9 Best motorcycle tail bags

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Hey there! Are you tired of limited storage space on your motorcycle? A motorcycle tail bag is an answer that is both convenient and secure.

Tail bags offer convenient storage for quick-access items like water, snacks, rain gear, electronics, and camera equipment.

Best Overall

Grapelet

Largest Capacity

Kemimoto

Value For Money

Motoroff

Whether you’re touring, commuting, or off-road riding, a tail bag cleverly provides additional storage in a way that does not affect the handling, weight distribution, and aerodynamics of your bike.

Tail bag is also the safest location to store fragile items since the rear seat rarely gets damaged in case of dropping the bike, and you can even use it to carry groceries from the shop on your way back home.

Plus, the ability to put your helmet into a tail bag for longer stops to avoid carrying it while walking is an added bonus.

To help you make an informed decision and select the best tail bag for your needs, I have reviewed 13 options available on the market. By choosing the right tail bag, you can enjoy a more comfortable and organized ride than ever before.


Motorcycle Tail Bags

Best OVerall

#1 Grapelet – 35L

Volume: 35 Litres
Waterproofness:
⚠️ Some
Expandable storage:
Yes
Outer Pockets: None
Fits Large size helmet:
Yes

Benefits & Features

✅ The plastic top provides a level of waterproofing from the top, which is great for protecting against light to moderate rain. While water may still find its way in from the sides, it would take a considerable amount of heavy rain for this to happen. Overall, the plastic top is effective in keeping things dry in most weather conditions.

✅ The bag maintains a low profile that doesn’t detract from the looks of your motorcycle when you compress it. Moreover, it retains a storage capacity of 24 liters while in the compressed state, allowing you to store tools, water bottles, snacks, and rain gear. When you expand the bag, it can accommodate a full-face helmet, freeing you from the burden of carrying your helmet while walking around attractions on your rides.

✅ You can use it as a backpack to carry valuable electronics with you, in case you don’t want to leave them on your bike for extended periods of time.


The Biggest Capacity Tail Bag

#2 kemimoto – 62L

Volume: 62 Litres
Waterproofness:
Yes
Expandable storage: No
Outer Pockets:
Yes
Fits Large size helmet:
Yes

Benefits & Features

✅ Biggest tail bag – you can probably go on a 2-week tour with just this one bag without side panniers. Will fit most tents and sleeping bags. And because it is waterproof – you don’t have to worry about your sleeping bag getting wet if it rains.

✅ Has outer pockets to organize luggage more efficiently. Also, has rubber straps so you can attach even more luggage to this bag on the outside.

⚠️ Is not expandable/compressible so it is too big to have it attached all the time for daily commuting.

⚠️ Fully loaded, it can feel like you’re riding with a passenger. Storing all your luggage on the rear seat is not the most optimal way to distribute weight on a motorcycle. It’s better to use a combination of side panniers and a tail bag and store heavy items in the panniers – lower and closer to the center of the mass of your bike.


Best Value For Money

#3 Motoroff – 36L

Volume: 36 Litres
Waterproofness: No, has a waterproof cover
Expandable storage: No
Outer Pockets: No
Fits Large size helmet:
Yes

Benefits & Features

✅ Has an elastic strip that can be used to attach additional luggage on top.

✅ Can be compressed to a “flatter” size for more casual commuting due to textile sides. Will fit a full-face helmet with no problems.

✅ Visually appealing design and form adding to bike looks

⚠️ No outer pockets and not really waterproof.

⚠️ Plastic zipper that is not as durable, but still a bargain for the price.


Best Small Tail bag for Sport Bikes

#4 Saddlemen – 12L

Volume: 12 Litres
Waterproofness:
⚠️ No, has a rain cover
Expandable storage: No
Outer Pockets: Yes
Fits Large size helmet:
⚠️ No

Benefits & Features

✅ Utilize the 13 exterior D-rings to attach additional bags or items on top, making it a suitable base for carrying multiple bags or luggage.

✅ Slim profile with sides going slightly lower than the base to fit the narrow sport bike tails and utilize this space as efficiently while keeping a low profile.

✅ Multiple external pockets so you can organize your items

⚠️ Small capacity of just 12 liters, but still better than nothing for commuting or storing a tablet or camera equipment if you are into moto vlogging.


Just Simple Tail Bag

#5 Nelson-Rigg – 18L

Volume: 18 Litres
Waterproofness: No
Expandable storage: No
Outer Pockets: No
Fits Large size helmet:
Yes

Benefits & Features

✅ Having small rings on the zipper sliders enables the bag to be locked using a small lock, which serves as an additional obstacle for potential thieves and enhances the bag’s security measures. Particularly useful if you want to leave your helmet inside for longer periods of time.

