I’ve a love-hate relationship with tank baggage. Having space for storing proper in entrance of you on a protracted trip is undeniably helpful—but when a tank bag is just too massive, or stuffed too full, it could possibly shortly develop into ungainly. And then there are the myriad methods wherein tank baggage connect to bikes; some straightforward and a few painfully advanced.
For my wants, a small tank bag that retains my pockets uncluttered and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb on the tank of my Triumph Bonneville suits the invoice. So when our buddies at Biltwell Inc. provided to ship a little bit care bundle my means, I politely requested one among their Exfil-2 mini tank baggage.
Biltwell’s Exfil collection is a variety of moto baggage that features saddlebags, sissy bar baggage, and smaller pouches geared toward organizing equipment. Common traits embody heavy-duty nylon supplies, good packing ideas, molle webbing on many of the baggage, and subdued colours with delicate orange highlights.
The vary additionally has the very best naming conference in the whole motorcycling trade. ‘Exfil’ refers back to the army apply of getting outta Dodge shortly, whereas the quantity in every bag’s identify references what number of 12-ounce beer cans you’ll be able to slot in it.
That makes the Biltwell Exfil-2 tank bag good for 2 cans. Or, in apply, a smartphone, thick woolen beanie, sun shades, energy financial institution, charging cable, pockets, and snacks, with house to cram in a couple of extra odds and ends. That is likely to be too small for some riders—however for me, it’s the whole lot I want and nothing I don’t.
Full disclosure: I’m a giant fan of Biltwell’s bike gear. I habitually use their grips on my bikes, and I often have a Biltwell helmet or two in circulation at any given time. They make no-nonsense stuff that’s easy, handsome, and, on the threat of being corny, constructed effectively.
The Exfil-2 tank bag sports activities a fundamental format with only a few frills. Its UV-treated 1680D denier ballistic nylon shell is 8 inches lengthy, measuring 5.5 inches huge and 4 inches tall on the entrance, and tapering to 4.5 inches huge and a pair of inches tall on the again. It’s effectively put collectively and appears prefer it’ll maintain years of abuse.
Popping the Exfil-2 onto the bike is a cinch—offered your gas tank is made out of steel. The tank bag makes use of three potent magnets which can be stitched into its backside panel to carry it in place. They work, too; even at freeway speeds, there’s no noticeable motion.
Biltwell does warn that the heavyweight nylon on the bag’s underside can depart gentle scuffs in your gas tank over time, in order that’s one thing to be careful for. A softer cloth would mitigate this subject—however it could even be far much less strong. A beneficiant deal with on the entrance of the bag makes it straightforward to seize it and go, notably in case your bike is parked and also you don’t wish to depart your valuables unattended.
There’s one predominant compartment, accessed by way of a two-way, U-shaped zipper, with lengthy zipper pulls which can be straightforward to grip with gloves on. The inside is lined with a hi-viz orange nylon cloth, designed to make it straightforward to identify no matter you’re searching for. And the lid features a fleece-lined sleeve with a transparent panel up high, designed to carry a smartphone.
It’s a useful characteristic for those who don’t have a devoted cellphone mount in your bike, and want to make use of your cellphone for navigation. (It’s additionally a spot to stay a map or handwritten instructions, if that’s extra your vibe.)
There are caveats although. The clear plastic tends to select up reflections in harsh gentle, so a high-contrast cellphone show works finest. And though touch-enabled cowl works for probably the most half, it does typically battle to register faucets (notably on my older iPhone SE’s house button).
Arguably the Exfil-2’s cleverest characteristic is the way in which it accommodates gadget charging. There’s a option to go a cable via a seam on the entrance of the bag, and there are small elasticated loops contained in the lid to assist direct a cable to the place your cellphone is saved.
These small particulars facilitate a number of use-case situations. They allow you to direct a cable from a charging level on the bike to a tool contained in the bag, however in addition they allow you to run energy from an influence financial institution contained in the bag to a tool mounted in your bike.
The solely draw back is that the Exfil-2 isn’t waterproof (nor does it include a water-resistant cowl). Some weather-proofing would make it an ideal product—however at $39.95, it’s onerous to complain.
It’s additionally price noting that many merchandise that declare a measure of waterproofing, or boast ‘waterproof zippers,’ seldom maintain up in a downpour. Biltwell makes zero claims of climate resistance; as per the Californian firm’s commonplace working process, what you see is what you get.
Like the whole lot else I’ve used from Biltwell, the Exfil-2 is an trustworthy (and helpful) product that does precisely what it says on the tin—nothing extra, nothing much less.
Biltwell Inc. Exfil-2 | Images by Wes Reyneke
Source: www.bikeexif.com