Tank bag recommendations?

Hi all

I'm about to embark on a longer journey, and am looking for a tank bag for the bandit. 

Maybe having a map cover would be good (Yes, a map!), enough room for a water bottle, valuables, bit of food etc etc, maybe a jumper.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks.

I've had a Bagster before and loved it. Great space, good map pocket, easily removable, and looked great. The tank looked new when I eventually traded the bike. The last 2 bikes I've used the magnetic type. The gear sack made tank at was great, but unfortunately unavailable now. The current magnetic tank bag is from Aldi! Not bad, probably a bit small for my needs, but for $70....it'll do for now. If I knew how long I'd have the bandit, I probably would've gone the bagster, but they are pricey (and I didn't have the cash at the time).
Oh, I use my tank bag daily.

Thanks.... best place to look for the bagsters?

www.bagster.com 
Or your local stealer......!

If you can avoid using a magnetic tank bag, do so.

I had one on my 06 Bandit and it did lots of damage to the paintwork.
Even putting a piece of towel under it did not help much.

On my current bike, CBR650F I have a Givi tanklock bag XS307.

It solves all of the magnetic problems of attracting grit particles etc. but is a little small.

I put 6 wine bottles in the XS307 (15 litres) but couldn't close the zip completely.

The Givi XS306 at 25 litres should be a lot more roomy.

+1 on the Bagster, the Rolls Royce of tank bags IMHO, (much as it pains to endorse anything french).

I've got a Oxford magnetic bag and It in itself hasn't caused any scratches. One time when I was careless one of the magnets had picked up a staple and that left a small scratch, which buffed out. I put that down to my fault for not checking it. After all it had been left under an office desk.

I did have a brief encounter with a Givi bag using the tank lock system. I didn't like it the bag sat up too high, and looked like a shag on a rock. And don't believe everything you here about them the tank lock ring scuffed the paint around the fuel cap.

I went back to my Oxford. I polish the tank every time I attach the bag. Even on trips. I use an aerosol can polish which is handy for that sort of thing. I also wipe the bottom of the bag down before placing it.

And if the worse happens 2 of my mates are panel beaters. I know they can do a better job of painting the tank than Suzuki did originally.

Cheers for the thoughts. 

Yes, I am concerned that the bag not sit too high....

Anyone think I can get a bagster in Australia within two weeks?

CTA have a cover listed on ebay - silver grey for $119 which is pretty cheap going by the price of the UK items listed next to it.  

They're located in Sydney if that helps, they should be able to supply something to you in time.  Their main site is here, looks like the full range, what they have in stock and their prices might require a phone call though - (02) 9820 4444).

I use an Oxford bag too, and ive never had any problems with it. They do make different size ones, but mine has the clear map section on top, a zippered section on each side, and a good size inner, fits heaps, and im a girl, I should know...
Oxford tank bag

So... the bagster stuff.... that needs the tank cover, and then the bag of your choice attaches to that?

Not sure I'm that keen on Oxford stuff... I had some basic panniers for the 250 from them, and they weren't the best quality. Maybe they have different levels of quality????

stu wrote:So... the bagster stuff.... that needs the tank cover, and then the bag of your choice attaches to that?

Not sure I'm that keen on Oxford stuff... I had some basic panniers for the 250 from them, and they weren't the best quality. Maybe they have different levels of quality????

Jim Coleman uses a Tank Lok system. Send him a PM for details.

2wheelsagain wrote:

stu wrote:So... the bagster stuff.... that needs the tank cover, and then the bag of your choice attaches to that?

Not sure I'm that keen on Oxford stuff... I had some basic panniers for the 250 from them, and they weren't the best quality. Maybe they have different levels of quality????

Jim Coleman uses a Tank Lok system. Send him a PM for details.

aye... I remember he showed me when I bought his large panniers.

Looks ok, too... 

So many decisions.

stu wrote:So... the bagster stuff.... that needs the tank cover, and then the bag of your choice attaches to that?

Not sure I'm that keen on Oxford stuff... I had some basic panniers for the 250 from them, and they weren't the best quality. Maybe they have different levels of quality????

Yes they do and mine is the lowest range. But its nearly 5 years old gets used a lot and apart from fading to an almost purple hue its still going fine

madmax wrote:

stu wrote:So... the bagster stuff.... that needs the tank cover, and then the bag of your choice attaches to that?

Not sure I'm that keen on Oxford stuff... I had some basic panniers for the 250 from them, and they weren't the best quality. Maybe they have different levels of quality????

