Which tank bag?

[NCGS]

Looking at the BMW tank bag.. anyone have one and care to comment?

If there's something better and/or more functonal, please tell me more...

Your pics would be a big help.

Thanks,

[deilenberger]

Well... I just sold my BMW tank bag - and it never saw the road..

It fits fine if you don't use BMW's GPS mount (go figure..) but - it has a downside that I couldn't live with. It has no divisions in it at all. It has a waterproof liner - that is closed with a string closure - inside the bag.. and it's basically the black hole of tank bags. Might work fine for an organized person, but I just know I'd have stuff in the bag I'd never see or remember was in there.

I'm a fan of the RKA Shiloh Road bags - the 3 point strap mount ones. I have two now.. an 11L "day" bag (for commuting and day trips) and a 19L "trip" bag. Since they use the same mounting straps - I can swap them in about 30 seconds. The 19L one has plenty of room for me unexpanded, has an organizer built in, and a small rear pocket for good stuff like my garage door opener. It has a mapcase that will hold a standard US road-map with two folds showing.. and the price is pretty darn reasonable compared to the BMW one.

http://www.rka-luggage.com/A02%20Tankba ... Sheet.html

I just submitted an article to the BMW-ON - the second installment in Farkleizing the Roadster - which includes photos. I'll try to remember to throw one up on my website so you can see it..

I've been using it pretty intensively the past few months - and I can see no damage or even hazing of the paint under it - something I can't say for other bags I've tried. It mounts securely, is easily moved to refuel, and Richard of RKA is a pretty nice guy.

Here is a photo of it on their website: http://www.rka-luggage.com/A02%20Tankba ... nizer.html

If you buy it - ping me - I have some alternate recommendations on where to fasten the bottom of the straps..

[Ves]

I use a Nelson Rigg. Here it is on the Rock.


It's expandable, shown above in it's non expanded form. When it's expanded it's another 4-5 inches taller; almost borders on the ridiculous at that point, but it's a great wind block and place to rest your chin... . Comes with generic mounting straps; one in back that I hook up around the front seat mount, and two in front where I wrap the strap around the frame and the tank mounts on either side than up. Quick release bukles. Has the two side pockets and a small pocket in back. Comes with a rain cover, but I never use that on the outside because the rain cover doesn't have a see-through top. So, I make sure everything, including my maps are in some kind of plastic bag. It has a map pouch on top that is detachable with snaps and Velcro. Carrying handle in front. It's relatively inexpensive. I rarely leave home without it.

[Skippy]

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=12111
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=11914

[deilenberger]

Skippy - it almost looks like the larger bag might run some interference with a stomach.. at least mine..

Has that been a problem at all?

[Skippy]

It doesn't realy interfere but you do touch the bag while sitting on the bike but actualy its kinda nice and offers some wind protection. Im a big/heavy guy(184cm and 125kg ) though so others might not touch at all or when you short and have to reach a lot to the bars it might touch you in your chest . There's just enough clearence with the switch gear when the handlebars are at maximum right or left to not toutch but while riding you don't even come close. I have sufficient freedom of movement but off course you can't lean your body forward above the handlebars anymore to keep the front down under hard acceleration. This probably an issue with all full size tankbags so nothing weird there. Doesn't look that it will interfere more then the bag that is on the rockster in Ves's picture above.

There are smaller and different models though I just opted for this big one so I could get enough close and a pair of shoes in there for a weekend trip. I proabably will be getting the daypack II as well that's by the same makers and fits the same mounting ring but is way smaller so great for round town or small daytrips.

[Dirk]

I have the BMW 1200R tankbag and I use it daily. Even with the special rubber surface on the bottompart, after 7 months there appear some scratches on the tank. When fully extended its a nice windshield but the plastic mapcover reflects too much sun! 8)The bag is not waterproof anymore after a 4 hours heavy raintrip! Nevertheless I like the bag, 3 bottles of wine I transported easily

[LeonardoNYC]

http://www.eclipseluggage.com

I have had this tank bag from Eclipse dating back to my 99 when I bought my R11R and I have to say it's been a good friend and shows almost no wear after 20,000 miles plus of use. (don't always use it obviously).