✅ Will fit full-face helmet if nothing else is inside.

⚠️ Simple design with no outer pockets, no elastic strips, and no additional D rings for strapping additional luggage. This is a shame since the top side is flat and asks for something to be attached to it.


Best Waterproof duffel Tail Bag

#6 Osah Tail Duffle Bag – 40L

Volume: 40 Litres
Waterproofness:
Yes
Expandable storage: No, but can be compressed
Outer Pockets: No
Fits Large size helmet:
Yes

Benefits & Features

✅ Is equipped with an air valve that enables it to be compressed to a smaller size, occupying less space on the rear seat. To compress the bag, simply close the bag with the luggage as usual, open the air valve, and push on the bag to let out the excess air. Once the air has been removed, close the valve to keep the bag compressed and reduce its overall size, making it more convenient to transport.

✅ Seriously waterproof. You can throw this thing into the ocean and items inside won’t get wet. Great way to transport a sleeping bag and your clothes.

⚠️ Not as convenient for daily use and commuting as bags with zippers since it takes longer to unfold the upper site to open the bag.


Best quick-Release Mid-Size Tail Bag

#7 Cortech – 24L

Volume: 24 Litres
Waterproofness:
⚠️ No, has a cover
Expandable storage:
Yes
Outer Pockets:
Yes
Fits Large size helmet:
⚠️ No

Benefits & Features

✅ Has a base that attaches to the rear seat and then accommodates the bag itself. The main bag is attached to the base using velcro making it possible to take it off in 1 second and take it with you if you don’t want to leave it on the motorcycle.

✅ Many outer pockets for organizing your items and separating tools from rain gear or food.

✅ Has an interesting design that expands on the sides making this bag wider. Even without expending this bag will fit a 14-inch laptop with no issues.

⚠️ The opening on top of the main compartment is relatively small. Therefore, larger items like a sleeping bag will be harder to push through even though the inner compartment size, when expended, is relatively big with 24 liters of storage.


Worth Mentioning

#8 GIVI – 26L

Volume: 26 Litres
Waterproofness:
⚠️No, waterproof cover
Expandable storage:
Yes, from 22L to 26L
Outer Pockets:
Yes
Fits Large size helmet:
Yes

Benefits & Features

✅ Inclined base allows this bag to remain vertical on the pillion seat and compensate for the motorcycle subframe angle. This looks good in my perfectionist’s eyes but does not provide any real advantage in terms of capacity or aerodynamics.

⚠️ Expensive compared to other tail bags in this list.


Worth Mentioning

#9 MIGHTYDUTY – 43L

Volume: 43 Litres
Waterproofness:
⚠️ No
Expandable storage:
Yes, (30-43L)
Outer Pockets: No
Fits Large size helmet:
Yes

Benefits & Features

✅ Lots of elastic straps that may be used to attach additional luggage.

✅ Large volume allowing to fit all gear for a week-long tour just in this bag.

⚠️ Creates air drag due to square shape worsening aerodynamics resulting in slightly worse handling and larger fuel consumption.


FAQ

Here is common info to consider before making the final decision on which bag is best for your needs.

How big a tail bag should be to fit a full-face helmet?

Most motorcycle helmets are 30x20x25 cm big (Length x Width x Height). A tail bag with these dimensions will accommodate a full-face helmet. To be on the safe side – choose a bag that has at least 25 liters capacity if you want to store your helmet inside.

Tail Bag attachment security and Theft Prevention

  1. Mounting system: Look for a tail bag that has a sturdy and reliable mounting system, such as straps that can be securely attached to your motorcycle’s passenger seat. Make sure that the mounting system is adjustable so you tighten it securely without scratching plastics and paint on your bike’s tail.
  2. Stability: A good tail bag should be stable and secure when attached to your motorcycle. Look for features like non-slip materials or rubberized coatings that can help keep the bag in place, even during high-speed or bumpy rides. The tail bag mustn’t wiggle all over the place.
  3. Locking mechanisms: If security is a top priority, look for a tail bag that includes locking mechanisms or other security features to prevent theft or tampering. Some tail bags come with built-in locks, while others may require the use of a separate lock or security cable. The idea is to make it harder to steal it in a couple of seconds. Make it challenging for potential theft to release it from your bike.

Do I really need a motorcycle tail bag to be Waterproof?

Most motorcycle tail bags come with waterproof covers that slide over the bag making it waterproof. However, this is an additional thing you have to do all the time you open or close a bag.

If you plan to transport electronics or clothing or a sleeping bag in your tail bag and it often rains in your area (the UK for example) – not having to worry about getting your items wet goes a long way. Otherwise

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