The Reckless 40 works awesome on the 500-700cc class dualsport/offroad bikes. It has way more forward lean to it than the Reckless 80, so it fits the aggressive stance of more off-road oriented bikes. It fits on many larger ADV bikes too, but it's specifically sized and shaped for the middleweights.

Most riders will find that 40L is not enough space for camping gear, unless you combine the R40 with a decent-sized backpack. For the ultra-minimalist though (bivy sack, summer-weight bag, freeze dried food) this is an awesome way to turn your dirt bike into a mini adventure bike, and use it to get into some really hard-to-reach spots like mountain lakes and hot springs. When we use the R40 for camping, it's generally on shorter trips that are 90%+ offroad. Riders who pack things like a cool-weather sleeping bag, an extra pair of shoes, a camp chair, or more than one change of clothes, should consider either adding a Stinger 22 to their order (see notes below), or stepping up to a Reckless 80.

If you would like to expand the capacity of your Reckless 40, we recommend adding a Stinger 22 Tailbag. This is the same tailbag we include with the Reckless 80. Like the Stinger 8, the Stinger 22 also converts into a backpack, and can be rigged as a standalone tailbag. The Stinger 22 adds 14 additional liters of volume. The larger dimensions are great for packing bulkier items, like a sleeping bag, which would not typically fit in a Stinger 8. The Stinger 22 also integrates seamlessly with the Reckless 40's beavertail closure.

All three R40 drybags have roll-top closures, and they can be easily and individually accessed throughout the day, so you don't have to mess with the holster attachment straps to get to food, clothes, or tools. The side drybags have clear panels on the front, so you can tell which bag has what you need, and they have stiffeners in the back to reduce movement while riding and make it easier to slide into the holster. They also have webbing handles at the bottom, so they can be more easily pulled into the holster.

The center bag on the Reckless 40 is our Stinger 8 Tailbag. It turns into a backpack with mesh backpack straps that unfold from inside the bag, in case you want to go for a day hike on your ride, or run into town for errands. The Stinger 8 also has 4 sewn-on connection straps with matching ladderlocks, so it can be rigged as a standalone fender bag, tail bag, or pannier topper without the Reckless 40 harness.

The Reckless 40 has separate rear pockets on both sides, which are perfect for storing fuel bottles, water bottles, tools, and tubes. The two overlapping rear beavertails are a great spot to tuck a motorcycle jacket when it's not in use, or to store wet things - like a rainfly, towel, or campsite garbage – that you don't want inside your drybag.

The rear beavertail has a padded goggle pocket which also fits a Spot, InReach, or cell phone. On the inside surface of the front beavertail there's a mesh pocket for storing wet/dry items (like toothbrush/paste) or bike documents inside a waterproof baggie.

With the Stinger 8, the Stinger 22, and the Reckless 40, you will have 4 different storage options for your bike: 1) a standalone 8 liter tailbag, 2) a standalone 22 liter tailbag, 3) a 40 liter harness luggage system, and 4) a 54 liter harness luggage system. So you can fine-tune your carrying capacity for each trip.

Please Note:

a) Every Reckless 80 and Reckless 40 comes with an included heat shield. Please use the heat shield!Exhaust and exhaust heat burns are not covered by your warranty. Before you leave for your trip, we recommend checking and double checking that no part of the bag or your bike's plastics are contacting the exhaust. On dual-exhaust bikes or bikes with especially high/exposed pipes, you will need a second heat shield, which is available for purchase in the 'Hardware & Parts" section of our website. When installing the Reckless system on your bike, please make sure the exhaust is not blowing directly on the bag. In general, make sure the bag is not touching or close to extreme heat; go physically around the bag daily, cinch it tight, and make any necessary adjustments.

b) The Reckless 80 and Reckless 40 were designed for rugged riding. They have a durable hypalon and ballistic nylon backing that can rub against the plastic parts of the bike, resulting in minor abrasion. Please take precautions if you do not want your bike parts marred by placing a clear adhesive sheet to where abrasion may occur on your motorcycle. Some examples of protective products are listed below. We suggest taking a short test ride with protection applied and with a loaded Reckless installed on the bike to assure satisfactory results.

Allstar Performance Tape

3M Polymask Protective Tape

c) There are many "wear points" on the Reckless system that are different on every bike. See this videofor examples. These could be on the bottom of the bag - where the harness touches the bike or luggage rack - or on the drybags themselves, where they contact the harness, tent poles, or other items. After your first day or two of riding, please inspect the bags carefully, identify high-friction wear points, and either remedy the friction or apply a sacrificial 'patch' that can be periodically replaced before the bag itself is damaged. In particular, it is normal for the fabric on the bottom of the harness to show wear, and this does not affect the structural integrity of the bag nor its waterproofing.

• If friction causes the fabric on the bottom of your bag to wear through, this is not a big deal. There is a hard plastic plate inside the Reckless harness that will prevent the friction from reaching your drybags, and thereby affecting the functionality of the system. Fabric, vibrating under pressure between the hard plastic inside the harness and a hard metal bike part, will eventually wear out. To prevent this, apply a sacrificial patch to the wear point, or apply some padding on the bike.
• If your connection straps are wrapping around a sharp metal edge, for example on a bag mounting cleat, foot peg, or luggage rack, and the straps begin to show signs of wear, it is critical to address the wearbefore the strap is too far worn to use. Either file/grind the sharp edge, or apply (and maintain) a sacrificial 'sleeve' for the webbing made from fabric, additional webbing, or duct tape. A sharp metal edge vibrating under pressure will eventually wear through webbing, sometimes quickly. If this occurs, take some extra webbing to a local sewing shop and they should be able to easily repair the damage.