Tank Bag Time

[UJM]

The time has come for me to buy a tank bag -

Open to thoughts, ideas, suggestions -

Suggestions can include tailpacks, backpacks, I'm a budget, please keep that in mind.

Stopped at http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/ in Smithville, Mo - they said the Eiffel Tower was very popular.

•2 bags for one low price - use one, the other or both at once!
•Carbo ballistic 1680 denier waterproof nylon outer shell
•Vinyl covered, non glare. Velcro Zip fastened map holder on both bags
•Internal pockets to organize your gear
•Back pack shoulder and waist straps in zip closed base pocket
•Removable Covered 8 piece magnetic base
•Reflective piping on front and side of both bags
•Base Bag: Length 18", Width 16", Normal Height 8.5"
•Top Bag: Length 15", Width 10.5", Normal Height 4.5" Expanded 6.5"

[the fan]

I prefer a tank bag small enough to hold a can of Plexus, a few bottles of water, a few energy bars, my cell phone and a Wallet.  If I need more than that I rely on a tail bag or saddlebags.

I use a bag from Nelson riggs and after 4 years it still looks like new. Model number is CL300. http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/extras/motorcycle+luggage/nelson-rigg_classic+cl-300+mini+magnetic+tank+bag


I have 2 different tail bags and a set of saddlebags from the same line.

[rktmanfj]

Seems like they have a tank bag for about any budget over at New Enough...       

Randy T
Indy

[markmartin]

This is the  Givi T434 Arrowbag Large Magnetic Tank Bag 18-23 liters, with matching Givi Arrow T431 saddle bags 19-25 liters each. 
In the pic, the saddle bags are full and expanded, the tank bag is about 2/3 full--the top is not expanded in the photo. I can get quite a bit of baggage in them and they are holding up well overall.  The tank bag is probably as big as you'd want as it really drapes the entire top of the tank, although, you can fit a lap-top computer or Manila folders in it, which may or may not be a consideration. The magnetic flap folds up and out of the way when you take it off the bike,  it has a good carry handle, and overall serves well for a bike 'briefcase'. They retail in the $130 and $145 range respectively--which may be on the higher end but I found these on Craig's list a few years ago for about half of that.

The only weakness I've found is the hard plastic that forms and supports the shape of the saddle bags (inside)had to be replaced with tougher vinyl . (home made from some vinyl siding)

[Tuxracer]

I really love my motopak. It retails for $75 but the vendor also lists them on a popular auction site. I think I paid $28 (plus shipping). You can get one anytime for under $40 and usually closer to $30. They also sell larger or smaller depending on what you need. High end? probably not, but it's well made in my opinion, the zippers are strong and smooth. You mentioned a budget. For about $50 total... Works for me!  

http://www.motopakluggage.com/gt27.html

[Dan Filetti]

I prefer a tank bag small enough to hold a can of Plexus, a few bottles of water, a few energy bars, my cell phone and a Wallet.  If I need more than that I rely on a tail bag or saddlebags.

I'm with The Fan. 

I have a Joe Rocket Blaster tank bag lie this:
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:XcJGMrMDHQ60_M:http://www.motorhelmets.com/pics-products/joerocket/luggage-joerocket-tank-bag-blaster.jpg&t=1
that holds just the basics, but can be expanded to hold a bit more.  I almost never expand it, once or twice I did to stuff my full rain suit in, which it held, in addition to the other sundry items, with no drama.

Additionally, magnet attachment rules (providing your tank is metal).  Straps are just a pain in the ass in my experience.

Dan

[Yamifj1200]

Nelson Riggs makes several differant size tank bags. They are well made and affordable. I have two of their magnetic tank bags an smaller one for weekend trips and a larger one for extended trips.  Check out New Enough  online

http://www.newenough.com/

Tons of great deals on riding gear and luggage...sign up for the email specials.

I just picked up the larger tank bag for 39.00 dollars when they were on sale a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.newenough.com/parts/closeouts/luggage/nelson_rigg/cl350_large_magnetic_motorcycle_tank_bag.html

Eric M

[RichBaker]

I'm on my 4th Harper Chase Stealth bag..... #s2&3 were free, under thier warranty. #4 cost me $30, because they said #3 was repairable. It was worth it, the new design is a LOT nicer! It now has some mesh pockets w/zips stitched to the inside of the top 1/2, and magnets attached to the buckles, so you don't need to use the straps with a steel tank.

Did I mention that Chase Harper has a GREAT warranty?   

