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-   -   The Saddle & Tail Bag Review Thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/131891-saddle-tail-bag-review-thread-39.html)

Hi all. I have recently bought a Bullet 350 Std 2024 and I am enjoying my time getting back to motorcycling.

I am going to get Viaterra water proof saddle bags. I understand these are among the best entry level bags. I tried looking up saddle stays but seem to have missed out on the good ones. Are there any recommendations for saddle stays?

Can you suggest where I should get stays? Is it really necessary to get stays? I noticed that the saree guard does a good job of keeping things aways from the rear wheel, so maybe I can get by without using the stays. Let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance.

A hard top box and semi rigid side panniers are a good combo. Valuable stuff can stay locked in the top box that way if touring long.

I don’t know about Dirtsack but a friend who road trips a lot with his wife (on a GS 1250) uses a SWM top box and Nelson Rigg soft side cases. The latter is a good balance of high quality sensible cost option. I don’t know which specific model he has but it’s a pretty similar looking one. This combo should serve you well. They’re water proof too I believe.

Not sure what bike you use and what boots you use, but I understand today a lot of touring boots can used all day.

Earlier, when I was touring on my 1st gen Duke 390, I used to have the following options:

1. High rise waterproof trekking shoes. This is what I used to use - https://www.cmpsport.com/ww/men-s-dh...-boots-30q4717
2. High ankle leather boots for in city riding. Something like this -

Now I have just bought this for incity riding for the tiger - https://www.amazon.in/Royal-Enfield-.../dp/B0BQYG78X7
p.s: Something like this could be a good bet for long distance touring - https://superbikestore.in/collection...32107376377954

Let them dry out in the hotel room, and wear a light pair of sneakers you pack for city hopping (and going to the toilet of dicey lodges).

Never waste the soles of specialized riding shoes (motorcycle or cycle) by walking in them. We are no(longer)t cowboys. :)

Cheers, Doc

Thanks, MileCruncher and Doc for the advice!

MileCruncher - I wear boots that go well above the shins. Bad experience from an earlier accident where I hurt the shin bone. Hence, walking in those gets inconvenient.

Doc - your advice makes sense. Best to just let it breathe in the room. Also helps it stay ventilated.

Thanks again!

Hi All, I am planning for a 5-6 day trip to goa and it being my first long trip I am unsure of how to pack the luggage and how much to take with me. I don't like to load my bike with lot of luggage and want to get the wisdom of the people of this forum who have been doing these kinds of rides for a long time. How do you guys suggest me to plan my luggage and which bags to get? I don't want to add any saddle stays or top rack on my bike and would prefer some tail bags, would 30 lts be enough to pack everything for 5-6 days including clothes, extra pair of shoes, slippers, etc.? If not, what would be the right amount for a single guy?

You’ve not mentioned what distance you’re riding and what bike you’re using (latter may be more relevant). I think any 30 - 50 ltrs should be more than enough (it is Goa after all).

First rule, pack light and only essentials. Drifit and easy to wash and wear is a bonus. Instead of carrying 6-8 tees easier to carry 2 - 3 drifit type tees. No reason why any 30 ltr bike also should not be more than enough. If this is your first trip, perhaps consider using a solid bungee solution to any tail bag style bag that fits your luggage. Once you’ve got a sense of whether this works you can invest in suitable luggage solution for your future trips.

If you still want to buy a proper bag you can consider options from Carbonado, Viaterra or Nelson Rigg as per preference on the entry level of quality gear. You can also check out Kriega if you want a high quality long term solution. But for a one off trip, I can guarantee any decent quality existing gym bag or similar with a strong bungee set up will suffice just as well.

This page has options from several of the above. The Viaterra Claw Mini in particular may be a good starting point for the Duke 390.

https://www.lazyassbikers.com/collec...aint=tail-bags

Some additional tips.
- Definitely over bungee and carry a few spare bungees. Nothing like a damaged bungee cord half way during a ride to create disproportionate inconvenience.

