Tank-bags vs top boxes

[Wonko The Sane]

I've been wondering today about the benefits of a tank-bag compared to a top box.

my varadero has a top box on it (came with it) but can't help thinking that it's not helping in the high winds on my commute where a tank bag is tucked inbetween my arms so not going to be pushing the bike around, also when I change bikes I don't have to get a top box/don't have to always use a top box.

All I tend to put in it is my lunch and change of clothes, although my top box has carried everything from buckets of KFC to meet my wife's cravings through to tools and other things that could do to be in a hard shell, but tank bag should meet my daily needs.

What should I be looking for in a tank bag?
where should I look for one?
are they a universal fit?

given how gusty it's been lately, has anyone had a tank bag be blown off by strong wind while riding somewhere?

Cheers
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[Slacker24seve...]

I can't give advice on where to get one as my tank bag was thrown in for free with my first bike* but if you don't mind something thats a fair bit smaller than your top box, it could be ideal. Mine sits on my tank most days, held on by the magnets and the strap that goes around the headstock and it sits there just fine at silly motorway speeds. I can fit a change of clothes and my lunch in it and though it has a waterproof cover its fine without really. One big bonus is that the weight is centralised; rather than a backpack strapped to the pillion seat which is my other option it has no real effect on the handling (unless you're aiming for a 130mph+ lap of the mountain course on your way to work, you'll be fine)

One big consideration is that they do deflect the wind into a different place. With the tankbag on I can't tuck in behind the screen and the majority of the wind is vented directly into my upper chest and chin. Thats not much fun really.

*Oxford Lifetime, seems decent enough but its the only one I've had.
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[Wonko The Sane]

I've got a tall screen on my varadero which puts most of the wind onto my shoulders, although I did end up ducking behind the screen on the way home as I was into a head wind and at 60mph on the M60!
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Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
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[Rogue_Shadow]

Tailpack?

https://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll313/actar911/Photo_050808_002.jpg

https://www.championmotouk.com/avactis-images/Accessories/Luggage/Kriega/Alt_Kriega_US20bikeX_1.jpg

[Wonko The Sane]

I'm trying to avoid things stuck up on the back of the bike, it was a bit un-nerving not riding in a straight line to go straight!

I'm also wanting it to be easy to attach and remove from the bike.
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[Rogue_Shadow]

I see what your getting at, but the tank doesn't really have alot of room.
You'll trade off what little space you have and be unhappy with the riding position.
Alternative is backpacks ... But I've always been told to load the bike not the rider.
Sorry I'm not much help, but I'm looking at small volume storage aswell.

[Tomzo47]

I have a tank bag and a top box, top box is on there 90% of the time as its fully waterproof, secure, and very handy. I only use the tank bag rarely, when i need a sat nav in the top of it or when I have loads of luggage.

tl;dr - top box is handier but tank bag is easier
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Ybr 125 > Bandit 650SA > GSXR 600 > Triumph Sprint St1050 > CB1300 > Z1000SX + FJ1200 (written off) > VFR750 >FJ1200

[Davenaylor]

The kriega tail pack is excellent and a piece of piss to take on and off. Fully waterproof and big enough for my lunch, clothes and 17 inch laptop. Pricey though!

[MarJay]

I find that tank bags get in the way and prevent you from having a comfortable riding position a lot of the time.

Tailpack is the way forward. More convenient, less annoying and better for aerodynamics etc.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[moppy]

I've had massive tank bags and they haven't got in the way of my riding. It depends on your bike and the riding position I guess.

I got my tank bag from HG when they were going silly cheap. I'd keep an eye out on eBay, luggage always goes very cheap. I got a pair of unused panniers for £20 delivered.

