GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Contemplating purchasing some luggage for my GS for those commutes to work (i'm getting tired of the backpack).

I can't decide whether a tank bag or a tail bag is better.  At first I wanted a tank bag, but after doing some research I'm leaning towards a tail bag.  I've read many posts about magnetic tank bags de-magnetizing credit cards and such, and tank scratches inherent in attaching and removing the bag often.  If anyone would like to counter this, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

So anyone want to offer any advice on which tail bags fit and look somewhat decent on the GS?  I don't need a huge, traveling-across-country pack, just something big enough to take the phone, wallet, PDA, papers to and from work.  I'm also not looking to spend a whole lot on the very best bag, I just need something that will look decent and stay attached to the bike.

I personally like the tank bag... my tank bag is irreplacable.  I always use it.  

Now, you can't put anything in it that is sensitive to the magnets.  no wallets with credit cards, no floppy disks, laptop computers, or magnetically triggered nuclear warheads.

I do like having a hard tail bag at times, but more because it has a lock in it.  I haven't personally noticed my tank bag scratching the tank much.

I am currently using a held tank bag from newenough.com, and it seems to work pretty well, and is pretty inexpensive.

just my $.02

I use a Givi top-box and occasionally a tank bag, I'm very happy with it. I have safety concerns about tailpacks, there is a current thread about bungees, have a look.

BTW: MythBusters did a test on eel skin wallets so see if the would mess up credit cards. They don't bTW.

Also they found it extremely difficult to demagnetize the cards. In fact, it took a very powerful magnet to actually kill the cards... much stronger then the magnets that hold on tank bags.

I have been using the same marsee tank bag for the last year, and all my credit cards work perfectly. The Marsee magnets are also shielded. Highly recommend the there tanksbags... water resistent too.

Quote from: PACI don't need a huge, traveling-across-country pack, just something big enough to take the phone, wallet, PDA, papers to and from work.

Until you mentioned "papers" I was ready to talk about my 17-liter Tourmaster tailbag.  But papers ... hmmm.

Are you talking about 8.5" x 11" papers that need to make the journey without folding or bending?  If that's the case then you may either have to go bigger than you want, or think outside the "motorcycle luggage" box.  I'm not proposing a blocky briefcase exactly, but something similar to a laptop case may fit the bill.

I have hauled my laptop to work on the back of my seat many times, using just a $5-$8 bungee net with 6 hooks.  Works great!  When I arrive, the bungee net goes into my helmet along with my gloves and the laptop gets carried around by the handle, as usual.

Now, I have never done this when the weather looked even slightly "dodgy", so you may need to put some extra thought into a rain cover of some kind.  But if you already have a suitable case of some kind, try the $5-$8 bungee net solution before shelling out the big bucks for something motorcycle-specific.  Just don't try to haul a 6-pack of beer on the back with it!   :lol: (See lost my beer - get a better bungee.)

I use a Held Magnetic Tank bag. Like a brainiac i put my 128mb USB pen drive in there last saturday and it was cooked when i pluuged it in afetrwards.  :oops:  :oops:  :oops:  :oops:

Yes i did backup my data so it didn't matter.

Thanks for the great responses.  By papers I mean an occasional notebook (of paper, not computer).

Interresting about the USB drive.  that is one of the items that I would be taking to work.  The usual stuff to work is my PDA, mp3 player, headphones, USB drive, couple of pens, wallet, maybe a couple of CD's.  The mp3 player is HD based (iRiver iHP-120), so i'm a little leery of a magnetic tank bag for such a thing.  I respect your opinion, Isotech, but i've had credt cards be zapped by accidentally setting it down on the anti-theft-doohickey-deactivator  at some stores.  Kinda strange that mythbusters proved that wrong, who knows....  I'd rather not chance it.

Anyone have any experience with the Joe Rocket tail bag?  The price seems right, and I've had good luck with my JR clothing...
http://street-bikes.ridegear.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/shop/Tail_Bags/F-7295_Sport_Tail_Bag.html?E+scstore

http://www.gforcecycles.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MSTO-63J99CR44M4&Product_Code=NnR%7CEXP200-&Category_Code=500.400

http://www.gforcecycles.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MSTO-63J99CR44M4&Product_Code=NnR%7CTP902-&Category_Code=500.400

I have the expandable bag... its AWESOME.  Very durable, tough zippers, tough rain-cover.  I love it.  I ordered from this place because their Nelon Rigg prices are the lowest I've ever found.

Hmmmmmmmmmm papers huh, get a Suzuki Burgman 650 scooter, you pan put your office desk under the seat.

Quote from: PACI've read many posts about magnetic tank bags de-magnetizing credit cards and such.

bugger, I wondered how my credit card got demagnetised, I was cashless for a week :(
I did save alot of money this month though...

I do like my tank bag but, when it's packed full and expanded, it's too big.
I still think that it's better than a backpack, and more convenient than anything else.

I'm going to get a tail pack, and soft panniers to use as well, especially for long trips and camping

Quote from: Cal PriceI use a Givi top-box and occasionally a tank bag, I'm very happy with it. I have safety concerns about tailpacks, there is a current thread about bungees, have a look.

