tankbags

[fratedog]

Allright ,thanks to a very knowledgable reply I've solved the tailbag issue, but my old bmw tank bag won't fit on the rs, even with modification. So, how 'bout recommendations on a good mid-sized tankbag for the 2002 rs ? Once again...TIA, fratedog :help:

[Fastman]

I've got a Sargent and am very happy with it. The one invaluable mod I made was to run the forward straps out to the two fasteners inside the cockpit opening and hold the quarter panels in (picture attached). Running them out gives the bag very high side-to-side stability.

[boltonbeemah]

I took my Eclipse off my old bike and, while it's not a perfect fit, it's secure enough (three-point harness), holds what I need it to, and it's lasted quite well for 6+years and 60k+ miles.

http://www.accwhse.com/photos/eclipse_standard_tankbag.gif

If I needed another bag tomorrow, though, I'd be tempted to try a Marsee. They make a bag tapered to fit our bike's tank. You can see it (and others)
here:
http://www.marseeproducts.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.100.exe/online-store/scstore/p-RM-3321.html?L+scstore+ggqb1311ff6f036f+1089128168

David

[gezerbike]

Big Mak tank Bags are really neat...pricey but nice ...check them out at WWW.cyclegadgets.com I have the stealth ss

[klein9]

Let me put my vote in for the stock bag. It does a couple of things besides carrying a lot of "stuff". The rear attachment point protects the tank from being damaged from your jacket, with the bag zipped off the attachment point is still on the bike. The bag sits well to the rear on the tank and has a flat rear surface that is at the same angle as your sitting position, lets you lean against the bag...very comfortable on long rides. This flat area offers one more point of contact to the bike... pegs, seat, bars and chest to bag, body english everywhere.


http://userweb.suscom.net/~kkerstetter9/BagRS.jpg

[dickybeau]

I am a fan of the Bagster range. The tank cover protects my paint and the range of bags are pretty useful. Not particularly cheap but can be colour matched to most bikes. http://www.baglux.co.uk is the uk site. Easy to clip on and take off. easy to fill up, just flip the bag forward to reveal filler cap.

[darrylri]

I have a Bagster also, very stable and easy to fill the tank. But I also have one of their tank bras for my R90S, so I can swap the tankbag over to whichever bike I'm riding in about 10 seconds.

[JimVonBaden]

Let me put my vote in for the stock bag. It does a couple of things besides carrying a lot of "stuff". The rear attachment point protects the tank from being damaged from your jacket, with the bag zipped off the attachment point is still on the bike. The bag sits well to the rear on the tank and has a flat rear surface that is at the same angle as your sitting position, lets you lean against the bag...very comfortable on long rides. This flat area offers one more point of contact to the bike... pegs, seat, bars and chest to bag, body english everywhere.


http://userweb.suscom.net/~kkerstetter9/BagRS.jpg
I'm with Kieth!

The factory bag looks good, fits perfect and is very durable, as well as what Kieth said!

Besides, it's only $200 new from A&SBMW! You may pay less, but you wont find a better bag for less.

Jim:cool:

[MikeT]

Believe it or not, about two-three months after I originally posted on the subject of Tank Bags on the old site, and I got plenty of good feedback there, I still cannot make my mind up and am still tank bagless ! :dunno: . Heres my current thinking

(1) Big Mak looks good, but the one big drawback I see is that when I don't need a bag (and I don't always need one) I would be stuck with the rack and platen on the bike, like to see some pics of what that looks like, especially on a Red RS.
Also I primarily want a small bag and the dimensions of Big Mak Diamond Cases sold at cyclegadgets sound ideal, but I cannot find any pics of what they look like alone or fitted, I asked cyclegadgets but they could not help.

(2) BMW stock bag looks good also, the complete thing can be removed easily when not needed, though the bag dimensions may not be so ideal - this is my current favorite.

(3) Bagster sounds good also, but not sure how the red tank cover looks on the RS, Any Pics, also not sure the bags are as good quality as the BMW.

I have not really investigated the other options mentioned on this thread, price wise the options above are all similar, time to "get the finger out" I think looks like the BMW bag or ..........................

[MikeH]

I've always used the BMW bag, which fits in seconds and is in the perfect position when riding. It does have a couple of drawbacks:-
1. It is not easy to carry off the bike as there is no shoulder strap. This doesn't bother me personally as I leave it attached.
2. The foam rubber pad on the bottom eventually comes unstuck. I've glued mine back on twice.
But on the whole it's given good service over the last 7 years and is good for a few more.

