Motorcycle Dry Bags

[shanekingsley]

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Seems like there a bunch on the market of various sizes and shapes and figured there must be lots of folks on here using one. I'd like to get a black or grey one that is around 40-60L and would sit on the passenger seat for trips where I don't want to take the hard side cases.

I have an old red dry bag by Oregon Scientific which I bought from MEC about 12 years ago that is a roll top, but it's a 55L tube and maybe not the best design for getting stuff at the bottom of the tube. The exterior shell can also get pretty waterlogged, but the contents inside seems to stay dry.

Any preferences for best dry bags to use?

 

[Mad Mike]

Seems like there a bunch on the market of various sizes and shapes and figured there must be lots of folks on here using one. I'd like to get a black or grey one that is around 40-60L and would sit on the passenger seat for trips where I don't want to take the hard side cases.

I have an old red dry bag by Oregon Scientific which I bought from MEC about 12 years ago that is a roll top, but it's a 55L tube and maybe not the best design for getting stuff at the bottom of the tube. The exterior shell can also get pretty waterlogged, but the contents inside seems to stay dry.

Any preferences for best dry bags to use?

I use a 45l marine style dry duffel bag, fits perfectly across the seat if you have panniers, or lengthwise across the pillion and rack if you don't. Marine bags (not the sausage rolltops types used by paddlers) have lots of fixing points, very easy to secure. They are also more square, so a 45l duffel isn't the size of a garbage bag so carrying a helmet or capstone is possible.


Tube bags are harder to secure and not really tough enough for motorcycle travel.

I've had this one for 10 years, bulletproof. I think I bought it at BassPro or CTC for $60.

 

[SVeezy]

I use the tube style dry bags from mec just because I have them but the one shown by MM looks great. I might have to upgrade


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com

 

[jc100]

Years ago I got a set from twisted throttle that have a rigid bottom so they don’t sag and different sizes that stack with loop mounts.

Something like this

DrySpec D66 Waterproof Motorcycle Dry Bag Modular Packing System in Black Grey & Orange | 66L Total - Twisted Throttle

The D66 includes one D28 and one D38 dry bag to create 66 liters of 100% waterproof storage. Modular packing has significant advantages over a single bag of the same volume. The two-bag D66 system makes packing and organizing your gear easier allows for quicker access to your gear and enables...

twistedthrottle.com

I didn’t pay that much though. I do know that if you don’t mind the wait, then ordering from Europe saves you a bucket of cash usually. There’s a lot of Givi branded gear that you can get from Italy on close out that’s good value. I also have some cheap Chinese 8-10l dry bags from Amazon that I use for wet clothing etc.

 

[shanekingsley]

Thanks. I really like both those options. I agree that the square or rectangular shape seems like the way to go here.

I didn't really think about the 2-bag option like those DrySpec ones - I could see a lot of value in that over one larger bag.

 

[shanekingsley]

I use a 45l marine style dry duffel bag, fits perfectly across the seat if you have panniers, or lengthwise across the pillion and rack if you don't. Marine bags (not the sausage rolltops types used by paddlers) have lots of fixing points, very easy to secure. They are also more square, so a 45l duffel isn't the size of a garbage bag so carrying a helmet or capstone is possible. View attachment 53910View attachment 53911
View attachment 53912

Tube bags are harder to secure and not really tough enough for motorcycle travel.

I've had this one for 10 years, bulletproof. I think I bought it at BassPro or CTC for $60.

Mike do you have a pic of that bag on your bike?

 

[jc100]

Here’s my old Tiger loaded …. I managed to get the tent and everything else into the dry bags.



and before all the “where’s the kitchen sink” comments….the top box was empty so I could change into shorts and stow my riding gear and helmet. Kept all the weight lower down this way.

 

[mimico_polak]

I’ve got one of those MEC bags which have fit the tent into before and also have one of these duffel bag styles which I love and can be strapped to the seat.

