load limits and maximum speed; LOBOO product sheets and manuals published on Endurrad product pages. The volumes in the “liters to nights” table are an Endurrad editorial estimate. Prices and availability updated 16/10/2026.