[JimVonBaden]

Believe it or not, about two-three months after I originally posted on the subject of Tank Bags on the old site, and I got plenty of good feedback there, I still cannot make my mind up and am still tank bagless !

Wow! How long did it take you to decide which bike you wanted?:laugh:

Jim:cool:

[dickybeau]

I think bagster do more than just red for the covers. Check their site.

Ricky

[MikeT]

Wow! How long did it take you to decide which bike you wanted?:laugh:

Jim:cool:
Jim, well with my last bike (Suzuki Bandit 600), after owning it for about a year, I started thinking about what I would like next, and that continued for about a year before I settled on the RS :eek: , (mind you financials did enter the equation also), at least with the RS I get the feeling I won't start looking around aagain so soon :) .

[JimVonBaden]

Jim, well with my last bike (Suzuki Bandit 600), after owning it for about a year, I started thinking about what I would like next, and that continued for about a year before I settled on the RS :eek: , (mind you financials did enter the equation also), at least with the RS I get the feeling I won't start looking around aagain so soon :) .
I was joking, of course!

That's pretty reasonable considering. I'm sure you will have this great bike a LONG time!

Jim:cool:

[MikeT]

Well, I finally "got the finger out" made a decision and ordered the BMW tankbag today, thanks to all who advised.

Mike

[JimVonBaden]

Well, I finally "got the finger out" made a decision and ordered the BMW tankbag today, thanks to all who advised.

Mike
You wont regret it, but make sure you wash your hands!:laugh: :eek:

Jim:cool:

[John T]

Well after reading all this input I ran out and bought the factory bag also.Excellent quality and features.
So the family will just have to eat less for a month or two !
Has anyone bought the factory electrification kit ? Looks cool.
Worth about 2 months of music lessons for the kids.Decisions....decisions.

[bjaanning]

I got the factory tank bag for my 94rs and found that the foam underneath is now wearing away. It aslo has come completely off of the bag itself. I wouldn't mind so much but the foam is now noticable as little bits under the fuel cap. Oh well. I wrapped up the foam in plastic (hasn't hurt the paint, yet).

[JimVonBaden]

I got the factory tank bag for my 94rs and found that the foam underneath is now wearing away. It aslo has come completely off of the bag itself. I wouldn't mind so much but the foam is now noticable as little bits under the fuel cap. Oh well. I wrapped up the foam in plastic (hasn't hurt the paint, yet).
My foam has come off once, and is now pilling a bit, but the bag is 6 years old and was used constantly. I'm lookinginto replacing the foam with a higher density modern foam that wont degrade.

Still, I don't think I could find a better bag for the bike.

Jim:cool:

[klein9]

I was given a sheet of headliner foam, it has a soft cloth side (headliner side) attached to 3/8 foam. I cut a pattern and glued two pieces together to make it thick enough to work. The glue sprays on ...wait about 60 second and then put
the two pieces together for a permanent fix. Place the headliner side against the tank. The new foam has been inplace for 20,000 miles and works great. Most car upholstery shops should carry this type of foam.

[Skyenet]

I use pieces of Gripper Mat for stopping stuff in my 4X4 sliding around and cut a piece to place under my tank bag to stop it moving and to protect the paintwork. The Tank bag I have was bought for a bike with a metal tank and has magnets inside it. No use on the R1100RS or F650 so have adapted the bag and fitting so that they can easily clip on either bike with a piece of gripper mat laid over the tank. I have picked up Gripper Mat in quite reasonable sized rolls for around £5 in large DIY shops. Also available in Autostores/Maplins, but usually in small sizes so not good VFM.

The following is an example of the stuff I mean. Not sure what its called in the USA.

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/pages/moreinfoa.asp?pe=HBEHBCQ_+Draper+Non+Slip+Grip+Mat&cid=880

[frogwalking]

I bought a Marsee bag when I bought my 2002 RS. I have been completely satisfied with it since then. It fits like it was made for the RS (it was) and the price was about half that for the BMW version. No complaints.

[Tracus]

Skyenet,

Similar names for the gripper mat here in the U.S. Often it is found next to the routers and sanders in hardware stores. Mine is simply called a Router Pad. They're a bit pricey, but your suggestion made me wonder if the anti-slip pads for carpeting would work just as well. Large pieces are fairly cheap and easily cut to shape. I might give it a try.

Thanks for the tip.

Chris