Does anyone even remember how terrible soft motorcycle saddlebags used to be? The way they just dangled over the seat and were regularly burnt by the exhaust? Thankfully we have options like Mosko Moto’s Reckless luggage kits today: feature packed soft pannier and tail bag systems that are durable and formed to fit most adventure bikes in the most practical fashion, without the need for additional racks.

Mosko’s updated 40L and 80L Version 4.0 Reckless bag kits are the next round of upgrades the company has announced for its line of luggage, apparel and accessories as it marks its 10th anniversary. We’ve previously reported on new colors, upgraded materials and even all-new products being added to the line, and now there’s news of celebratory upgrades to two of Mosko’s most popular luggage systems. 

The Reckless design appeals to so many of us who don’t want the extra weight and expense of a fixed pannier rack system for our off-road adventures. It’s a rugged, modular design that forms an articulated U shape that hugs your bike’s tail section. The two side bags and a top bag attach to a main center harness that can stay with the bike, while a system of adjustable straps and fasteners allow for a streamlined fit that traces the bike’s subframe.

The luggage is a 100% waterproof system, with roll-and-clip end closures that allow for expansion when you’re on a long journey, and reduction when you’re exploring closer to home. Since there is no rigid rack, the side bags can be set to a variety of angles and heights for a custom fit. 

While this popular system has always been made for rigorous use, Mosko says the 4.0 versions are both lighter in weight, stiffer and more durable in construction. The main harness on both the 40L and 80L kit is now made from an innovative CURV composite material constructed of heat-compacted woven polymer fibers. This material is touted by its maker to be the world’s first self-reinforced, 100% thermoplastic material that requires no additional support structure to maintain its strength or impact resistance.

Mosko says using this new material for the harness reduces any movement or shifting of the whole system on the bike during technical riding. It’s also claimed to be extremely durable and won’t degrade or crack even with exposure to extreme heat or freezing temperatures. And because ounces add up, happily it shaves a-half pound in weight from the previous V 3.0 harness (80 L). 

In updates earlier this year Mosko announced it would be using a new 100% recycled 1680 denier ballistic nylon, backed with “eco-friendly PVC backing and UV treatment”  for some of its designs and this includes the new Reckless 40L and 80L kits. Color choices for either size system are also fresh, including a “10-Year High Desert” theme, the return of the earthy, green-hued “Woodland” and of course, that ever-stalwart Black option.

Additional updates for the Reckless systems include a new helmet clip (80 L) and multi-directional nylon Molle on the storage-expanding beavertail and leg bags. There are now two settings for leg strap mounting and the systems’ cam buckles are said to be more low-profile and non-slip.

Mosko says the 40-liter system is built for “long day trips, motel-hopping, and minimalist camping off your bike.” Packing space consists of two 14-liter 840 denier thermoplastic polyurethane nylon “leg” dry bags and one 10-liter Stinger tail bag. The previous sewn-on rear 2-liter pockets have now been removed, replaced with the option to add two ‘removable’ 4-liter Auxiliary Pocket (Aux Pox) bags.

The 80-liter kit is pointed more toward extended off-road travel and camping and even global fly-and-ride adventure. It comes with a 22-liter Stinger tail bag and dual side bags come with their own 25-liter dry bag inserts. There’s also a tent pole bag, a removable document pocket and two optional 4-liter Aux Pox bags.  

All the cross-hatch Molle webbing on both the new Reckless systems allows for a ton of customization, including adding multiple auxiliary bags, fuel and water bottles or Mosko’s new First Aid Kit. You can also mix and match tail and side bag sizes, or opt for the Gnoblin rear quick-mount accessory that can be fixed to your fender, making removal of the bag sets ever quicker. 

Mosko’s V 4.0 80L Reckless kits are available for pre-order now, starting at $1040 for Black or Woodland and $1080 for the limited edition High Desert with its 70s vibe accents. The 40L version is pre-order only in High Desert or Woodland, while the Black kit is shipping now. All three 40L colorways sell for $799. 

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Photos by Drew Martin and Mosko Moto

Author: Jamie Elvidge

Jamie has been a motorcycle journalist for more than 30 years, testing the entire range of bikes for the major print magazines and specializing in adventure-travel related stories. To date she’s written and supplied photography for articles describing what it’s like to ride in all 50 states and 43 foreign countries, receiving two Lowell Thomas Society of American Travel Writer’s Awards along the way. Her most-challenging adventure yet has been riding in the 2018 GS Trophy in Mongolia as Team AusAmerica’s embedded journalist.