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Suggestions for seat/tail bag to go in front of my topcase?

6K views 22 replies 20 participants last post by  Banks C 
#1 ·
I'm looking into seat bags to strap in front of my top case for long trips like MotoFizz's large camping seat bag, Wolfman Beta Bag or even the Saddleman TS3200 reg or DE. My bike came with HT panniers but I was paranoid of the 37" width and I liked having a seat mounted duffel better on my last trip. But it was just a regular duffel and I need something bike specific.

What do you use and why? Do you think a water proof bag is necessary or is a rain cover good enough? I don't anticipate a lot of rain riding but the more I ride my Wee the more I want to ride so you never know. Since I can't go big on a tank bag because of my bars, I like having external pockets on the seat bag for quick access to essentials. I want to reserve my top case for my helmet and Sena SMH10.

Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
I replaced the 55 litre top case with the large Motofizz bag (80 litres)? That with the Jesse bags gives me about 160 litres.

I use the rain cover on the bag and secure it with a bungie net. Plenty of room for everything and I've been through MANY luggage variations in the last 8 years. This one is a keeper. The Motofizz bag sits on a Hepco Becker luggage plate.

 
#3 ·
I use a dry bag, either a small basic roll-top design or a duffle style. I have the SealLine WideMouth duffle, which is the perfect size to fit in front of the top case and serve as a backrest. It has d-rings at the base of the handles for easy attachment, but I usually end up just running some long rokstraps over it.
 
#4 ·
I use the MotoFizz bag also. I just use a trash bag to line the inside and put all of the gear inside the trash bag. Keeps my gear dry, and is easily replaced if it does get a tear. I use the contractor trash bags so they are very sturdy.



Here's a photo my dad and me loaded up for a 20 day camping trip. Yeah my dad has the same bike.



Hope this helps.
 
#5 ·
My advice is this, and may not apply to you.

I go back woods camping in some areas where if you really broke your bike you might end up having walk several days to get out to where someone one MIGHT drive by. So I carry a backpack strapped to the back seat. It gets used like any other luggage and in the event the bike breaks big time you can still carry the essentials to survive until you end up back in a cell service area. Do you need an actual hiking backpack? Probably not, but get something that can be used as a back pack in a pinch.
 
#6 ·
I use the Wolfman Beta. Here I'm loaded for a fly fishing trip. The beta bag holds my waders, boots and other fishing gear with room to spare. I live in a dry state, so not much need for rain cover. But if you plan on riding in the rain a lot, I'd opt for the waterproof Expedition series.

 
#7 ·
I have the Saddleman TS3200 bag. Used it on two trips so far and it is holding up well. I have it mounted on my rear seat. Only two complaints with it.

1) the extensions on each side interfere with my Givi side bags. I can manage it, but it can be a bit of a struggle to get my key in the side bag. You may not have this problem if you use it in place of a top box.

2) the bag is not waterproof, so i have had to put a custom piece of tarp over it when rain is pending, or put everything into a plastic bag inside.

I think my next bag will be one of the Sealine Dry Bags. A friend has two of these he used for side bags and his gear stayed totally dry in any weather. With the Dry bags you just need two Rok straps to hold it in place, so easy on/off, and lots of room inside, plus you never have to care if it rains. The dry bags are half the cost of the Saddleman bag too.
 
#8 ·
why do you need something bike specific?
I travel often with either an eagle creek bag, (water resistant ) plus contractor garbage bag,
or a waterproof mountain coop (north face etc) bag,
and a elastic cargo net.

if you were putting it in place of the top case I agree to get bike specific.

you are putting the bag on the back seat in front of the top case.
kind of instead of a passenger.

so a non bike specific bag may actually be better.
as you can take it and put it sideways easier to open the top case
or on it's side so you have easy access to your side cases.
plus a soft bag you put in what you need and roll it up.
put it under the bungee.
voila!

etc.
 
#9 ·
walmart storm duffle bags = $30 for two (1 large, one small). The rubberized canvas has never leaked on me, and I love the big opening. Very tough bags, and great value for the $$. With the small bag on the seat the HT panniers can open without moving the bag.



 
#10 ·
I have the Twisted Throttle small dry bag. it is double ended, and has a million straps for mounting anywhere. makes any bike a hauler.
 
#11 ·
I have the Wolfman dry duffle bag, size medium and it's great for a sets mounted bag. Totally waterproof, can cinch it down when not carrying a full load, and is easy and sturdy to mount. I use it mounted across the seat, I also have a Givi e55 top case.


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#13 ·
+1 for the knapsack

for the duffle bag I put on the bike I bring 2 straps, so if necessary I can use it as a sort of knapsack, and wear it on my back, even on the bike if necessary not just over one shoulder.
 
#14 ·
Bass Pro Dry bag has the solid bottom made into the bag. I think I paid about $20 for it on sale at the store several years back.

It has big beefy handles on the ends that I use to bungee it to the side case rack

I've used it on several different bikes for many years

(white bag on bottom in photo)
 

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#15 ·
While we are still discussing what kind of bags we use to transport Griswold's mother-in-law on the pillion...

I have a Swiss Gear backpack that houses my work computer and all kinds of network-related crap, as I go from job to job with the backpack.

Have any of you been in a situation where you just want to have a bag secured on the pillion to put a large backpack in, and simply zip it up & get going without spending time making sure the stuff is secured?

Almost all the bags I've seen don't really have any loops or strap locations on the bottom where I can secure them to the bike.....most require me to loop the straps through handles on the sides and top.

My backpack is too large and heavy to fit in any of my topcases.

One idea that I can think of would involve lots of sewing & a piece of plywood, which i want to avoid.
 
#17 ·
Not sure of the size of your backpack but I use the Wolfman Dry Duffel (large) on my bikes. It is 28" wide, 11 1/2" tall and 11 1/2" front to back. Has a roll top. Has anchors near the bottom of the bag as well as anchors midway up the sides as cinch points. It has never leaked on me. I give it a two thumbs up.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky
 
#18 ·
#21 · (Edited)
I agree with E.Ness ... why worry about bike specific...you already have the top case....I have been using an 80L canoe dry bag for almost 25 years..it has spent more time in a canoe...but definitely gone a lot more miles on a bike...lol....stuff you gear in, roll down the top and seal...strap it to the frame and now you have an amazing backrest for the long haul runs, and if it hits the fan, throw it on as a back pack and go.... definitely not the "elitist" look...but it'll always get you there dry, and is multi purpose, for a lot less than a lot of the custom stuff out there. again...just my $0.02

P.S. I have never understood the concept behind anything called a 'motorcycle bag' that required you to stop and put another bag over it if it rains.
 
#22 ·
I use the MotoFizz medium camping bag, in front of a medium Coo Case. Like other have suggested, carry a plastic bag in case of weather challenges to stuff your things in as the "rain cover" which is included may be ok for a light drizzle, but wouldn't trust it for anything more. I stuff a "back-pak", cargo net, rox straps inside in one of the cases in the event I happen to pick up something on my travels that does not fit in either.


 
#23 ·
+1 on Walmart Waterproof Duffel Bag, I've used one for last 3+ years. Never a problem or a leak. I am paranoid and usually put a Trash Compactor Bag in as a liner. But despite riding in poring rain several days at a time before it has never leaked.

I just use a bungee a net to secure it in place.
 
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