tank bag for touring , way to go?

[red rover]

i have never owned a tank bag. for distance riding do most connie people use them ? if so which one works best ? i have heard you can actually lean on the bag to relieve pressure on your hands/arms during long mileage rides.my only experience with tank bags was with a riding buddy years ago; he crashed and we had to leave his bike with tank bag in the ditch while getting him some medical attention, weren't gone long and someone stole the tank bag before we could get back !!!!

 

[slybonesjesse]

Yes I use them. Great place for wallet, keys, sunglasses, camera, mp3 player, cell phone, etc. There are a million of them out there. And you will get a million responses as to which brand is best. I got a FieldSh%t brand 4 years or so ago reading the old forum and how it was such a good deal. Its a 3-pc model with the base and two bags that can zip one onto the other for huge capacity. Or you can one or the other. -- The problem being the zipper on the larger bottom bad broke the "first" time I used it. And the corner seam tore on the smaller upper bag the "first" time I used it. -- But I am sure I/we are about to hear how many others have this brand with no issues. Magnetic versus Strap. I have a magnetic tank bag. Need to learn to keep you tank clean and not let dirt get between the magnets and the tank, scratching it all up. Also on my fieldsh%t model it has like 6 strong magnets. The middle and rear to are not too bad, and are easy to get off. the front two were real strong and I always felt like it was a pain to get the off, and I was scratching up the tank while doing it. -- So I removed the front two magnets on mine. Been holding fine for me, but I have only been using the smaller top bag for the most part. I like the 3pc design myself. I can use the smaller top bag for long day rides where I only need a place for camera, wallet, keys, etc. For long multi day rides I really wish I had the larger bottom bag for the side pockets it contains. This makes a great place for cell phone charge cable and other similar accessories I dont carry on day trips. For the daily commute, I dont bother with the tank bag. I have a soft sided bag thats like a combo laptop carry case, brief case. It fits perfectly in the side saddle bag. I use this for the daily commute with all my stuff, lunch, etc it in. 2003 Concours, 47K COG #6953 IBA 28004 http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieMain.htm

 

[slybonesjesse]

http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieTankBag.htm Here are some pics. Two features I really like about this FieldSh%t model I will look for in any other tank bag I purchase, is the built in rain fly and the built in shoulder straps. The straps have been nice because you can ride off to some area for a day ride. When you get there you can take off the tank bag and put it on like a backpack and carry it with you. Have done this a number of times and it works out nice. 2003 Concours, 47K COG #6953 IBA 28004 http://mysite.verizon.net/slybones/Concours/connieMain.htm

 

[LSGiant]

+1 On all the things Slybones said about Magnetic bags. I have a Roadgear 3 piece. It has map, big bag, small bag. My zippers have been fine. I also only use it for full day or longer trips. Anything that sits on your paint surface can lead to trouble but

 

[rodger_pack]

OXFORD BAG !

 

[S Smith]

Buying tank bags is like buying a jacket or boots. You need to decide what features & style suit you best. I look for ease of use and functiobality. I do not like them too high. I like a large removable map case... I have a Wolfman bag that came with a rain cover where the large map case can go on top of so I can have my map/route sheet even in the rain. I prefer magnets to straps, purely for ease of use. But the magnets can cause little dimples if you allow them to slap down. Dirt and grit under the bag with strap or mags can cause scratches. -- Steve Smith, COG #3184 COG Northeast Area Director (somewhere in south central CT)

If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.

