If you ride a motorcycle regularly, eventually you run into the same problem:

Where am I going to put all this stuff?

A wallet and phone are easy. A jacket is manageable. But add gloves, rain gear, camera equipment, water, snacks, tools, chargers, a change of clothes, or anything else you might need on a long ride, and suddenly the storage on the bike starts disappearing fast.

That is where a good sissy bar bag earns its place.

I've been spending time with the Viking Bags 45L Tactical XL Sissy Bar Backpack, and what immediately stands out about this bag is its size. With 45 liters of storage and 2,746 cubic inches of capacity, this isn't a small day-trip bag pretending to be touring luggage. It's designed for riders who actually want to carry things.

First Impressions: Big, Functional and Purpose-Built

The first thing you'll notice is the size.

The Tactical XL measures approximately 15 x 11 x 19 inches, giving it a tall, substantial profile behind the rider. Viking Bags recommends using it with a sissy bar at least 24 inches tall for secure mounting.

That's important.

This isn't one of those little motorcycle bags where you have to carefully decide which three things you're allowed to bring. The entire point of the Tactical XL is to give you enough room that packing becomes considerably less stressful.

The bag is constructed from Cordura, and Viking describes it as weather resistant. It also uses secure mounting straps designed to work with a variety of motorcycle setups.

The overall design leans more toward function than flashy styling, which is exactly what I want from motorcycle luggage.

It's a piece of equipment.

And that's a good thing.

45 Liters Is A LOT of Motorcycle Storage

The headline feature is obviously the capacity.

At 45 liters, Viking Bags lists the Tactical XL as capable of holding the equivalent of approximately 63 cans. That's not necessarily how most riders will measure their luggage, but it gives you an idea of just how much space we're talking about.

For an overnight trip, that's plenty of room for clothing and personal items.

For a day ride, you can pack considerably more than the average rider actually needs.

And for someone who carries photography or video equipment, that additional capacity becomes even more useful.

I can see this bag being particularly useful for riders who don't want to dedicate the motorcycle's saddlebags entirely to clothing or personal items.

Instead, the sissy bar bag can become the grab-and-go gear bag.

Camera batteries.

Chargers.

Small accessories.

Rain gear.

Gloves.

Water.

Snacks.

Extra layers.

Whatever the ride requires.

The 180-Degree Opening Is One of the Best Features

Capacity is great.

Accessibility is better.

One of the features I really like about the Tactical XL is the 180-degree opening.

Instead of digging down through a narrow opening trying to find something buried at the bottom, the main compartment opens flat, giving you much better access to what's inside. Viking specifically designed the bag around easier packing and unpacking.

That's one of those features that sounds minor when you're reading specifications.

It isn't.

Anyone who has packed a motorcycle bag knows how quickly the bottom of the bag becomes the Bermuda Triangle.

You know the item is in there.

You just don't know where.

Being able to open the bag wide makes organizing and accessing your gear much easier.

It's More Than Just a Sissy Bar Bag

Here's where the Tactical XL becomes more interesting.

It's also designed to function as a backpack.

The padded shoulder straps can be used when you're off the motorcycle and tucked away when the bag is mounted to the bike. The bag also includes an adjustable sternum clip, waist straps and hook-and-loop ties to make carrying it more comfortable.

That makes a difference if you're riding somewhere where you'll need to remove the luggage when you arrive.

Think:

Motorcycle rallies

Hotels

Camping trips

Bike shows

Long-distance rides

Events

Road trips

Weekend getaways

Instead of carrying a separate motorcycle luggage bag and backpack, you have one piece of equipment serving both purposes.

That's smart design.

Organization Is Better Than You'd Expect

The Tactical XL isn't just one giant compartment.

Inside, you get a 12 x 14-inch laptop sleeve, two mesh pockets and additional organizational areas.

There are also external storage options.

Viking includes both a sunglasses pouch and a wet pouch, which can be attached to the exterior webbing.

