SW-Motech Quick-Lock EVO Daypack

The Convoluted Tale of A Tank Bag for Two Kawasakis

Here’s a photo-heavy update on the surprisingly useful SW-Motech Quick-Lock EVO Daypack we first reviewed in 2014.

All of the features and details on fitting and installing the Daypack were covered in that review.

Also, more details on the SW-Motech Quick-Lock system can be found in the Suzuki tank bag for the V-Strom review and in 3 other reviews linked above.

This article serves as a follow-up and as Blog entries for two of the current webBikeWorld Project Bikes, Brandon’s Kawasaki Ninja 1000 (review) and my 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT (Blog).

And by the way, both bikes have the same shade of Kawasaki white paint, by coincidence!

Background

Some might consider the Daypack too small to be a useful tank bag, but we think it’s just right: not too big, not too small.

It fits just about any motorcycle you can name, unlike the “big rig” tank bags with gargantuan capacity and curves designed to match only the fuel tank shape on a specific motorcycle.

Just by coincidence, Brandon and I both recently fitted a Daypack to two of the current webBikeWorld Project Bikes, a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and a 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT.

In fact, the Daypack has been so useful, it’s seen 3 different Project Bikes in its short life.

I had originally installed the Daypack on the Suzuki GW250 (Blog) Project Bike from 2014 but swapped it for the magnetic Suzuki tank bag (review) when it finally became available.

Then I discovered that the Quick Lock fuel filler ring from the GW250 also fit the 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS (Blog), the next webBikeWorld Project Bike, also from 2014.

So the EVO Daypack found another home and the fact that it was just as useful on the big Suzuki drove home the “just right” size impression for this tank bag.

It in turn made way for an accessory Suzuki tank bag for the V-Strom (review), also made by SW-Motech.

That was an easy swap, because the Quick-Lock tank ring for the GW250 also fit the then-new V-Strom 1000.

When the V-Strom was sold, the Suzuki tank bag went with it, along with the Quick-Lock ring.

That left the EVO Daypack with its base installed and the next Project Bike, the 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT (Blog).

Since the new Versys needed a tank bag, I then ordered an SW-Motech QUICK-LOCK Type 140 EVO Tank Bag Bottom Tank Ring (SKU# TRT.00.640.14000.B) for the 2015+ Versys 650.

It came from Twisted Throttle, the SW-Motech importer and distributor (and webBikeWorld Affiliate).

So the EVO Daypack now has a home on the mid-sized Versys 650 LT and it adds touring capacity to the LT’s standard panniers and the accessory 39-liter SHAD SH39 top case (review).

An EVO Daypack for the Ninja 1000

Coincidentally to everything noted above, Brandon was using an older style Bags-Connection Daypack II (review), which survived a crash on his Triumph Sprint 1050.

The older Daypack II uses the original version of the Quick-Lock tank ring, which attaches to the fuel filler cap.

The older style Quick-Lock tank rings are still available; they are used on the new SW-Motech ION line of “budget” tank bags. Brandon’s Daypack II is several years old now and faded but it still does the job.

The Quick-Lock System

Again, if you are not familiar with the Daypack or tank bag and the Quick-Lock system, be sure to read the reviews linked at the beginning of this page.

The Quick-Lock tank ring is what makes this tank bag system unique. It is the system that is used to mount the bags on the fuel filler so that the tank bag does not touch the paint.

A Quick-Lock tank ring is available for many different motorcycles and it attaches around the fuel filler on bikes with the flush flip-up type fuel filler arrangement, as shown in the photo below.

The tank ring then mates to an adapter plate that you mount on the bottom of the specially designed tank bag that has a recess underneath to fit the adapter plate.

The plate then snaps on to the Quick-Lock tank ring and the system keeps the tank bag from physically touching the paint of the tank and it also makes it very easy to remove the tank bag when refueling.

SW-Motech now owns Bags Connection and they have tank bags in all different shapes and sizes for many different makes and models of motorcycles.

Old vs. New Quick-Lock Adapters

They have also updated the Quick-Lock adapter rings over the years, having switched to the EVO version after I had purchased this bag years ago and which is shown in my original Daypack II tank bag review.

