Six tailpacks: Tried and tested

Lighter than a topbox, less intrusive than a tankbag. Here’s our pick of best

Held Iconic Evo Large £61.99

Not the biggest, not the flashiest and certainly not weighed down by gimmicks and needless features. This is a solid, well-made, traditional tailpack that gets all the basics right, feels well-made and, given its price, represents fantastic value. The main section is expandable from a modest 12 litres to a decentsized 21 litres, though in use the real amount of storage space seems a lot more than these claimed figures. There’s also an external pocket and a builtin bungee net on top. Once you’ve fitted the two mounting straps under the pillion seat, the Iconic Evo clips on and off quickly and easily – it’s an extremely convenient solution. The straps can be pulled down reassuringly tight too, which means that even when the bag is fully expanded and heavily loaded it still feels totally stable at speed. A separate elasticated waterproof cover is included, which does prove 100% impervious even when blasted with a pressure washer – though it’s a slightly flappy fit and not the tidiest thing to look at. Overall, a really impressive piece of luggage for the money. Quality +++++Value ★★★★★ www.held.de

Kappa RA318BK £117.95

Unconventional shape for a tailpack, more like a small gym bag with a flat bottom, designed to sit across your bike rather than inline with it. Has a rolltop opening with two quick-release straps over the top, but it’s still easy to access the contents when the bag is fitted to the bike. Claims a huge 32-litre capacity, though without any additional external pockets. No waterproof cover required, because the body of the bag is water-repellent – even when the outer material gets soaked through, the contents stay dry. Uses four looped straps with quick-release buckles to secure to the bike, two under the rear seat and one to each pillion peg. The Y-shaped carry strap promises to turn it into a rucksack, but short length means it works better as a shoulder bag. Quality ★★★★★ Value ★★★★★ www.neodistribution.co.uk

Oxford T40R £129.99

Has plenty of extra nooks and crannies in addition to the expandable 25-to-34-litre main compartment, including two sizeable side pockets, the smaller key pocket, the mesh pouch and elasticated net on top of the lid. Main tailpack quickly zips onto a base, which is secured to the bike with a Velcro underseat strap. Remove the main bag and a couple of rucksack straps pop out, making it easy to carry. A waterproof inner bag keeps the main chamber’s contents dry, but the side pockets let a little water in despite what appear to be waterproof zips. The height makes it a little bit wobbly when it’s fully expanded and packed to the brim – it’s well worth using some additional bungees on the lid-mounted D-rings to hold it steady when you are on the move. Quality ★★★★★ Value ★★★★★ www.oxfordproducts.com

SW-Motech Rearbag £171.10

Extremely stable on a bike, despite its huge 36-litre claimed expanded capacity – which zips down to 24 litres when you don’t need to take the kitchen sink along with you. Solid sides and Cordura construction give it a quality feel, while the soft bottom shapes to a rack or pillion seat equally well. Four looped straps secure the bag to the bike using toothed, sprung clamps. Comes with a waterproof inner bag for the main compartment, though the external pockets let a little water in. Carry strap lets you use it as a shoulder bag. Posh, but pricey. Quality ★★★★★ Value ★★★★★ www.motohaus.com

Givi UT805 £186

Thick, rigid, curved plastic base sits solid and secure on narrow pillion seats, but can make for a very awkward bag to fit to bikes with luggage racks or large side-mounted grab handles. Main 35-litre chamber is wide and long, if not very deep, but proves waterproof thanks to its integral roll-close liner. Same can’t be said for the two outer pockets, which leak despite their covered ‘waterproof’ zips. Uses four looped straps to fit to the bike, held by plastic friction clamps on the bag. Feels a quality product, but that price tag is hard to live up to. Quality ★★★★★ Value ★★★★★ www.givi.co.uk

Kriega US-30 £145

Constructed from Cordura, with a waterproof lining and a roll-top closure, the Kriega is an extremely high-quality item. The design means there’s no need for a separate rain cover and contents are kept completely dry even during an attack with a pressure washer. You have to access it differently to a traditional tailpack though – the US-30 is more like a rucksack laid down flat on your pillion seat. This can be a bit of a pain if you frequently need to get at its contents while the bag is fitted to the bike. Secures to the bike using four straps with metal hooks at one end and a quick-release buckle at the other. Main compartment, as the name suggests, is a whopping 30 litres in size. There are two external pockets: one on top with a waterproof zip; and a zipper mesh pocket on the bottom. A carry strap is included to turn it into a handy shoulder bag. Quality ★★★★★ Value ★★★★★ www.kriega.com