Whether walking on the sidewalk or dashing along a remote dirt road, the bag is the rider’s most convenient place to store frequently used items. Where can I keep sunscreen, hats and snacks so easily on hand? I have used a number of large capacity bags over the years on a variety of motorcycles, and while appealing for the sheer volume they hold, I find large bags can also interfere with handling. bicycle. This is most noticeable when standing on a peg when walking on the sidewalk. The Nelson-Rigg The Trails End model, part of the Rigg Gear Adventure line, does not pose such a problem.
It has a useful capacity of 12 liters and can be extended vertically to 16.5 liters. Securely attached to my Yamaha Ténéré 700 gas tank with the four required side release buckles and straps, it stays put on the roughest of ground, but is still partially detached for refueling. The base of the Trails End is slightly tacky to help stabilize it and has fabric tabs to protect where the straps come into contact with the tank.
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Crafted from UltraMax synthetic fabric, which is said to be fade resistant (as it has been for 8 months), the Trails End maintains its tapered, boxy shape and features reflective piping all around. Two zippers are easy to operate and designed to keep dust out, and two narrow side pockets are big enough for my sunglasses cleaning kit, a few small tools, and a notebook.
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Perhaps for the best, the left pocket doesn’t sound the 700’s whistle with the bars in fully locked mode. Because the pocket is narrow, the map pocket cannot accept the two folds of an AAA map, requiring some field origami to make one fold fit. The transparent top is touch-friendly and includes a mesh inner pocket to hold the phone, but my phone must be securely supported from below (like when tucking a shirt into a pocket) for me to use it. easy use. At the back of the bag is a weatherproof power port; from which the cord can be inserted into the map pocket.
Given the bag’s non-extended profile, the additional double-layer body material from the extension squeezes the inside a bit without severely limiting volume. The large shackles of my Yamaha tank also steal space, so that extra 4.5 liters when the bag is expanded is invaluable for stocking up on an extra layer or filling on Fritos at the last gas stop before camp. This is a nice, well-built bag, with its only cons being some imperfect seams for attaching the map bag mesh and second power port.
The Nelson-Rigg Trails End Adventure is backed by a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, and comes with a rain cover that fits snugly into the inner upper and expandability to protect expanded bags. It sells for just $119.95.
For more information, visit nelsonrigg.com.
