I’ve a love-hate relationship with tank baggage. Having cupboard space proper in entrance of you on a protracted trip is undeniably helpful—but when a tank bag is just too large, or stuffed too full, it could possibly rapidly grow to be ungainly. After which there are the myriad methods during which tank baggage connect to bikes; some simple and a few painfully complicated.

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 matches the invoice. So when our mates at Biltwell Inc. provided to ship just a little care bundle my method, I politely requested certainly one of 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. Frequent traits embody heavy-duty nylon supplies, sensible packing ideas, molle webbing on many of the baggage, and subdued colours with refined orange highlights.

The vary additionally has the perfect naming conference in the whole motorcycling trade. ‘Exfil’ refers back to the army apply of getting outta Dodge rapidly, whereas the quantity in every bag’s title 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 just a few extra odds and ends. That could 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 motorbike 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 properly.

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 vast and 4 inches tall on the entrance, and tapering to 4.5 inches vast and a pair of inches tall on the again. It’s properly put collectively and appears prefer it’ll maintain years of abuse.

Popping the Exfil-2 onto the bike is a cinch—supplied your gasoline tank is made out of steel. The tank bag makes use of three potent magnets which are 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 go away gentle scuffs in your gasoline tank over time, in order that’s one thing to be careful for. A softer cloth would mitigate this situation—however it might even be far much less sturdy. A beneficiant deal with on the entrance of the bag makes it simple to seize it and go, significantly in case your bike is parked and also you don’t need to go away your valuables unattended.

There’s one important compartment, accessed through a two-way, U-shaped zipper, with lengthy zipper pulls which are simple to grip with gloves on. The within is lined with a hi-viz orange nylon cloth, designed to make it simple to identify no matter you’re on the lookout for. And the lid features a fleece-lined sleeve with a transparent panel up high, designed to carry a smartphone.

It’s a helpful function for those who don’t have a devoted cellphone mount in your bike, and wish 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 choose up reflections in harsh gentle, so a high-contrast cellphone show works greatest. And though touch-enabled cowl works for essentially the most half, it does generally wrestle to register faucets (significantly on my older iPhone SE’s residence button).

Arguably the Exfil-2’s cleverest function is the way in which it accommodates system charging. There’s a solution to move a cable by way of 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 one draw back is that the Exfil-2 isn’t waterproof (nor does it include a water-proof cowl). Some weather-proofing would make it an ideal product—however at $39.95, it’s exhausting 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 | Photographs by Wes Reyneke