 

[jc100]

This used to be my go-to place for cheap luggage for the bikes. Supply issues looks like they have had an impact on the deals but there’s some stuff there. There’s usually a lot in the outlet section but it seems a bit bare…

Textile Luggage Customize Your Motorcycle - Pag 3 | MotoStorm

Select the textile luggage online at Motostorm to fit all your riding needs. Shop now our wide selection of top quality motorcycle accessories.

www.motostorm.it

 

[shanekingsley]

Years ago I got a set from twisted throttle that have a rigid bottom so they don’t sag and different sizes that stack with loop mounts.

Something like this

DrySpec D66 Waterproof Motorcycle Dry Bag Modular Packing System in Black Grey & Orange | 66L Total - Twisted Throttle

The D66 includes one D28 and one D38 dry bag to create 66 liters of 100% waterproof storage. Modular packing has significant advantages over a single bag of the same volume. The two-bag D66 system makes packing and organizing your gear easier allows for quicker access to your gear and enables...

twistedthrottle.com

I didn’t pay that much though. I do know that if you don’t mind the wait, then ordering from Europe saves you a bucket of cash usually. There’s a lot of Givi branded gear that you can get from Italy on close out that’s good value. I also have some cheap Chinese 8-10l dry bags from Amazon that I use for wet clothing etc.

One of the things I also like about this type of set up is that they easily mate together, but can also just take the smaller bag for shorter trips.

 

[jc100]

One of the things I also like about this type of set up is that they easily mate together, but can also just take the smaller bag for shorter trips.

Yes, very versatile. They’re also made for motorcycles so there’s lots of tie down points. They are also bombproof. I’ve had mine for more than 10 years I think and they still look like new. I don’t know if dryspec are the only brand though. I think there’s a bunch that are similar.

 

[Aens]

Years ago I got a set from twisted throttle that have a rigid bottom so they don’t sag and different sizes that stack with loop mounts.

Something like this

DrySpec D66 Waterproof Motorcycle Dry Bag Modular Packing System in Black Grey & Orange | 66L Total - Twisted Throttle

The D66 includes one D28 and one D38 dry bag to create 66 liters of 100% waterproof storage. Modular packing has significant advantages over a single bag of the same volume. The two-bag D66 system makes packing and organizing your gear easier allows for quicker access to your gear and enables...

twistedthrottle.com

I didn’t pay that much though. I do know that if you don’t mind the wait, then ordering from Europe saves you a bucket of cash usually. There’s a lot of Givi branded gear that you can get from Italy on close out that’s good value. I also have some cheap Chinese 8-10l dry bags from Amazon that I use for wet clothing etc.

I have this but similiar. The D78 DrySpec D78 Waterproof Motorcycle DryBag Modular Packing System in Black Grey & Orange | 78L Total . I've put the set through several rain storms including one where my boots were so water logged, it took a week for the water in the soles to dry out. All the content was bone dry. The top load of the 40L does make it very easy to pack and unpack. The only feature missing from the bag that some newer ones have is the air pressure release. It only means you have to let the air out before you do up the final buckles but it also can be kept inflated if there's something at the top you don't want squashed.

The main 40L is great but the side bags, you better hope you don't have anything you need to get at urgently. I haven't really had any trips where i've needed all 80L at once and my tail bag and tank bag. All my experiences, i've ended the day at a hotel/airbnb so with soft luggage, its always several minutes spent taking the bags on and off the bike. For this reason, I was thinking of replacing it with hard cases and racks. I wont need it now that I have a moto-van though.

I used the two 20L side bags on my Honda CB500F cause the exhaust was low down. My 790 Duke's exhaust was super high up so I bought the D40 separately. I believe you've seen the SW Motech tail rack I got and I only got it so I could mount the bag without it getting melted. Since the whole Work From Home situation might not change, I never bothered getting the top box for work commuting(the backpack was sufficient).

All said and told, the bags themselves are quality products, just not to my needs. Shane, if you want to buy my D78 off me, let me know. Near pristine condition. Needs a spray with the garden hose to get the road grime but the bags are plenty durable. Its mismatching with the 40L in grey and the saddles in black.

 

[mimico_polak]

Thinking about it now I do need to see if my bags will work with my bike properly. I’ve got the 2 case SHAD setup but too cheap to buy the 3 case system for my GIVI cases that I have.

