BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I recently purchased a r1150ra. i am looking into tank bags and wondering if a the ones that attach magnetically work well on the tank?

does anyone have any experience with them? if so which one?

i see that on ebay they are selling new ones (no name brands) that seem like great deals. anyone have any experience with these?

thanks

No experience with the EBay bags, but I have been using a magnetic Marsee bag for the past three seasons. I was initially concerned about the possibility of scratching the finish, but have not seen ANY sign of wear on the tank so far, and the positioning even during hard cornering or sudden stops seems to be so well fixed that I've never bothered to use the security harness that they all seem to come with. I do make sure that the tank is clean (or at least dusted) and that the bag doesn't pick up any foreign particles to scratch that beautiful Roadster finish. Apparently the clear coat on the 1150R is good stuff. I'm not sure I'd be as confident mounting it on my wife's matte-black Rockster tank, however.

I've owned a few magnetic tank bags, and while I prefer not to use one at all, my favourite for small stuff like wallet, camera, visor cleaner etc is a small Joe Rocket 'Manta' (or something) that has 4 magnets.

One problem I did find with two other bags is that the shape of the tank and oil cooler panels makes two 'funnels' that sweep up and over the tank each side of the forks.

No problem, except that some magnetic tank bags have large flaps that sit over the sculptured indents at the side of the tank (forward end). The airflow (at speed) tends to get under the flaps and can move or lift the bag. Just watch for that. You need to try a bag on the bike and see if the flaps sit flat or arch over the channels in the tank.

Some brands are worse than others. Otherwise, they all seem to stick pretty well.

I bought a "MotoPak" brand from EBay a few years ago. I think I paid around $50 for it new. I think they've gone up a little, but still a good deal. I prefer to not use it on the tank except when needed (carrying lots of crap AND a passenger). It came with bungee hooks and four bungee cords, which I usually use to attach on the rear seat:


I've noticed after a while of using it on the tank, it starts leaving traces of the non-skid rubber padding from the botton of it.

Most magnetic bags will have some kind of safety lanyard to attach it to the bike in case it 'comes off'. Mine came off once on the highway - it just lifted up enough to let me know it was coming off, and I was able to save it with a free hand. I use the safety lanyard now when it's on tyhe tank.

I mount my magnetic tank bag on the rear seat also.....It can't scratch the tank from back there..

DJ

I recently bought one of these by Hein Gericke.

http://piratesk12site.net/Verholentankbag.htm

This is the link to Pirate's Lair, but if you're in Europe you can do like I did and get one direct from their German supplier:

http://www.verholen.de (thanks and credit to Jerry Finley for his suggestion)

Here is the relevant page: (in English)

http://www.mv-motorrad.de/lshop,showdet ... 26321,.htm

The fixing mechanism is great. As well as magnets, (four of - very strong) - it also uses two metal fasteners, locking to two studs which replace two of your filler cap screws.

I've done about 600 miles with mine, at speeds over 100 mph (on a private road of course), and it hasn't moved at all.

It's big enough for earplugs/neck warmer/mars bar/bottle of water/camera/phone/keys - all at the same time. Detaches easily for fill ups.

Note - a warning comes with the bag to suggest that the magnets are strong enough to wipe your credit cards - so I don't put my wallet in there.

2nd Note - the one for sale at English Hein Gericke stores is not quite the same. It looks the same, but doesn't have the fasteners, relying just on the magnets.

Hope this helps

Cheers

I have the Marsee Corona which has the magnetic ring that permanently attaches to the tank, then mates bayonet-fashion with the botttom of the bag. The bag does not touch the tank. I have been very happy with it and the build quality is excellent. I did have the Big-Mak bag and did not find it very satisfactory YMMV.

I have the Chase Harper Manta on my Rockster; it holds very little because the bag is very small (I swear the height is less than 2"). I recently got the Joe Rocket Manta for the R1200C and it should fit the R1150R tanks quite well. It's a small to medium sized bag that holds just what you need for a ride, and then some. That means you can take your sandwich and soda with you too.

I use the lanyard just in case that gust of wind decides to get under the bag and pries it loose. No matter how strong the magnets, I've learned not to mess with Ma Nature.

I always ride with a tankbag, so I am not overly concerned with the tank's finish. Just make sure there's not dust on the tank (and bottom of the bag) when mounting. Or, they make those clear semi-adhesive sheets you can try and are probably thin enough not to affect the magnetic hold.

I bought the Marsee 18 liter magnetic bag for my Ducati. It also works great on both my R1150R and the new R1200R.

