Optimal storage setups? Performance & Space Setups

[roguegeek]

I'm tired of only being able to carry my proof of insurance, registration, and beanie under my seat. I would like to carry my camera, and a couple other things with me while I ride. I've been looking at storage, but really have no idea what is best. I figure the type of storage you use is based on the specifics of the riding. That being the case, I guess I have two questions.

- What would be the best type of storage used (backpack, tank bag, tail bag, etc...) when priority is the bike performance and my ability to ride it? I would want carry a smaller load at this time.

- What would be the best type of storage used (backpack, tank bag, tail bag, etc...) when priority is the more storage, the better? I would still want the bike and myself to perform well, but I want to carry more with this type of setup.

[goat]

I get nervous wearing a backpack. The only reason is that I usually have hard objects that I would not want to fall on in the event of a crash. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

I have a nelson-rigg tailbag. It's pretty good, I guess. The raincover is a PITA and is huge (takes up 1/4 of the inside of the bag when not used). All in all, its good for a tailbag. In retrospect, I would have gone for a non-magnetic tank bag (I have an ipod that I carry with me. magnets+hard drive = no more music) just because I would rather have my stuff in front of me.

[Frost]

i love my tank bag...i use it everysingle itme i ride...it's magnetic...
and doenst' affect flash memory...

i put all my electronics in it...and nothing died on me yet...
although i heard that it's not the magnets that'll kill it...it's the vibration that'll ruin your equipments...

[weaselnoze]

damnit. frost u gotta point and now im mad. i just bought a tank bag so i could carry my cellphone, camera and have it right there. i hate takin off my backpack.  but that pisses me off cause now i prob wont carry my camera in the tank bag.  is it that serious? i never even thought about the magnets or the vibration... this is not a good day. i just spent maybe an hour putting my computer back together after it just shut off..

[Kerry]

I'm in the middle of a community ed Photography class, so my (magnetic) tankbag looks like this lately:

[weaselnoze]

so u dont worry about the magnetism?  or the vibration?

[roguegeek]

Actually, it really is that serious. A magnet of any kind will kill any type of magnetic media (hard drives, LTO, floppy, etc...) and even some solid state media (compact flash, secure digital, memory stick, etc...). Vibrations (especially the kind that are coming straight off of the chassis or tank) will destroy the internals of your camera and cell phone real quick. Trust me. I'm a digital media specialist and have worked with every major D-SLR camera out there. We have cameras fail all the time from things like this. That's why our cases we put them in cost just as much as a full on D-SLR. If you're dealing with $1500 lenses, I would hope they're being packed correctly. The glass and gears in those things are so precisely placed that you would never want to even shake them in your hand.

I guess I didn't think about that until now. I think I may be looking into a backpack type storage so I can keep my things safe. No magnets and I figure your body absorbs a lot of the vibrations. Do you think wearing a small backpack creates noticeable turbulence?

[TheGoodGuy]

i use my tank bag and it works.

There are places like JP Cycles (catalog retailer) that has stuff that can be bolted to teh licence plate (round tube) that can be hidden by the licence plate but still holds your documents.

[pantablo]

I used a tank bag exclusively. Mine expanded and I could carry a bunch of stuff. Enough for an overnight trip or more.

I also regularly carried my digital camera and occasionally my laptop, both without incident.

Its the way to go.

[roguegeek]

Alright. Which tank bags do you guys recommend?

[dgyver]

I have a tank bag from //www.rka-luggage.com. Not the cheapest but one of the best I have ever seen.

[weaselnoze]

Actually, it really is that serious. A magnet of any kind will kill any type of magnetic media (hard drives, LTO, floppy, etc...) and even some solid state media (compact flash, secure digital, memory stick, etc...). Vibrations (especially the kind that are coming straight off of the chassis or tank) will destroy the internals of your camera and cell phone real quick. Trust me. I'm a digital media specialist and have worked with every major D-SLR camera out there. We have cameras fail all the time from things like this. That's why our cases we put them in cost just as much as a full on D-SLR. If you're dealing with $1500 lenses, I would hope they're being packed correctly. The glass and gears in those things are so precisely placed that you would never want to even shake them in your hand.

I guess I didn't think about that until now. I think I may be looking into a backpack type storage so I can keep my things safe. No magnets and I figure your body absorbs a lot of the vibrations. Do you think wearing a small backpack creates noticeable turbulence?

well im glad this came up because i dont want to take anychance whatsoever.  i use a backpack now and there is no vibrations going to it.

[se7enty7]

Alright. Which tank bags do you guys recommend?

my biggest concern honestly is theft.  I don't want to have to carry it, along with my helmet, everywhere I go

[Frost]

don't wear a backpack...if you land on it from a fall...you'll crush your spine...

[mastrind]

I've been using the Icon urban tank bag for about a month now.....it's a transformer style bag that becomes an actual backpack (not a tankbag with straps)....I often carry my laptop and cellphone in it.....when carrying the laptop I put a dish towel underneath to soften any vibrations that squeek through the bags padding....

....previously I used a GiVi hard bag mounted off the back of my SV....It really was wonderful.....but....I wanted to enjoy the natural look of my bike for a while.....

....I also used a Shook Speed Pac as a tank bag....it was decent, but opened the wrong way....and eventually cracked....

[addison]

I was considering a tank bag but is it possible to lock them somehow so people cannot steal it or the contents?

[Dandy D]

Well I've used my 'cheap' tank bag on practically every ride since I bought it. Its magnetic and expandable, see through plastic map pocket on top and its somewhat water resistant. I put my cell phone and my digital camera in it. I've had no problems. The camera is in its own case but on a long trip/ride I carry a heavy sweat shirt (just in case) in the TB that obviously will help relieve some vibration. Also I put stuff in a 'Glad kitchen catcher' (tm) (proceeds please   ) for the day-plus rides to keep things nice and dry. I actually never thought about the magnetism/vibration issue until I read this thread.
For you Canadians, my tank bag and saddlebags came from Canadian Tire, if you can believe it   , and they are just great and relatively cheap. (about $60CAD for the TB - can't remember off hand what the saddlebags were?? about the same I think)
so  :dunno:
Ride Safe
DandyD

[groff22]

crappy tire sells tank bags!!!??? AWSOME

[roguegeek]

I've been using the Icon urban tank bag for about a month now.....it's a transformer style bag that becomes an actual backpack (not a tankbag with straps)

Wow. That sounds perfect. Carry it around and not have to worry about someone stealing it. I just took a look at it, though. Looks pretty big. Does anyone have a picture of it on the bike? Do you find it hinders your ability to ride to bike in any way? Are there other bags that have the same functionality? Any that are not magnetic?

[roguegeek]

Actually, I just found this picture of the Icon Urban bag in action and it looks real huge on the bike. I can't see how something that big wouldn't interfere with the operation of the bike. Is there anything else out there that will work like this pack, but smaller? What about this Icon Primer tank bag? It looks much smaller. It doesn't have to convert to a backpack, but I would like to be able to pull it off easily from the tank and carry it around. Thanx.