Searching for a Tail Bag

[GregH]

My 2007 Bandit doesn't have any storage and I would like to have a place to stuff a jacket, keep my cell phone, etc. I prefer the idea of having the gear behind me rather than on the fuel tank, thus, a tail bag.
Here are the contenders to date:
Nelson Rigg CL-150 -
http://www.nelsonrigg.com/pages/Sport-Touring-Products/CL150-Big.htm

Oxford Humpback Tailbag -
http://www.oxprod.com/index.php?pg=3&action=dept&id=16&pid=2&p=

Chicane Summit -
http://www.chicaneusa.com/summit.htm

Cortech Sport Tail Bag -
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=148&cat=31

I like the expandable packs which can hold my Shoei Multitec (the Bandit's helmet lock is under the seat and a hassle to get to) but I don't know if they're too bulky.

Does anyone have experience with these bags or recommendations for others? Do you know of any shops in Dallas that carry these where I could get a look at them?

[kurt]

I have the Cortech and it's a good bag. Inexpensive and well made. No room for a helmet though. I'm thinking of getting a Chicane Summit bag. I like the narrower design and under seat straps for mounting.

[mnapuran]

I have the prev. generation version of this Nelson Rigg - http://www.nelsonrigg.com/pages/Sport-Touring-Products/CL700-Big.htm

It has been through alot, was pretty inexpensive, and has been great. Each storage area expands 2x, which has come in real handy! Here's a pic before my first trip to AR, with both my tail bag, and side bags. I went a bit overboard, cuz even for a 4 day trip, I had ALOT of storage I didn't use :)

http://mike.napurano.com/album/listpics.asp?a=ddl&id=dsukoekfwldn

[Keith]

Cortech here too. Great bag, well made, inexpensive, but it will not hold a full face helmet. Might get a shorty in there, but a full size? Nope. Ain't gonna fit.

[Tx Rider]

Got the cortech sport here too, love the bag. I have the matching soft saddlebags as well but I don't tend to need em.

I got mine at the Yamaha dealer on Hurst road I believe it is.

[JadeRider]

I am a big fan of Nelson-Rigg. Not only are their products excellent but their customer services are second to none. They have replaced (for free, including shipping) things like lost bungies, a burned saddle bag, ...:rider:

[ben1364]

Look at this site. The owner, designer craftsperson is a rider and understands full well what she is doing.

http://www.customtankbags.com/

[GregH]

Ok, now I'm thinking I'd be better off with a cable lock to run through my full face helmet and have a smaller tailbag (Chicane Summit or Cortech Sport) for "stuff."
Has anyone had the opportunity to see/touch the Chicane?

[jhansen]

Take a look at www.motorcycle-luggage.com
lots of bags there.

[Jack Giesecke]

It's a little pricey, but I sure like the Ventura rack/pack system. I have a 48 quart (huge) bag, a pack rack, a sport rack, and a hand rail and dress the bike for the occasion in just minutes. I also have the straps for the pack so I can tote it along when I get there like a back pack.

http://www.sporttouringusa.com/www/V_bikepack.htm

BTW, you don't need the rain cover. I've tested mine for water repellency and it passed. :mrgreen:

[hetkind]

Look at this site. The owner, designer craftsperson is a rider and understands full well what she is doing.

http://www.customtankbags.com/


I second that vote! She REALLY understands what serious riders need and is more than willing to work with you to get EXACTLY what you want. Does a lot of work for the Iron Butt Rally participants.

And a very nice lady, to boot. Well worth taking a gander to see what she can do for you...

Jill

EDIT--

I did it again. Posted under Hetkind's sign-in. My apologies...Bedlam

[kurt]

Here's the Chicane Summit bag:

[GregH]

txmedic,
How do you like it? Easy to get into? How good are the side pockets? Solid zippers and pulls?
Thanks for the pic.

[DFW_Warrior]

Look at this site. The owner, designer craftsperson is a rider and understands full well what she is doing.

http://www.customtankbags.com/

Wow, they do look awesome, but HOLY GEEZ they are expensive. I can buy 5 Nelson Rigg tank bags for the cost of one of hers. I'm sure hers are better, but man, I just couldn't pony up that kind of cash for a tank bag.

BTW, I too have the Cortech Sport on my bike and love it. It has to be the most handiest thing I've got on my bike next to electric start!!:trust:

[GregH]

I'm taking a run down to MotoLiberty to see their bags...

[kurt]

It's the perfect size for my rear seat. The zippers appear to be high quality and the main zipper tabs meet in the middle and are lockable (small luggage lock). The side compartments are smallish, but would hold straps, camera, powerbars, etc. The main compartment would easily hold three of the Camelbacks shown. Note the attached rain cover.

[kurt]

And for the sake of comparison:

[Hairsmith]

This may not be what you are looking for but it is cool stuff and come highly recommended.
www.helen2wheels.com (http://www.helen2wheels.com/index.html)

[invision]

oh man. that chicane bag is exactly what i want. anyone have a spare lying around that they want to get rid of? id rather keep money for motorcycle things inside of twt than spend it somewhere else, but 79 bucks isnt a bad deal on one of these things either.

