Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel- Medium
I have been in the market for a dry duffel bag to attach to the passenger seat of my ST1300 and after trying a rolltop dry duffel from NRS (didn't like the material and lack of D rings), I decided to try a Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel from Aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/expedition-dry-duffel-2.html) I received the bag today and thought I'd share my impressions.
The Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel bags come in three sizes; I ordered the Medium size. All three Dry Duffels have the same depth (11.5") and the width of the bag runs from 21" (Small) to 24" (Medium) to 28" (Large). Sensing that the Large would both block my rear view mirrors and probably droop a bunch over the edges of the passenger seat, I decided to go with the Medium, which measures a svelte 24" across its width. I find that this width mounts to the rear seat nicely (minimal droopage) and blocks very little mirror...at least for me.
One of the things I liked about the Wolfman bags was the strapping and D rings that are built into the bag. There are multiple D rings in various places on the bag to tie onto, giving one lots of options in how to cinch the bag to the bike. I decided to use a pair of Rok Straps connected to the passenger grab rail and the helmet lock hooks under the passenger seat and I configure the straps so that they pass through the D rings on the front and back of the bag and form an "X" across the top of the bag. With the Rok straps passing through the D rings, the bag is absolutely locked in place.
Cinching the bag to the bike like this offers the added advantage of allowing access to the contents of the bag while it is still tied down to the bike. Just unclip the Rok straps, undo the bag handle, unroll the top of the bag and...Bob's your uncle...you are inside the bag without having to remove it from the saddle. Nice. And fast.
I chose the bag in Hi Viz yellow and Black. My Georgia Tech friends will be proud...this bag screams "GO YELLOWJACKETS!" The bag is BRIGHT..maybe I'll get noticed now? The bag is purported to be dead waterproof...and I believe it is. It is a typical roll top bag and comes with a nice wide handle and a shoulder strap for lugging it from the bike to the hotel room or camp site. The beauty of the design of the opening is that it has a very wide opening. The bag is made from some sort of rubber material (maybe PVC??)...it is tough and yet soft to the touch. Some of these waterproff bags are quite stiff to touch and can be difficult to roll the top...this one is soft, pliable and quite easy to fold and roll.
My first use for the bag should be next month (North Central Illinois, perhaps?) and maybe a camping trip after that. Can't wait to give it a try.
All in all, I'm happy with the bag and think it's design is well thought out and expect that this bag will be a durable and capable travel tool.
Pictures of the Wolfman Dry Expedition Dry Duffel in Medium:
I have been in the market for a dry duffel bag to attach to the passenger seat of my ST1300 and after trying a rolltop dry duffel from NRS (didn't like the material and lack of D rings), I decided to try a Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel from Aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/expedition-dry-duffel-2.html) I received the bag today and thought I'd share my impressions.
The Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel bags come in three sizes; I ordered the Medium size. All three Dry Duffels have the same depth (11.5") and the width of the bag runs from 21" (Small) to 24" (Medium) to 28" (Large). Sensing that the Large would both block my rear view mirrors and probably droop a bunch over the edges of the passenger seat, I decided to go with the Medium, which measures a svelte 24" across its width. I find that this width mounts to the rear seat nicely (minimal droopage) and blocks very little mirror...at least for me.
One of the things I liked about the Wolfman bags was the strapping and D rings that are built into the bag. There are multiple D rings in various places on the bag to tie onto, giving one lots of options in how to cinch the bag to the bike. I decided to use a pair of Rok Straps connected to the passenger grab rail and the helmet lock hooks under the passenger seat and I configure the straps so that they pass through the D rings on the front and back of the bag and form an "X" across the top of the bag. With the Rok straps passing through the D rings, the bag is absolutely locked in place.
Cinching the bag to the bike like this offers the added advantage of allowing access to the contents of the bag while it is still tied down to the bike. Just unclip the Rok straps, undo the bag handle, unroll the top of the bag and...Bob's your uncle...you are inside the bag without having to remove it from the saddle. Nice. And fast.
I chose the bag in Hi Viz yellow and Black. My Georgia Tech friends will be proud...this bag screams "GO YELLOWJACKETS!" The bag is BRIGHT..maybe I'll get noticed now? The bag is purported to be dead waterproof...and I believe it is. It is a typical roll top bag and comes with a nice wide handle and a shoulder strap for lugging it from the bike to the hotel room or camp site. The beauty of the design of the opening is that it has a very wide opening. The bag is made from some sort of rubber material (maybe PVC??)...it is tough and yet soft to the touch. Some of these waterproff bags are quite stiff to touch and can be difficult to roll the top...this one is soft, pliable and quite easy to fold and roll.
My first use for the bag should be next month (North Central Illinois, perhaps?) and maybe a camping trip after that. Can't wait to give it a try.
All in all, I'm happy with the bag and think it's design is well thought out and expect that this bag will be a durable and capable travel tool.
Pictures of the Wolfman Dry Expedition Dry Duffel in Medium:
