Rapid Transit 23 Tailbag

capt_bugaloo · April 15th, 2009, 01:01 PM

Last autumn I decided to get some luggage to carry a few items on my '08 Ninja 250. I don't like tank bags at all: I hate having something big and bulky sitting on the tank in front of me, and any saddlebags that would fit are sure to scuff up the paint on the tail end of the bike.

I went down to my local motorcycle shop and found a "Rapid Transit 23 Tailbag" for $70 plus tax.

http://www.newenoughhp.com/browse/vi...duct_images/56

That page shows the tail bag strapped onto a different sportbike, but it gives you the idea.

The bag is a plain black heavy nylon, just one large compartment with a side-pouch. The pouch has a special port to feed an earphone piece through in case you wish to listen to an MP3 player or whatever. The bag has a nice comfy handle on the top, and has four heavy-duty bungee hooks on the bottom. I found that I can strap it to the back seat of the Ninja very securely: two hooks around the rear turn-signals and then onto the cargo hooks, while the front two bungees hook into the passenger footpegs. A rain pouch and a shoulder strap are also included.

I have rode perhaps a thousand miles since then with the tailbag, and the tailbag stays rock solid; it does't budge an inch.

It's fairly roomy (23 liters), so you could easily throw a change or two of T-shirt and undies inside, with room to spare for map, cellphone, book, you name it.

Here is the "Rapid Transit" 23 liter tailbag on my Ninja 250:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62935509@N00/2552790250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62935509@N00/2552790248/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62935509@N00/2552790246/

Snake · April 15th, 2009, 01:07 PM

Thats a very nice size bag.

dyeclan · April 15th, 2009, 04:42 PM

Nice stuff. I have the double stack tank bag, which is like a bigger Recon 19. I loved the 19, shoulda kept it. This one scuffs the tank. But their bags are very nicely made and look good while they are at it. I might have to look into this tail bag for those longer road trips. Thanks for the review!

Dragonracer76 · April 29th, 2013, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyeclan

Nice stuff. I have the double stack tank bag, which is like a bigger Recon 19. I loved the 19, shoulda kept it. This one scuffs the tank. But their bags are very nicely made and look good while they are at it. I might have to look into this tail bag for those longer road trips. Thanks for the review!

I have the stack as well and saw some scuffing when I first used it but some good thick waxing stopped it. I use it every time I ride ands it feels like part of the bike is missing if I ride without it now. haha

StephenA · April 29th, 2013, 10:55 AM

That's a nice tail bag. You think it can fit a towel, shoes and some workout gear(shorts and a shirt etc.)? In looking for a bag that I can take to the gym without being too big to carry around too.

Dragonracer76 · April 29th, 2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenA

That's a nice tail bag. You think it can fit a towel, shoes and some workout gear(shorts and a shirt etc.)? In looking for a bag that I can take to the gym without being too big to carry around too.

Why not strap a small tank bag to the pillion seat if you're just hauling gym gear?

StephenA · April 30th, 2013, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonracer76

Why not strap a small tank bag to the pillion seat if you're just hauling gym gear?

I've actually been using a crappy bag that my brother got me. it's one of those free drawstring bags, but its real flimsy and thin. I just need something that can hold a decent amount (gym stuff or occasional school stuff) but is also durable and economical. i don't like tank bags as i frequently go into a full tuck.

red5 · April 30th, 2013, 09:57 AM

I've used the RT23 daily for about a year and it works great. I suppose it would work well for the gym if I ever went but I do know it will hold a 12-pack no problem.

BUT, keep an eye on cords and hooks. In the first week I had it, one of the cords came out of the plastic hook and the bag ended up in the ditch.

RT offered to send a replacement if returned mine first but I didn't want to be without for 2 weeks. I ended up replacing with standard bungee cords from ACE and it's been fine since.

Dragonracer76 · April 30th, 2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenA

I've actually been using a crappy bag that my brother got me. it's one of those free drawstring bags, but its real flimsy and thin. I just need something that can hold a decent amount (gym stuff or occasional school stuff) but is also durable and economical. i don't like tank bags as i frequently go into a full tuck.

