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-   -   The Saddle & Tail Bag Review Thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/131891-saddle-tail-bag-review-thread-26.html)

Going by your budget + capacity requirements and since you already have the mini claw (which is approx 35L), I'd suggest go for the ViaTerra POD 22L expander (approx 1900INR). It can easily be mounted atop the Claw mini using their clamp mount bag and is completely water-proof. I've used it in the Mumbai monsoons and have carried over a week's worth of stuff in the POD alone - hence recommend it since you'll be in the same brand ecosystem.

If not, you could also look at Dirtsack Max range of tailbags that have been recently launched. Kriega drybags would also sort you out - but they are cross the 5000INR budget range.

It is difficult to figure out the size of the tail rack of your bike from the image posted - but maybe you could look at the Dirtsack/Sw Motech dry bag range to see which would fit snug. surjaononwheelz suggestion of Nelson Rigg looks apt for your tail rack.

PS: I am not promoting any specific brands. Suggestions are mostly from usage experience :)

Just curious:

I can use a normal backpack with bungee cords instead of a tail bag right?

Yes - provided you have a proper means to secure the cords. I have done 1000+ km rides on my bike as well as rented Himalayan bikes with such a setup; works just fine.

A few pictures from my ownership thread of the same - 1, 2

Thanks. Thats a mean setup!

If there was a bungee cord you could recommend, which one would it be? I need one for my KTM 390 Adv, which has no saddle stays and top rack.

Decent quality of bungee cords - I had got mine long back, but I guess you'll get it in a good store (Decathalon maybe?). And I also got tie-down cords - this product - very useful to secure the bag/rucksack to the bike.

So just wanted to check with folks who go out on weekend rides (<300 / 400 KM) on what sort of luggage system do they use to carry small / basic stuff like water, some nuts, rain cover for jacket, portable pump etc.

Do the hydration packs fulfil the need or it is better to plonk all these things in the tail bag ?

Hi Nitin,

There are some options available as follows:

A] Backpacks - simplest and easy to go option. For anything more than 150kms you can strap it on the rear seat of the bike. For longer rides, I use a B'twin hydration bag with a 1L bladder, it has a small pocket which can take only the wallet.
Some larger hydration bags are available but it's not advisable to stuff it.

B] Tank bags - Depending on your bike's tank you can have a magnetic or non-magnetic tank bag. The one with straps can easily be swapped as a tail bag! While filling up fuel in your bike you have to remove it. Other issues like minor scratches on the tank if it bothers you.

C] Tail bags - If you're going solo OR your bike has a rear top-rack you can mount a smaller tail bag.
Viaterra Seaty V2
Viaterra Waterproof Expander Pods (sold out)
Dirtsack Max 10 (waterproof)
Guardian Gears Shark Mini - This is only for 1500 bucks and can hold all you've mentioned. It's available in local riding gear stores though the company site says, "out of stock"

D] Top box - Studds Vault box is the ideal size hard case for one day rides but you need a top rack to mount it like on the Himalayan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joY8JNfQflk

Do let us know what you opt for?

/surjaonwheelz

Hey thanks for your inputs.
Of all the options you mentioned, I am inclined to either tail bag or hydration bag. I loved the seaty from Viaterra. It perfectly suits my needs. However, it is not waterproof :deadhorse

Also, can you share your example of using hydration bag for consuming water on long rides. Does it really save time / effort ? Also, does the weight bogs one down after couple of 100 kms ?

I use a smaller hydration bag (3L) with only 1L bladder, so the weight is negligible over a riding jacket. Yes, it definitely saves time and you can skip the short water breaks. In addition, you don't have to take the helmet off to sip water from the hydration tube. On a slower empty stretch, you can just use your left hand to place the tube to your mouth. Or you can pull over to a safe spot and sip water, you still save time of removing the helmet and putting it back on.
I tie down my backpack on the rear seat when I use the hydration bag.

I would also suggest you to keep the hydration bag only for drinking water and use any of the above solutions to carry the remaining stuff on your bike.

/surjonwheelz

I've both Via Terra seaty and a tank bag. Seaty is a magic for my grocery runs. Pillion comfort isn't affected by seaty presence too. However a compact tank bag is what I would recommend you for short trips. Quite handy. I'm sharing mine for your reference. I'm using this tank bag daily and it's a leech on my TB tank.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ml#post4845403

Thanks for sharing your experience. I guess I will go with your suggestion - buying both of them.

Thanks. I read your post earlier. Its quite helpful. It's just that I am not a big fan of tank bag hence swaying more towards a combination of hydration bag + tank pag.

On quick search I loved this product from Dirt Sack -> Hydration Bag Its a good combination of a hydration bag (without bladder though :deadhorse), visibility jacket and small trail pack. Just that I have to search for a good bladder for this.

On tail bag part, I love seaty as I am quite lazy and would not like to mount / unmount things for every ride + its really enough for my usage. However, it is not waterproof. Maybe I will go for Max 10 from Dirtsack again.

For now, I am still waiting for my bike to be delivered and this is the only way I can curb my excitement stupid:. However, will update on my setup once I am done with it.

Need recommendations!

I have a mobile holder mounted on my RE Thunderbird 350x handle and mount my iPhone 11 on it whenever I need navigation support. Recently on my 2200 kms+ trip, I have used it on few occasions and later found out that the phone camera has been messed up due to the continuous vibrations. Thankfully, the phone issue got covered under warranty. Has anyone faced this issue ever?

So now, I am on the lookout for a decent tank bag which fortunately would induce lesser vibrations to my phone. Would you please recommend one for me which would be waterproof as well? I have also heard that the phone really heats up inside a tank bag. How do you deal with it?

I use this: Viaterra Fly Magnetic (it has support for non-magnetic tank as well):



It comes with a rain liner that is also see through to ensure you can view your phone even in rain.
In my opinion, it is very cumbersome to use the phone with gloves on, through the bag as such.
I'd recommend getting a sturdier mounting mechanism, one such as a RAM mount or Bobo Claw Grip.





You could also check Rynox, GIVI and Guardian Gears among few other brands that offer reliable tank bags with similar design, if keen on persisting with tank bags.







Can't comment on heat personally but usability takes a hit for sure.

P.S.: All images sourced from Google.

I am using ones from Rynox, happy with the quality. I tie my laptop bag with these and so far they have remained stable.

I've highlighted some keywords from your query because if you just focus on the keywords the main issue lies with the phone you're using. The iPhone 11 (and all similar flagship phones) have a lot of sensitive, internal sensors that help stabilize your images/video and is also used mainly for gyroscopic-heavy applications. It is NOT designed to be mounted on a motorcycle's handlebar for easy navigation. And especially not for the RE - the vibrations of which are making the sensors go haywire. I'd advise you to go for a secondary phone for such use and not use the iPhone; lady luck doesn't always last long. A friend had one replaced and the issue cropped up with the newer one too. The store guys figured out the 'how' and didn't replace in warranty citing the reasons given above :Frustrati

Secondly, using any phone in the plastic enclosure of the tank bag leads to even more heating up - from the tank itself and the exposure to direct sun. So ideal to cover it or sandwich it in a small towel - so that the heating is minimized.

For tank bags, the others have suggested good, tried and tested options - ViaTerra (which has a see through rain cover) and Rynox. You could also look at the Solace Rigid tank bag - which suits the tank of the thunderbird.