Tank Bags

[RideOrDie]

Do any of you guys use tank bags? I currently use a regular back pack but sometimes it slips off my shoulders. I was looking at the Icon tank bag but i wanted the color of the bag to match the color of my bike. I wanted the bag to carry a helmet too. Any info will help.
       
                              Thanks, RideOrDie

[Toecutter]

I've been looking for some luggage myself, but I think I'm going to go the way of saddlebags.  I've looked at tank bags, but I'd be afraid of them scratching the paint up.  You could check the Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse online.  They have a pretty good selection of luggage, although you'll find most of it is black, grey, or some combination of black and grey.  Fine if you have a black and grey GS, otherwise...

[mrslush50]

[KevinC]

Tank bags always scratch the paint if you use them enough. Dirt, dust and water get between the pads and the tank, and it makes a fine grinding compound, with the vibration to drive it.

I always use a tank bag though, because you can't beat the convenience. Throw it on in a second, take it with you so all your good stuff isn't stolen, holds the map, and you can even get stuff out of it while riding if you are careful or really quicly when you are stopped. And I always need the extra space when I'm touring anyway.

Saddle bags are fine for the once a day on off, but they are a pain  for anything else.

[rhenter]

i use a joe rocket triple sports tank bag.  One of the bags converts to a backpack or it can be zipped on to the other bag.  Third bag is just a map case. I use one bag all to time to keep a map and to carry misc stuff like bottle of water or extra jacket.  I have an '89 with 27k miles on it.  I don't have paint on the top of my tank so no worries about scrathes.

[glenn9171]

I have used a Chase Harper Multi-mount (magnets and straps) 750 model and I use it every time I ride.  I use it to carry a sweater in the cooler months, clear face shield for rides that will end after dark, tire pressure guage, small flashlight, house keys, wallet, cell phone, and a lot of other stuff that could be useful on a ride.  I have had it for a full year now (7600 miles) and my tank has no evidence of ever having anything on it at all.  The bottom of the bag is a soft, tacky rubber surface.  No slipping at all.  I have never used the straps on the bike, but I have used them to secure it to my ATV rack.

[mrslush50]

Tank bags always scratch the paint if you use them enough. Dirt, dust and water get between the pads and the tank, and it makes a fine grinding compound, with the vibration to drive it.

I always use a tank bag though, because you can't beat the convenience. Throw it on in a second, take it with you so all your good stuff isn't stolen, holds the map, and you can even get stuff out of it while riding if you are careful or really quicly when you are stopped. And I always need the extra space when I'm touring anyway.

Saddle bags are fine for the once a day on off, but they are a pain  for anything else.

hmmm....

//goes and checks for scratches

ok man.  guess i'll have to take your word for it.  no scratches on my tank.  (at least none that were cause by a tank bag)

[rprata]

I purchased a small tank bag about 3 weeks ago, right before I shipped my bike to Calif.  Since I've gotten here, I've used it almost every ride.  It's amazing what you can carry in a small one.  I don't know how I got along without it before.

However, they're expensive.  I paid 70.00 for a small one, the smallest one they have, and that was expensive!  I think mine's a Cortec.

I'm not too worried about scratches from dirt or whatever, because I take the bag off the bike every time I'm done with the bike, and make sure the pad(s) are clear of dirt and debris before I re-attach it to the bike.

Between the tank bag, and my backpack (made for my laptop) I can take everything I need with me.  IMHO, go for the tank bag!

[Pam G]

A couple weeks ago I bought a Nelson Rigg magnetic tank bag model CMB300G from Belden Motorsports over ebay.  I think their ebay ID is extragear1.  You can probably do a search for it on ebay to see the spec's.  Total was a bit over $50 after shipping, and the bag was cheaper with the green accents.  It's just a tad smaller than my Fox nonmagnetic tankbag, but that bag is used on my TT600 so I needed something for the GS.
I can fit a pair of shoes, wallet, my lunch, and a few other small things in it when I ride to work.

[Jen]

Tank bags always scratch the paint if you use them enough. Dirt, dust and water get between the pads and the tank, and it makes a fine grinding compound, with the vibration to drive it.

I would say that you should always look at the tank bag before you put it on the bike.  You only get scratches if there is dirt or dust on the tank or the tank bag.  The magnet should be strong enough that no dirt can come between them.