I feel ya, but I meant you could put a small tank bag on the seat behind you.

StephenA · April 30th, 2013, 12:19 PM

hmm never thought of that... do tank bags have straps? i figured most were magnetic or something

Dragonracer76 · April 30th, 2013, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenA

hmm never thought of that... do tank bags have straps? i figured most were magnetic or something

some have straps and others are magnetic. the strap ones are generally cheaper and would work perfectly.

April 15th, 2009, 01:01 PM	#1
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	Rapid Transit 23 Tailbag Last autumn I decided to get some luggage to carry a few items on my '08 Ninja 250. I don't like tank bags at all: I hate having something big and bulky sitting on the tank in front of me, and any saddlebags that would fit are sure to scuff up the paint on the tail end of the bike. I went down to my local motorcycle shop and found a "Rapid Transit 23 Tailbag" for $70 plus tax. http://www.newenoughhp.com/browse/vi...duct_images/56 That page shows the tail bag strapped onto a different sportbike, but it gives you the idea. The bag is a plain black heavy nylon, just one large compartment with a side-pouch. The pouch has a special port to feed an earphone piece through in case you wish to listen to an MP3 player or whatever. The bag has a nice comfy handle on the top, and has four heavy-duty bungee hooks on the bottom. I found that I can strap it to the back seat of the Ninja very securely: two hooks around the rear turn-signals and then onto the cargo hooks, while the front two bungees hook into the passenger footpegs. A rain pouch and a shoulder strap are also included. I have rode perhaps a thousand miles since then with the tailbag, and the tailbag stays rock solid; it does't budge an inch. It's fairly roomy (23 liters), so you could easily throw a change or two of T-shirt and undies inside, with room to spare for map, cellphone, book, you name it. Here is the "Rapid Transit" 23 liter tailbag on my Ninja 250: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62935509@N00/2552790250/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/62935509@N00/2552790248/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/62935509@N00/2552790246/ __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

April 29th, 2013, 10:55 AM	#5
StephenA Riding Ruby.. Name: Stephen Location: SoCal Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, 2007 Ninja 250R Posts: 392	That's a nice tail bag. You think it can fit a towel, shoes and some workout gear(shorts and a shirt etc.)? In looking for a bag that I can take to the gym without being too big to carry around too. __________________________________________________ Unregistered

April 30th, 2013, 09:57 AM	#8
red5 ninjette.org guru Name: Chris Location: Chattanooga Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 15.256 Posts: 263	I've used the RT23 daily for about a year and it works great. I suppose it would work well for the gym if I ever went but I do know it will hold a 12-pack no problem. BUT, keep an eye on cords and hooks. In the first week I had it, one of the cords came out of the plastic hook and the bag ended up in the ditch. RT offered to send a replacement if returned mine first but I didn't want to be without for 2 weeks. I ended up replacing with standard bungee cords from ACE and it's been fine since. __________________________________________________ "We're not always doing business, but we're always open." "For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." Carl Sagan

April 30th, 2013, 12:19 PM	#10
StephenA Riding Ruby.. Name: Stephen Location: SoCal Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, 2007 Ninja 250R Posts: 392	hmm never thought of that... do tank bags have straps? i figured most were magnetic or something __________________________________________________ Unregistered

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April 15th, 2009, 01:07 PM	#2
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Thats a very nice size bag.

April 15th, 2009, 04:42 PM	#3
dyeclan Scooter Trash No0b Name: Frank Location: Cleveland Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 EX250R 'Gears of War' Theme Bike, ZG DB screen, cowl, progrips. Posts: 73	Nice stuff. I have the double stack tank bag, which is like a bigger Recon 19. I loved the 19, shoulda kept it. This one scuffs the tank. But their bags are very nicely made and look good while they are at it. I might have to look into this tail bag for those longer road trips. Thanks for the review!