I'm starting my senior year in college and I'm going to be riding my bike quite a bit to save on gas. :icon_lol:
Unfortunately I might be talking more books on my trip to school than I would prefer.
I was looking at investing in a tank bag to make my commute a little easier.
I was looking to see what other people have used and how well they fit.
I have an '05 GS500f.
Thanks in advance for the advice.
i bought my dad the joe rocket manta xl tank bag and its pretty small (fits 2 gym shoes, cell and a discman :cookoo:) but its a universal fit because it has like 4 big magnets. alot of tank bags look like they would fit textbooks and what not easily check www.kneedraggers.com they have lots of good deals and whatnot
Are you interested in tail bags or tank bags? I have the cortech tail bag and it is great. Doesn't look that big on the outside but has a surprising amount of room if packed well. Fastens with bungee type cords and hasn't blown off at 70 MPH. I use it on every ride and keep a decent assortment of tools in it just in case. Only problem is swinging your leg over it when you get on, might cause problems for short people---below maybe 5 ft 6in.
Icon makes some cool tank bags that turn into backpacks :thumb: Perfect for school... I have a Nelson Rigg Tank bag and it would fit plenty of books but is not easy to cary around.
I would look for the kind that turn into a backpack :thumb:
just wait any time now marys going to pop in and she has the hook up on tank and saddle bag info :thumb:
I use a Dowco tailbag I got off BikeBandit on clearance. I think I paid around $40 for it, it's not pretty, but it's pretty capacious, goes on and off easy and sure beats shoving a sandwich in my jacket pocket.
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b99/SVTRobzor/gs500tailbag.jpg)
Quote from: qwiky on May 04, 2009, 02:42:46 PM
i bought my dad the joe rocket manta xl tank bag and its pretty small (fits 2 gym shoes, cell and a discman :cookoo:) but its a universal fit because it has like 4 big magnets. alot of tank bags look like they would fit textbooks and what not easily check www.kneedraggers.com they have lots of good deals and whatnot
Wow, fits a discman? Does it also fit your sabertooth tiger killing rock?
Quote from: fred on May 04, 2009, 06:57:14 PM
Wow, fits a discman? Does it also fit your sabertooth tiger killing rock?
That's not fair...I have a discman as well...hasn't worked since 1987 but I do have one...still can't get my "Men at Work" cd out of it...
I'll see if I can get some pics up, but I use a tank/tail bag from Gears called the Urban Warrior. It expands and can hold a lot. I go to the track and holds a change of clothes some gear and all the camera gear with room to spare....
Okay seriously how many times are we going to go through this question? UHM 999,999,999 after that I'm done Josh!
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=47363.0
Mary
Humor a noob here, but is there any hard sided storage available, either for on top of the seat, or as side mounts?
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on May 05, 2009, 01:02:33 AM
Okay seriously how many times are we going to go through this question? UHM 999,999,999 after that I'm done Josh!
Mary
Hey Mary,
Do you know of any good tank bags? :tongue2:
As for hardbags, I want to say I've seen a couple of people rig up givi bags with a rear rack, not cheap, but'd be nice if you have money now.
Also, search is your friend... :cheers:
Quote from: Desert Rat on May 05, 2009, 02:10:23 PM
Humor a noob here, but is there any hard sided storage available, either for on top of the seat, or as side mounts?
The trick is finding a rack for them. There are some companies that make them for the F model, but it is tricky to get one for the E. I'm trying to get one from SHAD, but I'm having trouble. The people at the distributor I went to don't seem to recognize the fact that the E and F models are different and sent me the wrong rack :technical:. Hmm, you've reminded me that I have to call someone and yell at them about that for not calling me back last week. Thanks!
Although,
they are not hard bags my Nelson Rigg Saddle bags do the trick nicely along with the tank bag well see for yourself!
(http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Toogoofy317/P1000289.jpg)
I also like the fact they are quick on and off and if I want to say carry just one they velcro apart and have a handy carry strap that just clip one. They also have water proof covers for them and the bottle holder is quite nice. I had them on backwards that day but on the right way the bottle is very easy to grab for a quick drink at a light!
Mary
Cortech Sport tailbag for soft luggage.
Givi lists a monorack for the GS. I have not found hard luggage yet as good as Givi, and if your bike is your sole transport, hard bags are a great way to go. Especially a bag you can stash your gear in while at work/school/etc.
Quote from: Roadstergal on May 05, 2009, 07:07:25 PM
Cortech Sport tailbag for soft luggage.
Givi lists a monorack for the GS. I have not found hard luggage yet as good as Givi, and if your bike is your sole transport, hard bags are a great way to go. Especially a bag you can stash your gear in while at work/school/etc.
Yes, that is exactly what I want. If only I could get a rack for an E....
Quote from: XealotX on May 04, 2009, 07:10:39 PM
Quote from: fred on May 04, 2009, 06:57:14 PM
Wow, fits a discman? Does it also fit your sabertooth tiger killing rock?
That's not fair...I have a discman as well...hasn't worked since 1987 but I do have one...still can't get my "Men at Work" cd out of it...
he say....I come from a land down undah....
Quote from: fred on May 05, 2009, 07:29:09 PM
Quote from: Roadstergal on May 05, 2009, 07:07:25 PM
Cortech Sport tailbag for soft luggage.
Givi lists a monorack for the GS. I have not found hard luggage yet as good as Givi, and if your bike is your sole transport, hard bags are a great way to go. Especially a bag you can stash your gear in while at work/school/etc.
Yes, that is exactly what I want. If only I could get a rack for an E....
TwistedThrottle still lists the Givi top case racks for 97-00 and 01-02 GS-E models as well as GS-F models. The Givi rack for older than 97 is no longer available. Don't know what the difference is between 96 and 97 E racks.
I mounted my Givi E33 case to a Suzuki rack and added braces but the Suzuki rack is no longer available. If I wanted to mount one on another GS I would just make one:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500_givi_rack.jpg
My present 02 setup with Suzi rack braced:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GiviRackPics.jpg
Go with a backpack. Easier all around.