My new favorite Backpack? Viking DAGR Medium Sissy Bar Bag Review

OK, so let me explain the headline first:  I do not own a motorcycle with a sissy bar.  I did try it with my Harley Davidson Street Glide Special passenger backrest, but that’s about 4″ too wide to fit the sleeve on the DAGR.  That’s where my biggest let-down with this bag begins, and ends.  There’s another one I’ll explain in a minute, but the rest of it is gravy.  I recommend you go visit Viking Bags’ web site for the DAGR, for current pricing and to purchase one.  Let’s dive in!

In full disclosure, Viking Bags reached out to me and asked if I’d be willing to review one of their DAGR Medium bags on my web site.  I said sure, and added that I’d do a video review for my YouTube channel, which of course they had no problem with.  I mean, anyone that’s been a fan of Road Reality for a while knows I love recording and editing, so why NOT do a video?  Thanks to Viking Bags for sending me the bag – no money exchanged hands and they’re seeing this post and the associated video at the same time as you.  TL;DR: They sent me a free bag but had no editorial control over the content of my review.

Watch my review here:

First, the specs: it’s 15″ tall, 14″ wide, and 11″ deep.  Yeah, not massive – but also not diminutive, either.

For my review, I used it as a backpack.  I utilized all 5 pockets to hold everything I’d need for a day of filming [I’m a motovlogger, after all], which included a fair amount of camera mounts, batteries, mics, and of course a hat – don’t go anywhere without a hat!  I even had a 20oz tumbler of coffee with me, in one of the side pockets.  THIS is a game-changer for me.  Coffee is one of those “must-have” things for commuting – I need coffee when I get to work, and now I can carry 2 with me, without them tumbling around, on my 2005 Vulcan 800 Classic Bobber.  THAT’S phenomenal.  I don’t even think the folks at Viking knew that it would fit, but now they do!

Using the DAGR as a backpack is as easy as connecting the included backpack straps to the 3 mounting points on the back of the bag.  I would’ve liked 4, but with the swivel mount on the clips, it was fairly easy.  Once it was on my back, it didn’t move at all, even going around corners.  The straps cinch down easily as well, which is why I think it stayed put.  Overall, I’m happy to use it as a backpack.

But what if you have a sissy bar – you know, it’s intended use case?  It’s got a sleeve on the back, and comes with 4 tie-down straps for extra-secure mounting on your bike. [more about these in a minute]  About 9″ is the available space in the sleeve for the sissy bar, but if yours is narrower, you can adjust the sleeve width using the metal rods that fit into one of two slots on each side of the bag’s back.

They’re held in place by secure hook & loop built into the fabric material.  The bag itself is fairly rigid, so it doesn’t flop about and collapse in on itself, which is another added benefit of the DAGR.  I much prefer this style of bag to one that is straight fabric – it just makes packing and unpacking easier.  Along those lines, the liner of the bag can be zipped out as well for cleaning.  Another thing that made me say, “Hmm”.  Yeah, they put some extra thought and engineering into this thing.

Speaking of engineering, all the zippers appear to be of high quality.  I’ve only used it a few times, but I have plans to use it frequently next riding season.  The fabrics and other textiles that go into the DAGR also appear very high quality, with a great look & feel to them.  The whole package just seems to be put together well, and I appreciate that level of detail.

For riding in the rain, the bag comes with a rain cover.  It includes a cinch-down line, so you can throw it over the bag and secure it so it doesn’t fly off while you’re motoring down the road.

Now, the price.  It’s $100 on their web site.  That’s not cheap, but I think it is a good value for what you get.  And, Viking usually runs a discount code, making it an even better value.  I could think of a lot worse ways to spend your money.

So, let’s recap: it works well as a backpack, probably fits most sissy bars, has extra mounting security, has plenty of storage options over 5 pockets, is well-engineered, has thoughtful and good-looking features, and holds my coffee [probably the most important thing to me].

Where does the DAGR fall down?  Besides not fitting my Harley backrest, I broke one of the plastic clips.  After realizing it wouldn’t fit my Harley, I tried using the 4 straps to fasten it to the backrest, and I think I over-tightened one of them, or pulled at a weird angle, and the clip simple broke – ping!  I have a bad habit of using my uncalibrated torque arm, and I break stuff all the time.  If I were Viking, I’d replace all the D rings and clips with metal ones, but at the price point this sells for, it’s probably not feasible.  I’d also like to see a waist strap in addition to the backpack straps, but since that’s not its main purpose, I get why it was omitted.

That’s it.  I like a lot about it, and I only found 2 things I don’t like about it.  Neither is a deal-breaker, and I feel confident recommending the DAGR to anyone who wants to carry stuff on their bike but doesn’t need permanent saddlebags or a top box.  If you need a bigger bag, or even a smaller one, Viking has 3 sizes available.  They also have other styles of bag, if the DAGR isn’t for you.  I am looking quite forward to being able to commute on my Bobber next year AND carrying all the stuff I need with me.

Visit Viking Bags’ web site for the DAGR Medium Sissy Bar Bag here, for current pricing & to purchase.

-John