It is only in the way when fueling. Easy to put on and off though.

I have stuffed it many times while running errands to the market for dinner. It always amazes me how much I can put into the bag.

The velcro wallet is great for insurance and reg cards.

I paid about $155 for the bag at the Ducati dealer in southern CA.

Very happy with the bag.

I use a RKA magnetic tank bag and it works perfectly on the Roadster.

The only "problem" is that it is bright red as I had it custom ordered to match a '98 Honda VFR800 I used to have, and my Roadster is Black.

I used to use the Marsee tear drop magnetic bag and had no problems with it either scatching the tank (keep the underside clean!) or coming off at speed. I currently use a Held magnetic and it works great also.

I prefer a tank bag to a tail bag. I always have hard enough time lifting my leg over the seat when I have camping gear strapped on the back, I can't imagine having to do it all the time!

I've been using this Oxford Humpback Magnetic tankbag for about three years and 30,000 miles, with never a problem moving. It's exandable, has a convenient carry handle attached, and even has shoulder straps to convert it to a backpack, if you so desire. They come in different colors, too, but I thought the silver matched my R pretty nicely.

To prevent any possible scratching of the tank, I put some Snider's Paintguard http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Sni ... 16210.html on the tank, plus I place a piece of rubberized shelf liner material under the bag for extra insurance against scratching. Never been a problem.

wncbmw wrote:I used to use the Marsee tear drop magnetic bag and had no problems with it either scatching the tank (keep the underside clean!) or coming off at speed. I currently use a Held magnetic and it works great also.

I prefer a tank bag to a tail bag. I always have hard enough time lifting my leg over the seat when I have camping gear strapped on the back, I can't imagine having to do it all the time!

I am currently using Vann's Marsee mag tank bag and have no problems with paint. (I am SJBMW, and I approved this commercial)

Used a Chase Harper for about 8 years on 2 bikes.... No problems.
The trick is to lift, not pull....

I have the same small tank bag Trapper has. Works great within its limitations and doesn't get in the way.

I also have a semi-rigid tank bag (Axio) that I use like DJ does.... strapped to the back seat for longer daytrips where I bring contingency supplies like raingear, etc. It looks rather sleek. I can put it on the tank if the mood strikes me.

Axio tankbag

I've been using the "standard" Nelson-Rigg magnetic tank bag, mostly because it is fairly small (13x9x5 but can expand 4" if needed) but also because it was inexpensive (~ $40). It's actually reasonably well made, with some nice features including an organizer inside for keys, notes, cell phone, pens, etc and has a detachable map pocket. The magnets are quite strong and the bag hasn't ever shifted, even at triple digit speeds, over the 5,000 or so miles I've used it. The walls are semi-rigid, so it holds its shape. On the minus side, photocopied text tends to stick to the clear plastic on the map packet and you've got to use the raincover in the wet (but the cover pretty much does make things waterproof).

thanks for the great feedback. I am feeling like the magnetic ones is the way to go, over the strap methods.

cheers

Thanks all for the information, I've been thinking about a tank bag also. Has anyone had any experience with the ones that require a mounting bracket that fits to the fuel filler neck. Those look pretty intreging to me. All your help is appreciated. Thanks....

Mike,
The Marsee Corona I have mounts that way. A ring with 4 magnets attaches to the filler ring. This bayonets to a ring on the bottom of the bag that has four more magnets that keep it in place. About a 40 degree twist in either direction and the bag comes off.

I picked this up at a POLO store in Neckarsulm last fall. I've got about 2500 miles with it so far and no complaints; other than that I had to cut out the side wall stiffener to allow it to conform to the contour of the tank. Usually holds just my camera, memory sticks, batteries, shampa, spare gloves, maps, hairbrush for MLW (My Lovely Wife) and lens cleaner packs.

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I think their website is something like POLO.DE

Just picked up a Bags-Connection Engage XL for Mrs North, from Twisted Throttle. German designed, made offshore someplace, and pretty innovative. Lot's of little pockets and one on top for your cell. They also have a GPS module that connects to the front of the bag.

Interesting way of mounting---the bag mounts to a ring that's bolted to the gas filler cap ring, then the matching ring connects to this via a quick disconnect. Really solid, easy to install, and no contact with the paint whatsoever. Nice alternative to straps or magnets. I'm thinking of getting one to replace my BMW tank bag. They're also pretty affordable at under $200.

Check out this link of one on an R . . .

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/imagecat ... /2131/569/