Givi tailpack review

[AndyH]

Thought I'd share some observations on the Givi XS305 tail bag that I recently bought.

 

I like these all-in-one tail pack-cum-pannier solutions. Not being fond of the inflexibility of hard luggage solutions and ugly pannier frames when you're not carrying, I've struggled for years with throw-over panniers flopping onto exhausts and just when I thought I had the right soft pannier solution last year, it seems the strap under the seat interfered majorly with my relays and fuses causing significant electrical grief and cancellation of a Scottish tour last year. So this kind of capacious sling on/sling off solution rings my bell. It has carying handle (just visible in the Givi ad photo below), although carrying a full pack that way might be a bit ambitious.

 

My wife has a similar, slightly smaller (50L) Bags Connection Cargo Tail Bag that she uses on her Triumph Thruxton, but I wanted just a bit more capacity to carry my laptop/mobile office bag (a Bagster Tech-City 10L tank bag) when I go to the office or customer sites, and this pack fits the bill. Why put a bag in a bag? You might ask... In short the tank looks rubbish with a big leather cover on it, and although the tank bag clips on and off really easily and reduces high speed wind buffeting to boot, vanity wins out.

 

The main zip in the lid is a waterproof type and Inside the lid is a rather large soft waterproof cover with a drawstring, but water will get into motorcycle luggage eventually so for heavy weather, there is a waterproof cover included in a compartment just behind the riders backside and If you're expecting a downpour at any moment the cover can be shoved ready for use under zigzag elasticated bungee on the main lid. There are also netting 'bottle carriers' at the front of each pannier section that can be tightened with a drawstring.

 

The pannier bits at the side are not particularly big but can be expanded a couple of inches downwards by a zipped gusset between them and the main compartment. They are easily big enough though for a couple of pairs of shoes/sneakers each side when expanded. This size limitation though is potentially advantageous for riders with high exhaust cans looking for extra side storage but that keeps out of the way of the hot bits. Look at the pics and make up your own mind.

 

The pack comes with four nylon straps each with a loop. Front fitting was easy: feed the end through its loop around the rear peg hangers and up to the fittings on the pack: easy. However, because of the limited attachment points at the back on the V11, I had to branch out from the instructions and use a single strap round the back light and up to the other attachment point - at least it gives me a spare strap.

 

Drawbacks:

The pack comes with two crescent shaped stiffener cards that are not fitted into two velcro-sealed pockets front and back, when the pack was delivered. Not surprising really because, try as I might, I couldn't get them in and in truth the pockets are just too damn small. So I've vacillated between having floating stiffener cards and dispensing with them altogether. Still can't decide.

 

The other issue is that I have a Ventura rack and that stops the pack from being placed quite as far back as I'd like, pushing it just a smidgin too much forward for me for perfect comfort, and since I'm on the slight side, I'd imagine way too far forward for the larger rider. Having bought the pack on line, even with dimensions you can't discover this until it's actually on the bike. If I'd been able to test it on the bike beforehand at a shop, I might have thought twice about getting it, although I have to stress that personally, I can live with this, for many miles in fact, and the problem is not going to consign the pack to the shed or see it sold again on ebay.

 

I'm happy with my purchase, it works not just for weekends away, but will probably do for rather longer spells. The issue with the stiffener cards is minor, I'll probably chuck 'em eventually. The issue with seat space, less so, but my wife's Bags Connection Cargo Tail Bag is no different. A different rack (H&B?) might solve it but I'll live with it for now.

 

Hope this helps anyone considering getting one.

 

AndyH

[Trevini]

I use a similar setup made by Jofama.  Fits nicely with or without the seat hump fitted.  Took it over to East Germany on a tour and it worked a treat.  Mine came with waterproof inner liners rather than a waterproof cover.  Everything stayed dry despite some very heavy rain at times.