Rynox Optimus 3 Tank Bag: Review: Size Doesn’t Matter

If you are one of those, like me, who think tank bags are too small to be worth being in your motorcycle luggage repository, the Rynox Optimus 3 will change your perception. I am so certain of that because like you, I too was always sceptical how small tank bags usually are. To me, they just didn’t offer the utility for the price they commanded. Until I got my hands on the Optimus 3. 

What Is The Rynox Optimus 3? 

To briefly summarise, the Optimus 3 has a max storage of 21 litres in the main compartment plus a couple other pockets for your tidbits. It has magnetic straps to mount on a metal fuel tank, and if you don’t have the latter, it can be used as a regular tail bag. And it has shoulder straps to carry it around like a back pack. And all of these straps use the same 4 double-D rings which makes it super convenient. And all the straps can be tucked into a dedicated pocket, which keeps things neat and tidy. It has a phone storage up top, with a clear cover, so that you can use your phone for navigation. All the zippers on the bag are from YKK, which is really fantastic.

What We Like About the Rynox Optimus 3

In one sentence, good things come in small packages. It has ample storage in the main compartment to store quite a lot of stuff. This has become my new daily office bag that carries my lunch boxes, electronics organiser, a pair of full-sized headphones, a spare visor, and other knick-knacks. Ok, it’s not big enough to store a laptop – bummer if you need to carry one around everyday. If not, this can very well be your everyday bag too. That said, it can store a tablet or two easily. 

Apart from the storage space, the bag itself is quite dynamic – it can be used as a tank bag, as well as a tail bag. If you decide to use the bag as a tail bag, there are four double d-rings which can be used to strap the bag down to your bike. It comes with 3 straps – two of these are buckled straps and one is just a long strap. Rynox has mounting tutorials on their site which are super easy to follow along. Same is the process if you can’t use the magnetic mounts to affix the bag on your bike’s fuel tank. The buckled mounts make it relatively easy to remove the bag when you have to refuel. 

All in all, mounting the bag on the bike can be a breeze once you get a hang of it. 

What We Don’t Like About the Rynox Optimus 3

While the bag has a phone pocket up top which has a transparent plastic that allows you to use navigation. However, it doesn’t have ventilation holes, which can cause some phones to heat up while charging or using navigation, especially when using on hot days. The bag is not inherently fully waterproof and comes with a thick rain cover that can keep it dry – which does its job well. With so, I think Rynox could have given a couple ventilation points on the phone pocket. However, you can completely ignore this if your bike has a phone mount or built-in navigation. 

I would have also preferred if Rynox had given a set of 4 four buckled straps in the kit. This would have been especially useful for those like me who use it on a daily basis and need to affix and remove it twice a day, every day. The buckled straps make for a quick-release mechanism – quite useful. Though Rynox sells a set of four buckled straps, these were out of stock on Rynox’s site at the time of writing this story. Though at Rs 375, these aren’t that expensive and will make your life super easy with the bag. 

Verdict

The Rynox Optimus tank bag costs Rs 3,900, which is not really affordable considering what standard backpacks go for. But there’s a lot of utility you will get with the money you spend here. However, you need to think carefully how you will be using the bag before you spend the money. It can be easy to get frustrated with the tank bag if you really haven’t thought it through. You can get in a lot of stuff, but you need to be adept at organising to eke the most out of the bag. Heck, if you know how to ranger roll your clothes, I reckon you can fit in 2-3 days’ worth of clothes in this dainty little bag. So my verdict? The bag is fantastic, if YOU can learn to use it to the fullest. If you plan to get one, I suggest upping your packing game to get the most of your money, and tell everyone – size doesn’t matter.