Tank Bag Info

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 7:12 pm

If you ever ride with a tank bag, I would love to have the following info from you (the more detail the better):

1. How much does your bag weigh ( Dude. Your TANK bag.) when loaded with all the stuff you usually carry?
2. Do you usually carry the same amount of stuff with you or does it vary considerably during a ride or from ride to ride? Does your carried weight vary by more than a pound or so?
3. How does your tank bag attach to your tank? Do those attachments attach only to the tank or do they attach to other parts of the bike?

A million thanks.

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:49 pm

PGSmick wrote:

If you ever ride with a tank bag, I would love to have the following info from you (the more detail the better):

1. How much does your bag weigh ( Dude. Your TANK bag.) when loaded with all the stuff you usually carry?
2. Do you usually carry the same amount of stuff with you or does it vary considerably during a ride or from ride to ride? Does your carried weight vary by more than a pound or so?
3. How does your tank bag attach to your tank? Do those attachments attach only to the tank or do they attach to other parts of the bike?

A million thanks.

I've never like having a tank bag on the tank. I do however, have used them on the passenger seat.

The best tank bag I have used is by Cortech. It has a top removable clear map pocket. I passed this bag to Jacob and he used it to hold his rain gear (jacket, pants, gloves and boot covers). Attachment was by a strap (an option as this bag also came with magnets). It held about 8L of stuff and he also mounted it on the seat.

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 12:28 am

Tank bags scratch tank paint. It's pertenier impossible to prevent it, save for not using one at all.

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 1:30 am

3M makes protective film that you can put over the tank and it should protect from scratches. Or you can get one of the places that wrap cars and such to wrap it in clear.

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 1:32 am

Or that... but then that's also added expense...

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 3:03 pm

I have a Chase Harper tank bag. Used it a lot but not much lately. Now mostly using bags bunjy'd onto the rear of the seat. Worst part is having to remove it to get gas. Very secure attachment with four rubber-coated cinched "hooks" that work perfectly with the metal flange around to bottom of the tank. Velcro removable clear plastic map holder on top. Expandable volume when needed. Cushioned bottom surface so zero chance of scratching tank paint. Weight when loaded? no idea. If you's like to see it for ideas, I can bring it to the Spring Ride.

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 3:04 pm

... or can provide photos if that interested.

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 3:58 am

I used a generic magnetic tank bag for years. Carried a lot of gear, but it was a bit heavy because of the heavy duty and strong magnets. My 1100-f was/is a nice bike, and still looks good, but it is a regular rider. The light scratching from years of using the tank bag is not obvious to the casual user, but it would bother some on this forum.

I like traveling with a tank bag because I use the F-bike for reasonably long-distance touring. I just lay on it. Between the F's bikini fairing and the tank bag, I avoid most of the wind blast. Falling asleep can become an issue because you get comfy and secure.

There is an advantage to the magnetic bags because removing for gas or security is easily done. The disadvantage is that all the weight is on the tank and the tank itself is not solidly attached to the bike. The tank will wobble a bit if you load up the bag. Bags that strap around the tank and latch onto the frame and steering head are more stable. I have a 955-i Triumph Sprint ST. It has a plastic tank and is shaped so as to make it difficult to strap a bag onto it. I miss the tank bag every time I take the Triumph out overnight, even with hard rear cases.

That's my experience.

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 5:33 am

I have an Eclipse tank bag that I used on trips. I kept the pad and tank clean so no scratches.

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 3:52 pm

Joe Rocket circa 2005. It has three zippers for attaching three units so 3 different heights depending on how large a unit is attached. Also converts to a backpack. I like that it has small storage pockets on the front and sides so that you can put your sunglasses/ear plugs somewhere handy. The rain cover is attached so impossible to lose. Magnetic base with strap that wraps around the front steering stem.
I used to use black electrical tape on the tank (see photo) to prevent scratching and it works well at that. After 19 years my tank has zero scratches and looks almost new. But I have started using green painters tape lately as it goes on fast, tears with your hand (no scissors req'd) and comes off easily.
If I can avoid using a tank bag on a trip I will. But they are a necessity on a long trip. As stated earlier they tend to flop and the taller you go the more flop Rolling Eyes

So for day tripping I installed a small top box on the back, works fine for holding water, oil etc and no tank bag req'd.

When using the tank bags they always get packed the same. My memory sucks so routine is the key to finding things. Each days clothing is placed in a separate air lock bag. These go in the bottom compartment. Next up is chain lube, litre of oil, can of cleaner, rags, para-cord, clothes pins, eye glass wipes, normal wipes, zip ties and extra zip lock bags ... basically anything I will use on a daily basis. Top most carries that days food allotment along with coffee packets, spork etc. Side pockets are for ear plugs, change, sun glasses, wire lock for my jacket when I leave it on the bike and lighter.

All up weight is hefty! Never thought to weigh it.

With regard to the photo, I have converted to straps now and no longer use bungie cords so no comments req'd on their use in this pic Smile

She was packed up for 20 days of camping on Canada's east coast.

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2019 8:10 pm

Thank you to those who responded to my question. Clearly many of you thought I was looking to buy a tank bag. The real reason for my asking was a closely guarded secret, because I didn't want to end up with too much egg on my face.

I am developing a fuel gauge for our bikes that determines the weight of the fuel in the tank and then reports it through some display yet to be determined. Clearly this would be affected by the weight of a tank bag, but since gasoline weighs about 6 lbs per gallon, a tank bag weighing only a couple of pounds might not even require a correction. Fitter's mountain, however, would definitely need to be taken into account.

The sensor is built into one of the two front fuel tank mounting rubbers. The kit would include a replacement rubber incorporating the sensor. The display could be any of: a single multi-colored LED (like my voltmeters), a 10-segment bar-graph LED (like my ammeters), or an actual digital readout.

So far, I have a successful proof of concept. I have built a sensor able to detect fuel levels within about .2 gallon with fairly good repeatability. Like with many automotive fuel gauges, there is somewhat of a delay after making dramatic fuel level changes. So after a fill-up, you'd need to allow about 5 minutes before the gauge gave you its final answer. But I have no problem with that.

I have no idea about temperature sensitivity of the sensor, longevity, repeatability over time, fussiness of installation or anything like that. Problems in any of these areas could be a deal killer. But stay tuned.

If you wanted to contribute more information to this project at this early stage, it would be what type of display you think would be most useful. Also, how much does your tank bag weigh, fully loaded?

Thanks,
Peter