Cycle Stowage Systems Tailocker
CYCLE STOWAGE SYSTEMS TAILOCKER
CW EVALUATIONS
Sportbike storage solution
As MORE SPORTBIKES COME STANDARD with easily accessible underseat storage, owners of bikes without this feature are looking for a place to stow their riding necessities.
Enter the Tailocker sportbike tail trunk, a vacuum-formed, ABS-plastic storage compartment that replaces the stock rear fender/license-plate bracket on Honda CBR600F2s and 1995-96 F3s (other applications are planned) with six liters of lockable storage. Top sellers in their class since 1991, F2s and F3s are prime candidates for such a device because their seats are bolted to the frames, and there is little-if any-underseat storage.
Installation is straightforward: Remove the stock fender and mount the $170 Tailocker (available in either black or white from Cycle Stowage Systems, 1335 Claude Ave., Salisbury, NC 28147; 800/320-0350) using the supplied hardware, turnsignals, wiring and license-plate bracket. No drilling or permanent modifications to the motorcycle are required.
Once in place, the hinged Tailocker swings down with the push of a button. There is plenty of room inside for smaller items, such as a rainsuit, a sack lunch or a small tool kit. Care must be taken, however, not to overpack (the manufacturer specifies a maximum 6pound capacity) because the trunk can be difficult to close. Also, for those concerned with legal technicalities, the tiny aftermarket turnsignals that so effectively streamline the bike’s appearance aren’t DOT-approved.
Throughout testing, the Tailocker proved extremely durable, even when subjected to some of Southern California’s bumpiest roads. The plastic body didn’t crack, the locking mechanism never failed and tire clearance wasn’t a problem. Despite exposed, less-thanaesthetic wiring running inside the compartment, there were no electrical maladies. Moreover, the unit proved completely watertight, even after several high-pressure hose-downs.
The verdict? The Tailocker is a durable and effective way to securely carry small stuff without having to resort to soft luggage or a backpack. U
