Luggage, specifically tank bags

[Tranquility]

I am fishing for information and recommendations on Tank Bags.

Magnetic vs. suction cups?
How big is too big for the GZ?
Leather vs. Synthetic?
Brands?
Personal anecdotes?

All feedback is more than welcome. Thanks!!

[adrianinflorida]

I have a Cargo "Basics" magnetic tank bag. Got it on sale at Cycle Gear for 25.00. The good, it holds what I need as I use the bike as my 'daily driver', and need my coffee thermos, etc for work.
http://www.cyclegear.com/images/StreetAcc/FT_cargo_basic_tank_bag_310x253.jpg
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?item=FTL_CAR023


The bad, if you get any sort of small stone, etc under it while riding, and slide the bag at all, you WILL scratch the paint on the tank. iirc, there are protective 'sheets' that you can put under the magnetic tank bags, to prevent this. or simply make sure to lift the bag straight off of the tank, not sliding it when removing it.

On edit, found this idea to prevent scratching
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... g/padding/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-tank-bag/padding/)

We've found two substitutes that work really well and can be found in most hardware or home supply stores. The roll of toolbox padding shown in these photos is sold by Kobalt, a manufacturer of good-quality hand tools. Kobalt products can be found at the Lowe's chain of hardware stores in the U.S.A. This roll is 22.5" wide by 118" long (2655 square inches or 17,129 square centimeters) and it's about 3 mm (1/8") thick.

It's a mesh design, with holes and "bubbles" of soft foam-like padding in between. We bought this roll for $14.98, and there's enough material there to make probably 15-20 pads for tank bag (by the way, the stuff also works great as a toolbox drawer liner!). It can also be doubled up and used on a motorcycle seat for some extra cushioning.

A pad cut to the shape of the bottom of a tank bag can usually be stored inside the bag as a liner on the floor of the bag, taking up almost no space at all.

Here's a tip: the magnets on most tank bags are powerful enough to grip the tank even with a layer of this material between the tank and the magnet. Cut the pad to match the outline of the entire tank bag with the flaps extended. The padding will be almost unnoticeable and will offer maximum protection.

The other product we've tried is a roll of carpet padding that is used as an underlay for carpets or throw rugs. This material is thicker and we've only found it in a sickening shade of brown, but it's relatively inexpensive. The problem is that it usually comes in huge rolls, so even though the price per square foot may be lower, you may have to buy a large quantity, which will cost more.

I've also seen a roll of soft mesh padding sold in Wal-Mart and other discount accessory stores that's designed to be used as a drawer liner.

Smaller rolls of this material can usually be found for under $10.00. But this material is usually not as robust as the Kobalt padding, which is nicely made and we think it makes one of the best motorcycle tank bag pads that can be found anywhere.

[Dupo]

Joe Rocket makes a smaller type tank bag thats magnetic. Fits the GZ perfectly. I have no clue what the name of it is exactly, but i know its easily found via google search.

Its mesh and comes with a cover for rain.
It holds pretty much stuff.
Sticks like glue

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds like the JR Manta magnetic tank bag.

[Dupo]

Yes, exactly, thanks!!

[Tranquility]

Excellent, thank you everybody. I'll take a look (JR Manta & Cycle Gear).

[adrianinflorida]

Excellent, thank you everybody. I'll take a look (JR Manta & Cycle Gear).
Just don't forget to look into something to go between the bag and the tank (The Lowe's tool box liner stuff looks like a good idea). Since you have a new bike, I'd hate to see you end up with a scratch like I got.

[Tranquility]

Thanks adrianinflorida, I'll be sure to keep my baby as scratch-free as possible for as long as possible. We had the bike for just a couple weeks when, as hubby and I were walking through the garage past the bikes I reached out and gave my GZ's gas tank a hearty pat, as you would on the back of a large dog, y'know? Not only was there a satisfying thump-thump sound as I crooned "There's my girl! we'll get out on the road again soon", but also my wedding band made a distinctive tink-tink sound on the tank. My husband jumped a foot! "Ack!!!!" I pulled my hand away quickly, inspected for tell-tale marks ... whew! none. This time. :-)

[Easy Rider]

but also my wedding band made a distinctive tink-tink sound on the tank.

