Best motorcycle tailbags tried and tested by expert MCN staff

Even the most leisure-based weekend warrior will occasionally need to transport stuff by motorcycle. Whether for nipping away on a riding trip on your tourer, commuting to work on a scooter or stopping off at the shop on your way home, some sort of motorbike luggage will be needed.

One of the simplest and most-convenient options is a tail pack, starting with sausage-shaped roll tops you can just bungee in place on your pillion seat through to more dedicated luggage systems that require straps or luggage racks.

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The advantages and benefits of tailpacks

Soft luggage has the advantage that you can very easily leave it at home if you don’t need it whereas more permanent options like top boxes are more of a faff to remove and leave a fitting rack behind.

And unlike a rucksack, a tailpack keeps the weight off your shoulders and lets you move freely however much weight you attempt to carry (within reason and in line with manufacturer recommendation, of course). I like the Shad SW45 in the list below because you can use it as both a tail pack or a rucksack depending on your needs.

Tailpacks are also preferable to tank bags in many situations because they don’t get in the way of your steering or riding position, even if you use a big one.

What to look for when choosing a motorcycle tail bag

I’d always opt for a waterproof option because it means you never have to worry. I hate pulling over to apply a waterproof cover or packing my possessions in plastic bags just in case – there are loads of waterproof options on the market to avoid the problem.

The size you need will depend on what you intend to carry. A tailpack that’s stuffed to its limit is easier to secure than one that’s got lots of room left inside so you don’t want to over-do it. I have a small Oxford T8 (see below) that’s ideal for carrying a heavy chain, disc lock and bike cover on overnight stays so I don’t have to carry them in my rucksack.

But I’ve also used mammoth roll bag style bags in the past when I’ve needed to carry a weekend’s worth of clobber on a camping trip. If you’re not sure, 25-30 litres is a useful capacity without being too big.

You can also get modular systems like the Kriega US or Oxford Atlas luggage that allow you to mix and match bag sizes and link them together depending what you need to carry.

And finally, think about the bike you have. Just recently, two members of the MCN team have found that the luggage they wanted to use is incompatible with their motorbike due to having nowhere to attach the anchor straps!

The best motorbike tailpacks

Tested by Justin Hayzelden for three months, 2400 miles

"When it comes to hard wearing, top performing baggage, Kriega really know their stuff, and the Rollpack 20 is a perfect example of their well thought out approach to lightweight load lugging solutions – it’s versatile, durable and incredibly easy to use. In essence, the Rollpack 20 is a tube of tough 500 denier Cordura, with a removable waterproof liner and roll top closure at either end.

"Measurements are 75cm x 36cm laid flat, which offers 20 litres of kit carrying capacity. When loaded, the Rollpack 20 makes a neat pillow shaped bag that can be lashed to a back seat, rack, or anywhere else you can loop the four integrated straps, and quality metal cam buckles ensure everything stays tensioned once in place.

"I attached my camo Rollpack to the back of an Indian Challenger Dark Horse for a 1,800 mile tour of Ireland, and even with torrential North Atlantic driven downpours, not a drop of moisture made it inside."

Pros

  • Tough construction
  • Effectively waterproof
  • Easy to attach

Cons

  • None found
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
  • Verdict
    5.0
Waterproof? Yes
Luggage rack required? No
Dimensions 18cm (H) x 48cm (W) x 24cm (D)
Weight 643g
  • Double entry
  • Mounts to rack or rearsets
  • 10 year guarantee
Tested by Chris Newbigging for three years

"This simple sausage-shaped bag would likely attach to most bikes, but I found it particularly useful on a trip to Paul Ricard on a borrowed 1985 GSX-R750 with five days-worth of camping equipment, camera kit and my clobber to carry in a manner that wouldn’t rub and wear the repainted bodywork.

"I chose the 50-litre version (there are 30/70-litre options, in olive or flouro yellow as well as this grey colour) and managed to get it all in, hiking tent included. Fully packed, it forms a rigid cylindrical shape, which perched on top of the Slabbie’s seat.

"It stayed closed when packed to capacity – however the roll-top doesn’t appreciate being overfilled, opening a little at the centre. You might not lose items, but the waterproofing won’t work (MCN’s sister title RiDE found it effective when they awarded it a ‘Best Buy’ in their tailpack test).

"It comes with four D-ring straps which work fine, if you have brackets or subframe tubing to tie them too – I didn’t, so I used longer Rok-Straps (£20 for a pair)."

