Tail bags can be seen on many motorcycles around the world having solidified their place at the forefront of motorcycle luggage.

In fact, tail bags are often the first port of call for many riders and that would suggest that they certainly have their advantages, but are they the best option or are there better alternatives out there?

Why Do Riders Use Motorcycle Tail Bags?

Motorcycle tail bags are amongst some of the most cost-effective methods of carrying gear, especially when you factor in the money saved by not needing a fitting kit, and for some riders that alone is enough to sell the idea of a tail bag to them. While aesthetics are subjective and selecting a bag based on appearance is merely personal preference, many are drawn to the tail bag’s minimalist look.

There is no doubt tail bags have their pros, however, there is no ignoring the cons. While the lack of waterproof protection and lockability are far from ideal, the bottom line when it comes to tail bags is there is a hell of a lot of effort involved in using them. They may reduce costs by not having to buy a fitting kit, but that just results in having to use strapping to secure the bag to the motorcycle, a process that is time-consuming to say the very least.

Alternatives To Motorcycle Tail Bags

For reasons already mentioned, it is understandable why some riders would opt for a tail bag. However, the negatives undoubtedly outweigh the positives and for that reason, here are three motorcycle luggage options to consider over tail bags.

Top Boxes:

First up to be compared against tail bags are the ever-trusty motorcycle top boxes and to put it plainly, they boast a list of benefits that tail bags simply cannot compete with.

For a start, top boxes are 100% waterproof, meaning they ensure your belongings will remain dry regardless of the weather you encounter on the road. Secondly, top boxes are lockable, reducing the chances of theft and allowing you to move away from the motorcycle without having to worry about carting your gear around with you. Finally, thanks to their fitting kit and base plate, top boxes can be mounted or removed in mere seconds while also providing that much-welcomed stability.

Panniers:

Whether you are a fan of motorcycle panniers or not, they well and truly flex their muscles when compared to tail bags in what could be coined as a mismatch.

Firstly, in some cases, panniers are waterproof and let’s face it, no one is going to say no to protecting their gear from the rain. Now, you may be thinking the key word there is “some”, however, even in the cases where the panniers themselves are not waterproof, there is the option of adding rain covers. When assessing security, panniers once again come out on top as not only are they lockable, certain models can even be locked directly to the bike, greatly reducing the threat of theft.

Finally, it really does become game, set and match when considering panniers can be teamed up with a top box for a combined storage capacity that blows tail bags out of the water.

Tank Bags:

In the case of motorcycle tank bags, attention could once again focus on water protection and security, however, there is one other area where tank bags reign supreme.

If you are not intending to carry a heavy load, tank bags are the clear and obvious choice. By far the most convenient motorcycle luggage option of all, tank bags mount to, you guessed it, the motorcycle’s tank. This allows you to store your essentials within reach and provides quick access even without having to stop and get off the motorbike. In comparison, you would have to undo all of the tail bag’s strapping and then re-secure that same strapping each time you need access inside.

So, with consideration given to the pros and cons of tail bags and comparisons made to the main alternatives, what is the best form of motorcycle luggage?

Well, to put it plainly, the answer is not tail bags. After that, you can take your pick of the three other options. For guaranteed waterproof protection go with a top box, for the best security panniers would be advised and for maximum convenience it has to be a tank bag.