BMW tank bag fitting

[Fosters]

I have looked at a few Theads and just need to know how the rear of the BMW tank bag fits to the bike. I believe that they use a velcro pad which sticks to the base of the tank and that has a zip which attaches to the base of the bag but I have read something about a later design which screws to the base of the tank somehow.

Is there a later design change to the rear fixing point ( mine is 11/07 GSA ). If there is then I will avoid buying an earlier type.

Thanks

 

[Surrey_gareth]

Hi there.

I've got the BMW tank bag from last year.
The velcro is only there to hold the zip in position! The strap (if you can call it that) actually has a wide hook, similar to the headstock hook which you fix in place at the bottom of the tank with the seat off. This is a perfectly secure, perminant solution.

Once the bag is zipped in place, its secured at both ends firmly by these wide hooks.

Gareth.

 

[Fosters]

Hi there.

Thanks for reply.

The velcro is only there to hold the zip in position!

Is the velcro to hold the zip bit in position when the bag is NOT fitted, ie velcro is stuck onto the tank for the bottom fixing to stick to to stop it flopping about.

Can I remove the lower fixing when not in use. I see bikes and pics of bikes with the lower fixing still in place and NO bag.
I also see used bags for sale saying " You will need to buy a new velcro attachment"

 

[Surrey_gareth]

Sorry, yes it is for holding the zip in place when the bag is not attached.

You can take the zip/hookstrap off when not in use, but the design is so that you can eave it on, without it getting in the way when you dont want the bag attached (like I do when popping out quickly).

you could not use the velcro at all and attach the whole lot only when needed. The down side to this is you need to take the seat off to hook it in place (this is why they have designed the zip bit to always be attached).

I'm guessing people mean you would need to buy new velcro... I can't see why someone would keep the hook and zip?

Gareth.

 

[Thunder]

Might be worth mentioning that there are now 2 types of bag available from BMW for the 1200 GS/GSA, and they use different methods of securing the rear mounting strap.

The 2004 to 2007 model for want of a better name uses a dual-lock pad which glues to the base of the tank panel.

The dual lock panels are the means of securing the bag to the rear of the bike and when in place are more than up to the job.

The 2008 bags use a metal bracket mounted on the 2 screws at the bottom of the tank panel, the rear strap is connected to this rather than a dual lock panel and the velcro strip that is supplied with the bag serves no purpose other than to keep the strap against the tank.

Personally I don't bother with the velcro strip and just let the strap drop down under the seat when not in use.

 

[Fosters]

Thanks to you both, appreciate it.

I like the securing idea of the 2008 version, means I can quickly undo it or as you say THUNDER, leave it under the seat. However I doubt it will fit the 2007 GSA but a trip to the dealers will tell for sure.

 

[Thunder]

Thanks to you both, appreciate it.

I like the securing idea of the 2008 version, means I can quickly undo it or as you say THUNDER, leave it under the seat. However I doubt it will fit the 2007 GSA but a trip to the dealers will tell for sure.

Dealers are already selling the new version of the bag for the 08 GSA, and as the tank panels on the 08 are exactly the same as previous models if it fits them it will fit yours

The 08 GS has a completely new tank and set of plastics, the new bag is more sculpted to fit on it's tank but as it now sits with it's base entirely on the tank rather than on two pads on the old model it will be fine I'm sure.

Now comes in 2 versions a day to day bag with about 5 liters capacity and a "touring" version expandable up to 17 liters pricing is about £84 and £165 approximately.

 

[Ali-bear]

That new lower fixture is a much better solution than the adhesive pad/velcro arrangement.

And the new bags are way better looking, too.

I'd have a small one (hmm is this a good enough excuse for getting a new bike? perhaps not).

 

[gfspencer]

Thanks for the tip, Thunder. I got the bag but didn't like the idea of sticking velcro to the tank. I didn't think about just dropping the strap under the seat. Duh.

 

[Fosters]

Thanks again THUNDER

I have just phoned BMW. They don't seem to have a clue what from the 08 Adventure will fit on 07, likewise the small GS 5 litre bag may OR may not fit.

I have ordered one along with an inner bag for my top box and when I pick them up I will hopefully know if it fits.

I will let people know, even the shop want to know!!

 

[Thunder]

Thanks again THUNDER

I have just phoned BMW. They don't seem to have a clue what from the 08 Adventure will fit on 07, likewise the small GS 5 litre bag may OR may not fit.

I have ordered one along with an inner bag for my top box and when I pick them up I will hopefully know if it fits.

I will let people know, even the shop want to know!![/QUOTEAs far as I'm awareall dealers got sent one of each bag along with other bits just ahead of the launch. Surely a dealer would have the gumption to try the bloody things!

 

[Doofus]

Hi there

Sorry - minor thread hijack...

I would like to buy a BMW tank bag but I am confused about the different ones available, I have a 2005 1200 GS. I am confused about...

1) Are bags for the GS (pre-2008) and GSA (all?) different?
2) Are bags for the GS (2008) and the GS (pre-2008) different?
3) Have the bags always been the same, or are there recent "styling" changes unrelated to which bike the mount to.
4) Basically - if I buy a bag for my 2005 GS will I get velcro or a nice metal mounting?

Any pointers to information, or answers, gratefully received.

Darren

 

[Fosters]

THUNDER
You would think so wouldn't you! The bloke didn't even know a new smaller one exsisted. He had to look it up after I convinced him it did.
While I was on the phone a bloke in the background was ordering 2008 side panels ( not sure which) for a 2007 Adventure ) and they were trying to work out if they would fit. Don't know why he would not order the correct ones but hey ho!

