The EXFIL-80 Sissy Bar Bag

Packing my kit for a multi-day motorcycle trip is a ritual I always look forward to. I'm always trying to split the difference between going without and bringing too much. We've experimented over the years with a bunch of different systems: everything from a simple sea bag to actual luggage made for a motorcycle. Each style has it's merits, but there was no sweet spot that worked on both sissy bar-equipped choppers and equally well on a regular old swing arm Harley with a factory sissy bar/backrest. Otto's FXR above shows our solution: The EXFIL-80.   Last year we designed up the dream bag–something that could fit everything needed to camp for a few days, be 100% waterproof, have immediate access to tools and be more inspired by durable and functional military gear rather than contemporary motorcycle luggage. After a few trips and tortured prototypes, we tweaked and modified the details until we had the bag you see here. The main compartment is huge. Using our convention of measuring volume by seeing how many beer cans a bag can fit, we crammed 80 12-ounce 805 beers into this bag. Now, 80-beers might be more than your sissy bar can hold, but it gives you an idea of how much room is in the bag. Here's a list of things I fit in the main compartment over the summer for a five day trip up the coast of California and back down through the Sierras: • Tent (Poler 2-man) • Compact sleeping bag • Sleeping pad • Laundry bag with 2 changes of clothes, thick flannel and surf trunks • Full size beach towel • Hygiene kit • Quart of 50w • Poncho • Tarp • Flip Flops • Jet Boil stove+ Coffee The problem with stuff like tools is that you want to pack 'em low because they are heavy. But of course as soon as you need  those tools at the very bottom of your old-fashioned duffle, you gotta dig out all your stuff just to get at 'em. When all your buddies are digging in the bottom of their bag to find a screwdriver and you unzip that tool kit on the EXFIL-80, they will be stunned by your awesomeness. Tool rolls are handy and the inside of this compartment is set up like one, so your wrenches and sockets are all right at your finger tips. My least favorite thing about tool rolls is that no matter how many slots there are, you really can't fit enough, or they are in the wrong spot for the way you like your stuff organized. We've long been fans of Klein Tools pouches–durable, simple and they hold all the junk that doesn't fit neatly into pre-designed slots. So, we made a similar pouch and lined the back of it with velcro so it stays put inside the bag. Of course we used the same VS-17 panel-insprired interior liner so it's easy to find your stuff. There's also a flat document pocket and little mesh pocket for keeping paperwork and small stuff. There's a hard plastic panel and a half-inch of foam to keep tools from poking you in the spine when you lean back on it. The best way to have a totally waterproof bag is to not puncture it with stitches for zippers, pockets, MOLLE straps, etc. Our PVC-backed 1680 ballistic poly is very water resistant, but not 100% waterproof since it is compromised by some of the other things that make this bag great. When things look like they are gonna get wet, you'll be stoked with the waterproof bag inside the zipper compartment just under the tool kit. Just unzip and unfurl the waterproof sock that'll go over the whole bag. The bag even has a tether stitched to it so you can't lose it–just stuff it back in the marsupial pouch and it's hidden away until next time. (This pouch is pretty hidden, so it might come in handy for other uses). Mounting is going to depend on your bike and sissy bar of course. Keep in mind, for a bag this size, a slightly taller sissy bar like on Otto's FXR pictured above works perfectly. With these sort of sissy bars, having the ability to use the center/vertical strap really helps keep the bag oriented and centered. Watch the video and you'll see how I made the one on my shovelhead. That ring on top really keeps a tall bag from getting squirrely. The mounting straps are stitched with reflective thread to increase your visibility at night. All the side straps are completely removable if you decide you want to use your own, or configure in some other way. Each strap has "Ranger bands" so you can fold and tuck the ends and not let them flap in wind or get stuck in your chain. Use common sense and pack your heaviest stuff down low and check your load every chance you get. The sides of the EXFIL-80 feature four rows of MOLLE so you can add any gear designed with that in mind. I'm going to get some the Maxpedition TacTies and put an EXFIL-7 on each side for even more immediate-access capability. You can also clip carabiners to these straps and hang light weight stuff like a camp mug, sunscreen, wet trunks, flip flops, etc. Additional D-rings are mounted top and bottom to create more tie-down points or can be used to attach the included shoulder strap. The video below has some language that's not safe for work, but we thought it was a funny way of showing off the features without taking ourselves too seriously. There are clean versions on each of these pages on our website: EXFIL-80 Black  /  EXFIL-80 OD Green Ride Motorcycles. Have Fun. –Bill [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mMgHaP91H8[/embedyt]