[pantablo]

Tank bags always scratch the paint if you use them enough. Dirt, dust and water get between the pads and the tank, and it makes a fine grinding compound, with the vibration to drive it.

I would say that you should always look at the tank bag before you put it on the bike.  You only get scratches if there is dirt or dust on the tank or the tank bag.  The magnet should be strong enough that no dirt can come between them.

If you're not careful with the tank bag magnetic flaps they might inadvertently pick up a screw or nail and THAT could scratch the paint. I've heard this happen to people I know, but not me. Goes without saying to always check the bottom of the bag nad be careful where you set it down too.

I have  Tourmaster bag (non cortec I think) and I love it. Easy on/off, very convenient and holds loads of stuff...expands big enough to hold helmet+. I've taken drawings and materials, to meetings,  tools to work to do the mods to my bike, all oil change stuff necessary, japanese fast food, you name it. I also use it to carry some food, water adn a baseball cap on longer rides. Very utilitarian.

I also needed a separate small pocket of which mine lacks (has one tiny pocket for glasses but not much else) so I put a peice of cardboard inside the map pocket to hide the mess of small stuff stored there. Cardboard is black and has pictures of my little boy too!

But I digress...
Tankbags are extremely useful and mine came with a carrying strap to carry away too.

[Pam G]

[/quote]

I would say that you should always look at the tank bag before you put it on the bike.  You only get scratches if there is dirt or dust on the tank or the tank bag.  The magnet should be strong enough that no dirt can come between them.


If you're not careful with the tank bag magnetic flaps they might inadvertently pick up a screw or nail and THAT could scratch the paint. I've heard this happen to people I know, but not me. Goes without saying to always check the bottom of the bag nad be careful where you set it down too.

[/quote]

Yep.  First time I used my new magnetic tankbag I felt underneath before setting it on the tank and it had picked up a bolt from somewhere.  

Someone also lost his motorcycle key once & was about to confront his wife about it, thinking she hid the key so he wouldn't go on a tip on the motorcycle, but turned out the key was stuck to the underside of the magnetic tankbag.

[KevinC]

You people must only ride in the sunshine or something. The magnets do not seal out the water or dust underneath them. Ride through the rain for a few hours, and check under the magents. It will definitely be wet, in fact it is the last place to dry out. Over the course of thousands of kilometers riding in all weather, the clear coat goes dull where the magnets sit. And actually the whole area where the tank bag sits too.

I have over 100,000 km on my BMW, and the magnets definitely wear the paint. It is a small price to pay for the convenience of a tank bag though.

[Kerry]

Nobody wants to hear me sing the praises of my Tourmaster 12-liter magnetic tank bag yet again...right?

But I did want to mention the lower-cost lookalike made by Ocelot.  I keep hoping I'll hear back from somone who has bought one, so I'll know whether to actually recommend it in the future.

To take a peek, go to Chaparral Motorsports and click on

* Street Bikes
* Bags & Luggage
* Ocelot

Or, try this manually-copied link (I hope it works!)
http://www.chaparral-racing.com/menu_search_results.asp?UID=&PAGLEN=10&SKW=OCSTBAG&categoryId=4.2.8

Notice that the Ocelot bag is currently $45.97, while the Tourmaster has gone up to (ouch!) $71.99.

[miket]

I have the Icon Urban tank bag. It's really more like a backpack with magnets that pull out. The helmet does not fit inside but on the bottom using the noprene backing as a strap. I have actually never used that feature becuae it takes time to set it up. If you want one that can hold an helmet inside, look at the Oxford Humpack, which is also similar the the icon.

I am happy with it because it does what I need, i.e. it's wide enough to fit my folders and converts easily into a backpack. However, do not buy it if plan to do long trips. Like the name says, it's designed mainly for urban use. It's won't hold more than 5 mins in light rain.

[Leveller]

look at the Oxford Humpack

thats what i use , i gave a quick write up on my site with a link to oxford themselves , top quality gear with a lifetime guarentee

http://www.gs500e.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=c17aa16b055fd212d6c279a07bbc87fd&threadid=262

ive seen these on a few US sites so i know they are available to you guys  



Lev