Tankbags

**fireboomer** · #1 15 Feb 2002

I am looking around for a good tankbag. The one I have now is hindering me when I have to stand up. And since I am planning to go riding around Marocco... lots of standing up.
Ideally I want to leave me tankcover on and place the tankbag on it, just strapping it on with straps. So a magnet-model is not an option.
I have looked at the Touratech models and I do like them. Anyone experiences with them?
Would be great if anyone knew a dealer or somebody in or around Belgium were I could get a good tankbag.

**wbagwell** · #2 15 Feb 2002

Hi Fireboomer,

What kind of bike is it for, what do you have now, and do you have a model that expands upwards? Just wondering if it's the height or the placement towards the rear of the tank that's preventing you from standing up.

I use a Touratech Enduro tankbag, and I like it a lot. The only problem is that there isn't always a neat way to strap the bottom plate on to the bike, so I'd get one made specifically for your bike if there's one available.

You should be able to purchase from http://www.touratech.de, no?

I have several friends who use Wolfman tank bags, which are priced similarly, and really like them: http://www.wolfmanluggage.com/
It appears that you can have those bags shipped outside of North America and Canada, from their order page.

On trail bikes like my XR650L, a big tank bag doesn't stop me from standing up but gets in the way of steering since the tank has very little space to put a bag. So if you ride a similar bike, you might want to take that into consideration.

I was at the BMW shop the other day and was shocked to discover that BMW and Wunderlich are charging $250 and up for tankbags!

Cheers,
Wright

**PanEuropean** · #3 16 Feb 2002

Hi Fireboomer:

I bought a Chase Harper Eurosport 1501 tankbag last summer. I have been very happy with it.

The bag is well constructed, intelligently designed, and very sturdy. After 18,000 km's of riding, and removing it and schlepping it into the hotel every night, it shows no signs of wear.

The 1501 Eurosport is the largest volume tankbag Chase Harper makes. When fully expanded, it holds a lot, over 25 liters. But it does collapse down to a reasonable size for day trip use if you don't want to stuff it to full capacity.

I bought this tank bag through Aerostitch in the USA, because they had the best price I could find for it. (Note that this was an unusual surprise for Aerostitch, it is not often that they have the lowest price for anything). Their service was great, no problem with international shipping.

Below is a picture of the bag, fully stuffed.

[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 16 February 2002).]

**Maniac28** · #4 17 Feb 2002

I recently mounted a nelson-rigg expandable tank bag on my klr650. My main problem was the rear mount strap - had to attach it under my seat and therefore the buckle is under the seat so i cant remove the bag unless i remove the seat - which is not handy. But other than that the bag is nice. Almost bought the large eurosport from Chase Harper, like the one above, but i saved money and put it towards a new tail trunk. woohoo!

------------------

Happy Riding

Ian aka "Maniac"
93' KLR650

**fireboomer** · #5 17 Feb 2002

Thanks for all the info already. I have a Honda Transalp XL650.
For the moment I have a Bagster tankcover wich I really love. It protects the tank, gives extra padding to my knees (also when standing up) and I like the looks of it. BUT... the tankbags that Bagster make really suck.
I have a really big one from Bagster that I use for the express-courier riding. But I can't use that one when I go to Marocco. It hinders me when I stand up because of its position is a bit far to the back.
And as Wright mentions it sometimes also gets in the way when I have to take real sharp turns.

I am hoping to find a tankbag that I can strap on on top of the tankcover.
Touratech is a option and I'll take a look at Wolfman and Chase Harper.

(20min later)
I looked around on the websites.
Out of the three options (touratech, wolfman and chase harper), touratech comes out with the best deal I think.

[This message has been edited by fireboomer (edited 17 February 2002).]

**Freek** · #6 17 Feb 2002

Hi,

I like the VP45 from touratech.
It has 2 sidebags on both sides off the tank.
It also takes your knees out the wind.
I've the BMW model witch fits on my KTM-Adventure.

