Contact Overland Solutions for all your custom modifications and setup for overland travel.               Discover the extraordinary with Compass Expeditions.

Go Back   The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Tank bag and Tank Pannier security Tank bag and Tank Pannier security
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
With more than 58 destinations worldwide, Edelweiss Bike Travel is Number 1 in guided motorcycle tours!
1 Off Motorsports - Improve your riding experience with our parts and accessories!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 Nov 2008
Xander's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: UK (Aussie ex-pat)
Posts: 458
Tank bag and Tank Pannier security
I have been giving this a lot of thought. We mostly use hard panniers on the back and when asked; most of us say that for one reason is for the increased security (among other reasons).

Then most of us use soft tank bags and tank panniers (in fact I only of Grant J. who has hard fronts). So I have been thinking about the hard front pannier thing. the only ones that you can buy are overland solutions and they are small and 800£. so that is not worth it to me. So what does every one else do. I decided I dont like the idea of a hard tank bag/box.. the sharp edge in my chest in case of a sudden stop is a bit scary. The Pac-safe (tank bag) one seems okay but is very exxy and this still leaves the the front bags unprotected. I know nothing will stop a pro-thief it is really just the opportunistic grab and run guy (which i reckon is the most likely kind to encounter too). I have not discounted the idea of hard front panniers and will make em if need be. but i was just interested in others opinions.
Cheers all
X
__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com
Last edited by Xander; 19 Nov 2008 at 12:34.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Danmark
Posts: 272
Look here:

Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products
__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Nov 2008
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Back in Auld Reekie
Posts: 1,111
BarPack Mapcase (080-0030) from Touratech-USA

I used one of these, you'll just fill a tankbag with more stuff and more stuff=more weight.
I could get my camera and wallet in it plus other odds and sods like ear plugs etc. I also used it to charge my camera battery or MP3 player as I had a socket on the handlebars. When arriving at a town to look for accommodation, it just unclips from the bars and I could stuff it in my helmet while walking about looking for a hotel etc. It has a good size window for displaying your map too.
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Last edited by MikeS; 19 Nov 2008 at 17:01.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Santa Marta, Colombia, South America
Posts: 356
Maybe it's just a Latin American thing, but nobody has ever shown the slightest interest in running off with my luggage. By the way, I just use soft panniers slung over the saddle or a dry sack strapped to the rear carrier. I remove the tank bag, (which contains my most prized possessions), when the bike is out of sight.
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
Last edited by Stretcher Monkey; 19 Nov 2008 at 15:45.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 1,436
I've been using roll-top panniers in front, slung over my tank and bungied to my crash bars. It looks properly Mad Max, but I do worry about them being slit open or vanishing altogether. The problem is most pronounced when I arrive someplace after dark and have to park and dismount to look for directions, lodging, food, etc.

I just ordered a pair of smallish top-loading Pelican cases and will u-bolt them to the crash bars on my other bike. With a little padlock on each they'll be as secure as my rear panniers (Happy Trails) and topbox (Pelican), and I hope to make them easy to load and unload or attach and detach. We'll see.

enjoy,

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gold Coast, Australia.
Posts: 563
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stretcher Monkey View Post
Maybe it's just a Latin American thing, but nobody has ever shown the slightest interest in running off with my luggage. By the way, I just use soft panniers slung over the saddle or a dry sack strapped to the rear carrier. I remove the tank bag, (which contains my most prized possessions), when the bike is out of sight.
Only been to Argentina thus far but people keep heaps more distance than anywhere else I've been. Freaky almost but refreshing.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 167
here's the go.
think of a few low-value, easily-replaced items that also fit the bill for light-weight and bulk, and keep them in your tank panniers. a few such items:
  • pasta, rice, other food;
  • bog roll;
  • oil;
  • $2 chinese sprayjacket and umbrella;
  • half-empty tin of boot treatment;
  • dirty socks and jocks.
leave the bags themselves unlocked, with the stuff in plastic bags for waterproofness. this also helps when you have to dig out the items on the bottom. maybe keep stuff like the bog roll or an oily rag on top, just to discourage any opportunist that makes it that far.

we also kept hundreds of dollars worth of goretex liners for riding gear at the bottom of ours. noone ever showed interest, even with the bike parked out of sight, sometimes all day. no drama.

cheers,
andy.
__________________
www.outforaspin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 14 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tomahawk,Wisconsin
Posts: 215
South America is one thing but Russia is way different, so is Mongolia. In Russia stealing is an art form.

Buy a bag that comes off easily. Keep the hard bags locked, when you stop put the GPS in your jacket pocket,

You just have to.
Never put your wallet in your tank bag. In mongolia I saw 15 kids open a rider's tank bag, take his wallet and run...he was sitting on the bike.
b
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gold Coast, Australia.
Posts: 563
Totally agree. In Asia they don't care what it is. You have it and they want it. Had my map case nicked of my handle bars in Georgia. The usual really. Surrounded by heaps of onlookers while tring to sort out a hotel. Someone was always on the bike.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Home Made Pannier with Inbuilt Water Tank tmotten Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 14 12 Jun 2011 09:47
Tank bags for an Acerbis tank *Touring Ted* Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 3 3 Apr 2007 16:28
Tenere Tank Bag+Tank Panniers Fish TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 3 7 Dec 2003 07:17
Tank Panniers and tank bag Jode Suzuki Tech 1 22 Nov 2002 15:14
Tank panniers and tank bag Jode Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 0 22 Nov 2002 10:10


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:07.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top