I thought with the new R12R I might go to a magnetic bag but I read this article on web bike world http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... g/padding/ about the potential perils (namely scratching) with magnetic bags. I never realized that the magnets also attracted random bits of debris and metal that could spell disaster for a tank. That being said the article points out that if you're careful you can use a magnetic tank bag but for now I don't mind the extra 30 seconds it takes to mount the bag initially. The straps tuck nicely under the triple clamp when not in use and this bag.

For those of us with the now affirmed fastest color (Grey)-- I just got the Holiday edition of the White Horse Press and first gear makes a sweet looking silver grey tank bag that looks really good.


Though I am not sure I am crazy about the mounting system they use but that bag is also available with a magnetic mounting system.

[deilenberger]

I find the 3 point mount works well.. it's easy to unclip the two front clips and just throw the bag back on the seat for fueling..

Here is the 19L RKA bag:



And here is the 11L:

[NCGS]

[quote="deilenberger"]I find the 3 point mount works well.. it's easy to unclip the two front clips and just throw the bag back on the seat for fueling..

Here is the 19L RKA bag:

[img]http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l100/ ... oto4-1.jpg[/img]

And here is the 11L:
[img]http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l100/ ... Photo2.jpg[/img][/quote]

Don, Thanks much.. I believe you've helped me find something I can live with. I was recently given a chance to buy a BMW bag at a substantial discount, but there was something I didn't like about the mounting system. I know from when I had a BMW bag on my '05 GS that the clips are secure, but they can be a real PITA to mount.

I like the looks of the 19 liter bag.. and the price is very reasonable.

Thanks

(BTW, I love the way the GS hand guards look on your R.)

[deilenberger]

Don, Thanks much.. I believe you've helped me find something I can live with. I was recently given a chance to buy a BMW bag at a substantial discount, but there was something I didn't like about the mounting system. I know from when I had a BMW bag on my '05 GS that the clips are secure, but they can be a real PITA to mount.

I like the looks of the 19 liter bag.. and the price is very reasonable.

Thanks

(BTW, I love the way the GS hand guards look on your R.)

Glad it helped. And the GS hand guards work even better than they look. Low temp so far was 33F - but my hands were fine with a fairly light set of gauntlet gloves behind the handguards with the heated grips on. My toes were getting a tad cold though.. (I'm trying to resist adding the toe-guards like people have for the GS.. well, sorta resisting it..)

Best,

[TWI]

I like the BMW tank bag for the R1200R because... well ... because...


Its the only thing on the bike that says R1200R?



[Actually, its an OK tankbag.]

[Karamazov]

I have the BMW tank bag. I don't use it for much; documents, cell phone, change, extra gloves, etc... I was a bit peeved to discover its tendency to take in water - everywhere. I occasionally use the map pocket. I've never minded fill ups with it on, and getting it on and off the bike is fairly painless. I keep it on most of the time, and have yet to experience any serious scratching.

I'm not in love with it, but don't dislike it enough to buy something else. There are, no doubt better and less expensive aftermarket tank bags.

[Skippy]

I mounted the SW Motech quicklock tankbag system with a Bagsconnection Trail QL bag. Love this set up love the room and the way it doesn't toutch the tank and ease of removal.

Mine's on the bottem:
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=11914

[Lost Rider]

+1 SW-Motech.

The tank ring quick release system is great, keeping the bag completely off the tank. This is the Bags-Connection "Engage" Quick-Lock Tankbag for SW-MOTECH Gascap Mounting System with the optional GPS mount.

The little pocket in the front fits a point and shoot camera perfectly, allowing easy access to shoot while riding. It also fits the lines of the bike well IMO.


Shot at 2007-04-19


You can get more info @
http://www.twistedthrottle.com

[Ron from BC]

Well... I just sold my BMW tank bag - and it never saw the road..

