tank bags

[sacred_dog]

does anyone recommend tank bags for a long haul?
one that shows the map, etc?

if so, what brands?

are they magnetic? have straps? is one better than another?

I appreaciate any help you might give me.



also: anyone got any pix of their bikes loaded for a long haul? I'm running from the east coast to sturgis this summer, and want to see how other people pack.

I took a short 3 hour run with a t bag, and my sleeping back with some leatherlike saddle bags. It rained pretty hard, and water got into the saddle bags, and the sleeping bag on back was drenched.

should all the stuff in bags be in garbage bags or water tight canoe bags?

thanks,

Tim

[ironmorph]

I picked one up at "cyclegear" model Cargo # car001, it's large and very handy. It's magnetic and tested at over 100mph not to blow off, just with the magnets. I have it on my bike, look at my avatar. I would go nowhere without it. The map feature on it is awesome. It has a rain bonnet in severe downpours, but I have not used it yet, and my stuff staed fairly dry in heavy rains. I have used mine for about 1.5 years and ridden over 20K with it. 8)

[BillF]

Tankbags, especially w/ the map window, look really handy. But I always worry about:

1. scratching my tank
2. blocking my view of the speedometer.

What's everone's experience w/ these two concerns?

[ironmorph]

Two excellent concerns. My tank is a little scratched, and I don't mind cause my bike runs just as good, so It has little effect on my bike. I refuse to let scratches stop me from having as much fun as I can with my bike. Just my mind set though. My bag, placed as low as it can go, leaves me seeing all my instrument panel, without a problem.

The benfits of the bag, far outweight the drawbacks. They make a nice clear plastic coating you can stick to your tank and protect it. If you wipe your tank bottom carfully, you can help with this a great deal. 8)

[Todd2]

I'm surprised your Leatherlykes let so much water in. Mine were pretty good. However, you have discovered the same thing I did over the years. Plastic bag everything you do not want to get wet, 'cause it surely will, eventually. I have heard a lot of controversy over this statement, but I'll say it again - ALL bags will get wet inside, unless they are hard fiberglass (or plastic) with good rubber lip seals. You have simply proven it again. I use freezer sized zip-lock baggies to protect individual items (like electronics), and garbage bags inside saddle bags, or dive/canoe bags (w/ those roll over openings) to keep my bulk clothes dry. YES, YOU REALLY DO NEED THEM. A light drizzle is nothing. A raging rain storm for hours will soak you and everything you are carrying. Bar hopping is one thing, cross country riding is another. Be prepared. :wink: Good luck and have fun!

Todd

Oh! To answer your other question - look at my avatar - that's how I travelled all across the US.

[mruiz31]

I use an Oxford magnetic tankbag. Used to use a strap type, too much hassle to gas up, etc. The magnetic bag has one safety strap that goes around the handlebar neck, just in case of a bad side wind gust, so you don't lose the bag. I'm with ironmorph, I don't worry about scratches. I would rather ride than polish all the time. I use a GPS, so I have several trip meters and a speedo that is more accurate than the bike's, so I don't mind covering up the panel. I love the bag that I now have. It has the clear map pouch as most do, but also comes with a shoulder strap to use when wallking around. The bottom panel unzips and leaves the magnets with another clear map panel you can use separately, but this also exposes a set of backstraps to enable wearing like a backpack, very nice!
The bag is indespensable for carrying all of those little things you like to have handy, like billfold, camera, batteries, chapstick, sunscreen, maglight, bulbs, fuses, the list goes on and on, limited only by your imagination. And everything is right in front of you (like that bag of sour lemon drops), no more stopping and digging around in saddlebags.

[saltair]

Agree with others... a tank bag is indispensable on a long run. Just finished a 1,000 mi run on the 1800 R/S to Ottawa over three days and having every little thing I needed within arm's reach made the trip all the easier.
And the eight hours total rain I ran it didnt hurt it or its contents a bit! :shock:

[x rated]

just my 2 cents. Ive nevrer need one and feel there just in the way. On a sport bike I could see it but on a cruiser I think its overkill. How much stuff do you need. Isnt the Idea you and the open road. If you feel you need it then thats cool Guess Im kinda of in the thought on my bike less is more. :)

[sacred_dog]

ok guys, I'm writing from glorious south dakota.

and trust me: tank bags suck.

they are junk collectors.
they are perpetually in the way.
they block the speedo, etc.
filling up is a pain too.

next time I'm going with a t bag and saddle bags only.

and the ironbutt guys told me I should practice long rides etc.... I don't have a clue what they were talking about. My first day was 1200 miles and was a breeze. I would have kept going if I had not left after a long day of work and no sleep. I am certain I could easily put in 2000 miles if I wanted. (not that i DO.)

someday, I might ride coast to coast straight just for fun.

Tim