BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I want a small one (no not that) but not too small. Magnetic vs Straps? Suggestions? Thanks.

Mags by all means.
But keep it surgically clean under the bag on both the paint surface and the bag to prevent scratching & rubbing.
This is important with mags or strap-on's (no not that).

I use a Big Mak tank bag
http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/BigMak/

It mounts to the gas cap, so it never touches the tank. You will not scratch your tank. Also, it flips up for re-fueling so it is very convenient.

It is a bit odd looking. Also, this tank bag, and many others, seem very expensive for what you get.

Overall, I am satisfied with it.

Tank bags...

Wasn't too long ago I was tusslin' with this same conundrum.

Couldn't decide, so I got both - a Marsee 20-Liter Teardrop (with both strap and magnetic bases) and a factory BMW strap tank bag. Pluses and minuses to both set-ups...

IMHO, don't bother with Marsee's strap set-up. It is real simple, but it doesn't hold the bag very well. Marsee's magnetic set-up is the barries, though. Holds the bag like it was welded on the bike... So much so that it is almost a pain for fueling, but you don't have to worry about shifting, etc. I never even use the safety strap.

However, the factory BMW bag has one of the neatest strap mounting arrangements I've ever seen. Strong. Bag deosn't shift or move around, yet it comes off in a flash. Holds about the same volume, and has a *MUCH* more useable map pocket. The Marsee map pocket *SUX* raw eggs...

Neither bag has put any sort of scratches on my tank, but I have kept the bases all very, very clean.

BMW bag is pricey, but if I had it to do over again I would go for the BMW bag alone...

It'll work out good though, 'cuz if I get a new Yamaha FJR-1300 I can use the magnetic Marsee on it and keep the BMW bag for my R-1150-R...

Now if I can just figure out how to ride them both at the same time...

Cheers!

Dallara

I use the Marsee 20L teardrop all the time and agree with darthrider and Dallara that the magnets work great. No shifting and easy access to the gas tank. No scratches, that I can blame on the tankbag anyway. And my experience is the map pocket sux on the Marsee also. You have to fold them up weird to get them in. No problem if you are a GPS person!

Also Marsee did not make a raincover for that model, so they tell you to make do with another one that doesn't fit worth a crap. So I carry some large zip locks for any extended rain riding.

I have had a BMW bag on other models and they are neat, just probably not worth the money for me.

I've been happy with this one :

http://www.tourmaster.com/product.html?sku=82-426

This is how it looks on my bike :

gponetwofive wrote:I want a small one (no not that) but not too small. Magnetic vs Straps? Suggestions? Thanks.

RTK has a very nice one that is small but expands if you need. It has straps, no complaints at all.

I've had the Marsee 20 ltr teardrop magnetic for several years and two bikes now. Works great, never moves even at real high speeds, holds a lot, stands up to abuse, etc... And when I park my bike I can shove it into one of my system bags and lock it in, too.

Check out the Icon Urban tank bag. It's magnetic, and turns into a good backpack off the bike. I'm very happy with mine.

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/58-ICON-UTB

No association with either manufacturer or vendor.

I'm rolling with this to and from school. Good on the freeway and twisties. Borders on being too small, but it does the job for me. I carry a garage door opener, wallet, cell, and two bottles of water. ZipLock bag is better for keeping the water out.

http://www.newenough.com/joe_rocket_man ... g_page.htm

I use the BMW tank bag. It is very roomy, Iam amazed how much stuff I can get into it, even extra gear for colder weather without expanding it. It is even fairly waterproof without the rain cover. I find during a short ride no raincover is necessary, but I always use it during a longer ride. I always use the bag for everything since I do not have the luggage,which I have had on other beemers, but I find that I can easily do without.

gponetwofive wrote:I want a small one (no not that) but not too small. Magnetic vs Straps? Suggestions? Thanks.

On my last bike, I strapped a tank bag to the back of the bike,
and found this a lot more convenient than actually having it in
front of me:

http://users.rcn.com/hsd/my_zr7.jpg

Of course, if you're looking for map pockets or toll money, that
won't do you a hill of beans.

I have to admit (and I shoud have mentioned it earlier...) that I agree a whole lot with BlueBeak about tail bags.

I have a Wunderlich rear seat/tail bag specifically made for the R-1150-R and it the one piece of luggage gear that is almost always on my bike. The only time it ever comes off is when I carry a passenger or when I wash it. I even use a little combination padlock on the zipper when I leave the bike rather than take it. It usually only has spare earplugs, shield cleaning stuff, maybe a map and a spare pack of smokes, my disc lock/alarm, etc. in it, but often has a digital camera, my ipod mini, a bottle of water, etc. in it. I use it like the center console in my cage...

It has been, far and away, one of the best accessories I have ever found for my Beak, and has been worth every penny I paid for it. It is pretty waterproof, too, and I have never used the rain cover... Not even once. It also expands to hold a ton of stuff if necessary. I wouldn't be without it.

Just my $0.02... and Thanks BlueBeak for reminding me of it.

Cheers!

Dallara

Thanks All!
Looks like the ICON is a cool unit. I'm thinking the Tourmaster standard (one size up from the "mini") is about all I want size-wise (there I go again) for solo trips.

taosports wrote:I've been happy with this one :

http://www.tourmaster.com/product.html?sku=82-426

This is how it looks on my bike :

taosports,

Thanks for posting the picture. I wanted a small bag with a map pocket. I ordered mine today. Your picture gave me a much better idea what the bag would look like vs their website.

I'm still looking for a "Hard", and fully waterproof tank-bag.

Shower caps are poo - they're never UV-proofed so if you use one every day for more than a month they start to crack and break up (I've gone through about 4 in under a year).

Oh - I use a Bagster tank-cover and "city" bag because I don't really like big tank-bags - I find they get in the way.

Well this answered my question. I was wondering if you could put your wallet in the tank bag and not have problems with your credit cards from the mag. My bag arrived with a big warning.