It fits fine if you don't use BMW's GPS mount (go figure..) but - it has a downside that I couldn't live with. It has no divisions in it at all. It has a waterproof liner - that is closed with a string closure - inside the bag.. and it's basically the black hole of tank bags. Might work fine for an organized person, but I just know I'd have stuff in the bag I'd never see or remember was in there.

I'm a fan of the RKA Shiloh Road bags - the 3 point strap mount ones. I have two now.. an 11L "day" bag (for commuting and day trips) and a 19L "trip" bag. Since they use the same mounting straps - I can swap them in about 30 seconds. The 19L one has plenty of room for me unexpanded, has an organizer built in, and a small rear pocket for good stuff like my garage door opener. It has a mapcase that will hold a standard US road-map with two folds showing.. and the price is pretty darn reasonable compared to the BMW one.

http://www.rka-luggage.com/A02%20Tankba ... Sheet.html

I just submitted an article to the BMW-ON - the second installment in Farkleizing the Roadster - which includes photos. I'll try to remember to throw one up on my website so you can see it..

I've been using it pretty intensively the past few months - and I can see no damage or even hazing of the paint under it - something I can't say for other bags I've tried. It mounts securely, is easily moved to refuel, and Richard of RKA is a pretty nice guy.

Here is a photo of it on their website: http://www.rka-luggage.com/A02%20Tankba ... nizer.html

If you buy it - ping me - I have some alternate recommendations on where to fasten the bottom of the straps..

Don,

I'd like to talk to you about the Shiloh bag. Could you drop me an email or pm please

[Oilhed]

http://www.eclipseluggage.com

I have had this tank bag from Eclipse dating back to my 99 when I bought my R11R and I have to say it's been a good friend and shows almost no wear after 20,000 miles plus of use. (don't always use it obviously).

I had the same bag for years, on a Guzzi, on a Bandit. Then a BMW bag on the R1100R. I now have a Chase Harper Magnetic bag. My fav ever. Only down side is no rain cover.

http://www.revzilla.com/product/chase-h ... c-tank-bag

[Caroanbill]

+1 SW-Motech

And another for the quicklock. I use only a small bag - "Daypack II" - for phone, wallet, e-tag, camera, spare gloves and 600ml water (plenty of space eslewhere, and I'm just OVER huge tankbags), and this system is great. Keeps the bag completely off the tank: no contact at all. On in literally one second, off in literally two. Perfect!

http://www.motorradgarage.com.au/catalo ... ucts_id=35

On day I'll get something like the "Engage" Joe uses for longer trips (but one that's nicely snug at well under 20litres) - looks like the larger bags work just as well.

[Skippy]

Another happy SW Motech Baglux user. I went for the big Trail QL bag and love it as it makes the bike yet that more versatile for getting stuff around town or going for a long weekend city trip. It will hold plenty of clothes or put al the hard stuff like shoes in there and just some soft stuff in a bag pack(better not put hard things on your bag for safety reasons) and your off for a long weekend without loosing the ability too filter threw traffic. I considder it the best buy I ever did for a motorcycle as it can change the ability to store something in a matter of seconds and when you just want to do some back road blasting you leave it off or fit a smaller bag if you need a little storage space.

[Graf]

Another happy SW Motech Baglux user. I went for the big Trail QL bag and love it as it makes the bike yet that more versatile for getting stuff around town or going for a long weekend city trip. It will hold plenty of clothes or put al the hard stuff like shoes in there and just some soft stuff in a bag pack(better not put hard things on your bag for safety reasons) and your off for a long weekend without loosing the ability too filter threw traffic. I considder it the best buy I ever did for a motorcycle as it can change the ability to store something in a matter of seconds and when you just want to do some back road blasting you leave it off or fit a smaller bag if you need a little storage space.

Hi Skippy......I was looking at the same setup at my local store......would you mind sharing how much you have paid for the adapter ring and the bag?

Thx,
alex