Read our Oxford Aqua T20, 30, 50 and 70 review

Pros

  • Various carrying capacities available
  • Simple to fit to your motorbike
  • Completely waterproof

Cons

  • D-ring straps may need upgrading depending on your bike
  • Quality
    4.0
  • Value
    5.0
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Overall
    5.0
Waterproof? Yes
Luggage rack required? No
Dimensions 34cm (H) x 50cm (W) x 28cm (D)
Weight Unknown
  • Easy grab carry handle on top
  • External and internal pockets for small items
  • Water-resistant zips
Price: £99 (10-litre) £169 (30-litre)
Tested by Ben Clarke for 4 months and 5000 miles

"This is by far the simplest luggage solution I’ve used on a motorbike. Its 50-litre capacity comfortably held all my camping gear, clothing and other bits and bobs for a two-week trip around Europe, the strapping system is simple and it stayed waterproof through some prolonged storms.

"The best thing is that you can vary the capacity depending on how many of the pods you use in combination, from a 10-litre on its own through 30 (pictured), 40 (30 plus a 10) or the full 50 (30 and both 10s).

"The US-30 is the bag I use most and it makes an excellent tailpack on its own. You can fit it either inline with the bike or across the frame depending what you've got to carry without changing any of the straps around."

Pros

  • Easy to fit and remove thanks to G-hook system
  • Modular system for flexibility
  • Waterproof in all weathers
  • Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defect

Cons

  • There are cheaper options out there
  • Strap system relies on frame access
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Overall
    5.0
Waterproof? Yes
Luggage rack required? No
Dimensions 445(H) x 295(W) x 225(D) mm
Weight 1kg
  • Removable liner for added weatherproofing
  • Rolltop closure
  • YKK water-resistant zips used throughout
  • Rear mesh pockets ideal for small items
Tested by Ben Clarke for 1 month and 300 miles

"The Oxford Atlas luggage range is new for 2024 and I've just got my hands on it to start testing but so far, I'm really impressed. It's really similar to use to the Kriega system above, but I've been using the 20-litre main bag rather than 30 litres for the Kriega.

"I am surprised that this Oxford luggage is so affordable, you wouldn't guess it from the way it feels and the quality of the buckles, zips and straps.

"The Atlas system is adjustable right down to where the straps pass through the luggage, meaning you can move where it sits on the bike backwards and forwards to suit your bike and riding position. As long as you have the frame available to strap it on, it'll work for almost anything!"

Full review coming soon.

Pros

  • Very adjustable and flexible
  • Waterproof outer with additional waterproof liner
  • Plenty of pockets for smaller items
  • All compartments accessible without removing from bike
  • Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects

Cons

  • You need to have enough frame exposed to fit
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Overall
    5.0
Waterproof? Yes
Luggage rack needed? No
Dimensions Unknown
Weight Unknown
  • Zoned 420D PU back polyester ripstop for flexibility and compactness
  • Duraflex buckles and tri-glide adjustment sliders
  • Detachable shoulder strap for portability
  • Grab handles at the top, bottom and sides
Price: £190.22 (was £204.98)
Tested by Saffron Wilson for 11 months and 3896 miles

"I took this bag with me on a weeklong trip to Budapest and back on the back of my last longterm test bike – the Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST. As I had panniers it was ideal as it didn’t overhang on the seat and meant I could retrieve bits of luggage without it getting in the way.
 
"You have the ability to expand the bag for extra volume (32-42 litres) which I found essential as I’m a serial over-packer, and with plenty of attachment points, it’s versatile with other luggage solutions too.

"It's easy to use with its four anchor points, and the anti-slip material on the underside means it won’t move too much as you attach it. And even when I accidentally left one of the straps on the bike and it got hooked around my drive belt, it was still able to secure the luggage all the way home from Budapest and beyond.

"The internal pockets are handy (there is one in the ‘lid’ of the bag for your essentials that you need to grab quickly) but as they are outside of the waterproof liner don’t pop your electrics in here. The same goes for the exterior pockets, which I tended to use for snacks on the road, but the additional strap to help you carry it when you get to your destination is great too."

Full review coming soon.

