Raida T35 Compass Tail Bag: Full Review

Perfect for ADV motorcycles

The T35 fits quite well on the slender seat of the KTM 390 Adventure. Once mounted, it covers most of the rear portion of the saddle and looks surprisingly integrated. It isn't the prettiest piece of luggage around, but it is functional for sure.

The mounting process takes a little patience. There are three mounting straps that need to be looped around hard mounting points, including the grab rail and rear foot pegs. It took me a little time to mount this bag for the first time, but in the following attempts, I figured out where the straps need to go, and the whole installation process got much easier. The last time I did it, I could get the bag off the bike in around 40 seconds. The only annoying bit is the dangling straps. Compared with a hard top box, there is no satisfying one-click release and lift. You have to deal with straps, buckles and loops. It isn't difficult, but it is a bit of a faff.

Gobbles up everything

The T35's biggest strength is how much stuff you can actually fit inside it. The main compartment is complemented by two external side zippered pockets and a detachable external flap for slim items like a power bank, wallet, or gloves. It also has an elastic bungee cord at the rear for lighter items. Inside, you get mesh pockets on both sides and a discreet pocket for valuables. On paper, this looks good, and in real-world terms, I found the capacity more than adequate for a short touring trip. I have comfortably packed three days' worth of clothes, a pair of sneakers, a large water bottle, an extra pair of riding gloves, phone chargers, a power bank, my wallet, and other small essentials.

That's a decent amount of kit for something sitting on the back of a 390 Adventure without making the motorcycle feel burdened. The external pockets and the flap are particularly useful because things that I need quickly, well, they don't need to be stowed into the main compartment. The rectangular flap-like compartment on top is especially handy for slim items that you want to reach without unpacking everything else.

This is one of those details that doesn't sound particularly exciting when you read about it, but becomes invaluable when you're standing beside the motorcycle looking for your phone or a charging cable.

Mumbai monsoon test

The fabric has taken plenty of abuse without making me worry about scraping or brushing against the bike. The internal liner can be easily wiped clean, and there is also padding where you need it to add some protection for whatever you have stuffed inside. The zippers deserve special mention. They are chunky and have large rubber pulls that are easy to grab when you have riding gloves on. I realised their worth this one time while opening the bag at a petrol station in the rain. Speaking of which, there is also a rain cover inside a pocket at the rear. It is the sort of thing you could easily miss when you first receive the bag, but it becomes rather important during the monsoon.

And yes, it works, because I have used this bag through proper Mumbai rain with valuables (including a stash of imported Hot Wheels) inside, and everything remained dry. That is probably the biggest praise I can give it.

All that said, the mounting straps don't escape the monsoon quite as well. Because they have to loop underneath the seat and around mounting points, they sit relatively close to the rear wheel. On our filthy roads, they collect muck, grime, and everything else thrown up by the tyre. So while the contents of the bag remain protected, the mounting hardware looks miserable after a wet ride. It is one of the unavoidable compromises of soft luggage.

What I don't like

The biggest compromise here is the mounting system. Straps are inherently less convenient than a hard-mounted top box, particularly if you frequently remove the luggage. The dangling straps can also be irritating, and keeping them clean during the monsoon isn't easy. This bag also doesn't retain its shape when empty. That isn't a functional problem, but it does make it look a little untidy when there isn't much inside.

And visually, the T35 Compass won't win any beauty contests. But then, I think most people buying a 35-litre tail bag aren't doing so because they want their luggage to be the centrepiece of the motorcycle.

Verdict

After using the Raida T35 Compass through the Mumbai monsoon, I think it has got the fundamentals right. It feels durable; it’s reasonably easy to mount, secure once fitted, and genuinely useful in terms of capacity. The 35-litre volume is enough for a few days away without becoming unwieldy, while the external and internal pockets make organising smaller items considerably easier.

At Rs. 2,650, the T35 seemed like a good value proposition when I first started using it, and after living with it for months, I think it is even easier to recommend. It isn't the sort of luggage I would necessarily choose for frequent urban rides, but for someone with an adventure motorcycle who does multi-day rides, it’s what I would recommend at this price point.

Photography: Kaustubh Gandhi

Product Details

Brand: Raida

Model: T35 Compass Tail Bag

Type: Motorcycle luggage

Price: Rs. 2,650

Availability: At Raida’s online store