Yes they do and mine is the lowest range. But its nearly 5 years old gets used a lot and apart from fading to an almost purple hue its still going fine

Go over it with a can of black (or pink if you're that way inclined ) spray dye. Should come up looking like new!
I'm sure I have seen such a product in the past

I use a Givi tanklock bag, 3D604  Givi Tank Bag

I tried a couple that I borrowed first. On my wish list in no particular order were the following:

No scratchy scratchy
Black to match the bike
Waterproof
Slightly expandable without overkill
Quality construction
Narrow so it didnt interfere with steering or set of my hazard lights every time I went to full lock
Ability to display a map
Waterproof

This one has a removable tablet sleeve. I have an iPad but cant imagine taking it on the bike, so far I have used it for a map once and it worked fine.
I also like that its tallish but in no way impedes my view of the instruments. Its also lockable with a padlock and can be secured to the bike with a cable easily enough. Really easy when it comes to tank filling. Click off, click on again. I found with the magnetic bag I tried it was a pain to get it sitting right on the tank unless I was sitting on the saddle. With the tied on one I tried it was a complete pain fiddling with buckles when I wanted to fill up. Like it much

+1 on the Givi Tanklock system. So fast easy and convenient no tank scratches.

I did however get some film wrap and have stuck that to the top of my tank too. Readily available from super cheap or autobahn these days.

Mpottsy wrote:+1 on the Givi Tanklock system. So fast easy and convenient no tank scratches.

I did however get some film wrap and have stuck that to the top of my tank too. Readily available from super cheap or autobahn these days.

Take the ring off and have a close look there

madmax wrote:

Mpottsy wrote:+1 on the Givi Tanklock system. So fast easy and convenient no tank scratches.

I did however get some film wrap and have stuck that to the top of my tank too. Readily available from super cheap or autobahn these days.

Take the ring off and have a close look there

are you saying the paint gets damaged under the ring?

Ulsterkiwi wrote:

madmax wrote:

Mpottsy wrote:+1 on the Givi Tanklock system. So fast easy and convenient no tank scratches.

I did however get some film wrap and have stuck that to the top of my tank too. Readily available from super cheap or autobahn these days.

Take the ring off and have a close look there

are you saying the paint gets damaged under the ring?

It did for me

madmax wrote:

Ulsterkiwi wrote:

madmax wrote:

Mpottsy wrote:+1 on the Givi Tanklock system. So fast easy and convenient no tank scratches.

I did however get some film wrap and have stuck that to the top of my tank too. Readily available from super cheap or autobahn these days.

Take the ring off and have a close look there

are you saying the paint gets damaged under the ring?

It did for me

cheers, will keep an eye on that!

Ulsterkiwi wrote:

madmax wrote:

Ulsterkiwi wrote:

madmax wrote:

Mpottsy wrote:+1 on the Givi Tanklock system. So fast easy and convenient no tank scratches.

I did however get some film wrap and have stuck that to the top of my tank too. Readily available from super cheap or autobahn these days.

Take the ring off and have a close look there

are you saying the paint gets damaged under the ring?

It did for me

cheers, will keep an eye on that!

You could probably put some of that plastic film under the ring to stop it.
You know that paint protection film

Is it the ring that attaches to the fuel cap that rubs, or the bottom of the actual bag ? If you added some washers to space everything up a little higher would that clear the paintwork ?

barry_mcki wrote:Is it the ring that attaches to the fuel cap that rubs, or the bottom of the actual bag ?  If you added some washers to space everything up a little higher would that clear the paintwork ?

Its the ring that marked the paint, barely noticeable but then I only had the ring on there 6 months. If you wanted to use washers I'd use nylon ones.

My CBR650 uses tank ring BF20 which comes with 3 longer screws plus three spacers which hold the ring about a credit card thickness above the tank.
Even with 6 bottles of wine on board the bag/ring did not touch the tank.

I understand the Bandit uses either BF01 or BF10. If it doesn't include any spacers they would be an easy addition.

I purchased the XS307 bag which is claimed to have a capacity of 15 litres. I find it hard to believe as I could not fully zip the bag with 6 wine bottles therein.

If I were to purchase again I would buy the XS306 bag with a 25 litre capacity.

Having used a Ventura style bag plus a magnetic tank bag I would suggest the Givi Tanklock bag is my best experience to date. For any additional luggage I will buy throw over panniers for the back seat.