Tank Bags - Love em or hate em?

As the title suggests - what are your thoughts on Tank bags? Does anyone use them? What type/style/brand do you prefer? Any good/bad experiences with certain types?

sb1250 wrote:As the title suggests - what are your thoughts on Tank bags? Does anyone use them? What type/style/brand do you prefer? Any good/bad experiences with certain types?

I use one of 2 tail/seat bags that convert into a backpack. The Bandit is front heavy enough without a further 15kg over the tank but I know some people love them and if you need a map at the same time they can be handy.

I'm with '2WA'. Nothing too large and bulky. Just big enough to carry your phone, wallet, glasses etc. Will be shopping around for one soon.

I don't use one on the Bandit, but I've been thinking about getting one. Using a big Ventura bag to carry my lunch box is a bit of overkill.

My wife has a small RJays tank bag for her bike. It sort of works well, but because of the shape of the tank it doesn't sit properly.

Hate them with a passion . Along with tank Bra's . There is only one thing that looks good in a bra and thats on 2WA.

I’d better add my 2c.
I like em a lot! Had a Bagster on the ZZR, and other than the purchase price , I’d have another one tomorrow. Im using the magnetic type (Hustler) on the Bandit (which I used on the 2 previous bikes), but you have to keep the tank fairly dust/dirt free or the magnet contact area eventually scuffs the paint . I did the back pack thing for a while, but found the tank bag more convenient for carrying (nicely ironed and folded ) work shirt, visor, wallet, phone….etc. Also great for the long weekends away where heavy stuff like food, camp stove, extra tools, and water travel well.
....and I'll take your word on how 2WA looks in a bra

gus wrote:Hate them with a passion . Along with tank Bra's . There is only one thing that looks good in a bra and thats on 2WA.

Who poked you with a stick Gus?

Get this one up ya Gus..........









"Hate em with a passion"?? Geez Gus, the heat really has hurt you.



Seriously I wouldn't be without mine. Its a Moto Dry magnetic 2-peice. The bottom zipps of and has a clear cover for maps, as does the top section. I have never needed to use it with the bottom section on, as the top is good for wet weather pants, camera & spare lens, wallet, a bottle of water, phone, muesli bar and maps. There are straps under it (in it) so you can carry it like a back pack. It takes a second to put on and just flips over to fuel up. I bought it new on evilbay for $70 including postage. Very comfortable to ride with and worth every cent.



For serious haulage I use a 50l ventura bag on the back rack as well as saddlebags, each holding about 30l. I have to agree though, if you have a show pony be careful with tank scruffs. You can see in the pic there is a plastic clip on the side of the bag, its for keeping the magnetic flaps folded in when not on the bike, otherwise you'll pick up all sorts of very fine magnetic bits. I check mine each time I put it on.

I use one when touring. It doesn't touch the tank so no danger of scuffs. It carries all my camera gear now and it's powered so I can recharge or run anything I need.

b12mick wrote:I don't use one on the Bandit, but I've been thinking about getting one. Using a big Ventura bag to carry my lunch box is a bit of overkill.

My wife has a small RJays tank bag for her bike. It sort of works well, but because of the shape of the tank it doesn't sit properly.

I garee with the sentiment about carrying your lunchbox around in the Ventura bag. I bought this bag at the Vic markets one time I was in MLB to watch the footy. It is 40cm x 30cm and only cost $15. Like a lot of luggage items these days it has a strap sewn in across the back so it just slips over the Ventura rack and sist neatly on the horizontal platform. And the velco on the handles mean you can put one under the top bar of the rack and the other under it, secure with the vlecro and it can't fall off.

FIRSTGEAR

LAGUNA GPS TANK BAG WITH BACKPACK
•Expandable, GPS Tank Bag with backpack capability
•Positions your GPS on any bike right in front of you and collapses to hide it when not in use
•Second transparent pocket on top of the bag for MP3 and cell phones
•Grommets in each device pocket and loops inside bag route cables out of the way
•Unzips from base to convert to a Backpack; base becomes a road-map case
•2 large pockets on the sides and a small change/item pocket at the rear
•Vertically expandable by 3 inches
•Crafted from ultra durable 1680D nylon, coated with PVC and UV protection
•Light grey interior to aid in finding items in dim light
•Concealed, attached, transparent, waterproof cover in a zippered pocket on the bottom front
•Reflective piping to increase nighttime side visibility
•Attaches to bike with straps, magnets or suction cups
•Base unit bottom and mounts are non-slip material
•Reinforced sidewalls for stiffness
•Ergonomic carrying handle
•Limited lifetime warranty

I can never fill a single Ventura bag even with camping gear. Do you remember Alien movie where the octopus type creature jumps up and sucks
onto the humans face .Well Reardo's bike knows ALL about the experience .

Aw come on ,i thought that was clever ,apparently not .

I love them and then hate them !
I have two magnetic tank bags one larger than the other that I've been using them for years without any dramas up until a week ago, I used the smaller one (a Joe Rocket Manta) for daily riding on my usual trip to and from work I somehow managed to get a small stone lodged between the underside of the magnet and the bag which during the journey home scratched the shit out of the side of my tank it went through the clearcoat and down to bare metal
I used some meguires extreme compound (which is clearcoat safe) to get most of it to blend in but it's still noticable from some angles.
I was really bummed out as it's still a virtually brand new bike.

I've got a magnetic one but am reluctant to use it.... hate the thought of there being a small piece of grit on the surface and not seeing it .... Any ideas from anyone to prevent damage to paintwork occurring through this type of issue??

YES !

My tank bag has 3 options. Magnet, suction caps or straps.

I love my Bags Connection Daypack which mounts to a ring shaped mount attached to the fuel filler. Fits and removes in literally a second and there is no contact with the tank. It's a small bag perfect for wallet, phone , keys, camera, pen etc - I refuse to carry anything sharper / harder than a handkerchief in my pockets in case I go bitumen surfing.

gus wrote:YES !

OK - I'll ask.. so apart from not using them what can be done in the way of a damage prevention strategy??

Bhoffo wrote:

gus wrote:YES !

OK - I'll ask.. so apart from not using them what can be done in the way of a damage prevention strategy??

I googled the hell out of the tank bag scratches and hit forums up for info. all info came back saying keep the bag and tank clean and all will be fine.
Some blokes use different things like this.

I'm going on a 5 day ride in a few weeks and have some of that 'non-slip' rubber matting... might give it a go... as the article in Reardo's link suggests... the magnets attract tiny metallic particles and these abrade the paint...probably eventually - no matter what... Just have to keep wiping all attaching sides anally clean!

I made sure the tank and underside of the tank bag were reasonably clean before placing the bag gently onto the tank. Getting the bag positioned before placing onto the tank helps - coz if an adjustment is required, scratches or scuffing is likely to happen. The Blade and Gixer tanks were dark colours but wore reasonably well to daily use of my magnetic tank bag. I did carry a chamois in the tankbag for such cleaning. I cleaned the tank and the underside of the bag - not the anal area you speak off!!

put some duct tape on the tank under the magnets

Tank bags work well but do trash ur tank. overall it's better 2 use them and live with the marks, along with all the stone chips etc. I use the tank bag when doing longer trips as the ventura rack/bag is full!

Duct tape on the tank is a good idea but when u take off the bag then u have 2 remove the tape, glue etc... bit of a hassle.

Bagster tank covers & tank bags are fantasic. They're pricey, but excellent quality & made to last. Took the tank cover off my last bike when I traded it & after 14 years the tank looked brand new.
Cheers,
Bucky