A quick two days after ordering I had one of the new ION Quick-Lock tank rings ready to install on the NInja 1000.

As with the previous two bikes on which I have used the tank ring and Daypack, installation was quick and easy.

To install the tank ring, you must remove some of the screws that attach the fuel filler cap assembly to the tank and use the new longer screws that come with the tank ring kit to install a metal adapter.

It helps if one keeps track of which original screw came from what position during installation as this makes it easier to choose the correct length screw from the hardware included with the kit.

It should be noted that you you will likely receive more screws than needed in the installation kit.

The installation has been described in 3 different previous webBikeWorld reviews, so again, be sure to check the links at the beginning of this page.

Installation from start to finish took maybe ten minutes.

I mounted the bag to sit about as far forward as it can on the Ninja but I might adjust this back a little bit. The adapter plate on the bottom of the tank bag provides for several inches of back/forward placement on the bottom of the bag.

However, this does require drilling the base of the bag again, so I’m still on the fence about doing so as this would be the third time it will have been drilled since I have owned it.

As far as function there is nothing new here, but that is fine.

My bag is faded and worn it still holds what I need it to (wallet, keys ,earplugs, bottle of water, etc.) and does so without rubbing on the shiny new paint on the Ninja.

Conclusion

(Adapted from our previous Daypack review) – The Bags-Connection Daypack is about as small as you probably want to go in a tank bag, although we’ve reviewed smaller sizes, like the Marsee Mighty Mini (review).

For both the Versys and the Ninja, once again the “smaller is better” philosophy works.

The EVO Daypack is just large enough to fit a bottle of water, a cell phone, extra pair gloves or sunglasses.

This tank bag has now proven to be very adaptable; two of them have been mounted on 6 different motorcycles!

SW-Motech products are very well made and the Quick Lock EVO system keeps the bag from scratching the paint, plus it makes it super easy to refill at the fuel pump.

The SW-Motech EVO Daypack lists for $135.99 in 2016, a $6.00 increase from a few years ago. The Daypack is also available in a “Micro” version that’s even smaller, but that size is hard to recommend.

It’s also available in an electric version for charging and powering accessories.

The Quick Lock ring costs $39.99 and it’s available for many different motorcycle makes and models.

Also, once the Quick Lock adapter is installed, all you need is another tank bag with a mounting plate and you can easily swap sizes when needed.

See Also:
▪ Bags-Connection EVO Rear Bag Review
▪ Suzuki GW250 Tank Bag Review
▪ SW-Motech Quick-Lock EVO Daypack Review

Owner Comments and Feedback

From “D.H.” (September 2016): “I’m using the SW-Motech Ion Quick-Lock tank bag on my 2015 Versys 650. Ion is SW-Motech’s new and (relatively) budget-conscience line of bags.

Mine is obviously built on the same “chassis” as the EVO DayPack and has the same dimensions, 5-9 liter capacity, and mounting system.

Instead of a mesh pocket in the lid, it has zippered access to the built-in map window.

I really wanted a map window, and I don’t like SW-Motech’s accessory map case that, while much larger, is quite fiddly in day-to-day use as I discovered when I had a Bags Connection tank bag on a prior bike.

The Ion also has a carry-handle on the aft end, which has proved useful for hanging the bag on the end of the bars while fueling (I have the Versys ABS with no hand guards).

Like you, I affixed the mount plate to the bottom of the bag just about as far forward as possible. In that position, there is no interference with the bars even at full lock.

I love big honkin’ tank bags, but this is about as big as one can put on the Versys without interfering with either the bars or the rider, so I’m learning to live with it.

When expanded, it can still fit a small Pelican case where I keep stuff that shouldn’t get wet (I hate rain covers), a fleece drawstring bag with items that can survive the wet, a small Nalgene bottle of earplugs, extra gloves, and my EZ Pass transponder in the side mesh pocket.

BTW, I loop the release cable (string?) under the middle of the bars and back over the top to the snap on the front of the bag.

Seems to make it easier to find while seated, and *might* prevent the bag from falling off the tank in the event it doesn’t get re-mounted properly.

Keep up the outstanding work; I’ve been a reader for years and have learned much from you guys.”

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