r65ls tankbag

[wmsoller]

all--

any thoughts/suggestion on a good tankbag for the 65ls?

thanks much and happy holidays.

[nhmaf]

There are many possibilities - sorta depends on several factors including how much stuff you want to carry in it, preference for straps or magnetic mount, and how important it is to have visible map pocket on the top.  I use a magnetic mount bag on my LS as it gets transferred back and forth between it and my Kawasaki Concours every week.  A couple brands that I've had good luck with in the past, that aren't nearly as expensive as the BMW brand units are CorTech and Nelson-Rigg.   The model I have isn't produced anymore, but both these manufacturers have something I think could work for you without breaking the bank.

[wmsoller]

thanks much for the input. as for size, middle of the road would be great. I prefer strap over magnetic. Map pocket I'm on the fence about. I'm more interested in the storage. I'll take a look at the two manufacturers you mentioned.

[marcmax]

I have a CorTech magnetic bag on my LS that is somewhere between a small and a medium size bag. I holds enough for day tripping. Anything more and it gets stuffed in the panniers. The nice thing about it is a built in carrying handle and a shoulder strap. Don't have to worry about leaving valuables if you stop in some place but you will catch hell from your riding buddies for carrying a "man purse". 

[wmsoller]

does anyone know if the old multivarios's will fit the 65ls? i see bmw didn't make them for that year of r65, but think i've seen them mounted.

[nhmaf]

I would expect that if they could fit any year R65, they would fit all (as the tank didn't change), but the R65 tank is a bit longer and narrower than the R80/R100 tanks, though very close to the R80 G/S and ST tank.

I still like the conveniences, materials, etc of the modern bags over the period bags

[wmsoller]

I thought the R65 tank changed in 85?

[nhmaf]

In model year 1986,iirc, the R65 became a monolever frame model and shared all the frame and body parts with the R80, R100.  For the twinshock frame models, it has more of its own parts

[wmsoller]

Thanks much. I did a bit of research and a multivario was offered for the 85-87 r65, but not the earlier models. It appears the later tank was larger and the multivario made for the later bike will not fit the earlier models. But I'm not certain. I suppose one would have to try it out.

[nhmaf]

If it is a strap mount system to fit a monolever, it likely will have too long of straps and too wide a base to fit well on the narrower twin shock frame tank.

It might be possible to adapt it, but I wouldn't know how much work is involved..