Nelson-Rigg Traveler Tour (left) and Lite (right) Trunk Bags

Like the Shoei Neotec 3 modular helmet, we subjected the Nelson-Rigg Traveler Tour Motorcycle Trunk Bag and smaller Traveler Lite Motorcycle Trunk Bag to a nine-day, 4,200-mile torture test.

Both bags are part of Nelson-Rigg?s Route 1 line of cruiser luggage. The Traveler Tour Motorcycle Trunk Bag that I tested holds 63 liters (expandable to 73.5 liters), and the Traveler Lite Motorcycle Trunk Bag tested by my wingman Eric Birns holds 35 liters.

The Nelson-Rigg Traveler Tour Motorcycle Trunk Bag holds 63 liters.

The main difference between the two bags is size. Both are made of durable UltraMax fabric, which has a lifetime warranty against fading from sun exposure, and their rigid construction maintains shape even when empty. They have lockable zippers, mesh pockets inside the lid and main compartment, carry handles, reflective piping, and adjustable quick-release straps at each corner for securing them to the bike. The larger Tour bag also has three zippered outer pockets and a 360-degree expansion zipper.
The Nelson-Rigg Traveler Lite Motorcycle Trunk Bag holds 35 liters.

We loaded the bags with gear and mounted them on two Harley-Davidson touring bikes. Eric mounted the Lite bag on the luggage rack atop our Road Glide?s chopped Tour-Pak. I mounted the Tour bag in two positions on our Street Glide: during two 700-mile days on the interstate, I put it on the passenger seat, which kept the bag out ...