 

[sean]

I use a magnetic Nelson Rigg but only for LD rides and the occasional run where I have to follow a route sheet. I keep it loaded with snacks, drinks,camera and maps. To avoid scratching the tank I always lay a bandana on it before placing the bag. Sean B '04 Connie NYBKX, AMA, IBA, COG # 5993 http://odmp.org http://community.webshots.com/user/seanb68 "Everybody dies - not everybody really lives" 1*

 

[oldsawfiler]

First Gear makes a good one. Like it better than the 3 that I've had. Motorace, Mar-see and a thing I'm not sure of the make. First gear makes a couple of sizes and a very nice "seat" bag that matches. Son has a matching set of the First gear bags. There are so many styles, you really need to go on line to several companies and browse (nelson-riggs, first gear, and several others) then go to local dealers and see the features hands on. The big flat connie tank makes magnets the best way to go. use my smaller bag for a "lunch box" when I commute. 1990 Aint she a pretty Tomato (the bike ofcourse) wedshots albums http://community.webshots.com/user/sawfiler64/albums/most-recent

 

[Brett0769]

I've got an Axio hardshell tank bag. I've been happy with it. I had a nylon bag and it didn't take long for it to fade in the sun and for the sides to start spreading out. The Axio has a rainproof map pocket like the others do and is expandable. It also can be worn as a backpack. The bag is magnetic but has a safety strap that attaches to the head tube. There's a nylon sheath around the strap and you can tuck the extra strapping into it. I keep it on my bike for daily commuting, it keeps my gloves and my glasses safe and handy. It also has a good deal of room in it for long trips.

 

[Andy-WV]

BEWARE THE MAGNETS! Some items are very sensitive to magnets

 

[2linby]

Here's a nice bag that isn't too big or too expensive. I've used them before. http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=138&cat=32 AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 TEAM OREGON MC Instructor http://community.webshots.com/user/2linby http://tinyurl.com/njas8 (IBA BunBurner Gold Trip) http://tinyurl.com/lwelx (Alaska trip)

 

[Wineguy]

Hi Charlie, I use a tank bag only for long trips, and it has a strap (not magnet). It works very well and it is a great place to put "stuff" including a map in the clear cover on the top. The mounting straps just stay on the bike all the time, so mounting it takes about 30 seconds. I also make sure I wipe down the tank before putting it on just to make sure I don't scratch underneath even though the underside of the bag is very soft. When riding, I never even notice it's there, even on mountain twisties. Have fun shopping!

 

[rje_cne]

Hello, I started out with a Courtech 18L magnetic. Had some issues with the zipper pulls and Courtech wouldn't stand behind it, luckily I had purchased it from NewEnough and they stood behind it. Traded it in for a Marsee 21L with magnetic base. I have loved it, the bag is even seperatable from the base to carry it without messing with the base/security strap. My $.02 Thanks, Robert Elliott Cornelia, GA 2006 C10 COG # 7598 CDA#0293

 

[enumclaw]

I use the same tank bag Slybones is talking about, only mine has held up better, apparently. I only use all pieces on real long trips. A few years ago going to the rally back in SD, for instance. It was great to have the extra space. Plus, on the way back to Washington state with a couple other loonies, we were doing triple digits across Montana for a few hours straight (except for gas stops). Turns out there was a HOG rally going on in one of the towns there during that time also. We blazed by more than a few of them along the way, and I had my left arm leaning across the bag, making it easy to wave as we went by in a blur. It was a hoot! :eg:

 

[A_C]

Tank bags are a nice addition. I prefer the modular/expandable type as you can adjust it depending on what your bringing that day. What ever you choose make sure it comes with a rain fly (bag). Only challenges I found are 1) they can scratch the paint - I've heard the non slip rubber mats help with this, and 2) If you ever get off the bike to sight see you have to carry it around with you (or risk getting it taken). Also, it makes for an interesting ride when the magnets let go and the bag is flapping in your face while your riding 80mph in the rain.

 

[olebiker]

I have used tank bags for at least 25 yrs. The one I have now is a large expandable magnetic one. The last bike I had it on it was prone to blow off at high speed. The bike before that didn't blow off much. And yes you have to keep both the underside of the bag clean as well as the tank or you will have scratches. I have not used it on the Connie yet. The bright red paint will show any scratch so I think I will only use it when needed.