R1200R Tank Bags

[silvermcoupe]

Anybody have experience with a tankbag that they especially like? I want you that has a fair amount of volume and also a map pouch and cell phone pouch. Any ideas on who has the best one.


Thanks everyone for the comments. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences. I decided to go with the BMW bag. I guess I'll have to see how it works out. I'll let you know. Thanks again.

[leogrande586]

Been using Eclipse bags for 20 years. Always been good to me (broke a zipper once and had a cobbler fix it for 10 bucks
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/eclipse-luggage/

[deilenberger]

I have several RKA Shiloh Road bags. Fit well, work well. Have built in organizer that really helps sort stuff out, and a small pouch pocket facing the rider for things like the garage door opener, or cell phone if you're so inclined.

[Lost Rider]

# 1
Bags-Connection "Engage" Quick-Lock Tankbag for SW-MOTECH Gascap Mounting System
I really like the SW-Motech / Bags Connection tank bag, it was on my R1150R, and was moved to the 1200R. It was the perfect size for me, stylish looking, affordable, and well built. It also has a unique tank ring connection that keeps the bag OFF the tank completely. No more scratches from dust being ground into the tank from the bag, no straps, no magnets, no fuss. Just enough room, has a map holder options, and the front pocket is perfect for a normal size P&S camera.
The down side is it not water proof and has a rain cover, like most "soft" tankbags.

Shown here with optional GPS mount that I found worked great with a StreetPilot.



http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productlist/441/







#2
Pelican tank box, electrified.
If you are like me and feel that the beauty of something can come from it's functionality then maybe a Pelican case is for you.
Due to my habit riding in alternative geographical locations for long periods of time in very diverse climactic conditions, and a need to carry way too many electronic "tools", I have stepped up to the best protection you can have for your stuff, a Pelican case.
Giving me fast access to my DSLR camera, it also gives me a safe, lockable, or easy to remove place to store and charge my other stuff. Oh, yeah it's a good place to mount a GPS with XM antenna too. Or maybe a map holder..

No down side really, it works perfect for what I need, though I did finally crack the gas-cap bracket that it's mounted to while riding a rough jeep trail in Canyon Lands NP. I also broke the GS skid plate mounts on that trip so it's no surprise.

More details here:
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11206

[celticus]

I like my BMW bag made for this bike just fine, no complaints.

Mark

[deilenberger]

Not to disagree with Mark, to each his own..

I'm messy so I like something that helps me organize things. I had the BMW tank bag - and it's sorta the black hole of tank bags. The inner waterproof liner works well to keep things dry, but provides no way to compartmentalize things. I like to keep my bike "papers" in the tank bag, the RKA organizer works great for this. I also keep my maps in the organizer, and a pen handy to keep track of fuel mileage. With the BMW bag - everything ended up in a jumble in the bag.

The BMW bag also will not work with the BMW GPS mount for the R1200R.. go figure - guess those guys don't talk to each other.

Here is the RKA I have: http://www.rka-luggage.com/A02%20Tankba ... Sheet.html - if you click on the organizer photo (right one) you'll see how it helps me keep my crap sorted out.

[tunamambo]

I was happy with my BMW tank bag until I followed the link to the RKA bag. That visible organizer would be a nice improvement. This was my first tank bag and I just figured that "black hole" was the way it had to be. Don, if you are following the thread, is the rear attachment system for the RKA similar to the BMW (i.e., velcro on the tank and hooks under the seat)?

[deilenberger]

I was happy with my BMW tank bag until I followed the link to the RKA bag. That visible organizer would be a nice improvement. This was my first tank bag and I just figured that "black hole" was the way it had to be. Don, if you are following the thread, is the rear attachment system for the RKA similar to the BMW (i.e., velcro on the tank and hooks under the seat)?

The RKA attaches with straps.

I have the two front ones going down to the front tank mounts (there is room for them next to the rubber bumpers the tank slides onto) and coming up behind the plastic shield at the front of the tank. The rear one goes down to the battery tie-down strap.

Easy to do and quite secure. I had problems with the BMW one getting the front hook thingie under the number plate. Rear wasn't a problem. Front was.

Filling gas is easy with the RKA - pop the two front catches and flip the bag onto the seat. Reverse when done.

[celticus]

Don, Can you honestly tell me that the RKA bag's build quality is up to that of the BMW's? I haven't seen it in person but in the web site it doesn't look like it. I HAVE seen the Marsee bag. I didn't like the one I had on my K1200RS. It is really just a matter of taste. I have defended the Markee's stuff all I am going to today.

Mark

[motoracer8]

I use a Famsa tank bag, I got it for a Ducati Multistrada, I had to get another base for the BMW, but now I can switch between the two with just a zipper.

Ken G.

[deilenberger]

Don, Can you honestly tell me that the RKA bag's build quality is up to that of the BMW's? I haven't seen it in person but in the web site it doesn't look like it. I HAVE seen the Marsee bag. I didn't like the one I had on my K1200RS. It is really just a matter of taste. I have defended the Markee's stuff all I am going to today.

Mark

I've had no problems with any RKA bags (and I'm on my 3rd or 4th now..) Zippers are all good. The BMW bag is made partly from a vinyl type plastic - the RKA bag is heavy nylon cloth (like the Aerostitch ballistics). I don't know how well the BMW bag will hold up since I didn't keep mine that long. I do cover my tankbag when I park since I found the RKA one on my K75S started to fade a bit. Richard suggests using 303-Protectorant on it to both waterproof it and protect it from UV. I had BMW bags that also faded and eventually fell apart from UV exposure (same K75S..) The quality of the RKA is probably closest to the Multivaro bags that BMW used to make.

