Coyotetrips > Gear Review > Luggage > Top Case
 
 		Gear review - Tail Bag/Top Case
Topcase coyotetrips.com   Aluminium Top Case   20 Liter

I have been interested in a motorcycle aluminium top box for some now, but the boxes from Touratech and other suppliers were all to big for me (for one or even two helmets), and too expensive too. Therefore I decided to design my own topcase.

aluminium Topcase

Top case

aluminum Top box

I suppose that I am not the only one who doesn't like the aluminum top boxes of the established suppliers for different reasons, I decided to produce a few more and to offer them in my Online Shop.

Of course the Topcase had to be attached to the rear carrier somehow, but I didn't want to fix it permanently. So, I had to design a adapter plate with a 'quick release' function, to be able to take the top case off without using tools. It also should be lockable, so that nobody could steal the entire top box, best with the same key that locks the topcase and the panniers. Since I own a Honda XRV750 Africa Twin of course I designed the adapter plate for the Africa Twin (it also fits the Honda NX650 Dominator).

As I had just bought a Kawasaki KLR650 (2008) for my wife it was clear that I would also design a adapter plate for the KLR. This plate also should have a lockable 'quick release' function, and leave the tools accessible. The top case covers the tools and prevents theft, but is easy to remove without tools. The KLR adapter plate is now available in my shop.

Conclusion: The topcase is robust (1,6mm aluminium) and light weight  (2,3kg). Of course it is waterproof, and it has four loops on the lid to attach extra luggage. The two latches can be locked with small padlocks. The adapter plates can be locked with the same padlocks.

 

 

motorcycle tail bag

motorcycle tail bag

motorcycle tail bag

Polo   Pharao-Tail Bag   5 / 8 Liter

This tail bag I had already bought for my previous motorcycle, and by now I had it with me for years and on many thousand kilometers. It has proofed to be handy and of good quality.

The main reason I bought this tail bag was that I wanted a place to put my rain gear, because I, of course, always wanted to have it with me, also on day trips and even shorter rides. Since the bag can be expanded from 5 to 8 liters I found enough space to pack a first-aid-kit and some small tools.

It is planned to attach the base plate to the rear carrier by two straps. Because of the weight I put into the bag the straps always loosened after a while. Therefore I removed the straps and used several small wood screws to screw the base plate into the plastic rear carrier. On all the trips I did this never loosened again.

Conclusion: Relatively cheap, handy, and of good quality - absolutely recommendable.

A similar tail bag is also available on Amazon.