[ben1364]

This may not be what you are looking for but it is cool stuff and come highly recommended.
www.helen2wheels.com (http://www.helen2wheels.com/index.html)

+1 and ditto on H2W

[GregH]

Thanks for the Chicane Summit photos. The back part of the Bandit's seat measures 10"x10" with a couple of inches back to grab bar. The Summit's 12.5"x11" footprint would work fine.
BTW, MotoLiberty has both the Oxford Humpback and Cortech Sport lines in-stock. They're both good-looking bags but too large for my bike.
I'm putting the Summit on my Father's Day wish list!

[GregH]

Saddle Bags:
I'm considering small to medium sized saddle bags for the Bandit instead of a tail bag. (I only have a 10" x 10" footprint on the back seat.)

Do saddle bags get in the way of the wheel? Do soft bags work well or are they too flappy in the wind? What is your experience?

Again, thanks for the help.

Greg

[kurt]

Get the Cortech sport bags that go with the tail bag. I used those with the Cortech tail bag on my 2nd generation Bandit. I tied the front strap to the footpeg brackets and the back strap routed behind the rear fender and they were rock solid. If you are going with those bags, consider the matching tail bag since they all work together. I don't have any pictures of that setup, sorry.

http://www.newenoughhp.com/image/path/1869/small/Default.jpg?1176273178

[copyman]

How about this one? From Axio-usa. Sameco. who makes the hard-side backbacks. Use one of the Cycle Gear 20% off and made aroun $100.

[copyman]

:headbang: OOPS!! Forgot to insert URL. Check the listing under motorcycle bags for the tank bag and tail bag. I got the tail bag.

http://www.axio-usa.com/

[GregH]

Those look great but they're too long for the Suzuki Bandit. Still working...

[GregH]

New Idea:
Using a mounting bracket like the Givi Monorack with a Givi E35.
http://www.giviusa.com/caschi_borse_bauli_accessori.asp?CO_ID=12397
How much wind resistance/handling difference does carrying a box that high over the rear wheel cause?

(The thought of putting my helmet and jacket inside a hard box, rather than carrying it all around with me, is inviting.)

[GregH]

Something like this:
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL865/4143694/16192738/252548303.jpg

How does the bike handle with something up that high and that far back?

[weslinder]

I really like Nelson Rigg. I have this one:

http://www.nelsonrigg.com/images/Products/Classic-Luggage/New-07/CL-800.jpg

with matching saddlebags. Great quality for the price.

[txbanditrydr]

Check out THIS TAILPACK (http://www.revsperformance.com/renntec/expandable_tailpack.htm).... very versatile and will hold a helmet. Needs to be used with THIS REAR RACK (http://www.revsperformance.com/renntec/sports_racks.htm) which can be used to strap on a lot of different stuff. This also free's up the pillion seat.

[txbanditrydr]

Something like this:
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL865/4143694/16192738/252548303.jpg

How does the bike handle with something up that high and that far back?

Be very careful of that type set-up with you Bandit unless there are additional support brackets. The two attachment points by the grab bar do not have a lot of capacity where they connect to the subframe. Too much weight, a reclining passenger and a bumpy road can possibly cause subframe failure.

[GregH]

Be very careful...Too much weight, a reclining passenger and a bumpy road can possibly cause subframe failure.
That's why I keep bothering everyone with all of these questions! :eek2:

[OUTRACE]

That's why I keep bothering everyone with all of these questions! :eek2:

Hmmm... never had a failure with a GIVI rig. Curious how much the passenger adds to this problem.

I've run full bags including a GIVI on my FJR and have a GIVI on my R1 (custom mount, not "high and far back")

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/outrace/RWR005.jpg

If you wanna take a passenger, the whole rig pops off and the passenger footpegs can go on in under 5 minutes. But the rest of the time it's easier to deal with than a bungee'ed bag. ( I never carry passengers anyway.)

[bung]

I've been looking for a tail bag for a while and found something at Bass Pro Shop today. I got their Extreme boat bag (http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=15895&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults) for $15 and a pair of dock straps (http://www.rodsaver.com/04_misc/DS.html) for $5.

*ETA*

Looks like it'll work quite well.

http://s2.supload.com/thumbs/default/Bag4-380185.jpg (http://s2.supload.com/free/Bag4-380185.jpg/view/) http://s2.supload.com/thumbs/default/Bag2-851156.jpg (http://s2.supload.com/free/Bag2-851156.jpg/view/) http://s2.supload.com/thumbs/default/Bag3-216722.jpg (http://s2.supload.com/free/Bag3-216722.jpg/view/) http://s2.supload.com/thumbs/default/Bag1-318324.jpg (http://s2.supload.com/free/Bag1-318324.jpg/view/)