I want to get a rear cargo box or bag.

What are the pros and cons of plastic vs. nylon?

 

I think the plastic ones are just more expensive. The nylon can be pushed down, and out of the way, The plastic ones are always there.
Nylon ones get dirty and wet also, but the insides are water proof. Just a metter of personal like/dislike.

 

I own both a soft rear cargo bag and a hard plastic Kimpex rear seat / storage box. After I got the Kimpex seat / box ..I often wonder how I ever got by without it. It is more expensive than the soft bags...but it was well worth the extra money. It works very well , cleans up nice , and hold up well to the abuse it receives out on the trail.

 

We ended up getting soft bags for our machines. My only complaint is that the zipper on the big partition catches the brunt of the blowing dust and is sometimes hard to open or close. Other than that, we love our bags. They are insulated all around, the sides stand up by themselves, and there's two water proof insulated sections that you can put cold stuff in (even ice and it won't drain out). When I rolled my Cat and bent the rear luggage rack, the soft bags didn't even show where I hit. No damage to them whatsoever.

Still, it's a matter of personal choice. Those with hard luggage love it, and us with the soft generally love it.

Besides, nothing is forever when it comes to this stuff. If you don't like it, sell it and try something else. If you look at our pictures you can see we started out with plastic tool boxes. Anything will work. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Thanks for the info. This gives me a few things to consider.

I don't need a box with a rear seat since everyone in our family rides their own machine. I want something that will carry several thin jackets, lunch for the family, and a few emergency essentialls.

Do the sides on the "U" shaped boxes ever get in your way? Bumping arms, bumping legs while getting on or off, etc. Would a simple rectangular box be better since I don't want the seat?

What are good quality brands to consider for a box?

What are good quality brands to consider for a bag?

 

I see my picture page isn't currently up (because I just added a couple pictures and they haven't OK'd them yet, I guess) so you can't see our bags, However, here's the page where we bought them from:
http://www.4atvtires.com/atvTires/sh...4156&cat_id=28
We got the black ones. With soft bags you can always stuff that one lassssst thing in because everything gives. With hard, you can't - ha. You can't lock soft bags, at least not well. No, the "U" shaped sides never get in the way, even for slinging your leg over to get on. I sometimes lean on them when stopped and resting or reading a map - if the stuff inside will stand a 'lean'...

Once again, personal preference is the key. Is there an ATV dealer close to you where you can go in and look at stuff to get an idea? Even Wal-Mart sells ATV luggage now, hard and soft.

 

Hello FamilyRider. My wife has a soft sided with zippers. We have seen the same thing that MrTommy talks about. That is, the zipper often gets gunked up. It has a flap over the zipper, but it still catches the dust and dirt. I just make sure to clean the zipper after ever ride. You can see it in one of my pics.
BryceGTX

 

It seems that for my needs the soft bags would be better. I only see two disadvantages (as compared to hard boxes):

- The zippers get dusty, and sometimes hard to open. I have heard they make a special lubricant for this. Does it work?

- Harder to wash after a days ride. Is this a problem? Or do they clean up pretty good. Do they dry out quickly?

I have small nylon tool bags on the back fender of my bike. When I wash the bike, the tools get a little wet because I am too lazy to empty it first. I assume the inside of the ATV bag could also get wet while washing - especially with a pressure washer.

 

We don't wash our bags. We just 'slap' them to get the major dust off. I doubt you could ever get them completely clean. Besides, then how could you prove that all your adventure stories were true if you stuff looks like it never leaves the garage - [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I got one from basspro. It's a hard sided one,made by plano. I think it's great cause no zippers. Just raise the lid and get what you need. Theres no dust inside and I just wash it like the rest of the ATV. When we park for a rest break it is really nice to lean back on. Right around $90 if I remember right.