To tank bag or not to tank bag...

[Mountain_Man86]

I'm heading off on my first proper motorbike adventure at the end of this month with a trip to the Lake District. I'll be riding up from Hampshire and camping in the Langdales for a number of days.

Idea is to spend half the time walking the fells and the other half soaking up the mountain roads and wonderful views on the bike.

I've got a Tiger 850 with hard panniers and a top box and know that everything needed for the trip will fit inside. However, my question relates to tank bags.

Why do people use tank bags?

When might people wish to use a tank bag?

Is it worth getting a tank bag?

I welcome thoughts on this and look forward to hearing/learning from you.

[Zen Dog]

So generally, the upside of tankbags (compared to other on-bike luggage) is that the contents is easily accessible without getting off the bike. And the downside is you have to remove them to fill the tank. That's about it really, though most tankbags also have a clear pouch on top that can be useful for maps/notes/documents you might want to see while riding.

I generally use a rucksack for my wallet/phone/random tat I want to get quick access to when on a bike trip. But if there's a lot of stuff like that (so it's heavier), and/or I'm not going to be going very far from the bike, I'll use a tankbag instead. Some tank bags come with shoulder straps so you can use them as both.

Personally, I don't regard them as essential luggage, but they can be useful in the right situation.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR, '00 VFR800FI 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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[doggone]

Ideal for smaller items that you might need without getting off to pannier rummage or unzipping jacket for internal pockets especially camera gear when touring about.
A lot of them can be lifted off and used as man bag for same items you don't want to leave on a parked bike.
Often there's a transparent top for map or phone screen is useful

[pepperami]

Being a minimalist when riding or going somewhere on my bike.
I find a tank-bag and a rucksack will hold everything I need for my trips.

Saves having panniers and top box fitted.

Panniers & top box are good for big long tours.
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[UncleFester]

https://www.givi.co.uk/givi-products/soft-bags/tank-bags/mt505-tanklock

If i'm just out for a mooch, I use that but rotate the lock so that it sits further forward on the tank.

Enough space to get my diabetic crap, a snack, wallet, phone and battery pack plus some other odds and sods. Small enough to remove and carry with you.
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Module 1 and 2 passed - October 2014. Happy owner of a 2017 Z1000SX, ex owner of a YBR125 / CB500 / VFR800.

[Tdibs]

Main use for me is quick access to passport/documents for border control. Very handy to keep cloth and spray in there for cleaning visor, spare ear plugs, powerbank charging things etc.

Some of the tankbags also have backpack straps on them so you can use it for 50/50

Its also a means of shifting a little weight forward instead of piling it all up over the rear which can affect handling a lot of some machines.

If you dont think you have a use for it then I would not bother, other downside is not easy to lock and leave it like a hardbox. (unless you leave it inside one)
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[chickenstrip]

I had enough luggage options that I never needed to use a tank bag. However, their convenience of access meant that I usually did opt for one. When refilling, it was simple to unfasten and tip the bag back onto the seat. At first I used a couple of bungees to provide extra security, but then decided the magnets were strong enough to keep it in place without, as long as I didn't put too much weight in it.
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[ThunderGuts]

I have a mid-sized one and it's very useful. I can fit in a 500ml flask, sandwiches, 'phone etc.., plus keep wallet etc. in it. Easily removed when parked up, easily accessed (e.g. if stopping to take a photo, or checking the map). Not really a hinderance when filling up - quick release means it's no more arduous than getting off the bike.

Check compatibility - not all work on all bikes, some can foul the handlebars.
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TG.

[Fizzer Thou]

I have been using a tank bag for many years now,from my first ride abroad back in 1982 to more recently in 2018 when I rode the Exup-R to stay with friends in Brugges.It is a handy item and with the magnetic pods in each wing then it fits all of my road bikes,including my FJ1200 when using a top box is not the better solution

https://i.postimg.cc/3xSdDpbr/12605313-996350100424562-7001382163323401360-o.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/nzYKs0M9/24300970-1466685433450733-3399675868091691538-n.jpg
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Mountain_Man86]

Thank you for all of the helpful advice everyone. Much appreciated.

I think i'll experiment and get a tank bag. I don't currently ride with a backpack and therefore I can see the advantage of having a drink / accessories in the tank bag.

SW Motech look to have a few smart looking examples.

[ThunderGuts]

Last thought; there are a few different types of attachments. Magnetic are versatile (assuming you have a steel tank anyway) and can transfer between suitable bikes easily, but can easily scratch the paint unless the tank and the tank bag are absolutely clean when you put them together. If you're planning to take the tank bag on and off then you're going to risk getting road grit etc.. between the magnets and the paintwork.

The other method is a lockring that usually attaches to the tank using replacement (longer) screws the filler cap is held on by. Then the tankbag itself locks to the lockring. This is what I have on my SW Motech. Can be a pain to find a matching mount sometimes and if you have multiple bikes you'll need one on each, but it makes removing and attaching the tank bag a seconds job and it's very secure once on.
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TG.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[grr666]

I prefer a seat pack for those days where I'd want to carry a camera and a couple of smaller items.
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[Zen Dog]

[TCFA]

i use a pretty dinky magnetic one, holds wallet, passport/ticket, phone, camera, loose change for tolls. it has scratched my tank a bit and isn't as "formed" to tank shape as bigger ones or secure unless it's on a flat bit of tank - so not ideal I guess, but it helps having things quickly to hand and can just pull it off and stuff it in my lid when I get off to fill up or have a pee
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Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
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[lingeringstin...]

I know this is an old thread but here's a shot of the new bags I got a couple of months ago. It was time to retire my old German flektarn ones and by accident I found these very cheap in an army store, like £7 each or something. I think they're Polish. I only fling tank bags on when I'm packing to rallies or doing distance but I do find they help a lot. I hate the feel of a bike that's piled up to the sky over the rear wheel with a tower of teetering camping gear.

My bike has no real carrying capacity because the side boxes are full of shit like tools, spares, waterproofs and inner tubes and the top box is generally full of other shit too numerous to mention, so a pair of tank bags and a small monowheel trailer do for the long haul and the bike doesn't feel encumbered because the trailer carries it's weight real low and the tank bags hang nicely like a pair of granny's old leathery baps. They can be heavy as fuck but it doesn't bother the handling.

[Zen Dog]

As long as there's room for your knees, looks like a grand solution. You can even fill the tank, and they might give your legs some weather protection too.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR, '00 VFR800FI 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)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011