big mak tank bag?

[mark in fl]

I'm wanting to purchase a tank bag for my 97 R850R but refuse to pay the $$ for the BMW tank bag and rack. The big mak tank bag and rack can be bought for about $200 or so from cycle gadgets. I'm leaning toward this particular product for two reasons. First, it's a reasonably good alternative to BMW's overpriced tank bag. Second, I refuse to use any of the magnetic or strap models that seem to scratch the tank's finish. Is the big mak a reasonably good value or shoud I look at some other products?

I just got back from a week-long trip covering about 2,000 miles and really appreciated the BMW side cases and Tourmaster Weekender bag. BTW, some kayak bags and bungee cords from Wal-Mart work great for transporting a tent and sleeping bag.

[beemer-biker]

I had a Big Mak bag on my RT, very good quality, excellent bag. I really liked the idea of no magnets, the RT tank is surrounded by plastic, no straps to get in the way or slow me down refueling. The Big Mak system is well worth the money, if you want a tank bag. I highly recomend it.

[leno]

I've got an Oxford which can be had with in Magnic or not versions. It's not huge but came in at £45 which is a lot less then you are looking at. They have a big well made range, check them out.

[rdsmith3]

I have had a Big Mak tank bag for about three years. I am very satisfied with it. I especially like the way it flips up when you have to re-fuel.

It seems to be a well made product. I would buy another one.

[frbank6]

I have used the Big Mak bag for three years on my 1150r. The first thing I noticed was that the wind would make it 'fly' at highway speeds; in other words, if there wasn't a lot of weight in the bag, the back would lift up. This was with the Touring shield at first, and also with the Parabellum Tall shield. Second, the plastic piece that forms the bottom of the bag deformed very quickly and began touching the tank. Had to order an optional aluminum plate to correct this. I felt the aluminum plate should be standard.

Overall, I like the bag, but would not buy another one. I think the Marsee Corona may be a better option, at least for me.

[Guest]

Have had the Big Mak "Stealth" for 2 years now on my rockster. Absolutely love it!!

The only thing is that it looks a little like a birthday cake sitting on a rock. ( a little huge on top of the roundish tank) so I trimmed the rear lower edge with some matching black nylon strap, that I cut to "flow" with the tank's lines. It looks great now. (sorry no pics)

[prpbmw]

I am a fan of the big Mak. I had the platen made by my cousin out of 3/8 inch aluminum and powdercoated to black. The extra weight solves the lifting issue mentioned above.

[TonyT607]

Mark, you might also want to look at the SW-MOTECH Quick-Lock Tankbag system. Similar to the Big Mak solution except instead of a rail bolted to the filler cap bezel it's a ring with a snap on mount. Quite elegant really. The gear doesn't touch your paint. You push a button and the tank bag snaps off. The bags come in a couple of different sizes and I think you can also attach a stalk to the mount to support a GPS or other device.

I saw this stuff up close at the MOA rally in July; seems to be well made. The vendor that sells SW Motech (and a lot of other cool stuff) is Twisted Throttle:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... w/1859/16/

[NorseMan9]

I had a Big Mak bag on my RT, very good quality, excellent bag. I really liked the idea of no magnets, the RT tank is surrounded by plastic, no straps to get in the way or slow me down refueling. The Big Mak system is well worth the money, if you want a tank bag. I highly recomend it.

I have an opportunity to buy a new one from someone who has an RT. does anyone know if the gas cap attachment will work on my R or are they incompatible?

[rph802]

Mark, you might also want to look at the SW-MOTECH Quick-Lock Tankbag system. Similar to the Big Mak solution except instead of a rail bolted to the filler cap bezel it's a ring with a snap on mount. Quite elegant really. The gear doesn't touch your paint. You push a button and the tank bag snaps off. The bags come in a couple of different sizes and I think you can also attach a stalk to the mount to support a GPS or other device.

I saw this stuff up close at the MOA rally in July; seems to be well made. The vendor that sells SW Motech (and a lot of other cool stuff) is Twisted Throttle:
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... w/1859/16/

Not a bad looking piece of equipment. I like the "hard case" aspect of it. Reading through the above link came across a great quote...

'Also ideal for storing a hat, pair of gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. Not recommended for carrying kegs of beer."

Sage advice folks!!!

Craig

[mcollect]

I just bought a Big Mak and love the way it works. I keep the map case on for round town use. But when I'm going the stealth is in use. Ilike the various configurations that it can assume. The Jeep of tank bags.

[sbreland]

I used the smaller (forgot the model) Big Mak on my Roadster for a year. Good map case, waterproof, easy gas fill, no scratches. I removed it a few months ago after a fit of thinking about the platten catching me in a very sensitive spot in the event of a collision. Especially with the reinforcements some people have made to the fiberglass version. Yeouch. It's a well made product, no question. I switched to the BMW bag but as good as it is, the Big Mak is better.
I'll probably try the SW-MoTech model next as it looks less like a blade aimed at my crotch.

[beemer-biker]

I had a Big Mak bag on my RT, very good quality, excellent bag. I really liked the idea of no magnets, the RT tank is surrounded by plastic, no straps to get in the way or slow me down refueling. The Big Mak system is well worth the money, if you want a tank bag. I highly recomend it.

I have an opportunity to buy a new one from someone who has an RT. does anyone know if the gas cap attachment will work on my R or are they incompatible?

I think it will fit on the R, but the bag will fit differently, much more overhang than on the RT. The part that attaches to the gas cap will work, the screw pattern is the same. Perhaps the seller/giver/whatever will let you fit before you buy, worth the few minutes it would take to see.

[Rootin55]

I had a Big Mak bag on my RT, very good quality, excellent bag. I really liked the idea of no magnets, the RT tank is surrounded by plastic, no straps to get in the way or slow me down refueling. The Big Mak system is well worth the money, if you want a tank bag. I highly recomend it.

I have an opportunity to buy a new one from someone who has an RT. does anyone know if the gas cap attachment will work on my R or are they incompatible?

I took the one off my 02 R and put it on my 04 RT. Swapped out just fine.

[frbank6]

Just to update...I finally got my Marsee Corona to replace my Big Mak. I was supposed to get it in time for Christmas, but they were so far behind meeting demand that I got it two weeks ago. I have to say that it was worth the wait. Far superior in build quality to the Big Mak, and very versatile. The magnetic ring attaches to the tank and a quick left or right twist removes the bag completely. The magnets might pose a problem to contents that are sensitive to strong fields. After I've used it a while I'll update with my impressions.

[NorseMan9]

I had a Big Mak bag on my RT, very good quality, excellent bag. I really liked the idea of no magnets, the RT tank is surrounded by plastic, no straps to get in the way or slow me down refueling. The Big Mak system is well worth the money, if you want a tank bag. I highly recomend it.

I have an opportunity to buy a new one from someone who has an RT. does anyone know if the gas cap attachment will work on my R or are they incompatible?

I took the one off my 02 R and put it on my 04 RT. Swapped out just fine.

Thanks! That's what I wanted to hear!