BMW GS tank bag does not fit GS

[GS Bloke]

Just bought a 2nd hand GS tank bag (pucka BMW one).
When fitted it sits against the bar cross brace and when the steering is turned it fouls with the bars

So I am wondering if my bikes previous owner has tilted the bars back.
As I look down the bars (from above) the line of the drop of the bars does not follow the line of the front fork legs, it is tilted back. Does anyone know what the factory fit angle is, do the bars visibly align with the front forks or are they tilted back?

 

[John Armstrong]

Around 2007 the 1200 tank bag had 2 incarnations. One for the lightweight model, that didn't come with a cross bar, and one for the more manly model that had a cross bar and spoked wheels as standard.

It may be you have a lightweight tank bag. And you have found out why they came out with a specific one for the GSA.

 

[mrsroynie]

Just bought a 2nd hand GS tank bag (pucka BMW one).
When fitted it sits against the bar cross brace and when the steering is turned it fouls with the bars

Hate to say this, but this was a known issue with the earlier BMW tank bag. It is probably the reason the previous owner got rid of it. The new model addresses the issue.

 

[GS Bloke]

ah, this is the one I bought here:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182378

I should mention that my bike is the 1200 Adv.

 

[John Armstrong]

That looks like the pre 2007 one, in which case it will "fit" the GSA, but won't be "fit for purpose".

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

ah, this is the one I bought here:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182378

I should mention that my bike is the 1200 Adv.

What was the answer you got back when you asked if the Tank Bag would fit an ADV?

 

[original_concept]

uh oh... incoming.

 

[cookie]

that tank bag was shown fitted in the first GSA brochure, and was sold for that bike. it was the only bmw bag available at the time i bought mine (sept 06).

it fits, but it can touch the cross brace, big deal done thousands of miles with mine fitted, never been a problem.

i actually own one of the later, smaller bags too now & initially intended to flog the original. as earlier incarnation takes so much more stuff, i never bothered, and have kept it.

the later bag is not without problems either. it sits much further back on the tank, and when extended, it presses into my chest which is so annoying i never use it in that way. it does have a much better shaped map pocket though

edit: i just thought of another prob with the first bag. it's an utter bastard to get the front hook attached under the VIN plate. i carry a bit of ruler to help there, but i only need to fill up every 300 miles, so it's not really much of an issue

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

that tank bag was shown fitted in the first GSA brochure, and was sold for that bike. it was the only bmw bag available at the time i bought mine (sept 06).

it fits, but it can touch the cross brace, big deal done thousands of miles with mine fitted, never been a problem.

i actually own one of the later, smaller bags too now & initially intended to flog the original. as earlier incarnation takes so much more stuff, i never bothered, and have kept it.

the later bag is not without problems either. it sits much further back on the tank, and when extended, it presses into my chest which is so annoying i never use it in that way. it does have a much better shaped map pocket though

so it's a BMW fault then... can't blame the seller then if it was made as a part to fit the ADV

 

[Wapping]

I am with Cookie.

I had one (for a while) on my 1200GSA 06 model.

It touched the cross bar but only on hard lock. How often do you have the bars on full lock? Hardly ever when riding. It's not an issue.

 

[GS Bloke]

so it's a BMW fault then... can't blame the seller then if it was made as a part to fit the ADV

This is in no way any fault of the seller, he did say he wasn't sure of it would fit, and if it didn't he would take it back, which I think is a great gesture.

The bag is permanently against the cross bar with the bars straight, when they are turned they really press into the bag - far too much to be safe.
I will take some pics this eve and post so you can see what I mean.

 

[Wapping]

Take the cross bar off?

Or swap the bag?

Or return to Civil?

Seem to be the three options.

 

[GS Bloke]

Forth option: try and work out why it fits so badly!

The original question in this thread was from me trying to determine if the previous owner of my GSA had tilted the bars back or not, can anyone shed any light on this based on the desc of my setup?

It's not just the cross bar that gets in the way.

 

[Wapping]

Forth option: try and work out why it fits so badly!

The original question in this thread was from me trying to determine if the previous owner of my GSA had tilted the bars back or not, can anyone shed any light on this based on the desc of my setup?

It's not just the cross bar that gets in the way.

You can tell if your bars are tilted.

On the bar, right by the face of the clamps, there is a punch mark.

The punch mark should be in line with the clamp faces. If it isn't, adjust as necessary.

 

[GS Bloke]

Thanks, v handy, I will have a look tonight.

Just so I am clear on what to look for, where exactly is the punch mark, i.e. top, back, front etc?
Between the 2 clamps or to the left or right?
And it should align with?

 

[Wapping]

Thanks, v handy, I will have a look tonight.

Just so I am clear on what to look for, where exactly is the punch mark, i.e. top, back, front etc?
Between the 2 clamps or to the left or right?
And it should align with?

From memory.

The clamp faces are horizontal, parallel to the ground.

The punch mark is punched on the bar on the inner side of the offside clamp. You will see it when you are home, no doubt.

 

[Big Lee]

edit: i just thought of another prob with the first bag. it's an utter bastard to get the front hook attached under the VIN plate. i carry a bit of ruler to help there, but i only need to fill up every 300 miles, so it's not really much of an issue

Have you tried turning the bars all the way to the left then reaching down to clip it under? Works on mine

 

[GS Bloke]

From memory.

The clamp faces are horizontal, parallel to the ground.

The punch mark is punched on the bar on the inner side of the offside clamp. You will see it when you are home, no doubt.

Had a good look and no punch mark.

 

[Wapping]

Had a good look and no punch mark.

Strangely, strange.

I can't go and look at mine before Saturday.... But I know it's there....

Maybe some kindly soul will come along before then.

Of course, I assuming you do have BuMW bars, don't you?

 

[GS Bloke]

Of course, I assuming you do have BuMW bars, don't you?

I'm not even gonna ansa that!