[UJM]

This is the  Givi T434 Arrowbag Large Magnetic Tank Bag 18-23 liters, with matching Givi Arrow T431 saddle bags 19-25 liters each. 
In the pic, the saddle bags are full and expanded, the tank bag is about 2/3 full--the top is not expanded in the photo. I can get quite a bit of baggage in them and they are holding up well overall.  The tank bag is probably as big as you'd want as it really drapes the entire top of the tank, although, you can fit a lap-top computer or Manila folders in it, which may or may not be a consideration. The magnetic flap folds up and out of the way when you take it off the bike,  it has a good carry handle, and overall serves well for a bike 'briefcase'. They retail in the $130 and $145 range respectively--which may be on the higher end but I found these on Craig's list a few years ago for about half of that.

The only weakness I've found is the hard plastic that forms and supports the shape of the saddle bags (inside)had to be replaced with tougher vinyl . (home made from some vinyl siding)

I need your help - I have those exact saddlebags but all but gave up on trying to get them mounted. Can you provide pics/info on how you mounted yours (strap position, etc) and exactly what you did to reinforce them?

Thanks everyone for the great info!

[andyb]

I think it's a popular choice... I also have two tankbags.

One of them is a generic-ish $80 ebay thing (this brand but bigger.. not really recommended for quality though).  It's a three part setup; the base is magnets and a map pouch, then there are two bags that each have a map pouch and can be used in various combinations.  It doesn't get used much, and no matter what kind of magnets you have in a bag that ends up so tall, it WILL be tipsy a bit and not very comfortable.  Holds a bucketload though, and I drag it out if I'm going for a weekend trip, i.e., riding 6 hours, staying someplace (and leaving it there while I ride that day), then riding back a few days later.

The other is a Joe Rocket Manta XL which is absolutely perfect for daily use.  It's big enough to exactly stuff a standard sized magazine in without folding, and/or a 10" laptop, holds drinks, faceshields, etc quite well.  Absolutely adore it and use it pretty much every day.

[RichBaker]

I'm on my 4th Harper Chase Stealth bag..... #s2&3 were free, under thier warranty. #4 cost me $30, because they said #3 was repairable. It was worth it, the new design is a LOT nicer! It now has some mesh pockets w/zips stitched to the inside of the top 1/2, and magnets attached to the buckles, so you don't need to use the straps with a steel tank.

Did I mention that Chase Harper has a GREAT warranty?  

Chase Harper.....  My Stealth bag literally lives on the FJ, I only take it off to wash her or put gas in.

[markmartin]

[/quote]I need your help - I have those exact saddlebags but all but gave up on trying to get them mounted. Can you provide pics/info on how you mounted yours (strap position, etc) and exactly what you did to reinforce them?

Thanks everyone for the great info!
[/quote]

UJM, check this out in the 'Files' section http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1823.0

This link should explain most of it .
Also, I found the only way to get the Arrow bags to fit the bike properly was to mount them backwards....the reflective triangle is facing forward.  This puts the 2 top straps in a better location, with the back strap fitting neatly around the back of the seat.  The middle strap (the non-velcro strap) is under the seat, just forward of where the 2 seat 'bumpers' rest on the support bracket.  This middle strap extends about 3-4 inches out past each side to each bag before the seat gets put back on.

After the bracket is built and installed and your straps have been adjusted to where you want them and the bags are mounted,  I've  tied off the bags with plastic wire ties to hold them down.  I'll post a picture of this later today.

Mark

[UJM]

Thank you Mark!

[Scooterbob]

I need your help - I have those exact saddlebags but all but gave up on trying to get them mounted. Can you provide pics/info on how you mounted yours (strap position, etc) and exactly what you did to reinforce them?

UJM - Here's another simple idea -->  http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2355.0

[markmartin]

Can you provide pics/info on how you mounted yours (strap position, etc) and exactly what you did to reinforce them?

Plastic wire tie from the front tiedown to the rear footpeg bracket:





Small plastic wire tie from the back tieoff to the support bracket:




Front view of velcro strap over the seat, front strap; and just behind seat, back strap:



Back view of velcro straps. Also, I use a short black bungee from top handle to top handle to furthur secure the bags, as the bungee kinda holds the bags together and takes out that last bit of 'bounce' in the bags when riding.  I remove this bungee when I have my wife riding pillion, and use a slightly longer bungee which I run from the carry handle around back of the backrest and to the other carry handle.




The middle strap is of course run under the seat just in front of the seat "bumper" suport bracket(not shown).