It happened at another dealers last week when I phoned them about a spare 12v socket and they told me they won't have any for the 2007 GSA until May!! They then asked a mechanic who said the current one would work. I should think so, it has been out long enough!!

Out of the 3 BMW dealers I know I find the parts department totally incompetent. I was begining to think it was me but even when you quote part numbers you might as well be ordering a pizza!!!

 

[Thunder]

Hi there

Sorry - minor thread hijack...

I would like to buy a BMW tank bag but I am confused about the different ones available, I have a 2005 1200 GS. I am confused about...

1) Are bags for the GS (pre-2008) and GSA (all?) different?
2) Are bags for the GS (2008) and the GS (pre-2008) different?
3) Have the bags always been the same, or are there recent "styling" changes unrelated to which bike the mount to.
4) Basically - if I buy a bag for my 2005 GS will I get velcro or a nice metal mounting?

Any pointers to information, or answers, gratefully received.

Darren

1) No difference
2) Yes, the GS 2008 has new tank panels and fuel tank, the 2008 GSA uses the same panels as the previous models.
3) Alwaays been the same until the 2009 range
4) If you buy the 2008 range bag you get the bracket, the original bag uses dual lock ( industrial velcro)

Confused? So are the dealers

 

[Thunder]

THUNDER
You would think so wouldn't you! The bloke didn't even know a new smaller one exsisted. He had to look it up after I convinced him it did.
While I was on the phone a bloke in the background was ordering 2008 side panels ( not sure which) for a 2007 Adventure ) and they were trying to work out if they would fit. Don't know why he would not order the correct ones but hey ho!

It happened at another dealers last week when I phoned them about a spare 12v socket and they told me they won't have any for the 2007 GSA until May!! They then asked a mechanic who said the current one would work. I should think so, it has been out long enough!!

Out of the 3 BMW dealers I know I find the parts department totally incompetent. I was begining to think it was me but even when you quote part numbers you might as well be ordering a pizza!!!

Seems to be across the dealer network unfortunately, wasted sales opportunities as well.

As for 2008 side panels on a 2007

 

[Thunder]

Darren

For your 2005 GS .. you want a beautiful tank bag like this one.

The velco is much nicer than the metal mounting. It won't fall off and doesn't get in the way at all.

Tried and test

Now that's a thread hi-jack!!!!

Mods get him out of here, THIS IS A TECHNICAL FORUM

 

[Doofus]

1) No difference
2) Yes, the GS 2008 has new tank panels and fuel tank, the 2008 GSA uses the same panels as the previous models.
3) Alwaays been the same until the 2009 range
4) If you buy the 2008 range bag you get the bracket, the original bag uses dual lock ( industrial velcro)

Confused? So are the dealers

Hi Thunder

Many thanks for your fast and thorough response. I think the metal bracket version seems perferable, so I will endevour to get one of those - although, it does sound like I need to ring up first armed with a part number.

cheers
Darren

 

[Thunder]

Just found this post over on Adv Rider concerning modifications required on the metal bracket for the new tank bags to fit one to an 08 GSA.

As the 08 GSA uses the same tank and side panels as the previous versions it looks like the new bags have been designed specifically for the 2008 GS so if your intending to fit one to another model you will have to make some alterations to the bracket.

 

[andyclift]

I have had the original Velcro fitting bag for nearly three years and there is no problem at all with the rear fitting. If required the zip section can be removed in seconds leaving the velcro patch out of sight under the seat although I never bother, I just leave the zip in place. The bag has been used on long tours with heavy contents (cameras, bottles of water, bike tools, oversuit, etc) and it's rock solid.

The only problem I have, and this applies to both rear fitting types, is the FRONT hook can be awkward to fit which is a nuisance when filling the tank. It's either remove rear and tip bag forward or remove bag completely. The first means holding the bag up while filling, the second means fiddling the front hook back on.

I understand the new bag rests on the tank differently but the two "rails" on the old bag have not left any marks on my tank so I don't think this is an issue either.

I suggest that the final decision should not be "what type of zip do I want" but "which tank bag best suits my needs".

 

[Thunder]

I have had the original Velcro fitting bag for nearly three years and there is no problem at all with the rear fitting. If required the zip section can be removed in seconds leaving the velcro patch out of sight under the seat although I never bother, I just leave the zip in place. The bag has been used on long tours with heavy contents (cameras, bottles of water, bike tools, oversuit, etc) and it's rock solid.

The only problem I have, and this applies to both rear fitting types, is the FRONT hook can be awkward to fit which is a nuisance when filling the tank. It's either remove rear and tip bag forward or remove bag completely. The first means holding the bag up while filling, the second means fiddling the front hook back on.

I understand the new bag rests on the tank differently but the two "rails" on the old bag have not left any marks on my tank so I don't think this is an issue either.

I suggest that the final decision should not be "what type of zip do I want" but "which tank bag best suits my needs".

I'd agree with that Andy, used the "original" tank bag for numerous trips and tours (I'm a tip it forward when filling Tosser myself) with no issues from the dual lock rear fitting at all.

Just to clarify the comment on the "rails" never had an issue at all with mine on the tank, but in the case of the 2008 GS the tank panels are totally new and the old bag is not the same shape.

Not an issue with the 2008 GSA as it uses the same panels as the previous models, just the GS.

Your quite right about "which bag suits my needs" BTW, for day to day use the smaller version is brilliant IMPO but for long trips the larger expandable version is better. Guess who bought both.