The choice of a passenger box (or equipment box) is the most personalized part of the purchase of a quad. Indeed, the future owner will choose according to his needs, his preferences and his budget. Also, since this piece of equipment will be subjected to many assaults by vibrations and shocks on the trails, it will have to be durable.
The Passenger box Kimpex Outback 89L has a dedicated space to carry a 5-liter Scepter fuel can (the Bodco can is not compatible, we checked). It’s modest for thirsty big wheels, but it will do the little bit that’s missing to get to the gas station. At worst, extreme tourers will want to consider a separate canister holder. The trunk design has a low profile that keeps the rear view more than acceptable. We don’t find an auxiliary position light, but that seems to be a superfluous technical feature that doesn’t add anything to the functionality of the Kimpex Outback 89L.
When we open the trunk, we notice that the interior layout is regular but not deep enough to accommodate motocross-type helmets. All the space is open and there is no compartmentalization. To channel water and keep the interior dry, there are grooves molded into the plastic around the openings. This should work for water but it’s not much to try to keep out dust. However, it will be easy for the purchaser to stick a dust-proof foam tape in the groove and ensure a waterproof seal.
The passenger box is ergonomically correct, the position of the handles allows a good grip. Heated handles will be available as an option, but the unit we evaluated did not have them, nor did it have optional soft handguards. The latter are very useful because they combine the functions of protecting the hands from branches on the trail and also of cutting the cold wind in winter. The opening direction of the trunk is from the back to the front. We like this technical solution because if the trunk is not well closed, the handle is more stable because it will not try to rise. The plastic is good quality and strong. We have seen a Kimpex Outback trunk take a medium velocity rollover without damage. The trunk does not have key locks that can get seized up with mud and dust, but is still lockable with a small padlock in the earpieces provided.
The seat provided with the seat is well padded and the concave shape of the armrests allows the passenger’s forearms to rest naturally. The Kimpex Outback 89L is designed to be installed on a single seat quad with the cushions provided by Kimpex. If you try to install the booster seat on a two-seater ATV, the backrest and seat of the quad are too large and force the box to move backwards. The passenger will have to move his arms back to hold on to the handles, which will cause shoulder strain.
Verdict: The Kimpex Outback 89L trunk is a no-frills accessory designed to last. It will give good service to its owner for many years. Recommended but not for a two-seater quad.
