Touratech Soft Luggage Solutions: Exploring the Discovery Bag and Beyond for Adventure Riders
Since 2000, Touratech has quietly innovated in the realm of soft luggage, offering robust and versatile solutions long before they became the mainstream choice for adventure riders. While many recognize Touratech for its iconic Zega Evo aluminum pannier systems, as showcased in the video above, the brand’s commitment to soft luggage runs deep, with its earliest versions like the Zega Tex and Zega Flex appearing in catalogs over two decades ago. This rich history underscores a continuous evolution, culminating in the highly anticipated Touratech Discovery Bag and other specialized offerings that cater to every type of motorcycle traveler.The Enduring Legacy of Touratech Soft Luggage
Initially introduced through pioneering designs such as the Zega Tex, which mounted directly onto panniers, and the Zega Flex, a rack-free system ideal for bikes like the BMW HP2, Touratech consistently addressed the diverse needs of adventure riders. These early iterations, available until 2006, laid the groundwork for the comprehensive soft luggage portfolio that exists today. This progression highlights Touratech’s understanding that no single luggage solution fits all adventures. Different bikes, terrains, and trip durations demand specialized gear, and soft luggage, with its inherent flexibility and reduced weight, presents unique advantages, especially for challenging off-road expeditions.Diverse Solutions for Every Adventure: From Urban Exploration to Global Expeditions
Touratech’s current soft luggage collection represents a culmination of decades of rider feedback and material science advancements. Each system is engineered to excel in specific scenarios, from minimalist overnighters to extensive multi-country tours.The Versatile Travel Bag System
The Touratech Travel Bag, a long-standing favorite in the portfolio, proves indispensable for riders on adventure enduros with limited rear space. Martin from Touratech notes its adaptability, even fitting a larger 1200 GS for a demanding trip through Morocco. This modular system offers unparalleled flexibility; riders can opt to use just the inner bag for essentials, the side bags for medium hauls, or the upper bag for additional capacity. This adaptability ensures that whether you are embarking on a short weekend escape or a more ambitious journey, you can tailor your luggage to your exact needs, shedding unnecessary bulk and weight.The Dependable Touratech-Ortlieb Collaboration: Endurance Series
For many years, Touratech has maintained a successful partnership with Ortlieb, a globally recognized leader in waterproof gear. This collaboration produced the highly respected Endurance Velcro and Endurance Click series. The Endurance Click version mounts securely onto pannier racks, offering a blend of soft luggage flexibility with the stability of a rack-mounted system. In contrast, the Endurance Velcro operates as a classic saddlebag, providing a straightforward, rack-free attachment for a wide range of motorcycles. These bags exemplify reliability, renowned for their exceptional waterproof capabilities and rugged construction, making them a go-to choice for riders who face unpredictable weather conditions.The Robust Waterproof Extreme Series
Unveiled last year, the Touratech Waterproof Extreme series stands out for its exceptional durability and innovative design. Constructed from a very nice material mix, this system withstands the harshest conditions without compromise. Ideal for sport enduros and adventure bikes alike, the Waterproof Extreme series comprises a rack pack and saddlebags designed for rack-free mounting. A key design innovation is the strategic spacing between the system and the exhaust, which significantly mitigates heat transfer, preventing damage to your gear or the bags themselves. This thoughtful engineering ensures your equipment remains protected, even on long rides through high temperatures, while providing a secure and robust carrying solution for demanding off-road trails.Introducing the Touratech Discovery Bag: A Modern Classic Reimagined
The latest innovation to join Touratech’s celebrated lineup is the Touratech Discovery System, a testament to the timeless efficiency of the saddlebag concept. Martin explains that this design draws inspiration from solutions used by horse riders “a few hundred years ago,” reflecting a deliberate return to basics. This approach emphasizes practicality, simplicity, and inherent ruggedness. Engineered specifically for smaller enduro and adventure bikes, the Discovery Bag system comprises a sturdy Cordura framework that cradles two waterproof internal bags. Each of these main bags offers a generous 25 liters of capacity, providing a substantial 50 liters in the base system alone. For those needing to expand their carrying capability, an optional rack pack can add another 50 liters, bringing the total capacity up to an impressive 100 liters, or even more with a larger rack pack. This modularity means riders can easily scale their luggage from a light overnight trip to an extensive expedition, carrying all the essentials and more.Designed for Convenience and Durability