[Kierran]

I got a tank bag from hg during the closing down sales. It extends big enough to fit my old caberg v702??? Devil helmet with the zips fully closed so quite spacious. Not comfy for riding with on the tank with the helmet in it due to bulk but it does come with 2 adjustable straps and mounting points to transform it into a tail pack. Also has a clear front pocket which holds my fone perfectly when used as a sat nav.
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[Tomzo47]

another bonus of tank bags, they tend to keep your balls dry when its pissing it down
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Ybr 125 > Bandit 650SA > GSXR 600 > Triumph Sprint St1050 > CB1300 > Z1000SX + FJ1200 (written off) > VFR750 >FJ1200

[J.M.]

I find tank bags to be generally absolutely fine and don't really notice that they're there... with the exception of motorway riding.

On the motorway I like to, quite literally, rest my chin on the tank. I do this because there is absolutely no wind at all. No wind noise, no pressure on the neck, it's brilliant. The tank bag prevents me from putting my head in to any sort of position that's hidden from the wind.

So for long stretches of motorway. Very much dislike. For anything else, I'm cool with that.

Oh, they make filling up a pain.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Zen Dog]

Look out for tankbags in Aldi and Lidl, I got my last one for £7 and it does the job just as well as a £35 Oxford one.

For that kind of money you can try it, and if you don't like it, just sling it.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
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[Derivative]

My tank bag cost 15 quid.

When I go down to Uni I use the tank bag + hard panniers + top box.

Unless you have a car I don't see why you wouldn't want one. Being able to move more stuff is always good.

Mine is magnetic. The magnets would not come off unless something physically impacted the side of the bag. You have to pivot the magnets - sliding won't do.

[haroman666]

I tend to forget my tank bag is there most of the time, and is actually more useful to have there, than not.

Less room than a top box, but still a lot of space (depending on the size you go for)

I have a magnetic one which even when fully of tinned foods and jars and whatever else I can cram in, it doesn't slip at all.
And no damage to my paint work either, after over a year.
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[treeno]

[The Tot]

Kriega US20/30 will easily swallow your weekend gubbins/commuter gear and simply attaches to your pillion. Doesn't affect handling at all, nor does it restrict your movement. Has the added bonus of being a messenger bag afterwards and is fully waterproof. I've had my US20 & 10 for a good 4 years now and totally vouch by kriega stuff. Expensive, but worth it.

I hardly ride now, but I use my backpacks and US20 tail kits trips away to europe! You'll be looking at £80 at what looks nothing more than a black sack, but there's more to it than that!

Its as easy to remove as unclipping 4 buckles!
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[Rogerborg]

I use bag and box and soft panniers and a cargo net and bungies, but the tank bag is my first port of call.

It's a £20 bSquare from Lidl, 3 years old, expands to hold loads of stuff, and can take the most weight[*] without unbalancing the bike.

It sticks on rock solid with the magnets, I don't even bother with the headstock strap any more even when it's full loaded.

[*] Cat litter and crates of beer.
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[Shinigami]

tldr; use both
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[P.]

Use my Vara with its top box daily, no issues ever.

Can't see what issues you are having exactly as its pretty windy here, the 125 does get blown around, box or no box.

[fox]

I have both large and mini Oxford first time tank bags. The large is expandable and gives me I the region of 35l of capacity. It also turns into a rucksack, which is handy off the bike.
The mini gives me about 12l of storage and is really very flat to the tank and barely noticeable.
Both are magnetic which nakes it very easy to remove from the bike. They both have the advantage of having a clear map compartment which is handy for using a sat nav etc.
I bought both from eBay. About a tenner for the mini and 20 quid for the large.
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[Wonko The Sane]

[Dan79]

I use a tank bag on my Magna most of the time - being a cruiser, the tank has a noticeable wind-catching slope on it - plus I use a tea towel between the tankbag and the tank to reduce scratch damage which presumably reduces the effect of the magnets somewhat. It has been extremely windy in these parts recently, especially on the Orwell Bridge, and it hasn't been blown off yet.
When I used to use the same tank bag on the RXS100, if it got really windy, I'd sometimes lay forward on it, but that was more to keep a low profile than any concern about the wind snatching it away !
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[Rebel]

Top box? euww, strictly for old farts and pissants on shitty commuter bikes.