For my use I prefer the functionality of a hard case for a tail bag/top box vs a soft bag for the added security, ease of use & IP65 water/dust rating that allows me to carry my tools, emergency & misc gear all the time + will accommodate a drone or other goodies. Tactix makes 3 sizes of this style of case which seems to be a sturdy, quality design that comes with 3 different layers of foam & is slightly larger than the Enduristan Large 15 liter Bag Topper I was using for a tail bag. Imho, it seems right sized & proportional to the T7, being the same width as the rear & front faring panels & not too tall.
Pelican, SKB, Nanuk, Seahorse, Meijia & HF Apache are popular North America brands offering cases in numerous sizes & shapes & had narrowed my selection down to the slightly smaller Seahorse SE530 or slightly larger SE630 that offers locking latches, in addition to the usual lid lock holes, until a local tool supply (Summit Tools) had the Tactix case on sale for $45 Canadian, less than 1/2 the price of the Seahorse, which already is very well priced vs most of the competition.
I like that the Tactix 2 stage latch remains clasped to the lid, preventing it from flopping open if it comes loose at the bottom & that the lid stays open at 90 degrees. I removed the case handle & opted for MasterLock 646T combination locks adding bicycle inner tubing to the metal housing to quell noise & prevent marring the case.
Specifications & Features
Exterior: L 16.4" x W 12.8" x H 7.0" or L 38 cm x W 26.7 cm x H 15.9cm
Interior: L 15.0" x W 10.5" x H 6.25" (case 4.5" + lid 1.75") or L 41.6 cm x W 32.5 cm x H 17.8 cm (case 14.0 cm + lid 4.4 cm)
Volume: 16.0 litres
Super strong construction
Waterproof & dustproof (IP65 rated)
Automatic Pressure Relief Valve to equalize pressure for easy openings
I mounted the case to my Yowling Luggage Rack (Chinese copy of the Altrider Luggage rack) using 1/4" ABS board under the case to more evenly distribute loading because of the tapered shape of the luggage rack that dictate the mounting bolt locations to the middle & forward area of the case & the amount of side & rear overhang.
Mounting Method
I incorporated an aluminum plate on the inside bottom of the case covered by a sheet of rubber matting, with large diameter snug fitting rubber bolt washers between the aluminum plate & the interior bottom of the case, 1/4" black ABS board on the exterior bottom of the case to fill in the void, with some 1/8" arena board sandwiched between it & external ribbing of the case & a layer of rubber matting between the ABS board & the rack in the hopes of improved durability & water sealing of all components. 6 x 35 mm button head bots, fender washers & nylock nuts tied it all together.
Tactix Large Case Mounted on T7
Other considerations for case size & positioning on the rack was having enough clearance to remove the passenger seat which slides back & up when unlocked & removed, not having too much overhang beyond the rack at the back for reduced pendulum effect & not being too wide to minimize clearance issues when my Giant Loop MotoTrek soft bags are mounted & wanted it situated inboard of the rear luggage racks to minimize damage potential in tip overs.
The full passenger seat area is available for use by a rider in technical riding or a pillion or a dry bag + the case lid overhang has enough space underneath to allow bungee cords/nets to strap items on top or for the Enduristan Bag Topper clamps to mount to. I may add some form of organizer or netting to the interior lid for added functionality...the Enduristan has several convenient & useful storage options in it's lid.
I liked the 15 litre size & other features of the waterproof Enduristan Bag Topper, but security was an issue requiring a lock on the zipper & an Abus 205 Combiloop cable lock to secure the bag to the rack + the front straps required loosening to facilitate rear seat removal....all of which eroded the convenience factor. On a recent 10 day 3,800 km trip I noticed a little dust had migrated into the bag at the back right corner...the raised fabric lip of the bag that the lid fits over had collapsed inward slightly in the corner.
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