Saddle Bags/Tank Bags.... Suggestions (Pro's/Con's)?

C

Cheesy

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Planning on an East Coast this year on my 2001 GSXR1000, and plan on purchasing some saddle bags, and/or perhaps a larger tank bag.

Curious to hear some feed back on different makes and models pertaining to Sport Bikes. Or perhaps pro's/con's on tank bags over saddle bags. Not looking to over pack on this trip, but don't want to go without a few changes of clothing, and perhaps a few tools. I will not have a passenger either, but may bring along the rear seat, in case of a fellow bike breaking down.

Any/all feed back would be appreciated. As well as pictures and/or links. Or if you have something to sell, then you could P.M. me the details also. But please PM details, as to keep this an imformative thread for the masses.

Regards, Cheesy!
 
Can't recommend Oxford tank bags highly enough. They are bombproof. Lifetime luggage warranty, expandeable.

I have Cortech sport saddlebags and tailbag and while they have lasted me a few seasons in all weathers at all speeds they are looking a little tatty now and I've lost/destroyed two sets of raincovers on them. However...for the price they are a great choice for a sportbike and they are expandeable and can fit quite a bit of gear in them. The tailbag converts into a smart little briefcase thing which can be handy too.
 
I have a 20 l kriega tank/tail bag. Works good. The set up is modular, in that you can stack other kriega bags on top and to the sides.
 
I don't know how you feel about hard luggage and not even sure if they make hard bags/mounts for your bike. I have used a Motopak GT35 tank bag and liked it very much as it is 3 different bags that zip together with a built in waterproof cover. It can be just a map pocket only, a small tank bag, or a big tank bag. Also turns into a knapsack which I found good for hiking off the bike while keeping my valuables with me.

Omnivore had a nice trailer he used to pull on his gsxr1000 which would work if you needed to carry a passenger. On my old Ninja 1000, I used to have a Cargo Endurance Tailbag which was really excellent. Very tough, highly expandable, secure at high speeds, but no waterproof overcover - but useless with passenger.
 
Thanks for the feed back guys/gals! Keep it coming! Would like to make an informative decision based on current/past experiences!

I'm really liking the looks of the Oxford line up. Specifically the X30 Tank Bag, and X60 Panniers. If I was to go with that set up, I would probably purchase the X4 Tank N Tailer as well, to finish off the tail section. Anyone have past experience with these particular items., or are these the ones you are refering to JC100?

Any other suggestions guys/gals?

Thanks, Cheesy!
 
Cheesy said:
Thanks for the feed back guys/gals! Keep it coming! Would like to make an informative decision based on current/past experiences!

I'm really liking the looks of the Oxford line up. Specifically the X30 Tank Bag, and X60 Panniers. If I was to go with that set up, I would probably purchase the X4 Tank N Tailer as well, to finish off the tail section. Anyone have past experience with these particular items., or are these the ones you are refering to JC100?

Any other suggestions guys/gals?

Thanks, Cheesy!
Click to expand...

I've been really happy with my oxford tank bag - sorry, not sure of the model (I've had it so long). Quality kit for sure.
 
stevex said:
I've been looking for storage solutions for my GSXR750 as well since I work out of town for 3 nights of the week and I eat more food than a family of 4 does in a month in this span of time...this is my favourite solution thus far :

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/performance-customizing/409254-givi-top-case-passenger-seat.html

add a tank bag and side saddle bags and you could carry everything but the kitchen sink
Click to expand...

I have an 03 R6 and this is what i'm doing as well. All I need to do is find a rear seat and them mount my water proof box.
 
bluerider said:

I have an 03 R6 and this is what i'm doing as well. All I need to do is find a rear seat and them mount my water proof box.
Click to expand...

it's not easy finding a trashed passenger seat eh? I've been looking for a little while and its not an item you come across too often
 
klr_guy said:
I've been really happy with my oxford tank bag - sorry, not sure of the model (I've had it so long). Quality kit for sure.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input KLR-Guy..... So far all Oxford reviews that I have read have been very positive!

stevex said:
I've been looking for storage solutions for my GSXR750 as well since I work out of town for 3 nights of the week and I eat more food than a family of 4 does in a month in this span of time...this is my favourite solution thus far :

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/performance-customizing/409254-givi-top-case-passenger-seat.html

add a tank bag and side saddle bags and you could carry everything but the kitchen sink
Click to expand...

stevex..... That looks like a very nice set up for someone needing that extra space on a regular occurance. I personally am more in need of soft bags that I can take off and carry around more often than not. I'm sure their are others in search of something just like that though.

