Tank Bags

[DavidPorter]

OK, what's a good setup for a tank bag on an R65?  I did a forum search and came up with zero.  Years ago I had an Eclipse Sportpack, black with a red stripe that kind of matched the bike, but they've been "temporarily out of stock" on the Eclipse website for a while now.  Was there a factory Multivario bag?  

Thanks.

[Sergeant_Joe]

Go with ex-Military bum bags and ammo pouches. 8-)

[darrylri]

As I suggested over on the MOA forum, the Bagster tank bra and bag system is great.  You buy a bra to protect your tank and the bag clips on securely in seconds.  It comes off quickly too, to gas up.  If you have more than one bike, get a bra for each and you can just move the bag from bike to bike, no unpacking and repacking.  

(For the Brits out there, I think this is called a Baglux.)

[NC Steve]

The Cortech magnetic bags look and work very well, available in several sizes. I usually use the 6.5 liter (I think) Super Mini bag which holds my camera, watch, wallet, cell phone, and a gaggle of other stuff. They're well made, affordable, and easy to find, lots of good used examples are normally listed on Ebay

I also on occasion use a flatter, expandable RKA bag, also magnetic ( the only way to go, in my opinion, with steel tanked bikes), but it doesn't "seat" quite as well with the tank cover in place. The magnetic base doesn't clear the outer cover pockets very well, but it sticks like glue when the cover if off.

Which ever way you go, unless you just have to buy new, you'll  save about 1/2 by getting a gently used bag, that'll last for years.

[darrylri]

If you have a magnetic tank bag, be very careful to clean the magnets before you put it on.  A bit of grit under a magnet will put a nice scratch in your paint, like I have on my R90S.  

[nhmaf]

Another vote for magnetic tankbags - easy to switch from bike to bike!

I have/use this one, which I quite like except for just (1) thing:  The clear map-pocket on the top is not wide enough to be able to show 2 sections of a standard size map and it is just a bit short to show one full section of a standard sized roadmap.    If the top/map compartment was about an inch longer and an inch or two wider it would be great.   It is pretty handy and well made, otherwise.

http://www.amazon.com/Dowco-Rally-Delux-MAGNETIC-HARNESS/dp/B002LDD2HC

[msbuck]

If you have a magnetic tank bag, be very careful to clean the magnets before you put it on.  A bit of grit under a magnet will put a nice scratch in your paint, like I have on my R90S.  

I use a magnetic tank bag as well.  Do beware of the scratching.  I put a nice soft cloth between the bag and my tank - doesn't seem to affect the hold of the magnets.  Here's a review of the bag I have...
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/marsee/marsee.htm

I had a bad experience with a large, fully loaded tank bag and won't use them - or even completely fill my small one anymore.  It's not helpful when you are trying to park and the tall tank bag tips over and hits the kill switch...  

[DgM]

I use an eclipse tank bag with a modification to the neoprene pad betwixt tank and bag.  With neoprene pad in place gas tank cap is covered, blocking proper venting.  I cut a circular hole in pad that lines up with cap and ran a pvc pipe split lengthwise from over cap to front of pad, allowing for venting.  Works well, as noted above be sure to keep pad clean of grit to prevent scratching paint.

[Semper Gumby]

I have a Marsee Magnetic tank bag.  Works good and has lots of reflective material.  +1 on keeping the bottom clean.

[Altritter]

If you have a magnetic tank bag, be very careful to clean the magnets before you put it on.A bit of grit under a magnet will put a nice scratch in your paint,

+One!! Any ham radio operator who has used a magnetic antenna mount on a car roof will corroborate this.

[bjamesw]

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/packs/dart

I've been using this company's "Bullet" pack which is a 16L version of the one above for almost ten years and really like it.  Only thirty bucks when I bought it and I never, ever, leave anything too valuable in it when I park so I'm not terribly worried about it getting ripped off the bike.  I've been just about everywhere with it though and never had a problem anyway.  I attach it to the tank exactly as I'd attach it to myself.   The shoulder straps wrap around the frame tubes under the tank and the waist strap wraps around the tank.  

There is still plenty of room on the tank for the 30L version and I'm going to order that one soon.   30L is much more than enough for any travelling that I do.  Very well built and good looking packs on a bike tank.  I'll probaby fit quick release buckles under the tank in order to take it on and off easily while still using the buckles supplied. I like the ability to use a tank bag as a dedicated backpack when travelling.

[raypond]

G'day,

Wait until Aldi have theirs (about once a year) and rush in and buy one. About $50 Oz, magnetic, well made, big bag and smaller bag that zip on top of each other (use either or both), zip off 'bum bag, shoulder straps, waterproof cover. Lots of friends have bought them and all really like them.

Cheers,

Ray
'86 R65

[montmil]

If you have a magnetic tank bag, be very careful to clean the magnets before you put it on.  A bit of grit under a magnet will put a nice scratch in your paint, like I have on my R90S.  

Being a frugal yet not cheap BMW rider, I enjoy my Dowco magnetic tank bag. All the fetures of the high dollar big names except the price.

I use a strip of duct tape to pull off any grit from the magnetic areas prior to mounting the bag. No scratches yet... Fingers crossed.

Monte