Pros

  • Hardwearing on and off the bike
  • Waterproof when you really need it
  • End of the straps are satisfying and practical

Cons

  • No back up straps in case you lose or damage one
  • The internal water cover can be fiddly
  • Quality
    4.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Ease of use
    4.0
  • Overall
    4.0
Waterproof? Yes (inner bag)
Luggage rack needed? No
Dimensions 33 x 56 x 26 cm
Weight 2.4kg
  • 1680D Ballistic Nylon
  • Universal fit for almost all motorcycles
  • Additional storage thanks to two outer pockets with covered zippers
  • Volume expansions on both outer sides
  • Simple and quick attachment of the bag to the motorcycle with loop straps with a patented lashing hook
Tested by Ben Clarke for 2 months and 1000 miles

"You don't always need to carry everything you own in a tail bag, as proven by this tidy little offering from Oxford.

"I got this T8 tailpack to fulfil a very specific duty – riding my ZX-10R long-term test bike to a trackday wearing my one-piece leathers, which have no proper pockets.

"I didn’t want to use a tankbag as the riding position on the Kawasaki is so extreme I thought it would get in the way. This little tailpack from Oxford is the ideal solution with enough room (eight litres) to store a hoodie and a pair of shoes or a security chain, and an external pocket to stash your phone and wallet for easy access. It straps onto the pillion seat with Velcro loops and then there are double D-ring fasteners to keep everything secure.

"I've also used it to carry bike security when I've needed heavier kit for parking in unknown city locations and the straps all held firm.

"It’s completely unobtrusive on the bike, plus it’s 100% waterproof. The only thing that could improve it would be if the bag could clip off and on the straps without having to undo it all."

Pros

  • Small and compact for when you don't need to carry much
  • Waterproof in all weather conditions
  • External pocket for easy access to important bits

Cons

  • Straps have to be undone to remove
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
  • Ease of use
    3.0
  • Overall
    4.0
Waterproof? Yes
Luggage rack needed? No
Dimensions 30cm (H) x 18cm (W) x 12cm (D)
Weight Unknown (negligible)
  • Easy grab moulded carry handle
  • Waterproof roll top closure with compression strap
  • Mesh see-through window pocket
  • Reflective detail for visibility
Price: £199.99 (was £144.99)
Tested by Dan Sutherland for 6 months and 1500 miles

"I got hold of this Oxford T30R Tail Pack ahead of a trip to the 2023 Isle of Man TT races aboard my long-term test Suzuki GSX-8S naked. Although said to be ‘sculpted to suit modern sportsbikes and riders’ it worked on top of the Suzuki’s flat pillion seat with ease, and I’ve used it for many other trips since – and for the odd bit of food shopping too.

"Strapping in beneath the pillion perch and further secured by sturdy webbing, it sat in place fully loaded for hundreds of miles at motorway speeds going to and from the TT, with no need for any adjustment. Although removing your ability to ride with a pillion passenger, it does have the benefit of not requiring fixed mounts, which can look ugly on a bike when the luggage isn’t in place and can be a faff to install.

"With a capacity of 30 litres, featuring multiple zipped pockets, and an elasticated pouch on the top, you can easily cram in everything you need for a few days away without the need for panniers. The stretchy net on top is also handy for bulky items such as chain lube, which could take up valuable space inside the inner compartments.

"Annoyingly, you can’t really use it with a rucksack though unless you’re prepared to squeeze right up against the petrol tank, and you can only waterproof the insides using the additional liner provided. I took a backpack with me to the IoM and although there was only a laptop bag and some waterproofs inside, I found the pairing restricted my movement significantly.

"That’s not necessarily the fault of the tail pack though and it could be less intrusive on other bikes/for taller riders. Outside of that though, consider me very impressed, with the Ripstop Nylon construction providing a reassuring level of quality, backed up by an Oxford lifetime guarantee. The bag can also be converted into a backpack when you reach your destination and is available in three colour options.

"What’s more, because it’s not designed for just one model, I can continue to use this on plenty more bikes in the future – making it better value if you’ve got more than one machine in the garage."

Pros

  • Easily swapped between bikes
  • Stretchy net on top for additional items
  • Comes with shoulder straps for once you've arrived

Cons

  • Gets in the way of using a backpack
  • Needs liner to be waterproof
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Ease of use
    4.0
  • Overall
    4.0
Waterproof? Yes (liner only)
Luggage rack needed? No
Dimensions 30cm (H) x 18cm (W) x 36cm (D)
Weight Unknown
  • Lifetime guarantee against faulty materials or manufacture
  • Key pocket
  • Glove compartment and external bungee net
  • 5 point secure fitting system
Tested by Ben Clarke for six months

"The QBag is certainly impressive in terms of quality and value and I would certainly buy one if I was caught short for luggage for a weekend away. The quality is exceptional and I think it would last you years and years – a lifetime of occasional use, in fact.

