Height for Motorcycle Tour Packs: How to Choose Yours

Height for a motorcycle tour pack is the vertical measurement from the base of the bag to its top edge, expressed in inches. The specific height you require depends on the volume of gear you intend to carry and the physical clearance available on your motorcycle’s rear rack or tail section.

Which Motorcycle Tour Pack Height Suits You?

Motorcycle Tour Packs we have reviewed in detail

Each of the 2 shown here has its own full review on this site; they run from $819 to $879.

Understanding the width is just as important as height; see our guide on choosing the right width for motorcycle tour packs.

How to Measure and Establish Your Required Height

To determine the correct height for a motorcycle tour pack, you must first measure the available vertical space on your specific motorcycle. Locate the mounting points on your rear rack or the area of the tail section where the bag will sit. Use a metal tape measure to record the distance from the mounting surface to the point where the bag would begin to obstruct your vision or the bike’s operation. This measurement represents your maximum allowable height.

You should also consider the weight by looking at our guide on selecting the correct weight for motorcycle tour packs.

Measuring gear height to determine required motorcycle tour pack dimensions

Once you have your maximum clearance, identify the items you must carry. Lay your gear flat on the floor and stack it to see how high the pile reaches. If your gear stack is 12 inches tall, you need a bag with an internal height that accommodates this volume plus a small amount of buffer for padding. Most manufacturers list the height in the product specifications as a single number, usually referring to the exterior vertical dimension of the bag when fully closed.

Comparing motorcycle tour pack exterior height to available mounting clearance

Check the listing for the “Height” or “Vertical Size” spec. If the bag’s exterior height is 14 inches, it will occupy 14 inches of vertical space on your bike. Compare this to your measured clearance. If your clearance is exactly 14 inches, the bag may sit flush with the top of your rack, which could lead to issues with strap tension or lid closure. It is often safer to choose a bag that is 1 to 2 inches shorter than your absolute maximum clearance.

Don’t forget to check our guide on determining the proper depth for motorcycle tour packs.

What Happens if the Height is Too Large or Too Small?

Selecting a motorcycle tour pack height that is too large can create several mechanical and safety issues. A bag that is too tall may sit high enough to block the rider’s view of the road or the mirrors, which is a significant safety hazard. It can also catch on low-hanging obstacles like tree branches or overhead signs more easily than a shorter bag. Furthermore, a very tall bag can catch more wind, creating a “sail effect” that puts extra stress on the mounting hardware and can cause the bike to feel less stable in crosswinds.

Newcomers can start by viewing our guide on what a motorcycle tour pack actually is.

Risks of oversized motorcycle tour packs interfering with bike movement

If the height is too large for the mounting area, the bag might also interfere with the movement of the rear suspension or the swingarm. A bag that sits too high can strike the rider’s back or shoulders during heavy braking or acceleration if it is not secured perfectly. If the bag is too tall to be properly fastened, the tension on the straps may be insufficient to keep the load from shifting during a turn.

How insufficient motorcycle tour pack height causes zipper strain and overstuffing

Choosing a height that is too small leads to a different set of problems centered on storage limitations. If the height is insufficient for your needs, you will be forced to overstuff the bag. Overstuffing a motorcycle tour pack often leads to the zipper being under constant strain, which can cause the teeth to separate or the slider to fail. It also prevents you from accessing items easily, as you have to dig through a cramped space where nothing can be compressed effectively.

If a hard shell isn’t right for you, explore the various motorcycle tour pack alternatives we have listed.

Using multiple smaller bags when motorcycle tour pack height is limited

When a bag is too short, you might find yourself having to carry multiple smaller bags instead of one large one. This increases the number of mounting points required and can lead to a cluttered appearance on the bike. If you find yourself constantly struggling to zip the bag shut, the height of the pack is likely the primary constraint preventing you from carrying the gear you need.

To understand the technical details, see our guide on explaining common motorcycle tour pack terms and specs.

What to Do When Your Requirements Fall Between Two Height Values?

When your required storage volume and your available clearance result in a height that falls between two standard sizes, you must decide whether to prioritize capacity or profile. If you are torn between a 14-inch and a 16-inch height, consider the frequency of your trips. For long-distance touring where you need to carry every piece of gear, the extra 2 inches of height usually provides enough internal volume to make the difference between a successful trip and having to leave gear behind.

Choosing smaller motorcycle tour pack heights for short trip stability

However, if you primarily use the bike for short trips where you only need to carry a few items, the 14-inch height is the safer choice. A smaller height ensures the bag remains stable and stays out of your line of sight. If you are worried about the 14-inch bag being too small, you can often increase its effective capacity by using compression straps or by choosing items that can be flattened, such as a roll-up sleeping mat instead of a folded one.

Different setups require different styles, so see the different types of motorcycle tour packs.

Prioritizing smaller motorcycle tour pack heights for secure strap tension

Consider the mounting hardware as a deciding factor in these borderline cases. If your rack has a very limited vertical clearance, it is almost always better to go with the smaller height. A bag that is even slightly too tall can make it impossible to tighten the straps sufficiently to keep the load from wobbling. If the bag cannot be secured tightly because it is too tall, it becomes a hazard regardless of how much gear it can hold. In these instances, prioritize the smaller height and find ways to optimize your gear packing to fit the available space.

For a deep dive into the specific fitment, view our full Moto Onfire US Stock Motorcycle Tour Pack Fit review.

Selecting motorcycle tour pack height based on riding environment conditions

If you are unsure about your measurements, it is helpful to consider the “worst-case” scenario for your environment. Will you frequently ride under low-hanging structures or in heavy crosswinds? If the answer is yes, lean toward the smaller height. If you are riding on open highways and need to carry a full camping kit, the larger height is the more practical choice. A bike that is stable and easy to see out of is always preferable to a bag that is full but difficult to manage.

Reviewed by the Used New Car editorial team. Used New Car writes these guides from the 14 most-reviewed motorcycle tour pack listings in our retail dataset, not from manufacturer copy.