Introduction
So here’s the thing. I usually drive to work in a car, which makes carrying everyday items (a laptop, documents, tiffin, and a bunch of cables and chargers) fairly effortless. However, for the next few months, I will be switching things up and commuting primarily on a motorcycle. That naturally changes the way you think about luggage. Suddenly, the ability to carry office essentials conveniently becomes quite important.
At the same time, my riding isn’t limited to just the weekday commute. Like many enthusiasts, I enjoy the occasional out-of-town rides whenever time allows. So ideally, the luggage solution needs to be spacious and versatile enough to handle a quick touring stint. That’s where tail bags come into the picture. They offer a practical middle ground between backpacks and hard luggage, allowing one to carry luggage without placing strain on their shoulders or requiring complicated mounting hardware. Over the years, Viaterra and Rynox have been selling tail bags, and today several other brands are entering the space with their own interpretations.
The Solution
One such product is the Raida Compass T35 Tail Bag, a 35-litre, universal-fit tail bag for motorcycles. At its core, this thing is built around a fairly rugged material construction. The outer shell uses a tear-resistant fabric to withstand abrasion and rough handling. Inside, the bag gets a grey-coloured inner lining with a PVC coating, which adds a layer of water resistance and protects stored items from moisture.
Storage Options
Storage options are another major focus. The bag offers two external side zipper pockets wherein you can keep gloves, wallets, sunglasses, or small tools. At the rear, there’s an additional zippered pocket designed for quick-grab items like documents, receipts, or a phone during fuel stops. What’s unique, though, is the detachable external flap, which uses a combination of buckles and a zipper. This flap allows riders to secure extra luggage externally, things like a rolled-up jacket or a sleeping mat. Finally, there is an elastic bungee cord mounted at the rear, which can hold lightweight items such as riding gloves, rain liners, or even a water bottle.
Inside the Bag
Inside the bag, the Compass T35 offers multiple storage compartments aimed at keeping things organised during travel. There’s a zippered internal mesh pocket for smaller items, internal side mesh pocket for cables, chargers, or compact accessories, and even a discreet internal secret pocket intended for storing valuables like keys, cash, or documents. These smaller organisational touches are the sort of details that often make a noticeable difference when you are living out of a bag during a long ride.
Capacity and Mounting Options
With a capacity of roughly 35 litres, the Compass T35 sits in the sweet spot for tail bags. It’s large enough to pack clothing for a weekend trip, along with riding gear essentials, but still compact enough to mount comfortably on most motorcycles without overhanging the tail section excessively. Despite that capacity, the bag itself weighs around 1kg, which keeps the overall load manageable once mounted.
Speaking of mounting, Raida has opted for a strap-and-buckle system rather than a permanent mounting base. The bag ships with three mounting straps that allow it to be secured to the pillion seat or rear rack of most motorcycles. The design is intended to be universal, meaning it should work across a wide range of bikes, from street motorcycles to ADVs and touring machines. Another practical addition is the external rain cover, which slips over the bag during wet weather to prevent water ingress. While the main fabric offers some resistance to moisture, the rain cover provides an additional layer of protection during sustained rain, something that is almost inevitable when touring in the monsoon season.
Design
Visually, the Compass T35 follows a minimalistic design approach, although its overall design and layout feel strikingly familiar. In terms of shape, pocket placement, and even capacity, the Compass T35 appears very similar to the Viaterra Element tail bag that has been on sale for a while now.
The resemblance goes beyond just visual design. Even the pricing sits almost in the same bracket, placing the Compass T35 in direct competition with the Element tail bag. That naturally raises an interesting question: is this Raida offering simply another take on a proven formula, or does it bring enough of its own character and practicality to justify choosing it over an already well-known alternative?
What's Next?
For me, the bigger question is slightly different. Over the next few months, this bag will essentially become part of my everyday routine. It will have to carry office essentials through weekday traffic, deal with the unpredictability of weather, and occasionally pack in extra gear for long rides. In other words, it needs to prove itself not just as touring luggage, but also as a genuinely convenient everyday solution. And that’s exactly what I intend to find out, so over the next few months, the Compass T35 will accompany me on my commutes and a few proper long-distance rides, before I return with a full review.
Product Details
Brand: Raida
Model: T35 Compass Tail Bag
Type: Motorcycle luggage
Price: Rs. 2,650
Availability: At Raida’s online store
Photography: Kaustubh Gandhi
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