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-   -   The Saddle & Tail Bag Review Thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/131891-saddle-tail-bag-review-thread-36.html)

Yup you'd need two. I've never used the Trek n Ride Straps but they do seem pretty vfm. I think just two straps and maybe a cargo net would be sufficient for your use case. I have a rear rack plate so the straps are enough. My friend strapped a bag to his Continental's Seat using just the straps (He slid the strap through the loops on the bag). I'd say just pick up 2 straps and try it out, decide whether you need additional reinforcement based on that. Cheers!

Hey guys, I need some help in buying a new tail bag to complete my touring setup for long rides.

A little background: I already own a Viaterra Claw (bought in 2016 - one of the initial versions of the bag) and did several long tours (600+ km days) on it when I had the CBR. The fit on CBR was quite good and it felt like the Claw was made for that bike. Recently, I did a 10-day ride around Uttarakhand on my 390 ADV with the Claw as the only tailbag.


Honestly, I wasn't very pleased with the setup. Sure, the bag didn't move much laterally but because of the wide grab rails on the 390 ADV, the mounting at the back which is supposed to prevent the bag from sliding forward in the seat didn't work as expected. It takes some careful planning to ensure proper weight distribution on both sides. Unfortunately, the bag also made some black smudge marks on the rear side panel :eek: and when I encountered heavy rains on the way from Haldwani to Almora, the stuff at the bottom of the bag got damp since the bottom portion isn't covered by the rain cover. Also, in Almora, I had booked a homestay where I had to climb down 3 sets of stairs and it became a task to carry the Claw (around 18-20 kgs) on one shoulder, helmet and gloves in the other hand while wearing approximately 6-7 kgs of riding gear.

Options: I already own a Dirtsack Max 30 which I bought for short/medium rides, so I am considering the following.

1. Buy a Dirtsack Max 20 and stack it on top of the Max 30 to build a cool 50L completely waterproof setup where I do not worry about putting on a rain cover. Cost = Rs 3250. Pros: easy to mount/unmount since it has under-the-seat mounting points, rock solid in all terrains and easy to carry. Cons: Low on volume - will 50L be enough for 2-week trips, say to Ladakh or North East?
2. There is the option of buying a second Max 20 and combining it with option 1 to build a 70L waterproof setup. Cost = Rs 6500. Pros: maximum flexibility - mix and match to use in all kinds of rides (from 2-15 days). Cons: Mounting and unmounting the full 70L (all 3 bags) would be time consuming, I guess. Feels a bit overpriced to me.
3. Buy the Viaterra Drybag 55L (or 40L) for long rides and take along the Max 30 for those Ladakh/NE kind of trips. Cost = 5700. Pros: flexibility, fully waterproof, massive combined volume, VFM compared to other options. Cons: not sure about mounting/unmounting effort when used together with the Max 30, looks won't match, both may be hard to carry at higher altitudes or up 2-3 stairs, if need be.

I don't prefer saddle bags because I don't ride with pillion and with saddle bags, I always have this anxiety of those touching the exhaust. Let me know which of these 3 sounds the best for touring or if there is a better idea.

IMO Option 2 is the best option for the following reasons :-

• It will provide maximum storage capacity of 70L
• Not pile up one on top of another, hence more stable arrangement
• Balanced set up, ie two 20s on either side of a 30

Would look something like this.

Hope this helps

70 litres that high up hanging off your side of your bike is definitely not how I would like to ride to difficult places.

Keep your existing dirt sack as a tail bag. A 30 litre tail bag is just enough weight to sit on your tail rack. I usually strap tools and food into a little 22 litre with water on the rear seat. Easier to swing a leg on as well.

Try and look for bags that sit lower on the sides like a saddle bag but bring the Center of gravity to the lower part of the bike.

This is something i would avoid:Shockked:

Three tied side by side, with all that weight & stress on straps!
The bumpy Indian roads will pull the side bags down in jerks & High stress on straps. Kind of how wings will flex under turbulence. Chances of side bags falling off or one side load shifting down once any strap breaks is high.

Luggage Setup Failure in a nowhere place is painful. As such you will be in areas with nothing around Tezpur. Take it like every load is secured inside an helicopter before takeoff. Cant risk straps breaking under turbulence.

The high CG! Such weight at one spot exactly on rear seat is too high!
We tend to justify thinking, even a pillon weighs more so this luggage set up on rear seat will Feel the same. We compare dynamics of both which are completely different. I was guilty of this comparison as well.
Then, weight mismatch on both bags attached to sides will be felt all ride long.

For this amount of weighted luggage- saddle bags+ a tail bag will be more secure, safer method to carry & less chances of strap breaking (less, not zero).
It will lower the CG to safer limit. Extremely important!

Aluminium Panniers & top box? By far the safest way (and cleanestlol:). But its a heavy setup & riding dynamics cant be learnt over night!!!! Give it few rides.

Last but not the least- possible to reduce the stuff to get in two bags? Strap two top of each other? Some items are absolute necessary for emergency even if they are never used for years. Some pure useless & fancy or carried due inexperience.
Carrying common equipment between fellow riders? or clothes washing end of day to reduce items & nothing fancy to wear!
The way i think is- am i going on a luxury tour with different fancy clothes for everyday selfies to get more Likes! Or is it an Adventure Tour.

