Tank Bag

[ASUDave]

I'm looking for a tank bag. The backpack I was using had a strap snap when I laid my bike down a few months ago. Not to mention, the strap scraped the h out of my armpit as I skid down the road.

Here are my requirements:
Inexpensive. I'm talking like sub $100. Sub $50 is better.
Large enough to hold a few tools, a tablet, a standard size 3-ring binder.
A GPS/phone pocket.
Simple to pick up and take with me.

Any ideas?

[tomgus]

Hi, I use an Oxford First Time Tank Bag like this ...

http://www.oxford-shop.co.uk/cat214_1.htm.

It's cheap, relatively well made and comes with a see through waterproof cover. This makes it ideal for popping a map inside for navigating. I've just checked it to see if I can get my netbook inside and yep no problem. The only thing I'm not sure about is your ringbinder - you say three-ring, is this the same as an A4 two ring binder or a miniature three ring 'filofax' style binder? If its the A4 size, I'm afraid it won't fit as the sloping front of the tank bag won't allow the length of the file to fit.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Tom

[Thomps991]

This is the tank bag I have (you didnt specify straps or magentic but this one is magnetic.)  It doubles as a back pack, has tonnes of storage, great for day and overnight trips. I can fit a pair of shoes, set of clothes, took kit, bottle of water, wallet, gps and other small odds and ends.  I have a Thinkpad x201 laptop that fits fine in here (as does my Nexus 7).  Its water resistant and comes with a built in waterproof cover as well.  I paid $75 for this at a bike show, so shop around but it's def under a hundred.  Properly packed it holds a suprising amount of stuff, I've had it a year and use it on almost every ride.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/71/986/28884/ITEM/MotoCentric-Mototrek-19-Tank-Bag.aspx

Here's a video too so you can see how it operates;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6syIlHE32o4

[dsmirnov83]

Word of caution while you are shopping.

If you are putting your wallet with credit cards inside the tank bag, I would go with straps instead of magnetic. I use a Chase Harper magnetic tank bag and had to learn the hard way not to put my wallet inside after my debit card stopped working . The wallet now goes into my jacket instead. Never had to carry a laptop or tablet with me, but if I did, I would hesitate putting electronics in there with the magnets.

Cannot help you on the size as my tank bag is too small for a three ring binder, but I will say I am very pleased with Chase Harper as a company. I liked the tank bag so much that I now have a tail pack and soft panniers from them also.

Cheers,

[adidasguy]

With a tank bag, be aware you can have fuel starvation if you ride in the rain.
Air needs to get into the tank to let gas out. A tank bag on there, when wet, can make a pretty good seal around the gas cap and completely prevent air from getting in. After a few miles, you can get fuel starvation (not me, but ask NortwestRider how he knows!)

[Watcher]

Word of caution while you are shopping.

If you are putting your wallet with credit cards inside the tank bag, I would go with straps instead of magnetic. I use a Chase Harper magnetic tank bag and had to learn the hard way not to put my wallet inside after my debit card stopped working . The wallet now goes into my jacket instead. Never had to carry a laptop or tablet with me, but if I did, I would hesitate putting electronics in there with the magnets.

Good advice for the credit cards, but not to worry about the laptops/computers.

Modern hard-drives have very powerful magnets and magnetic fields within them and are unaffected by outside forces.

Very antiquated computer technology is susceptible, but nothing nowadays is.  In fact, I have several refrigerator magnets and a magnetic bottle opener slapped on the side of my tower.

[jboogie13]

With a tank bag, be aware you can have fuel starvation if you ride in the rain.
Air needs to get into the tank to let gas out. A tank bag on there, when wet, can make a pretty good seal around the gas cap and completely prevent air from getting in. After a few miles, you can get fuel starvation (not me, but ask NortwestRider how he knows!)

Isn't the tank vent on the bottom of the tank?

[adidasguy]

That's a drain for water around the gas cap and excess fuel. Air usually enters through the cap.
But yes, air can come up through the drain to that area. Often the drain is pinched or clogged because people never think about it. That hose has a very sharp 90* bend where it connects to the tank. Easy for the hose to pinch itself off there.

Just a word of caution. You should be fine if the drain is open. If you have a tank bag and fuel starvation, you know what to do: move tank bag for a while and later check the drain hose.

[weedahoe]

I have a like new Alpinestars Aero tank bag. It is for sale. It is magnetic and has straps also. It is very large and expands. Several pockets, waterproof, unzips from base and converts to a backpack with quick disconnect shoulder straps.  It is a $200 bag. I will sell it for half that. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. I just have other tank/tail bags

[jboogie13]

That's a drain for water around the gas cap and excess fuel. Air usually enters through the cap.
But yes, air can come up through the drain to that area. Often the drain is pinched or clogged because people never think about it. That hose has a very sharp 90* bend where it connects to the tank. Easy for the hose to pinch itself off there.

Just a word of caution. You should be fine if the drain is open. If you have a tank bag and fuel starvation, you know what to do: move tank bag for a while and later check the drain hose.

hm, i bought a keyless screw in cap that fits very tightly, havent had any issues yet  perhaps the petcock restricts flow enough that it doesnt make a noticeable difference 

[RossLH]

I have a like new Alpinestars Aero tank bag. It is for sale. It is magnetic and has straps also. It is very large and expands. Several pockets, waterproof, unzips from base and converts to a backpack with quick disconnect shoulder straps.  It is a $200 bag. I will sell it for half that. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. I just have other tank/tail bags

I may be interested in that...

[weedahoe]

Just LMK. Its here in the closet.

[adidasguy]

hm, i bought a keyless screw in cap that fits very tightly, havent had any issues yet  perhaps the petcock restricts flow enough that it doesnt make a noticeable difference 

Keyless screw caps (I use RoaringToyz ones) do have a very tiny vent hole. You have to look hard to find it, but it is there. It has to be to let are in the tank as gas flows out or soon you get a partial vacuum in the tank and no gas comes out.

[hovermn]

+1 for the Motocentric magnetic bag.  I have the 14 which is smaller than you require, but it's very well built and has never shifted during a ride.  I think I paid $60 for mine, and the larger one is under $90 I believe. 

[Thomps991]

If you are putting your wallet with credit cards inside the tank bag, I would go with straps instead of magnetic. I use a Chase Harper magnetic tank bag and had to learn the hard way not to put my wallet inside after my debit card stopped working . The wallet now goes into my jacket instead. Never had to carry a laptop or tablet with me, but if I did, I would hesitate putting electronics in there with the magnets.

Just to add; I agree magnets can be bad for credit cards but the magnets on this bag are on the "flaps" which extend beyond the bag itself and attach to the tank.  There are no magnets in or under the bag.  Also, the magnet pads are very soft and when I had this on my 09 GS-F I never had a scratch, using it on my new bike now and same results.