Yea, them darned wedding rings will get you in trouble every time !!! :poke2: :whistle: :crackup

[Tranquility]

Yeah, in one way or another, Easy! One way or another. :whistle:

[Dupo]

Just don't forget to look into something to go between the bag and the tank (The Lowe's tool box liner stuff looks like a good idea). Since you have a new bike, I'd hate to see you end up with a scratch like I got.

Seriously, you think someone would sell a tank bag that would potentially scratch your paint? Ive had 3 tank bags so far and never had a problem.

[Moedad]

I have the Joe Rocket Manta tank bag. Fits just right, but it's only good enough for smallish stuff--a book and a shirt, maybe a water bottle if the book and shirt aren't too bulky. Sticks to the tank very well. There's a flap that is not deployed in this picture that reaches down to the seat, but it still fits. You have to take it off to put gas in your tank, but that's the same with most tank bags. It has a couple of pockets to fit a cell phone and extra stuff like keys or sunglasses or point-n-shoot camera. I can fit my work lunch in it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/danmartin56/JoeRocketManta.jpg

[alanmcorcoran]

I have an OGIO "Tanker." Fits good (on the GZ), holds a lot, has a map thingie. zips to various sizes. Uses the magnets abd HB strap, no scratching I'm aware of. Don't use it much any more cause my Speedo and gas gauge are on the tank of the Strat.

[Water Warrior 2]

I have an OGIO "Tanker." Fits good (on the GZ), holds a lot, has a map thingie. zips to various sizes. Uses the magnets abd HB strap, no scratching I'm aware of. Don't use it much any more cause my Speedo and gas gauge are on the tank of the Strat.

Just put the bag on the GZ and the GZ on the back of the Strat. No need for a new tank bag. :roll:

[alanmcorcoran]

I was going to put a trunk on the GZ for my lappie, but I decided it was just easier to ride the Strat (which has "cavernous" saddle bags.)

It's hard to get your leg over trunks and I've occasionally forgotten I had stuff bungied on the back of the GZ and had near "whoop-shit's" mounting. I also had visions of the bungie having a malfunction and seeing my Vaio go skittering down the road. I can fit a lot of crap in the Strat saddlebags, even though they are kind of weirdly shaped.

[Sarris]

Hard bags are the mac. There is a dude on this site that thinks he can get us GZ police hard bags from China (here: GZ Hard Bags (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2454)). We need to get a few folks together and work out a deal to get a few sets shipped. Anyone else interested?

He mentioned $88 for used (?) bags. We'd need to add the mounts and shipping.

:rawk:

[adrianinflorida]

Just don't forget to look into something to go between the bag and the tank (The Lowe's tool box liner stuff looks like a good idea). Since you have a new bike, I'd hate to see you end up with a scratch like I got.

Seriously, you think someone would sell a tank bag that would potentially scratch your paint? Ive had 3 tank bags so far and never had a problem.
Intentionally, no. But if anything gets between the bag and the tank, and the bag gets slid across the tank for any reason, it'll probably scratch it. A bag with little or no gaps between the magnets might be better for preventing stuff from getting under them. I use mine daily, maybe it's just a case of the law of averages working aginst me.

[Moedad]

We need to get a few folks together and work out a deal to get a few sets shipped. Anyone else interested?

He mentioned $88 for used (?) bags. We'd need to add the mounts and shipping.

:rawk:

Those are cool. I'm interested if it doesn't end up being too expensive and logistically prohibitive.

[Goose]

We need to get a few folks together and work out a deal to get a few sets shipped. Anyone else interested?

He mentioned $88 for used (?) bags. We'd need to add the mounts and shipping.

:rawk:

Those are cool. I'm interested if it doesn't end up being too expensive and logistically prohibitive.

Add me to the list, depending on cost...

[adrianinflorida]

Hard bags are the mac. There is a dude on this site that thinks he can get us GZ police hard bags from China (here: GZ Hard Bags (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2454)). We need to get a few folks together and work out a deal to get a few sets shipped. Anyone else interested?

He mentioned $88 for used (?) bags. We'd need to add the mounts and shipping.

:rawk:I'm in for a set, add me to the list

[mrlmd1]

Is that $88 in US dollars, Euros, or Yen?
And the mount has to fit a GZ 250 which may be different than that bike in the photos even though the frame, etc, look similar.
Hopefully he'll come back soon and maybe let us now if he can really get those and ship them here.