Fastrax Xtreme Tank and Tail Bag Review
Dowco Power Sport’s Fastrax division recently released two new luggage items – the Xtreme Tank Bag and the Xtreme Tail Bag, which are new additions to its Fastrax Elite Sport and Adventure Luggage line.
The Xtreme-series bags are targeted to the sports, enduro, or adventure motorcycle rider with universal-based mounting straps. This approach allows the bags to be mounted on most motorcycle models without the need for special tools or unique fixtures.
The universal-based approach to connecting the bags to the motorcycle is straightforward with nylon straps, nylon feed buckles, and quick-release buckles.
The tail bag’s mounting kit is four long straps with a hook-and-buckle setup. The tank bag’s mounting kit consists of quick-release buckles with long straps and another shorter strap with loops on each end; this shorter strap goes around the steering stem.
Just keep in mind that a strap-based system is vulnerable to being easily stolen by simply unclipping the quick release buckles or cutting the straps with a sharp knife.
Both bags’ design incorporates an industrial-grade vinyl top that overlaps the high quality heavy-duty zipper. This overlap, along with the tight zipper seam, provides a high degree of resistance to water penetration.
However, the lid’s overlapping section does not easily lay flat over the zippers, which results in the edges staying up some, which gives a slightly cheap finished appearance.
Although these bags are not waterproof rated, since this designation implies that the bag can be completely submerged in water while the contents stay dry, I did notice the contents stayed dry after riding in heavy to moderate rain for more than thirty minutes.
Both bags’ interior are also lined with a soft felt that allows storing items such as sunglasses without worrying about scratches. Additionally, both bags come with high visibility dividers with Velcro that attaches to the interior lining, which allows a rider to easily customize the storage space layout.
The tank bag’s maximum rated weight is five pounds. Due to the tank bag’s available volume, shape, and size (9″L x 9″W x 5″H), the weight limit will not be easy to exceed unless you plan on hauling lots heavier items, such as small caliber gun bullets.
I have found the size to be perfectly adequate for stashing a small hand towel, spare ear plugs, and hold my sunglasses and gloves. A nice touch is rubber pads on the tank bag that protect the motorcycle’s gas tank paint from being rubbed off by the quick release buckles.
The tail bag’s maximum rated weight is 15 pounds, which could only be exceeded if the rider tightly packs in items in the rectangular 11.5”L x 9”W x 7”H space. One other feature in the tail bag is a strap with a quick-release buckle that connects across the interior top. This strap is handy in that it helps keep the tail bag’s rectangular shape while providing some strain relief to the zipper.
Mounting the tail bag on my Kawasaki KLR 650 tail rack was simple. The single-sheet instructions are clear and the accompanying photos, though rather dark, are sufficient enough to show the proper way the bag and straps are mounted.
Mounting the tank bag on my Kawasaki KLR 650 was a bit more difficult compared to the tail bag’s installation, which was partly due to the dark photos in the single-sheet instructions that lacked sufficient detail to be helpful.
Additionally, the instruction set’s reference to different straps were also hindered by the dark, granular photos. However, a few more minutes of patience and thoroughly reading the instructions the tank bag was finally securely mounted.
Overall, the combined installation time for both bags was less than 20 minutes, which includes 5 minutes for trimming the straps, securing loose ends, and making sure both bags were firmly secured to the motorcycle.
The tail bag is handy to carry my lunch bag and coffee thermos to work, but was not large enough to do much else. And with the tail rack occupied, I ended up transporting my laptop computer and other office gear in a backpack, which I personally am not fond of doing.
On weekends I use the tail bag to carry lighter weight workout clothes and other small items, but find the process of installing and removing the tail bag for the week not that beneficial.
I did discover that the tail bag’s water resistance is pretty good when I got caught in a short downpour on the way home from work – the contents remained dry.
As for the tank bag, it gets more use than I originally thought it would. The bag is large enough to easily store a pair of riding gloves, sunglasses, a small hand towel, and earplugs without having to cram them in and mash down the lid to fasten the zipper.
I also expected the tank bag to alter my riding position so that my abdomen or thighs would not rub against it, but found the bag’s size did not interfere with my riding at all. Additionally, when the time comes to fill the motorcycle’s gas tank, moving the tank bag out of the way is done by simply releasing the two quick-release buckles on either side.
Granted, not as easy as removing a tank bag with a magnetic base but also not a major hassle to remove and replace either.
Xtreme Tank Bag Specs:
• Dimensions: Published 13″L x 7.5″H x 8.5″W; measured centerline 9”W x 9”L x 5”H
• Universal strap mount
• Water resistant zipper
• Black reflective stripe around lid
• Reflective screen print logo
• Convenient carry handle
• Two hi-viz internal dividers
• Non-slip material on base of bag
• Quick release buckles
• Angled bottom
• MSRP: $69.99
Xtreme Tail Bag Specs:
• 13″L x 7.5″H x 8.5″W (Measured 11.5” x 9” x 7” centerline)
• Universal strap mount
• Water resistant zipper
• Black reflective stripe around lid
• Reflective screen print logo
• Convenient carry handle
• Two hi-viz internal dividers
• Non-slip material on base of bag
• MSRP: $69.99
For additional information, visit Dowco Power Sports.