Freek (NL)

**vincent danna** · #7 17 Feb 2002

hi,
does the vp 45 offer a kind of protection for the legs etc ...?
is it not too heavy too ? how many liters, what do you put inside for example ?
does it fix correctly to a big tank, like 35 l original bmw for example ? no risk to fall down : how are the fixations ? did you ad something to the original fixations ?

in fact, i would like to avoid to put too much weight at the rear on the suspensions, i'm lloking for an alternative to alu boxes (see on bmw tech)

thanks a lot freek,

**fireboomer** · #8 18 Feb 2002

Freek,
I love the idea of the VP-45. But isn't their a risc of making your bike top-heavy? Although I guess you could put all the light stuff in it.
And (this might seem a stupid question, but it can give me a better idea of the thing without really seeing it): what do you put away in it when traveling?
Is their a way to secure the zippers? For ex with a little U-lock?
Has anyone ever tried it on a Honda Transalp?

**mmaarten** · #9 18 Feb 2002

Hai all,

Take a look at this place: http://storage.atic.org/accessory/ac..._tankbag1.html

I got myself a "Tuareg large" from Hein Gericke. It's really good quality and straps on very tight. It has two side-bag's and all bags can be taken off with zippers.

Maarten

**Freek** · #10 18 Feb 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by vincent danna:
hi,
does the vp 45 offer a kind of protection for the legs etc ...?

Your knee are behind the sidebags, so it protects you to the wind.

Quote:

Originally posted by vincent danna:

is it not too heavy too ? how many liters, what do you put inside for example ?

45 liters

Quote:

does it fix correctly to a big tank, like 35 l original bmw for example ? no risk to fall down : how are the fixations ? did you ad something to the original fixations ?

they make a model for BMW and afrika-twin.
I used the BMW model first on my Yamaha super Tenere 750 and now on my my KTM-Adventure,(without changing fixations) so a big tank wouldn't be the problem

Quote:

in fact, i would like to avoid to put too much weight at the rear on the suspensions, i'm lloking for an alternative to alu boxes (see on bmw tech)
thanks a lot freek,

On the rear I use a luggagerol(waterproof) for my tent, sleepingbag and mat. (10 kg)

and I use the saddlebags from Ortlieb also waterproof.

------------------
quotes fixed by Grant - you need to put Quote in front, and /Quote at end of quoted piece. Both "Quotes" inside [ ] of course.

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 19 February 2002).]

**Freek** · #11 18 Feb 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by fireboomer:
Freek,
I love the idea of the VP-45. But isn't their a risc of making your bike top-heavy? Although I guess you could put all the light stuff in it.

Your right; I use it for (rain)clothes and other soft luggage.

Quote:

And (this might seem a stupid question, but it can give me a better idea of the thing without really seeing it):

see www.touratech.de

Quote:

what do you put away in it when traveling?
Is their a way to secure the zippers? For ex with a little U-lock?

I didn't try it, but the zipper has an opening, so it should be possible.

Quote:

Has anyone ever tried it on a Honda Transalp?

--------------------
quotes fixed by Grant

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 19 February 2002).]

**vincent danna** · #12 19 Feb 2002

thanks freek for your answer :-)

thnaks too mmaarten, very good page, the hg looks perfect and cheaper than touratech :-)
on which bike or tank do you put it, i have a big tank, 35 l bmw original.

safe travels ,

**fireboomer** · #13 19 Feb 2002

Thanks for all the info!

**Grant Johnson** · #14 19 Feb 2002

Just to complicate all this, and after posting a reply to Vincent Danna elsewhere on a similar thread, I just wanted to add a thought.

Over many years I have gone from a monster tank bag to a big to a medium to a little - and been happier every time!

The big tank bags are in the way, even the best tend to flop around somewhat, and raise the center of gravity of the bike too much.

PanEuropean can't, but most of the rest of us can put side tank bags on, getting the weight lower, out of the way, and giving physical leg protection and weather protection. You can put the really heavy stuff in there too.

Have a look at Greg Fraziers rig;

[img]/tech/images/0255907-GregFrazierLoadingUshuaia.jpg[/img]

Note his tank bag is low and not big - an Acerbis tank is lower than stock. He carries a couple of cameras and lenses in it.

My tank bag now carries ONLY camera stuff (tank dampens vibes - weight plus it's rubber mounted and the tank bag is on rubber too)plus sunglasses.

Greg carries tools and spares in the front bags, and cook kit and food in the "heel" bags in front of the panniers.

Just food for thought...

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**fireboomer** · #15 19 Feb 2002

Grant,

To be honest, it crossed my mind too that big tankbags might just be too uncomfortable.
So do you think the VP 45 from touratech with 25 on the tank is ok or even on the big side?
Any idea of you can buy the side tank bags seperatly?