@Aens if @shanekingsley doesn’t want that kit let me know and I may buy it to complement my SHAD without addition a 3rd hard bag.

 

[Aens]

Thinking about it now I do need to see if my bags will work with my bike properly. I’ve got the 2 case SHAD setup but too cheap to buy the 3 case system for my GIVI cases that I have.

@Aens if @shanekingsley doesn’t want that kit let me know and I may buy it to complement my SHAD without addition a 3rd hard bag.

I had to edit my post. Didn't realize it was the D68 linked and not the D78. The 68's are the bag on bag, but the 78 is bag and saddles. They were selling a D108 at one point which was the 4 bags combined.

 

[jc100]

Some things you learn through mistakes…

I pack the bike really carefully after one trip on a loaded bike made me reconsider everything. I had to ride to a campsite over some reasonably rough and muddy ground once and my bike was piled pretty high with packed stuff. That little 10 minute ride made me pucker up like nothing else as a really top heavy bike at slow speed is not that stable. With some speed it’s not too bad. That’s why I stick everything heavy at the bottom or in the side bags and top bags just have lightweight clothes or, like my top box, just a few things in. The tent is what goes right on the passenger seat as that’s about the bulkiest/heaviest single item. I love my big touratech panniers now as I can put the really heavy stuff right at the bottom of those and there’s plenty of room. The best thing to do though is just learn to pack light …unfortunately I’m still learning.

Edit: I still have the top box from my pic and it’s awesome. Got it on close out from motostorm.it and it holds my helmet, jacket, pants and at a squeeze my boots too although I took Gene’s advice and got a pacsafe lockable net to put some things in so it’s not as tight in the top box. Riding to the beach is neat when you can stow everything locked away and stick some shorts a T shirt and flip flops on.

 

[Mad Mike]

Mike do you have a pic of that bag on your bike?

Couldn't find a pic, I'll toss the bag on a bile later to show its size do you prefer Suzuki or Yamahas as models?

 

[Lightcycle]

We've used a variety of dry bags throughout the years, and these are some of the lessons learnt:

Started off with a couple of heavy-duty Ortlieb top-loading Rack Pack bags (yellow bag on the bottom) which are PVC coated and are fantastic.

Rack-Pack

This 100% waterproof travel bag has all the advantages of an easy to use dry bag: its flexible and variable packing volume adjusts to any situation and takes all the gear for travelling and sports. The roll closure with stiffener bar has its roots in stuff sack technology.

www.ortlieb.com

Not so great were the thinner fabric-like dry bags on the side. Although they were water-proof, the material tends to get water-logged and the thinner material was prone to pinching if caught on the buckles of the Rok Straps.

BTW, Rok Straps are great inventions:

https://fortnine.ca/en/rok-straps-motorcycle-atv-adjustable-stretch-straps

We moved to heavy-duty PVC coated SealLine Baja Dry Bags for the side panniers:

Baja™ Dry Bag | Legendary Waterproof Dry Bags | SealLine®

The classic Baja™ Dry Bags provide trusted, waterproof gear protection and storage for a range of water-based adventures.

www.seallinegear.com

Which as you say, the tube bags makes it difficult to get stuff at the bottom, but we mainly used them for stuff that we didn't need day-to-day. One of my Baja bags was a laundry bag.

We also got Pac Safe mesh nets to provide extra security. They expand out quite a bit, so at stops you can enlarge the net and stuff your jacket, pants and boots inside the mesh.

120L anti-theft backpack & bag protector

Featuring our patented 360 degree eXomesh locking system, the Pacsafe is an adjustable high-tensile stainless steel locking device, designed to cover and protect a variety of bags and packs from tampering.

pacsafe.com

Our big dry bag in the set up above has an air vent, which allows you release air when you're compressing the contents. A nice little touch.

 

[canuckwr250]

I have this one,never used pm me if interested.

 

[Baggsy]

Been using this one on the V-Strom. It sits and secures nicely across the panniers and makes for a decent back rest.
Sometimes wish I'd gotten the 100 litre.
MEC Scully 50 Dry Duffle

 

[Mad Mike]

What is sleeping on your seat?

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