I'm looking into a Givi top box now.  Have used various pieces of soft luggage for years.  Which box are you using?  Got a pic of your GS500 with the box on?

Quote from: PACThanks for the great responses.  Anyone have any experience with the Joe Rocket tail bag?  The price seems right, and I've had good luck with my JR clothing...
http://street-bikes.ridegear.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/shop/Tail_Bags/F-7295_Sport_Tail_Bag.html?E+scstore

I've got a magnetic JR Sport Tank bag, about a 20 liter size.  Never had their tail pack but the tank bag is good quality.  I'm using the Tourmaster TB-17 tail bag, must be same one Terry has.  Also good quality.

Got a pair of small Dowco saddlebags that I've never liked and don't reccommend.  I also have a strap type Eclipse sport tank bag that expands to 30 liters for traveling.  Haven't had any problem with the JR mag or Eclipse strap bags marking up the gas tank, but I'm not very fussy about such things.  Bikes are for riding, not polishing.   :lol:

No problem here either with the JR clothing except that the bright colors seem to fade rather quickly.  Have a red and black Atomic and a heavier orange and black Meteor jackets and will add a mesh type Rio soon in  black and silver color.  My 02 GS is black and silver and my Shoei RF1000 is silver.   :lol:  :lol:  :thumb:

I don't know about credit cards but I'm pretty sure magnetic tank bags cause sterility.  :o Particularly during hard braking. Hmmm...magnetic tank bags with kitchen knives during hard braking would cause difficulties too....sort of a high pitched 'ouch'.

Quote from: Von VesterI don't know about credit cards but I'm pretty sure magnetic tank bags cause sterility.  :o

Don't think I'll worry too much about that one.   :(

Ha, i was just going to sart a new thread regarding magnetic tank bags when i came across this one. So my question is, I was wondering if we could get more specific on what exactly we should keep away from the magnets in a tank bag. I'm planning on getting a tank bag for my daily commute to work. I usually pack a couple of books, cd player, cds, gameboy, etc (which, btw, should tell you how much "work" i actually get accomplished :P ). Should i be worried about carrying the walkman or the gameboy in the tankbag?

Quote from: gsJackI'm using the Tourmaster TB-17 tail bag, must be same one Terry has.

Uh, name's Kerry.   :lol:

That's OK, I don't mind too much.  It's certainly better coming from you than from my mother-in-law.  She called me Terry or Perry for months on end!  :dunno:

Quote from: Kerry

Quote from: gsJackI'm using the Tourmaster TB-17 tail bag, must be same one Terry has.

Uh, name's Kerry.   :lol:

That's OK, I don't mind too much.  It's certainly better coming from you than from my mother-in-law.  She called me Terry or Perry for months on end!  :dunno:

Sorry Kerry, it was just a typo or perhaps a senior moment.  I usually catch those things when I preview the post but missed this one.

You have been one of the most helpful members here for a long time and anyone who has been here for a while knows you, me included.

yeah, great bloke that Jerry.

I use a couple of Joe Rocket Saddlebags i got on ebay.  I have the hook/loop strps under the seat so i don't have to remove them.  I often carry something with me wherever i go.  They come in very handy and i even carry groceries in them from time to time.  If you ever see a black gs500 at the pathmark parking lot....it's probably me.  Hey did i mention they look cool too..???
:thumb:

you could cinch up your regular back straps all the way tight, then using standarg bungee, not net bungee cords run 2-3 standard cords tween your backpack straps to your tie downs and your good to go!!.  if you want to be extra safe, you can run a bungee net over the backpack itself after you used bungees on the straps.

Is this the same picture, Jack?  (It has a different URL than the one you gave, but I might have gotten lucky!)

(http://members.aol.com:/jcprrp/rack030.jpg)

I found it in the old thread Luggage rack for GS500? (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3371).

Be sure to scroll down for some additional angles.

Quote from: KerryIs this the same picture, Jack?  (It has a different URL than the one you gave, but I might have gotten lucky!)



I found it in the old thread Luggage rack for GS500?.

Be sure to scroll down for some additional angles.

That's it, thanks.  I was wondering how well it might hold up strenghtwise when I made it, compared to the welded tubular steel models from Suzuki.

When that kid in the S-10 clipped my rear end last summer, I high sided to the left and my 97 made a 3 point landing on the left side on the instrument pod/clutch lever/mirror area, the left rider peg, and the rack.  The left rear corner of the rack was bent down about 2" and the left side piece angle was bent and kinked.  I just took off that one piece and straigtend it, put it back on, and it was as good as new.

After some though about Cal's bigger 45L Givi case on the GS, I went ahead and ordered a mid size 33 liter case.  The E350 Flow did not specify it would hold a full face helmet and the E33N did so I went with that one. Besides the T-17 tail bag on the rack, I had to put a 9.5dx14l T-bag on the passenger seat for the Smoky Mtn trip las year.  That made it necessary to step up on the peg before swinging my leg over to mount the bike.  The 33 liter case will hold as much as both for travel, get it out of the way so an old man can get on, and still hide away my new RF1000 helmet for local use.