Top Boxes & Tail Bags
About Top Boxes & Tail Bags
Top boxes and tail bags ride behind the seat, where there is space for a jacket, a helmet lock or a few days of gear. Riders shop here to add a lockable trunk for commuting or touring, to put a soft bag on a sport bike, or to complete a luggage system on an adventure bike.
A top case is a hard shell with a lid and a lock, bolted to a rack or plate. Capacity is given in liters, with sizes such as 37 and 38 liter in the listings, but liters do not show whether a helmet fits, so compare the inside dimensions. A tail bag is soft and straps to the seat or a rack, so it is lighter and does not need a bolted mount.
Rackpack systems, DUSC and TRAX cases are listed for specific models, so match the make, model and years. Dry-bag style tail bags, such as the 60 liter listing, are made to keep rain out when closed properly. Mounts are often sold separately from the case, so check what the listing includes. Weight behind the rear axle affects steering, so pack light and stay within the load rating.
Brands listed here include HardDrive, CIRO, SADDLEMEN, SW-MOTECH and GIVI. Pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. A rack is often the next step, found in Luggage Racks; for side storage and the tank, see Saddlebags & Panniers and Tank Bags & Flanges, all part of Luggage, Racks & Storage.
FAQs on motorcycle top boxes and tail bags
Will a top case hold a full-face helmet?
It depends on the case and the helmet. Liters alone do not tell you, because the shape matters. Check the listed inside dimensions or the manufacturer's note on helmet fit, and compare them with your helmet's size before ordering.
Do I need a rack to mount a top box?
Usually a case bolts to a plate that attaches to a rack or carrier. Some listings are complete systems for one model and others are the case alone, so read what is included and add the plate or rack if it is missing.
Should I choose a hard top case or a tail bag?
A hard case locks, protects contents and is easy to load. A tail bag is lighter, straps to the seat or rack, and suits sport and naked bikes without a rack. Choose by how you ride, how secure you need the contents and what your bike can mount.
Does a top box change how the motorcycle handles?
Yes, because the weight sits high and behind the rear axle. Keep the load light, stay under both the case rating and the bike's rack limit, and put heavy items lower in side bags if you can. Ride carefully until you are used to it.
How do I keep gear dry in a tail bag?
Choose a roll-top dry bag design, or use a rain cover or inner dry sack with a zip-style bag. Fold and clip the top as the maker describes, and check that seams and straps have no tears before a wet ride.