The Touratech Discovery Bag prioritizes ease of use and security. The classic roll-top closing system ensures that all belongings inside remain completely waterproof, safeguarding electronics, clothing, and other valuables from the elements. However, what truly sets the Discovery System apart is its ingenious attachment method. Rather than being rigidly connected, the bags secure to the bike via robust straps. This design allows riders to effortlessly detach the bags at their destination, carrying them into a campground tent or hotel room with minimal hassle. This feature eliminates the need to unpack and repack, streamlining the end-of-day routine and enhancing convenience significantly. Additionally, the system includes smaller external bags on both sides, featuring the same classical opening and closing mechanism. These are perfectly sized for quick-access items like chain oil, a tool kit, or tire repair essentials, keeping them separate from main luggage and readily available. The ability to attach this system easily to any smaller enduro or adventure bike makes the Touratech Discovery Bag an incredibly versatile and appealing choice for riders seeking a blend of tradition, innovation, and uncompromising functionality.Why Soft Luggage? The Benefits for Modern Adventure Riding
While hard panniers offer robust protection and security, soft luggage systems like the Touratech Discovery Bag present a compelling alternative, particularly for serious adventure and off-road riders. One primary advantage is **safety**. In the event of a fall, soft bags are less likely to trap a rider’s leg or cause serious injury compared to rigid boxes. Their flexible nature allows them to deform upon impact, potentially minimizing damage to both the rider and the bike. Secondly, soft luggage significantly contributes to **weight reduction**. Constructed from lighter materials, these systems reduce the overall mass of the motorcycle, which translates to improved handling, particularly on technical trails where every kilogram counts. A lighter bike is easier to maneuver, less fatiguing to ride, and simpler to pick up after a tip-over. **Flexibility and compressibility** are also key benefits. Unlike hard cases with fixed volumes, soft bags can compress when not fully loaded, reducing bulk and aerodynamic drag. This adaptability is invaluable when packing irregularly shaped items or when your load changes throughout a trip. On gnarly trails, soft bags are also more forgiving. They are less prone to catastrophic damage from impacts with trees, rocks, or the ground, often shrugging off scrapes and bumps that would dent or crack a metal pannier. Moreover, the more streamlined profile of soft luggage often allows for better bike maneuverability, especially when navigating tight spaces or leaning the bike aggressively. They typically sit closer to the bike’s centerline, maintaining a lower center of gravity and reducing overall width, which can be crucial for narrow trails or urban filtering. The Touratech Discovery Bag, with its integrated structure and easy attachment, epitomizes these advantages, making it an excellent choice for modern adventure riders prioritizing agility, durability, and practical utility. The Touratech Discovery Bag system, along with other specialized soft luggage options, is available now and is comprehensively described in the 2021 Touratech catalogue and on the Touratech website. This extensive range, including the innovative Touratech Discovery Bag, ensures that every adventure rider can find the perfect soft luggage solution to match their journey.Unpack Your Questions: The Touratech Discovery Bag Q&A
What is the Touratech Discovery Bag?
It’s a new soft luggage system from Touratech, designed to provide flexible and waterproof storage for adventure and enduro motorcycles.
Why should I choose soft luggage instead of hard panniers?
Soft luggage offers advantages like improved safety in a fall, lighter weight for better bike handling, and more flexibility to compress or expand as needed.
Is the Touratech Discovery Bag waterproof?
Yes, the Discovery Bag features a classic roll-top closing system for its internal bags, ensuring your belongings stay completely dry and protected.
How much can the Touratech Discovery Bag hold?
The base system provides 50 liters of storage with two main bags, and you can expand this to 100 liters or more by adding an optional rack pack.