For me ease of use is the deciding factor. The RKA 19L one - the map case fits a US sized map in 2-section folds, and is angled towards me just a bit. The BMW bag doesn't fit the standard fold, and the map-pocket seemed loose and likely to move around. The RKA bag has the organizer inside, the BMW bag doesn't. The RKA bag is much easier at fuel fillups. I found the zipper fastening of the BMW bag to be fiddly at best, and frustrating at worst. For function, I find the RKA superior to the BMW bag.

If I get 4 years out of a $150 tank bag - that's fine, by then I'm ready for a new bag or a new bike. I'm on my 2nd year (>21k miles) with this one, and it still looks like new. If you're looking for heavy and looking heavy duty - the BMW bag will probably be the one that satisfies you the best. Dunno how it will hold up - but it looks sturdy.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Hi ! and Sorry but a few days ago I saw online a tank bag that was fixed on the gas ring I think
and the rider didn't have to detach it while fueling...meaning the whole bag just could flip over the handlebar.

I have hundreds of Firefox favorites on 3 laptops and I just can't find anymore the page related to this specific bag.

Any help ?

Thanks in adance.

[kudzu]

...I saw online a tank bag that was fixed on the gas ring I think
and the rider didn't have to detach it while fueling...meaning the whole bag just could flip over the handlebar.

Was it a Big Mak? http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/BigMak/

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Hummm....It look like the object I saw but I do not remember it was on cyclegadgets.com and by the way the R1200R is not listed as compatible so I wonder if in this case R1150R is equal to R1200R.

Is there any other or company who developed this flip up tank bag system ?

Thanks Kudzu !

[lewellen]

Anybody have experience with a tankbag that they especially like? I want you that has a fair amount of volume and also a map pouch and cell phone pouch. Any ideas on who has the best one.

I have the Wunderlich magnetic tank bag.

Works pretty well for most of what I use it for, has a big (albeit a little funkily shaped) map pouch on the top, expandable, and keeps things reasonably dry in the rain.

It's my first mag-bag, and I find I like being able to hang it on the wall when not in use. :-)

Good roads,

- Lewellen180

[deilenberger]

Hummm....It look like the object I saw but I do not remember it was on cyclegadgets.com and by the way the R1200R is not listed as compatible so I wonder if in this case R1150R is equal to R1200R.

Is there any other or company who developed this flip up tank bag system ?

Thanks Kudzu !

No - the R1150R is not the same as the R1200R. The BigMak system requires attaching a ring to the fuel tank filler. The R1150 series fuel tank fillers have exposed screws - and it's simple to replace them with longer screws to fasten the mounting ring. If you look at your R1200R fuel tank filler - no exposed screws. Supposedly the company was supposed to be selling modified R1200 fuel tank fillers that allow the use of their system. Dunno if that ever actually happened.

[Caroanbill]

I'm very happy with the SW Motech Quick-Lock set -up (same fuel-cap attachement as Joe / Chitwon uses, but I have a much smaller bag)
http://www.motorradgarage.com.au/catalo ... ucts_id=35
(that's the Aussie distributer)

This one is just the right size for basics - my days of the hugs tank bag are over.

The great thing is it doen't touch the paint at all, and it's off and on in a secnd for fuel stops.

[michael Tobias]

Hi, I am new to this forum and to the R1200R. I just (December) traded off my k1200GT for this new 2008 R12R....now that the snow is finally over here I will finally get to ride it. I have been following this thread because I kept the BigMak bag from the GT thinking it would go onto the R12 but outsmarted myself....the new one does not obviously have the same tank cap ring. After reading the comments I decided to call Mark at BMA and he has not done anything with modifying a tank ring to accept his bag.

the only screw down ring available is apparently the one from sw motech. they sent me this link to the change instructions , http://www.mo-tech.de/anbauanleitungen/ ... 75_123.pdf

I was actually thinking about removing the one on the bike since it is apparently only held on with 3 screws and drilliing and tapping it for the BMA bag mount.....if that doesn't work I can always get the sw motech ring that replaces the original and will have to switch bags........MT

[WILDPIG]

I HAVE THE ECLIPSE MAGNETIC TANK BAG... PROLLY ONE OF THE FINEST PRODUCTS I HAVE EVER BOUGHT AN GENERALLY CHEAPER THAN THE COMPETITION BUT WHAT I REALLY WANT IS A CHEAP PLUG PULLIN TOOL AN I DONT CALL THOSE 1.50 GIZMO'S ALL THAT EFFECTIVE.

[Bill Stevenson]

This is such a personal thing that it is impossible to fully answer your question. I like the BMW tankbags the best. Typically I keep my bikes until they have 50,000 miles on them and the tankbag goes with the bike so I have never worn one out. On my 2002 R1150R, I had an RKA because it was a gift. It was fine, did the job, but it didn't fit on the tank and stay put the way the BMW bags do. As far as organizing my BMW tankbag. there is a zipper inside the top and the papers go in there. The other stuff like gloves and what not go in the main compartment and they do get jumbled, but I cull all that out about once a week so it is not a big deal for me. Everyone's requirements are different, though, and your preferences must be determined by how you want to use the bag.

Bill