GIVI GRT724 Cargo Bag Review

[Advpulse]

Adventure and Off-Road riders are all too familiar with the importance of modular storage solutions. There’s an unending balance of finding ways to bring all the necessities on a multi-day trip while not over packing or improperly loading the bike — something that can’t simply be cured with bigger and bigger pannier bags. One option is a backpack, but carrying extra weight on your back comes with its own list of drawbacks.

The best of both worlds comes in the form of modular luggage. A dry bag that can be slapped on the tail or strapped to the top (or bottom) of your existing pannier allows for both versatility and convenience. Now, Givi has developed their GRT724 Canyon Cargo Bag to meet the needs of adventures both small or large. 

To begin with, the GRT724 can be attached to a rack in multiple configurations, thanks in part to built-in straps and wraparound webbing . It can also be attached to other bags, as a tail bag, or nearly anywhere else you can manage to strap it. I tested it both as a tail bag and as an accessory bag strapped to a soft pannier, but this merely cracks the surface of its versatility.

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It is heat-sealed and made from a double-coated 840D TPU, which promises to be tear-resistant. The shell material is designed to be highly UV resistant and 100% waterproof, thanks to the double roll-top closure system. For convenience, the GRT724 also employs several straps, including a shoulder strap and ergonomic handles, for ease of carrying to and from the bike.

Getting It Installed

Attaching the GRT724 to your bike is truly a cinch, pun unintended. I elected to use the included straps when configuring it as a tail bag. With its compact size (12 liters), it can be attached inline with the bike or horizontal. To test it,  the straps were run to available points on the rear of the Aprilia Tuareg rack, then the included straps were passed through the MOLLE webbing on the top of the bag and the bag’s side webbing to secure it. Once the straps pass through the various attachment points, slip them into the included Duraflex cam buckles and pull tight. That’s all, folks.

The compact size of the GRT724 allows it to be installed horizontal or inline with the bike.

For additional mounting options, there’s enough MOLLE webbing to run 4 straps around the bag, allowing you to use your own 1” straps to fasten the bag wherever you can fit it. The included straps aren’t permanently attached, so they can be set aside for any other type you choose to use (e.g. quick-release Voile straps).

In addition to being used as a tail bag, the GRT724 can also be attached to bags you already have. During our travels, we strapped it to the top of a GIVI GRT720 pannier bag. In this case, it attaches with equal ease to your existing luggage because of the GRT724’s modular design. Since the bottom of the bag has a thick base layer, it can be attached nearly anywhere without concern of abrasion-induced puncture.

With multiple strapping options, it’s easy to mount as a pannier topper.

Removal is even easier when using the included straps. The included Duraflex cam buckles are very simple to use. Toggle on their tab, which releases their shark-like teeth from their death grip on the nylon strap. After this, pull on the buckle, and the strap quickly releases from the bag and bike. 

How They Performed

During attachment, the feel of the GRT724 Cargo Bag immediately gives confidence for abusive off-road travel. Having handled several of these types of bags, this one especially feels thick and beyond tear-proof. The double roll-top makes them super convenient to get in and out of since you can open either side to reach your gear. I filled mine with a toolkit, some extra accessories for my camp kit, my toiletries bag, and all of my dry clothes for a four-day trip. Spare gloves also stash easily for convenient access. The double roll-top design with adjustable buckles also lets you expand or contract the size of the bag depending on the contents you are carrying.

The Duraflex cam buckles offer plenty of grip to keep the bag cinched down during off-road adventures.

The additional MOLLE webbing on the bag’s top allows you to attach additional accessories to the Cargo Bag, making it easy to attach a MOLLE-compatible fuel bottle bag, first aid kit or small tool roll on top if you wanted to save space inside the bag for additional kit.

With a myriad of attachment options, the bag becomes an extension of whatever you mount it to. This proved to be worth its weight as I proceeded to wring the bike out for over 1,000 miles for the GRT724’s first go on California’s North Coast. Between then and now, I’ve tossed a few thousand miles at it, spanning everything from rain, snow, mud, tight tails with branches trying their level best to tear and scrape at anything that passes near and way more dust than I could ever begin to measure. Inside, the bag has remained clean and dry, while the outside reflects no signs of use apart from the thin grime that has started to build up. 

As our seasonal rains here in Northern California this Winter have been largely torrential downpours with a side order of Winter Storm Warning, I haven’t had many opportunities to get out in ‘rideable’ wet conditions, but an at-home test with a pressure washer resulted in no measurable moisture reaching the tissue paper stashed safely inside.

A pressure washer test resulted in no measurable moisture reaching the contents safely stashed inside the bag.

The GRT724’s modular capability has made it my default auxiliary bag when my panniers or reckless bags aren’t enough to stash all of my gear needed for a long adventure. It easily straps anywhere I can fit it. This also lends it to fit anywhere but the pillion seat, keeping it off my Aprilia’s rear, an advantage worth its weight when tracking through slimy mud or other scenarios where I’ve wanted to slide back on the saddle for a lot more grip.

Who Are They For?

The GIVI GRT724 is perfect for just about any rider wanting to spend a night or ten off the back of the bike. The numerous features, durability, and modular design make it perfect for stashing anywhere you can fit it. Small enough that it can be strapped to the tail section of a dual sport but still accommodating enough that when paired with the GIVI Saddle Base, any combination of these bags can be your primary storage for long trips on an adventure bike. If that doesn’t work, at the very least, it’s a convenient, easy-to-stow bag for any extras you can’t quite get into your panniers on long weekends or weeks out adventuring.

Our Verdict

In a market filled with options, the GIVI GRT724 Cargo Bag stands out as a rock-solid, versatile bag to stow your essentials. The combination of ways it can mount allows you to attach it to just about anything, and the included Duraflex buckles ensure that once cinched down, it’s not going anywhere. Let’s not forget the convenience of being able to access your items from either end of the bag and pair that with materials and construction designed to withstand anything nature can toss at it..

What We Liked

• Strong construction allows it to take abuse from both use and nature.
• Modular design allows it to be attached almost anywhere.
• Double Roll-Top opening ensures you can always reach your gear.

What Could Be Improved

• Considering its 12 Liters capacity, it’s a bit on the pricey side.
• A slightly larger version would be a nice option (17 Liter capacity, perhaps?)

GRT724 Cargo Bag Specs

CONSTRUCTION: Tear-resistant, waterproof, double-coated 840D TPU with TPU reinforcements and heat-sealed seams.
CAPACITY: 12 liters of packable volume 
WEIGHT: 1 lb, 13 oz
DIMENSIONS: 4″ H x 10″ W x 19″ L
CLOSURE: Dual Roll Top
PRICE: $163.80

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Photos by Ken Morse, Ely Woody and Rob Dabney

Author: Ken Morse

While Ken’s two-wheeled exploits began only a few years ago, he’s no stranger to adventure. Since 2006, he’s been wandering all over the U.S. in various four-wheel drive toys, exploring as much hidden terrain in the backcountry as possible. Having straddled his first motorcycle in 2019, he quickly became obsessed and made the switch to two wheels. Now he spends most of his free time riding, wrenching and traveling on adventure motorcycles from his base in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.