need help searching for the perfect tank and tail bag

[ichiro360]

i am a ready to go traveller and i always have my xs ready pack with clothes and stuff. but i have been using a backpack from ergodyne as a tank bag. all i did was strap like on yur back but only on the tank... im am looking for the perfect tank bag and saddle bags or whatever..... everyone here has a xs so it is a perfect to find out what tank back and luggage boxes work great... i dont care if i have to modify my bike for tail bags but i am not gonna modify my tank.... my tank cap is not centered of my tank but is offset toward the right... let me know.....

[madmax-im]

i am a ready to go traveller and i always have my xs ready pack with clothes and stuff. but i have been using a backpack from ergodyne as a tank bag. all i did was strap like on yur back but only on the tank... im am looking for the perfect tank bag and saddle bags or whatever..... everyone here has a xs so it is a perfect to find out what tank back and luggage boxes work great... i dont care if i have to modify my bike for tail bags but i am not gonna modify my tank.... my tank cap is not centered of my tank but is offset toward the right... let me know.....

I use a Cortech Mini tank bag its magnetic and even at 85 mph it doesnt flyoff at all...its down low enough that it is clear of the tank cap...as for saddle bags there are many kinds of soft bags that will work...I dont have any but again look at the Cortech line of stuff they make lots of different configurations of tail/saddle bags and a combination of both as well. I am planning to add a back rack with a trunk on it rather than soft luggage...you should be able to come up with something good.

[rpgoerlich]

A year ago I picked up a 27L tank bag from MOTOPAK I've been real happy with. Picked it up off of Ebay for $55 delivered. Being expandable, I've been able to put most anything in it and it stays put. Looking at getting a set of saddlebags from them as well.

[kjohnson]

I don't use (yet) but have heard good things about Rapid Transit bags http://www.rapid-transit.com/rt/index.htm

[trbig]

Well.. what's your definition of perfect tank bag? One that is a bit aerodynamic that won't hold as much, or something that you can pack the kitchen sink in and still have room leftover for the body you plan to ditch in the woods?

Same with saddle bags. Do you want just good functional, or do you want ginormous?

Tod

[Pat Kelly]

I have a large Tourmaster magnetic tank bag. It has never budged on my E, LG or XL250 dual-sport. It does come with a strap that attaches it to the frame (and I use it) but it has never been needed.
I have hard-bagsand trunk on my E so no advice on those. I have bungeed a duffle on the seat of my LG and that worked great.

[CatatonicBug]

Personally, I love the styling of the Vetter hard luggage system. I just got a Vetter Trunk, and it mounts to any luggage rack. If you don't already have one, the luggage rack would be the place to start. Be sure you get a rack that fits your bike (diffferent styles for standards vs specials). If you want saddlebags, are you looking for hard or soft? Removable, or fixed? Lots of options there. Vetter has a setup for that too, and the original Yamaha setup was made by Pacifico, IIRC. Any regular soft saddlebags will work, as long as they don't hang too low and sit on your pipes. I actually just took my soft saddlebags off, in favor of the trunk. I saw a guy on an old Goldwing the other day, dropping a full case of beer into his Vetter trunk. It still had enough room for snacks, if he had them!

So, really, your options are open, and you just have to decide what you like. Look at other folks' setups, and ask them about what they have.

[cywelchjr]

I would have to agree with cbug, I love the look and utility of the vetter hardbag system. I have a complete setup on my 80G and love that I can fit well over $100 worth of groceries in them when I go to the store. I had soft bags when I got the bike and just didn't have the space to carry much of anything. That said, with the bags and all the bike does have a fat butt, but I still think it looks good.

I also have a small corbin tank bag for carrying things like a camera and stuff that I need access to without getting off the bike, I might even try putting my GPS unit in the clear part of it at some point.

[CatatonicBug]

I might even try putting my GPS unit in the clear part of it at some point.

I just used the suction cup mounting bracket and mounted the GPS to the tank. I licked the suction cup and wiped the tank first, and it made it all the way from Kansas City to St. Louis, at close to 100mph at times. Of course, that was behind a Windjammer...

[DiverRay]

I have a LARGE Nelson Riggs tank bag on the standard, and a small one on the Midnight Special. They are both magnetic, and work great. I DO have a set of Nelson Riggs LARGE soft saddlebags that I no longer use. I did use them for my 7,300 mile trip three years ago, and had them on and off a few times after that. The "new" bike had the Vetter saddle bags, so I now use them.
ANY soft bag WILL need a bar to keep them off the shocks and brakes. I used a 3/8" steel brake line and bent it to work. You can buy universal mount kits that do the same thing.

[CatatonicBug]

ANY soft bag WILL need a bar to keep them off the shocks and brakes. I used a 3/8" steel brake line and bent it to work. You can buy universal mount kits that do the same thing.

Not true! My soft bags hang down clear of the shocks, and actually tie ONTO the bottom of the shock springs with a leather cord. No need for any additional support brackets, as long as they don't sag down too far and rest on the pipes.

[cywelchjr]

I just used the suction cup mounting bracket and mounted the GPS to the tank. I licked the suction cup and wiped the tank first, and it made it all the way from Kansas City to St. Louis, at close to 100mph at times. Of course, that was behind a Windjammer...

Well, mine would be behind a windjammer too. I guess I should try it and see how it works, as long as it stays in place I will be happy.

[Korr]

make sure the tank bag has a clear face for maps! I'd love to get a nice sized tank bag, but i doubt i'd be able to see over it eheheh