The wet pouch is particularly useful for motorcycle riders.

Wet gloves.

A damp microfiber towel.

Rain gear.

Anything you don't necessarily want sitting inside the main compartment with your clean clothes or electronics.

There are also two exterior bottle holders capable of accommodating 25-ounce water bottles.

That is exactly the kind of practical feature I want to see on motorcycle luggage.

The Backpack Feature Makes Sense for Riders

There's another advantage to the design that isn't immediately obvious.

A traditional sissy bar bag is great until you arrive at your destination.

Then you have to figure out what to do with it.

The Tactical XL eliminates some of that inconvenience because it can transition from motorcycle luggage to backpack.

That makes it particularly useful for riders who frequently stop during their trips.

You don't have to leave everything strapped to the motorcycle while you're walking around.

Remove it.

Put the straps on.

Carry it with you.

Simple.

What I Like About the Viking 45L Tactical XL

After looking at the design as a complete motorcycle luggage system, there are several things that stand out.

1. Massive storage capacity

45 liters gives you enough room for much more than basic necessities.

2. 180-degree opening

Being able to open the main compartment wide makes packing and finding things easier.

3. Backpack functionality

The ability to carry the bag off the motorcycle adds legitimate versatility.

4. Dedicated organization

The laptop sleeve, mesh pockets, external pouches and bottle holders keep it from becoming one giant storage compartment.

5. Weather-resistant Cordura construction

The Cordura construction gives the bag a more purpose-built motorcycle feel than a conventional backpack. Viking lists the bag as weather resistant.

6. Universal fit

The Tactical XL uses secure straps rather than requiring a complicated motorcycle-specific mounting system. Viking lists it as universal fitment.

What I Don't Like

No motorcycle bag is perfect.

The biggest potential drawback is also one of the bag's biggest advantages:

It's big.

At 19 inches tall, this is not a minimalist sissy bar bag.

If you prefer the clean, stripped-down appearance of a motorcycle with almost no luggage, you're going to notice this bag.

And because Viking recommends a minimum 24-inch sissy bar for secure mounting, riders with shorter bars need to pay attention to fitment before purchasing.

There's also the temptation that comes with having 45 liters of space:

You'll probably fill it.

That's not necessarily a criticism of the bag. It's just something to keep in mind.

More storage often means more stuff.

And more stuff means more weight.

Pack intelligently.

Who Is This Bag Really For?

I wouldn't recommend the Tactical XL to someone who only needs to carry a phone, wallet and sunglasses.

There are smaller options that make more sense.

This bag is for the rider who regularly says:

"I wish I had somewhere to put this."

If you're doing long-distance rides, weekend trips, rallies, motorcycle events or commuting with equipment, the 45L capacity makes considerably more sense.

It's also a strong option for riders who want to carry their luggage off the bike without having to bring a separate backpack.

Final Verdict

The Viking Bags 45L Tactical XL Sissy Bar Backpack is built around a simple idea:

Give motorcycle riders more usable storage without making them commit to permanent luggage.

The combination of 45-liter capacity, Cordura construction, external storage, water-bottle holders, laptop sleeve, wet pouch and backpack functionality makes it considerably more versatile than a basic sissy bar bag.

The 180-degree opening is probably one of the features riders will appreciate most once they've actually packed the thing.

Is it big?

Absolutely.

But that's the point.

If you're looking for a small bag to carry the essentials, look elsewhere.

If you want a serious piece of motorcycle luggage capable of carrying enough gear for a full day—or even a weekend—the Tactical XL deserves a look.

For riders who regularly find themselves wishing they had just a little more storage, 45 liters may be exactly what you've been looking for.

Bottom line: It's not the smallest bag. It's not trying to be. It's a practical, high-capacity piece of motorcycle luggage designed for riders who actually use their bikes.

Where to Buy

The current Viking Bags listing can be found here:

Viking Bags — 45L Tactical XL Motorcycle Sissy Bar Backpack