- Try and cover the bag with a rain proof cover before you bungee it. This will also ensure that your bag reaches clean. The rain proof cover is easy to clean standalone and quick to dry as well. Brightly colored covers are preferable as they improve the visibility of your bike overall to cars tailing you. Amazon has some good options of such covers, classified in ltrs.

- Consider carrying a small, light and foldable back pack within your bag which you can use while in Goa as a back pack while riding around.

EDIT: Please also search YouTube for some packing videos. They make some good suggestions on how to pack in a compact manner. If you use a shoe bag and are going the bungee way, the shoe bag (with a pair of shoes and slippers each) can actually be bungeed outside your 30L bag creating a little more crucial space for stuff you’re packing inside the bag.

I would be riding from Bangalore to Goa around 600KM one side in my 2024 Duke 390.

If you don't plan to regularly do multiday rides, a bag specific for motorcycle may not be worth it. Just use a regular duffel tied down with bungee/ropes.

I recently went to Goa from Bangalore, and took a 25L tail bag. Easily fit 2 pants, shorts, 4 T/Shirts, 1 pair shoes and other stuff.

And finally it is done!



Ready for a ride!

Hi all. I am looking to get saddle stays for the Bullet 350 J-series motorcycle.
I looked around and there seem to be option from an assortment of after market makers.
It's not clear how well these are made. e.g. I read something about Zana not being too reliable.
I want stays that have a step at the bottom. This'll let the saddle bags rest properly and not put strain on the strap across the rear seat.
Do let me know your recommendations.
Thanks!

How was your experience with this box. It's very affordable compared to the aluminium top boxes. Planning to get one for my Himalayan.
Also wanted to know if you could fit your helmet and riding gear into it or only helmet.

I'm quite surprised to see how expensive bike luggage from international brands like Givi, SW Motech, Hepco Becker, Kreiga etc are. Is the quality so much better than the Indian brands like Viaterra, Rynox, Dirtsack, RE etc? Look at the RE hard Panniers and Top Box. They look and feel as premium as any of the international brands. Also the soft luggage from the other 3 manufacturers is as good as the competition from abroad. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Looks lovely. My last setup is exactly like this. Semi rigid side saddle bags with a top box - both from SW Motech. :thumbs up

They’re expensive but the quality is superlative too. I’ve extensively used at least three of these brands - Givi (Tiger OEM luggage kit); SW Motech (top box and side panniers) and Kriega (US 30 / 20 / 10 series). They’re all absolutely top notch quality and deliver exactly what they promise.

Having said that, this is one area where you can actually save some money depending on how you’re packing. A kriega is fantastic and will last a long time but even a gym bag with a bungee cord and rain cover can achieve much of the same.

Coming to top boxes, I’ve seen cheaper brand top boxes develop leaks and what not but this is not something I ever experience with Givi or SW Motech top boxes. So in some situations, there can be benefits of buying more premium. But if it was semi rigid cases etc I’m sure a cheaper Nelson Rigg will work just as well as more expensive Kriegas etc.

Carry as less as possible.
Two jeans specially to wear during riding.
If you have Riding pants then one Jeans is enough.
4-5 thin Tshirts,
6 Undies
2 Shorts
1 Track pant
3 pair of socks
1 pair of floaters
1 Cycling shorts for better comfort
Toilet Kit
1 Thin Towel
1 wet tissue pack
1 Hydration pack / water bottle
1 Extra gloves
Puncture kit with portable tyre inflator
Basic tool kit
First aid kit
1 spike buster, if u have many electronic gadgets to charge
Power Bank and cables
Chain Lubricant (small can)
WD40 (small can)
Extra bike key.
Set of documents ( hard copy )
Cash
2-3 Protein bars
If you wear spectacle, extra set
You may not use some of it, still better to carry all the above for a peace of mind.

I bought a Viaterra Claw for my upcoming trip to the Himalayas.

I usually carry my stuff in a rucksack and tie it to the pillion seat with bungee cords. That has always worked but that rucksack is showing it's age now. Poor old thing accompanied me to eight countries and got thrown around and was brutally abused when I hitchhiked.

I'm planning to live on my two wheeler and away from home for a while. So, I hope my purchase turns out to be a good one.