Thanks again for the input, and keep them coming!

Thanks, Cheesy!
 
Yep I have two of the expander bags, one large, one small. Check you have a metal tank as they are magnetic although you can strap them to a platic tank there are better options if you need to do that (look at gascap mount bags).
 
That's a great choice for a tank bag. I used to run with the X40 on my VFR, and it didn't leave a lot of room for the operator, although I could just about rest my chest and head on it. :)

My absolute favourite is the Icon primer pack. It's roomy enough to store a clear visor for rainy days, my cell phone, gps, camera for when I leave the bike and go for a walk about, converts into a backpack, and has a compression strap that I've used for everything from a hoodie to a 5litre gas can to help out a mate who had run out of fuel. Best of all, it'll never get in your way like Shane kingsley's tower of gear. It also can be found on eBay for under 60 dollars shipped.

For a tail pack, you can always go with a canoe bag from Bass Pro, Mec etc. The PVC vinyl ones are fully waterproof, and can be attached to the bike fairly easily. It's nice to have one item of luggage that you just don't need to worry about if it buckets down, and you can buy three of them for the price of one tail pack.

Cheesy said:
Thanks for the feed back guys/gals! Keep it coming! Would like to make an informative decision based on current/past experiences!

I'm really liking the looks of the Oxford line up. Specifically the X30 Tank Bag, and X60 Panniers. If I was to go with that set up, I would probably purchase the X4 Tank N Tailer as well, to finish off the tail section. Anyone have past experience with these particular items., or are these the ones you are refering to JC100?

Any other suggestions guys/gals?

Thanks, Cheesy!
Click to expand...
 
Not keen on saddle bags with a tail bag, because now I'm having to mess with three separate bags, as well as a tank bag.

Here's a shot of GTAM member preludeking's bike with, I believe, a Gears Navigator tail bag. About $90, available from Royal, among others. I figure it'll be a lot easier to handle one big bag on the back, rather than three. At 52 litres, it ought to be plenty big.

302600_10150301811306332_506126331_8276213_1000423048_n.jpg


I also use a Cortech Super 18 tank bag, available in magnetic or strap on flavours:

n1.jpg


Between these two bags, I reckon I'll be good for a week or more, quite easily.
 
True enough about messing with multiple bags but I like the weigh distribution you get with saddlebags and a tailbag. When I'm loaded down I also have a Givi topcase on too and I really feel the high up weight load. I like the saddle bags as they carry the load down low.
 
Last summer we did the East coast ride:
moto_luggage.jpg

I had a tail-bag, tank map-pocket and a no-drag backpack; my buddy had saddle-bags. Was working good:thumb:

Personally, I would not recommend a tank bag: I got one - it's OK for short rides, but it is very annoying, when something huge is sitting in front of you in a long ride...
 
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jc100 said:
Can't recommend Oxford tank bags highly enough. They are bombproof. Lifetime luggage warranty, expandeable.

I have Cortech sport saddlebags and tailbag and while they have lasted me a few seasons in all weathers at all speeds they are looking a little tatty now and I've lost/destroyed two sets of raincovers on them. However...for the price they are a great choice for a sportbike and they are expandeable and can fit quite a bit of gear in them. The tailbag converts into a smart little briefcase thing which can be handy too.
Click to expand...



+^1.

Have a couple Oxfords. Very well made and met my needs on trips to U.S. & east coast
 
I have a set of Cortech Sport saddlebags+tailbag, and though I no longer use it with the V-Strom, they served me very well with the Ninja 250 and 650. parttimer uses them now on her (my old) 250 occasionally.

Great bags, but they can be a bit tricky to safely secure on smaller bikes like the 250R, especially when the exhaust pipe comes within close range of them. We tried just the tailbag recently and noted that it would shift around a lot, possibly because of some heavier items inside, so make sure you have strong mounting points and maybe even use some extra straps/bungee cords to reinforce them.
 
I have an axio tail bag...absolutely love it. Tried the tank bag but since I'm so little I was having an issue reaching the handle bars. It looks great too.
 
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