I know there was a thread on bags plural (tank and tail) but I'm looking for feedback on tail bags only. I have found a few at Cycle Gear (i have a 20% coupon) and would like some feedback. I need a bag large enough to carry shoes, a shirt, perhaps a light sweatshirt, etc so I can change when I get to work, but maybe not have to wear all the gear home if its warm enough.

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=255&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=FTL_CAR007_G&tier2=3094

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=255&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=FTL_CAR022_G&tier2=3094

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=255&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=HEL_82-417_G&tier2=3129

Unless you just want a tail bag, I've been able to carry the clothing I stripped off and occasionally a pair of shoes that I buy home from work (still in the box) just under a cargo net... this on almost 20 miles of interstate between 80 and 90 MPH. I've also carried other smaller things (cold medicine, grease, DVDs, etc.) with it, usually in a plasic bag or some kind of bag. But a tail bag would be a whole lot nicer than tucking McDonald's bags into your jacket...

yea ive done the cargo net and bag thing, i really would like something that i can just bring in and out of the office or into class w/ me at night (starting an MBA soon)

I got the small MotoFizz bag from Aerostich: http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/MotoFizz-Camping-Seat-Bags-Small-Medium--Large-p-16405.html

I think it's much more convenient and comfortable than a backpack for commuting. There isn't a real good place for a computer, but I have a small laptop that fits in the zippered pocket on the top flap. It is also big enough to fit a couple big binders in the main compartment. Still, it's small enough that I hardly notice it, so I'll often throw it on for Sunday rides to carry water, hat, camera, etc.

If you are gonna do it, do it. Get the biggest you think you'll ever need.

Oh and remember, odd shapes make it difficult to actually put stuff in them, and, whatever they say about "water resistance" is a lie.

I went with a Nelson Riggs tail bag... SSC160 I works well enough but probably too big for a daily commuter. Has a shoulder strap to carry it but kinda ends up looking like a duffle bag or boom box.

They make big tank bags too...depending on how much stuff you’ll be schlepping.

I've used a Nelson Rigg EXP-200 (replaced by the CL-700 (http://www.nelsonrigg.com/pages/Sport-Touring-Products/CL700-Big.htm)) for a couple of years now. I carry my laptop in it along with any other stuff I need when I ride to work. I very seldom need to expand it except for long trips, but if you do, you can carry extra shoes, several changes of clothes, and other gear. We just ran the rear straps around through the rear hand grip and back forward to the rear hooks. Stays pretty stable with somebody seated on the bike.

What I'm curious about are the saddle-bag type units and I wonder how they fit with our high-mounted exhaust on just one side.

im liking this nelson riggs cl-150 http://www.nelsonrigg.com/pages/Sport-Touring-Products/CL150-Big.htm

I agree, that Nelson Rigg looks really good. I don't think I would have any complaints with it. And it looks pretty stable.

im liking this nelson riggs cl-150 http://www.nelsonrigg.com/pages/Sport-Touring-Products/CL150-Big.htm

That tailbag is available from newenough. I think it is the same bag that rnd mentioned earlier only in black instead of silver and black.

rnd, any problems mounting or with contact with the exhaust?

rnd, any problems mounting or with contact with the exhaust?
I've commented somewhere before, but no not at all. My 2Bro can is Titanium so doesn't really xfer heat all that well. Only damage was when I put the saddle bags a bit too far back and the actual exhaust swirled around to do a slight bit of heat damage to the padding. Orlando to TN and back with no worries.

rnd, any problems mounting or with contact with the exhaust?
I've commented somewhere before, but no not at all. My 2Bro can is Titanium so doesn't really xfer heat all that well. Only damage was when I put the saddle bags a bit too far back and the actual exhaust swirled around to do a slight bit of heat damage to the padding. Orlando to TN and back with no worries.

I remember you commented on the saddle bags. I still have a stock can. I must be one of the few who actually like the looks of the stock can. I was looking at the install instructions and it seemed to be - strap bungees to something strong that won't move. From what I can tell, that seems to put the bungees in contact with the exhaust.

i ended up finding a closeout Cargo brand tank bag that was pretty big. it has 4 d-rings, 3 straps to run under the seat/tail, and has quick release zip off to convert into a backpack. it was $89 marked down to $55, and w/ my 20% off coupon it was $44. the color is silver and black. i'll be using it this weekend and i'll take some pics.

this is the best pic i could find on the web-
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/product_images/thumbs/titanium_tank.jpg

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/989/dsc00283in9.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3392/dsc00278za9.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3631/dsc00286qp1.jpg

I have that same Joe Rocket Tank Bag, I like how you can see your cell phone in there if its ringing.

Is that the Manta tank bag, or what ever its called? How do you like it? It strikes me as kinda small, but I do not want a huge bag either. I wish there was a place to just look at everything in person. Stupid internet. I guess it is better than nothing though.

Is that the Manta tank bag, or what ever its called? How do you like it? It strikes me as kinda small, but I do not want a huge bag either. I wish there was a place to just look at everything in person. Stupid internet. I guess it is better than nothing though.

i wrote a post solely on the tank bag a while ago.
http://www.honda599.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1351

How much have you guys with tail bags been able to stuff into them? If my parents don't pick me up on the way down, I'm planning to ride to Destin for four days (5-ish hour ride) in two weeks. I don't have $200+ laying around to throw at both tail and saddle bags, so I was hoping a large tail bag could accomodate my beach wear, toiletries, and at least one set of real clothes.

Also, I've got an X-cone, so no heat shield. Has anyone run into problems with straps melting?

