The gear we use.
The stuff that actually survives a trophy-hunt weekend. Real gear, real miles, honest notes — the luggage, layers, and hardware the Switchback crew straps on before chasing the curves.
Need it bolted on? Viking's saddlebags.
A backpack handles the weekend — hard bags handle the season. Viking builds 300+ bike-specific and universal saddlebags: lockable hard shells, leather throw-overs, and quick-disconnect sets for Harley, Honda, Indian, Yamaha and more.
How we pick the gear we use
Switchback is motorcycle navigation built by riders who chase the curves — so the gear guide works the same way as the road atlas. Nothing lands here on a spec sheet alone. Gear earns a spot by surviving real trips: the twisties, the interstate drone in between, the parking-lot repack in the rain, and the overlook hike where the bag has to become a backpack.
For long-haul storage that stays on the bike, hard and leather motorcycle saddlebags carry the weight low and locked; for the flexible weekend load, a sissy-bar backpack like the Viking Tactical XL doubles as a daypack the moment you park. Pair either with a scenic route from the Route Planner, ride it, and turn the miles into permanent badges in your Trophy Case.
More field-tested gear — helmets, comms, layers, and tank bags — is on the bench now. Riders on our list get the gear notes first.
Gear up. Then go ride.
Switchback finds the roads worth the gear. It's live on iPhone — download free, and the first 1,000 riders lock founder lifetime pricing.
Gear links marked sponsoredmay support Switchback. Opinions are the riders'. Ride safe.