If only this luggage setup is available- suggest take the car. Period.
~30-35kg weight of luggage in this specific set up= take the car..
Not worth risking life carrying load in this manner dangling on straps sitting high up on CG.
Or change the setup to panniers / saddle bags.

When it comes to luggage on bikes in rough terrain-
Only the Less is Blessed!

Dirtsack has essentially copied what Kriega did with their US-70 drypack. I have enough confidence in the straps and the system itself but more weight that high may be an issue. Also, I realized it might be tricky to carry extra fuel in this setup.


Not for me. I like to keep the bike light.

Yes, I have been doing a little more research on this. Seems like Mosko Moto has been making really good adventure touring luggage setups. Among Indian brands, I found that Rahgear and Dirtsack are offering similar products.

I think we are confusing the volumetric capacity with weight. 30 litres need not weigh 30 kgs.

Two things Sir.
Firstly, the luggage by these companies are time and field tested and not so flimsy to give way easily due to weight while moving. And I'm sure nobody will go jumping obstacles with all that luggage tied to the bike.

Secondly, as far as wing loading and consequently wing flexing are concerned, these are complex aerodynamic phenomenon and are irrelevant here. And even with that logic, the wing span to chord ratio in this case (even with the wildest imagination and consequent comparison) is negligible. Hence, not a cause to worry. :)

Cannot draw comparison between the two.
Loading and securing cargo in a helicopter is according to floor loading which again has no relevance in this context.

With that logic, nobody would use a top box also which is not the case. How one packs the luggage is upto one self. Volumetric capacity and maybe requirements are more. However, from my little experience, I can vouch that one doesn't need more than 40 litres max for a 15 day tour including camping equipment. The planning and packing skills come with experience. After the first trip one realises that almost 50% of the stuff has come back untouched.lol:

Hope that helps

Safe miles.

# You said 70lt set up. People stuff 30kg in 70lt volume.

# We may discuss wing chord & aspect ratio in detail & discuss how wings flex under turbulence in a separate chat, like gentleman if u wish. In the wildest dreams how wings have broken.

# if lashing is as per floor loading then why strap it down as per wt of load? Again, we can discuss how lashing has broken and planes have crashed once load shifted, if u wish to discuss like a gentleman.

# Regarding the kind of luggage riders carry. Just today saw someone carry 50kg weight in three bags all on the top rack only. And he was proud of this crazy thing, and others messaging him cheering that its ok rather than just say its not good. So, guess lot more needs to be seen.

# Maybe face a falling top box because rack failed as someone over stuffed the box. People will carry every kind of weight, in every way. If one wants to be so confident then can use aerodynamics to strap luggage down.

Hope that helps!
Safe skies

I am already checking Dirtsack. Almost finalised it. The Rahgear set up looks good as well. Will check that. Thx :thumbs up

Sir, all discussions in this forum are gentlemanly and in correct spirit. No offence is ever meant to anybody and the ultimate aim is to gain knowledge.

We both are actually saying the same thing, albeit with a different perspective.
Nobody is encouraging carrying stuff and overloading the bike unnecessarily. However, I am seriously unable to comprehend how one can use aerodynamics to strap luggage onto the bike, except that the luggage would only generate form drag.

Further, I would absolutely love to know more on this and fruitfully utilize the knowledge both on two wheels and in air.

Regards

We lesser mortals like to use common sense & experience & teachings from experienced riders to strap luggage.

Chord aspect ratio etc was your brain child. Any knowledge that can keep you safe - use it!

You brought in Aerodynamics and chord & aspect ratio in strapping luggage.
We lesser mortals use experience & learning from others & common sense.

Anything that helps u safely travel, use it.

This is how the enduristan sits. Blizzard Large.

There is a very good option from Dirtsack, Core 30 Soft Panniers. They cost around ₹18-20k, and as as usual, are inspired from international designs. Easy to mount, waterproof, retain their shape, and durable.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a0fX1wK6TFk

Found this on YT.
Such compact bags!
It is resting perfectly on the fairing on 390adv!
Size seems good for a day long outing.

Hello fellow riders,

I've been facing issues with top rack mounts for my Meteor 350. I've got a Moto Vanguard Top Box - 55 Litres as that was the only box that could fit my LS2 helmet. The box is well-built and sturdy. But the issue is with the top rack. I've installed 2 of those in 6 months and both of them have been damaged from the left-hand side at the seams.
1st - Atlas Top Rack
2nd - HyperRider
As they are part of my daily travel, I'm aware of the love for Rumblers that PMC and PCMC have, and that might be a contributing factor here but just a life of 2-3 months is beyond belief.
So, if someone has information about good quality and well-made top rack please do tell.
The only solution viable solution I've right now is to design and fabricate a piece on my own.
P.S. - On daily rides, there is nothing in the box, only when parked, it has my helmet and riding gloves. During trips, it has a change of clothing for 2 people and a 2-litre Milton bottle.