Genuine Triumph Tail Bag - FAIL In my case.

[StuNZ]

I recently brought a new R3GT. I went ahead and brought the matching panniers (ok- but could be improved on) at the time thinking I might get a tail bag for the rear rack that I also purchased.

I researched and struggled to find any useful information about the tail bag apart from a couple of pictures of it set up on the pillion pad.. No pictures of the rear rack with the bag fitted.
That gave me uncomfortable feeling that things were not going to progress well.

I also read that there was patent pending attachment system and again there was no information that the dealer could supply. They did come to the party and organised a bag to come into stock and I could try before I buy etc. Unfortunately timing and circumstances did not allow that. However, it was agreed that I could buy it and if it wasn't suitable it could be returned.

The patent pending attachment system is ONLY designed to be attached to eth pillion seat. It does not attach to eth rear rack unless you possibly modify it in some way and given that the bag is about NZD$450 it's not going to happen in my case.

I've since learnt that if ( I didn't know about this until reading another thread about a different subject) you can go to Triumph Instructions and run the part number and it will give installation instructions for many items. That would have saved me a lot of time and money .

It was immediately clear that the Triumph Tail bag is only designed to be fitted to the pillion seat. I find that astonishing given that this R3 is the most expensive bike they make and sell, it beggars belief they would not have a matching bag for the roughly $500 additional cost of the rear rack..

I would have thought the dealer would be all over the accessories for the bike. Having owned a HD in the past- this is one area that Triumph is performing poorly in.

Surely someone at H.O is paid for exactly this role? If not, then I am open to offers to resolve this area for them. Man, they have this dynamite of a bike and they fall flat on their face with lack of options for the premium bike buyers.

So my review of the tailbag in a nutshell- It's only fit to be used on the rear pillion seat and for one up riding.

I'll need to hunt a after market bag to suit the Most expensive useless rack I've ever had on a bike. This only effects travelers two up I suspect and there's probably not that many.

I might be just a little grumpy and disappointed.

 

[stingray]

It leaks too. Be sure to use the included, interior rain shield.

Then dry out the inside.

 

[StuNZ]

Just as well I returned it then.

 

[Jagster]

When I made my decision to buy my 2020 Rocket 3 I looked into what OEM luggage system was available, along with all the other bits and pieces such as handle bars, quick shifters etc...

I came to the conclusion that the OEM rack and luggage wasn't worth buying. It was styling over function, at a cost that didn't match up to anything non OEM out there in the market.
So I bought the bike with the knowledge that I would have to put together my own solution with regard to how to carry stuff.

There have been some great home made solutions showcased on this forum. They make the OEM luggage look distinctly average, at best.

There is definitely a gap in the market for a good luggage system tailored for the current Rocket, but so far there isn't anything that i'm aware of.
I'm not going to hold my breath while I wait for a company to offer a solution to the market. The bike is on it's fifth year and nothing has shown up, so I doubt that it will any time soon.

My recommendation to any prospective Rocket buyers who intend to tour with their bikes just to forget the OEM kit and go with the view that they will need to build up their own solution from universal kit out there in the market.....like the old days, before the likes of BMW came along with factory developed luggage systems.

It's a great shame that Triumph haven't offered up a serious luggage kit. My only thought is that they don't see a big enough market in such kit.

I haven't seen any marketing from Triumph where they are trying to sell the Rocket as a touring machine....so I guess it's only folks that have these bikes and want to ride them longer distances seeking a solution.
The vast majority either don't go further from home than the cafe meet....and then there's the rest (like me) who just sling a big bag over the rear seat and head for the horizon like the good old days.

 

[Ward]

I've been through the same process, and come to exactly the same conclusion - but I didn't buy the bag. I just want something to carry a few bits & bobs when I go out, and don't like rucksacks. I've settled for a cheap & cheerful 10Ltr bag from ebay that has a velcro strap underneath and I use two cable ties around the sissy bar. Not ideal, but it works (just about) - but I don't think it would be rain-proof though

 

[Ward]

I did manage to find this image showing what looks like a Triumph tail bag that someone has fitted with cable ties, and it looks good ?

 

[Jagster]

I don't normally ride while wearing a shirt & bow tie, but here is a photo of one of my solutions. (I'm heading out on the DGR ride).
It's a home made top-box which is locked to the bike and water tight and lockable.

I don't ride with a pillion so prefer not to hang stuff off the rear of the bike. Personal preference, of course.

If I need to carry larger volumes, I use a big rectangular hold all. It's not water proof, so I put things in separate plastic bags. Works ok, but not ideal for long tours of course. The main benefit is carrying capacity. (The OEM panniers are too small in my opinion).

 

[Ward]

Touring, two-up - well, that's another matter

After 17½ years and over 100,000 miles on three Gen 1 Rockets, we're more than used to luggage & packing. Changing to a GT last August however has proven challenging. We seem OK with the new pannier luggage (seems a bit bigger that the original setup), but that rear rack is a problem and I don't want to go for the extended after-market rack that is just FUGLY

When we're using the pannier bags, I resort to putting all the waterproofs in a 10Ltr Triumph water-proof bag, and bungee them on the rack ! - that leaves room in the panniers ?

 

[Journeyman]

I had the bag for a while and sold it to another member here. I now just strap a tool bag to the pillion when not fully loaded to tour. This link has a similar discussion along with the way I strapped the Triumph bag to the luggage rack. The best solution I heard of was a Givi tank bag, allowing a way to have a quick release.

Bag for Luggage Rack

Hello all! I am new to the group, having picked up a new Rocket 3 GT about a month ago. Among other accessories, I picked up the luggage rack that attaches to the back of the backrest mounts. Has anyone found a bag that fits well on it? I'm surprised Triumph isn't making and selling one, and...

www.r3owners.net

 

[Jagster]

Touring, two-up - well, that's another matter

Certainly is.
There's no way my other half would tour on the back of the Rocket.
Way too uncomfortable for her with the stock seat.
There's no doubt about it, the current Rocket 3 is very much lacking in features that can make touring a possibility two up.
A weekend away when the weather is dry (and no camping) perhaps, but beyond that, I just think is better to use a proper touring bike.