Paging the Tank Bag Owners

Ok, never had one and just bought the £19.99 one in lidl on a whim for
more space.

Other than the fact that there are probably much better ones out there
I was wondering if anyone had any tips or things they noticed when
using one?

For example, the only real issues i have is that now I can't see my
neutral light, or the indicator light, or my velcro'd on digital clock.

None of these are major issues, I'll simply go back to my habit of
hitting the cancel button on the indicator switch every so often in
case I've forgotton, also will retrain myself to feel the gearbox more
for neutral, the clocks annoying as theres nowhere else to put it
higher up.

But all these are trivial compared to my one and only niggle.

What I really want to know is if you all rely solely on the magnetic
aspect of the bag, ie do you strap it down any other way at all?
At up to 90mph it's stable but I didn't have much in it and I'm just
wondering if I'm just being a bit paranoid? [1]

[1] Which is the most likely aspect TBF

 

Is there no strap to go around the headstock? My Oxford one did.

Yes, I reckon you are.

It will be fine[1]


[1] Unlike un-strapped-down throwover panniers, which are fine at up to
at least 130 when full, but don't like it so much when one goes over a
hump onto a raised level-crossing at 50-ish. One needs to stop and
re-adjust somewhat. And the panniers.

 

Magnets were fine until I bought a bike with a plastic tank. Put
something between the tank and the bag or you'll scratch the paint. I
had a thin and soft plastic mesh cloth, can't recall where it came
from.

 

I used to have a magnetic tank bag, I kept it for a year more or less,
using it nearly every day. It worked kind of OK, but I always had the feeling
that it was a precarious solution.
I then bought a Bagster tank cover and I got a bag from Lozzo: overall it's
probably 10 times more expensive than your configuration, but it's worth every
penny. I highly recommend it if you plan to use the bag regularly, there is
no comparison with the magnetic one.

F

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Galet

So did I.

Until one day I put it down in my workshop. On a bench that had quite a
lot of ferrous swarf on it...

 

Ditto. I really liked my magnetic tank bag - it was fine at any spped on my
old GPZ but the Sprint has a plastic tank :-(

 

Not as much fun as feeling them fall off on the M2, then watching from
the hard shoulder as a National Express coach drives right over the
top of them.

Probably.

 

YTC!

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, 'Hog

I find myself unable to formulate a credible defence.

 

CT said:

Nope only a shoulder strap as this can be detached from the magnetic
flaps

I think so

woops!

 

steve auvache said:

It's a naked bike but Ive got a screen so seems to do the job

Aye this is something that has dawned on me, think ill have to get a
strap of sorts.

 

boots said:

Not seen my bike have you

 

I've got the Oxford sprint strap on tankbag base for, strangely enough,
my Oxford sprint Tank bag. Not quite as convenient as the Baglux since
you have to zip it on and off the base but it was available when I
wanted it and much cheaper.

Can't see them anymore on the sounddistribution.co.uk website but MandP
still lists them.
http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/571188/Luggage/Soft-Luggage/Oxford/2008-Conversion-Kit

 

hahah - you tit.

 

What he said. I use that sort of rubberised net mesh - camping stores
sell it. Perfect for the job.

The K has an aluminium tank, of course, so my magnetic bag's no good
on that but then the K's not short of luggage capacity anyway.

 

Or inhaling the great whiff of smouldering throwovers and their
contents: something Champ and I are both familiar with...

 

As is Preston, although in his case it's the plastics on which they're
resting, rather than the pannier contents.

 

Indeed.
On the other hand, the Wing now (occasionally) sports a small tankbag
over the top of the stereo controls.

Attached to adhesive Velcro strips.

It's a really tasteful *brown* vinyl.

Can't remember the make, Kuryakyn, or something.

 

Solo.

 

This stuff ?
http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.cfm/prodFam/Harley/go/Home.Products/catID/13/scID/27