When you need some extra storage for your bike, simply turn to motorcycle tail bags. This diverse grouping of motorcycle luggage makes taking the things you need with you on your ride easy.
Because of their position and uses, there are motorcycle tail bags for pretty much every bike out there.
Let’s take a closer look at this motorcycle luggage type and some of the best options out there.
What to Look for in a Motorcycle Tail Bag
Motorcycle tail bags are bags that strap to the tail of your bike.
Unlike saddlebags, they don’t hang off to one side or another. They’re often easy to add to your bike, and they sit out of the way and right behind you.
Easy to Strap to Your Bike
The first thing I look for in a motorcycle tail bag is its ease-of-use in terms of attaching it to your motorcycle. I like tail bags that are easy to take on and off the bike.
This lets you strap it down to your motorcycle when you need it to stay in place, and it also lets you remove the bag when you pull up to your destination.
Some motorcycle tail bags will be designed specifically for your bike while others will be a universal fit.
I’ve found both to work well, but I’d suggest you look for something specific to your motorcycle first and then branch out if you don’t find what you need.
Enough Room for Your Stuff
The second thing you need to think about is the size of bag you need. Really think about your needs.
Going too small means you’ll just need to add another bag to your bike for all of your things. Going too large means you’ll just have too much space.
If you have to, err on the side of too large. Having a couple of extra liters of space won’t be too bad, and most tail bags offer adjustment straps that will keep them from moving around or flapping in the wind.
High Quality and at Least Water Resistant
You want to look for a motorcycle tail bag that is made of strong material that’s going to last.
Leather tail bags are nice, but they’re not completely necessary. I’ve found that textile material tends to work best and can be waterproofed or made water-resistant easily. Look for Cordura denim and high-strength denier material.
Speaking of water, at some point, you’re bound to get caught in a rainstorm, so you want a bag that is at least water resistant.
A motorcycle tail bag that’s rated as waterproof is the best, but you don’t absolutely have to buy a waterproof bag. Just make sure anything that needs to stay dry has its own waterproof protection.
The Best Motorcycle Tail Bags
I dug through the motorcycle tail bags that are available on the market right now. These are my top picks.
Some are meant to be mounted on the tail of the bike where the rear passenger seat is. Others are meant to be mounted to a sissy bar or backrest. Choose what works for you.
1. Saddlemen R850 Roll Bag
The Saddlemen R850 Roll Bag is a versatile and simple design. This tail bag has a unique and versatile mounting system that lest you mount it to a luggage rack, back seat, or sissy bar. It will also attach to most Saddlemen touring bags.
It’s made of water and weather-resistant 1200 denier SaddleTuff material and keeps its shape whether or not it’s empty or full. There’s a handhold on the top and sides and it comes with a shoulder strap, too. It offers 850 cubic centimeters of space inside.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Cycle Gear
Check it out at J&P Cycles
2. Sedici T2 Distanza Sissy Bar Bag
The Sedici T2 Distanza Sissy Bar Bag is just what it says it is. It’s a motorcycle tail bag that attaches to the sissy bar of your motorcycle. If you don’t have a sissy bar, this might not be the best bag for you. If you do have a sissy bar, this could be one of the best.
The bag features 2320D Hypercore material in terms of its construction. It has some special gripping material to keep it from moving around while you ride as well as straps to make it easy to get it on and off the bike. There are multiple pockets and some reflective materials. It has a 16-liter capacity that can expand to 20 liters or so.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Cycle Gear
Check it out at J&P Cycles
3. OGIO Tail Bag
I like OGIO gear. The company makes good stuff, and this tail bag is no exception. Built for riders that need a tail bag that sits on the passenger seat, this bag is a quick add to your motorcycle and offers about 20-liters of storage.
It has a sleek profile and is made with strong nylon, poly material, neoprene, and tarpaulin. Overall, it’s a tough bag that can help you take what you need with you. It offers a rain hood for protection from the elements, a smaller top organizer pocket, and a grab handle for easy transportation once off the bike.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Cycle Gear
4. Biltwell EXFIL 80 Sissy Bar Bag
Another sissy bar bag, the Biltwell EXFIL 80 is a killer bag for those longer trips thanks to its 55-liter capacity. The bike straps to your bike easily and offers UV Treated 1680 ballistic polyester material as well as PVC backing for water-resistance.
The bag also has a roll-top design for added water-resistance, a special compartment designed just for tools (tools sold separately), a fully waterproof cover for those really rainy days, MOLLE webbing, a shoulder strap for carrying it once off the bike, and adjustment straps for keeping the bag smaller when not full.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Cycle Gear
Check it out at J&P Cycles
5. Kriega US-10 Drypack
Now we’re on to my favorite bag on this list. The Kriega US-10 Drypack is what it says it is. A small bag that’s perfect for a day-long ride. It’s made of 420D Cordura Lite material with Hypalon abrasion-resistant sections, 6061-T6 alloy fitting hooks, Acetal ITW Airloc buckles, and YKK zippers.
The tail bag straps right over the passenger seat on basically any motorcycle out there, and this particular option has a capacity of 10 liters. It’s worth noting there are a several other sizes of this bag including 5 liters and 20 liters. You can also pair this with other Kriega bags to increase capacity.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at Cycle Gear
Check it out at J&P Cycles
Take Everything You Need With You
There are motorcycle tail bags for almost every motorcycle out there, and pretty much any rider can benefit from having one of these that they can strap to their bike.
I don’t care if you ride a sportbike, a cruiser, or and adventure bike, you can benefit from one of these. If you don’t find a bag that you like here, simply go to one of the retailers listed above, and search for tail bags. There are other options out there.
With that said, I do believe I’ve selected the best options you can buy. The Kriega bag is my favorite, but the Biltwell one is probably the most useful. However, Biltwell’s bag won’t work for every bike, which is why if I had to pick one bag for all motorcyclists, I’d go with the Kriega tail bag.
