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How I repurposed a duffle bag as tail bag on my KTM Duke 390

10th January 2024, 14:13 by Ananth Iyer

I sat down with pen and paper to make a "worst case overpacking scenario" list of clothes I would carry on a ride, and then see how much of that in the real world I could lay out, roll tight into military rolls, and fit into the baby duffel bag.

BHPian ebonho recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

How much can you fit in a small gym bag/duffel, inside 20 litres, and how much would it weigh

Not happy with the pod and strap and buckle solution, and wanting to stick to my preferred duffel bag, but wayyyy smaller and leaner and lighter, I started scouring the online stores for what would fit my particular needs and taste, rather than picking up a readymade product from one of the many bike bag brands.

Finally the duffel I chose after a lot of online research, and the rain covers (one black and small, one hi vis and bigger) arrived, and I sat down with pen and paper to make a "worst case overpacking scenario" list of clothes I would carry on a ride, and then see how much of that in the real world I could lay out, roll tight into military rolls, and fit into the baby duffel bag, and how much would be left out, without forcing the zippers in any way to anywhere near the point of failure.

The bag measures 16" x 9" x 9" for the main compartment (21 litres), and one of my primary must haves was that it should have two separate zippered side pockets at both ends that could be used for bike stuff, away from the main clothes and personal stuff in the central main compartment. A front zippered pocket was not a must have, but an added bonus. The whole bag end to end, with the two side pockets, measures 18" x 9" x 9" (24 litres).

The bike rear seat where the bag will sit measures 13" length-wise (to the tip of the tail lamp assembly) and 15" across (measured across the widest points of the grab handles on either side). The aim was to have maximum support, with minimal unsupported overhang in either axes, and as less side to side jutting out as possible. This was KEY for my exercise, based on all my prior experience. Both with duffels as well as saddlebags.

For perspective, this is how a 60 litre duffel that measures 22" x 12" x 12" would fit on the rear seat of the bike. My favourite black duffel, that I have done most of my big tours with, and which I cannot find, was maybe a bit smaller. Maybe 45-50 litres. Can't say for sure though. But those were the days of cottons and no dri fits. And less experience of what and how much to pack, and more importantly, how much you actually land up using. Even on tours extending from beyond 10 days to over 3 weeks on the road.

The list of items to be carried ... in addition to what is being worn on the bike daily (lots of "worst case" redundancies obvious, as explained) -

1 Track Pant stepping out of the hotel/lodge when necessary/colder nights)
1 Full Length Tights (spare ... longer tours/chance of getting wet)
3 shorts (night/swim/spare ... I would probably carry 2)
7 dri fit T shirts (I would probably carry 2-3 only)
2 dri fit long sleeve zipper collared jerseys (would replace one of the dri fit T shirts with one of these depending on the weather)
1 grey Roadshakers IV Anniversary sweat shirt for the night (a must take/talisman regardless of the weather!)
2 pairs of socks (spare ... shorter tours under a week, would carry one, 2 if chance of getting wet ... all my socks are woollen, full length for my riding boots, don't smell, and dry very quickly)
4 briefs (overkill ... but I'll spare the readers from the real reasoning ...)
1 gym towel (Decathlon ... cotton gamcha does not dry as quickly, is more bulky ... again, you just need to dry yourself, not walk in it wrapped around)
1 Beanie (always)
1 Glove Inners (always)
1 spare short cuff quick dry armoured gloves (always, always)
1 woollen cap (spare ... redundant)
1 leather gloves (spare ... redundant)
1 Baseball cap

TOTAL 28 items ... managed to get all inside except for the baseball cap (more from not wanting to squish and damage the peak of my favourite tattered Aussie Outback cap!) ... so 27 items.

Not seen in photo - Enough space inside as well as in the front zippered pocket to slip in a plastic bag of toiletries and medicines, and a pair of light bathroom slippers (hotel/airlines non-Turkish ones are great for this, as they as weightless, and pack near totally flat).

Both side pockets still totally empty - Puncture kit, Inflator, Chain kit, Cables and Spares.