In my tail bag on the way to work:
My gym clothes (including gym shoes), pair of shoes to change into, rain cover, helmet bag (just the soft one that comes with the helmet) and miscellaneous bits in an outer pocket..

I've also had additionally:
Lunch container (a bit taller than a thick technical book).

In those cases there was still room to expand some. The more problematic issue is actually putting the contents into the bag as the opening is rather small compared to the size of the bag.

I have the Cortech tail bag. I think Cargo made one that was a big bigger but I wasn't certain would fit on the back. I think it would. In addition it may have been less expensive.

I have the stock exhaust so I can't comment on the heat shield other than to say it isn't a problem with the stock exhaust.

I am trying to figure out something to put on the tail to prevent damage from the bungee rubbing on the finish.

I was extremely bored today, so I threw the stock exhaust back on... and pulled it right back off. If need be, I could put it on for the trip.

Unless that Cargo bag is still pretty cheap, I was looking into something like this:

http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tail_bags/nelson_rigg/cl_150_expandable_sport_tail_pack.html

I was extremely bored today, so I threw the stock exhaust back on... and pulled it right back off. If need be, I could put it on for the trip.

Unless that Cargo bag is still pretty cheap, I was looking into something like this:

http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tail_bags/nelson_rigg/cl_150_expandable_sport_tail_pack.html

I looked into that Nelson Rigg CL-150, too, but I'm not sure how it would fit, with the pipe where it is and those side flaps on the bag. Have others made it fit and if so, how? I'm not interested in adding any kind of frame to my bike.

Just throwing my my 2 cents...i have the Nelson Rigg cl800 tail bag. its probably too much bag for daily commutes, but it works well for longer weekend trips. i went camping with just this bag (and a very small tank bag) for 3 days and it held all necessary gear (minus the tent). I was concerned with the straps melting, so i ended up using a spare bungee cord, wrapped it under the tail and up to hook onto the handle. works pretty well. sorry i dont have any pictures...

http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tail_bags/nelson_rigg/cl800_rear_tote_motorcycle_tail_bag.html

I have the CL-800 which I use on realy long trips. but I also have the CL-350 which is actually a magnetic tank bag, but I use it as a tail bag sometimes with the help of my handy cargo net so no problem with the exhaust. it also has removable backpack straps:
http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tank_bags/nelson_rigg/cl350_large_magnetic_motorcycle_tank_bag.html

I like combos.

Motorico,

Google for something called Helicopter tape. Saw it in the latest issue of Motorcycle Consumer News (terrific mag, for anyone interested). It's a tape that comes in various widths originally for helicopter rotor edge protection from gunk damage. But it can be had in inch width, etc., and can be cut to fit any situation where abrasion damage is a problem. Then, when it's all scratched up, remove it and put another piece in place. No adhesive residue. It is also quite maleable, apparently, so it will go stretch around not-so-flat surfaces.

I was thinking of the the same thing along that same area of the tail.

Tailbag: I too have a Cortech Sport. I like it. Like the expandability, but don't know if that might be a burn issue with your aftermarket exhaust. Hrm.

[QUOTE=pecos28;91579]Just throwing my my 2 cents...i have the Nelson Rigg cl800 tail bag. its probably too much bag for daily commutes, but it works well for longer weekend trips. i went camping with just this bag (and a very small tank bag) for 3 days and it held all necessary gear (minus the tent). I was concerned with the straps melting, so i ended up using a spare bungee cord, wrapped it under the tail and up to hook onto the handle. works pretty well. sorry i dont have any pictures...[QUOTE]

Several people here have mentioned having the Nelson Rigg CL-800, which looks like a good size. I still don't understand how you would wrap a cord under the tail without it being against the pipe. Doesn't anybody have any pictures?

Looking at the SSC-160 RND has, and I like the fact that it appears to be one big compartment instead of so many smaller pockets (as on the CL-800), which gives you fewer packing options. Still would love to see a picture of how exactly you attach it to the bike.

Jill, I have a tail bag bungee it to the passenger grab rail and some loops by the passenger footpegs. On the right side, the bungee does touch the heat shield on the exhaust. It hasn't been a problem so far, but the farthest I've ridden with the bag on is about 200 miles, two ways in two days. What I find more concerning is that the bungees contact the paint. I have to find some of that surface tape a4 mentioned.

I love my tail bag, matches the bike :) might be a little small for what you guys/gals are looking for. It's actually a Cycling bag, but I fit a lunch(including a stainless starbucks coffee mug) my spare visor(get's dark out early these days) and a pair of jeans in it with a little room to spare. Anyways as far as mounting, I just got the local Cobbler to sew me on some straps for 5 bucks and voila, no melting or paint chaffing problems for me. Not sure why all tail bags aren't made this way, 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off...

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn202/invaderzimm599/DSC04336.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn202/invaderzimm599/DSC04335.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn202/invaderzimm599/DSC04341.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn202/invaderzimm599/DSC04342.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn202/invaderzimm599/DSC04343.jpg

I ended up getting this one for my trip to Mexico and it worked perfectly:
Nelson Rigg SSC-160

http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tail_bags/nelson_rigg/ssc_160_silver_streak_motorcycle_tail_roll_bag.htm l

It's very simple and the straps hook to each other under the seat (in front) and under the tail (in back). I ran the strap between the exhaust pipe and the seat and it never got hot enough to cause any problems. This and a small tank bag were all I needed for a five day trip. I stayed in hotels but needed to carry winter clothes, too.