Viaterra Trailpack review

A prominent add-on to my daydreaming-spec Himalayan was a set of aluminium panniers that scream ‘globetrotter’. My significantly better half, however, having tried to swing a leg over on a test bike with said panniers, was quick to disapprove of them, owing to poor ergonomics. She had a point, and I had none to counter. Revisions to my Himalayan’s touring paraphernalia were to be quickly made.

A tank bag alone, for two-up touring, would be a big ask and my trusty old Viaterra Claw tail bag, while still up for the job, doesn’t work with a pillion on-board. The solution, thankfully, arrived from Viaterra itself, with what looked like a too-good-to-be-true pair of 100 percent waterproof bags with a 7-litre capacity (per bag) specifically designed for the Himalayan’s exoskeletal frame – that was originally designed to mount jerry cans. A pair, for just Rs 2,499? There had to be a catch!

Just over 6,000km and nine months later, I am yet to find that catch. Having arrived in the mail a week before my motorcycle itself was delivered, the Trailpack was the first bit of luggage to go on it. I’m not quite the packing minimalist and these bags have incrementally grown in their contribution to making my touring (and commuting) life easier. It started with me just slipping in a couple of books, a wallet and a microfibre cloth, and gradually began to accommodate my hard-case tool box, a full-size can of WD40, the odd fruit, a flask for hot coffee and ceramic mugs… you see how this has progressed, right? 

On a recent week-long ride to Goa, I promoted them to primary duty, as opposed to carrying peripheral stuff. This meant the Trailpack on the right carried a pair of walking shoes (I wear size 12s, so you can get a sense of the dimensions), a pair of socks for each day I was to spend there, a microfibre cloth and, in the outer zippered slot, my wallet. The one on the left held all my clothes, with still some breathing room to spare! I could thus do the 1,200km round-trip with no luggage on my person or strapped to the tail, keeping all the weight towards the front (where it should be) and leaving me free to enjoy the curves that lead to Goa. 

A simple, roll-top format, with two wide Velcro straps at the back, and extremely easy to mount, being of the slip-on variety, make the Trailpack an effective piece of luggage that does what it promises. And yes, it is indeed 100 percent waterproof, leaving its contents impeccably dry even through torrential rain. What is uncertain at the moment, though, is whether the Trailpack is compatible with the new-gen Himalayan, which features a redesigned exo-frame. Overall, it’s a VFM product that spells absolute utility and is really well-finished, too. What makes the Trailpack an even sweeter deal is Viaterra’s 1 year warranty against material or manufacturing defects and lifetime repair support.

Where: www.viaterragear.com 

Price: Rs 2,499