"But if I was using the luggage daily or keeping it permanently attached to the bike, I’d opt for something sleeker. Its 5kg maximum load capacity would prevent you being able to transport anything beyond standard luggage.

"You couldn’t, for example, use it to carry all your bike security to an overnight hotel stay. It’s also a bit annoying that it’s not waterproof without a cover added.

"Overall, I would say the QBag Tail Bag 4 is a high-quality bit of kit you wouldn’t regret buying, especially at such a reasonable price."

Read our full QBag Tail Bag 4 review

Pros

  • Budget friendly
  • Easy to fit
  • No external fittings

Cons

  • Not great looking
  • Needs waterproof cover in the wet
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Overall
    5.0
Length x height x width 32cm x 30cm x 40cm
Capacity 26 litres (main compartment)
Construction 100% nylon
Mounting Hook and bungee
Waterproof? No (rain cover included)
Separate outer pockets Three
  • Soft foam pad to protect your paint work included
  • Side pockets for smaller items
Price: £123.29 (was £141.99)
Tested by Ben Clarke for two months/600 miles

"Although primarily a rucksack, the Shad SW45 is designed to be easily converted for use as an effective tail bag, too.

"The main body of the rucksack is a cavernous and waterproof space, just like a motorcycle rollbag, but you get the added convenience of shoulder straps and two externally accessible pockets.

"On top of that, the bag comes with everything you need to fix it to the back of your bike should you wish and there’s a novel flap that can be used to carry your jacket off the bike.

"I used this rucksack in its tail bag mode for a road trip to Berlin and back in summer 2023 and it was really easy to fit to the bike with straps you leave in place and a G-hook and loop system. And the convenience of having a rucksack at your disposal once you get to the other end of your journey is superb."

Read our full Shad SW45 review

Pros

  • Completely waterproof
  • Comfortable
  • Massive capacity
  • Doubles as a tailpack
  • Jacket flap
  • External pockets are convenient

Cons

  • A little shapeless unless full
  • No waist strap
  • Quality
    5.0
  • Value
    4.0
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Overall
    4.0
Capacity 40L
Construction Three-layer tarpaulin and mesh
Waterproofing IPX5 100%
External pockets Two
Warranty Two years
  • Waterproof
  • Two external pockets
  • Doubles up as tailpack
  • Chest strap
  • Jacket flap

How MCN tests tail bags

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

We do this so that you can buy the tail bags that are worth spending your money on without having to take a risk. If your luggage fails you on a trip, it can be a big problem, especially if you are touring abroad or somewhere remote. Even just a leak letting your clothes get soaked can spoil your day!

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

We’ve used the tail bags in this list for everything from commuting to long summer trips to gauge the ease of use, quality and practicality. If they claim to be waterproof, we get them wet. If they claim to accommodate a helmet, we put it to the test.

If you can’t see a review against a tailpack on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These bags will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.


Our scores explained

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

  • 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
  • 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
  • 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
  • 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
  • 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

FAQs

Are motorcycle tail bags good?

Yes, motorcycle tail bags are a great way of carrying luggage in a safe and secure way. Many don’t require any kind of luggage rack and can be quickly fitted or removed from your bike. Unlike a rucksack, a tail bag lets the bike do the work and leaves you to ride for longer and in greater comfort.

Should I use a tailbag or a tankbag?

It’s completely up to you. Certain bikes will be more affected by tankbags than others – you can only really use a small tankbag on a superbike, for example, before the steering and your riding position are affected.

But it’s sometimes more convenient to use a tankbag if you want to have your wallet/phone/passport easily accessible in front of you.

How do you secure a tail bag?

Fitting methods and instructions vary by type, but most tail bags are fitted using straps that attach to the pillion seat or frame of your bike. Some of these systems are fixed to the bag and must be used every time you fit/remove the bag, others have captive straps that stay on the bike and you hook the luggage on/off as required.

What are tail bags good for?

Tail bags are great for carrying luggage without needing a rack or panniers that stick out sideways. You keep the weight off your shoulders and in a safe, centralised position on the bike.

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