Lee Parks Design Tail Bag

[mixedgasdiver]

Well I've purchased the last tail bag I'll ever own.

I found this bag at the Seattle motorcycle show. They were a brand new product and I think I was the second person to buy one for 165.00 (ouch I know but well worth it!).

I talked to the owner of the company and they'll be adding them to the website soon. Good guy, honest sincere, and I believe good customer service will be provided. Here is a link:

http://www.leeparksdesign.com/default.asp

First off, I like the bag because it looks like a normal gym style bag and I don't get funny looks while toting it around. In fact, the first thing the receptionist at work said today when I walked in the front door was, "left the bike a home huh?" Then she pointed to my new bag... It has the normal handles and well as shoulder strap. The bottom of the bag is rigid and has some sort of non-slip rubber. There is a flap on the bottom that you could hook under your seat for a more permanent mount. All the adjustable tie downs tuck neatly away behind a zipper. The sides of the bag are semi-rigid and while it does keep it's shape well on the back of the bike, it could pack down if needed. Each side zipper allows the bag to expand 3.5 inches. The front pocket has a tab for keys and is lined with micro fiber - great for not scratching my goodies! Inside the bag is a padded 15.4" laptop case, again lined with micro fiber. There is a beefy flap that comes down to secure your computer and provide a second layer of padding. On the outside of the case are about a dozen small inconspicuous tie down loops. I'm thinking if you wanted to secure something else to the bag, it would be very easy. All the zippers have a storm flap over the top and the whole bag is made out of a VERY heavy cordura material with a reflective stripe. Included is a rain cover that I've used twice (130 miles worth) and it's kept everything dry and clean. There are removable 2" velcro straps for securing it to a sissy bar (I took them off). They cover a elastic cord system that I use to keep my rain pants tucked away in. There is also a removable water bottle carrier near the front pocket. It's big enough for a throw-away bottle or coffee cup, but not a Nalgene style bottle. In my opinion, the best feature of this bag is that if I'm not riding my bike, I can still carry the same bag to work and not look like a dork carrying motorcycle luggage into the office, on the bus, or around town.

Pros: Fantastic design. Secure mounting system. Well made. Loaded with features. Big enough, but not too big.

Cons: Cost. Would like to have a drawstring on the rain cover to secure it a little better.

Everyone is always in need of a good bag so I thought this might help.

P.S. I know my bike is filthy in the pictures. Go easy on me - it snowed on me to and from work today

[mixedgasdiver]

my pictures were too big, so I hosted them at Photobucket - never done that before so I'm not sure if I got it right. Here's the link to the album.

http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff320/mixedgasdiver/

[NoG]

Originally Posted by mixedgasdiver

my pictures were too big, so I hosted them at Photobucket - never done that before so I'm not sure if I got it right. Here's the link to the album.

http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff320/mixedgasdiver/

here ya' go:

[07XB12Scg]

That is GIGANTIC! I bet you lose some MPGs because of that air brake!

[mixedgasdiver]

Yea it is huge... But I was tired of trying to stuff everything in a smaller tail bag and a backpack. The two used to touch and hunch me over. Although it's a bit large, it's very nice. I just filled up for the week and plan on measuring my MPG's to see what happens.

[MartyMax admin]

I've never heard of them but after visiting the site it seems like a great place. Scroll down on the http://www.leeparksdesign.com/miscpage_001.asp page. He really puts things in perspective. I like his outlook on things.

[mixedgasdiver]

Originally Posted by 07XB12Scg

That is GIGANTIC! I bet you lose some MPGs because of that air brake!

Just thought I'd add: 3 tanks of fuel later and I've gone from 57 MPG's to.... 57 MPG's. So although it looks large it really does nothing for fuel economy.

[GrahamNZ]

How do you get your right leg over the bike with that thing cluttering up the pillion area? I've seen a a rider fall over backwards while alighting a bike with the rear seat cluttered up and another one kick his bike over as he tried to get his boot high enough to clear the rider's seat while mounting. Panniers are bad enough but anything on the pillion seat just makes life too difficult unless the side stand is robust and trustworthy enough to allow the left footrest to be used a a stepping point. I wouldn't think the XB stand would pass that test. Many people scoff at topboxes but I think they're the bees' knees, despite the potential weight they can carry being high up and well rearward. Easy to load. Waterproof. Out of the slipstream. Good looking..........................