GS Tank Bags as Turbulence Impeders ?

[Alex B]

A few months ago (or more) someone on this forum posted a comment that when tank bags are fitted (may have been VP45 tank bags with side bags) they cut down some of the windflow and turbulence coming up round the frontal side area of the GS tank.

Any remember this post, or have a similar experience ?

Cheers.

 

[plasins]

T'was I.

 

[Fanum]

*bows to plasins in acknowledgement of the most useless responce to a question this week*

 

[plasins]

Thank you, I accept my award graciously. I would like to thank.......well, its been a long week - and getting longer. The buffering is almost eliminated by the VP45 and tank panniers. I also have the Omega Baglux tank bags which I use on shorter trips. By just using the 25lt bag, I find that the buffering is also vastly reduced.

Vic P.

 

[Alex B]

Plasins

You're a man we all need to talk to ( a man with a surfeit of tank bags !) ................ which works best in your view ? The OMEGA is a nice looking bag.

PS: I need a tank bag for practical purposes hence the incessant questions !!

 

[plasins]

They are both good bags, but I prefer the Touratech bag and side panniers. The Bagster harness rear clipping arrangement fouls on the leading edge of my Melvyn Hunter seat - no comments of a dubious nature please! I find that the Omega bags tend to get a bit wobbly and restrict steering - the bags get in the way. The TT bag is smaller, therefore it does not restrict the steering in the same way. The side panniers also shield the knees from the air flow. As far as the buffering is concerned, the TT bag is marginally better.

Vic P.

 

[Alex B]

Vic

Cheers for that.

Does the VP45 bag require a tank cover or does it attach directly onto the tank proper ?

And yes, I recall the problems I had with Baglucks tank bags on my old K75 - lovely bag but slid all over the place on long tours. Nearly fell off once in the Italian Alps during a storm I recall. Not a funny moment.

Cheers

Alex

 

[plasins]

Alex,
I keep the Baglux harness on all of the time. I used thick tape on the leading edge of the seat. When I use the Omega, I place an old scarf between the seat and harness. I have never used the TT bag without the harness. Yes, with the scarf, the Baglux harness and the TT harness its a bit of a dogs dinner, but I think that it is worth it to prevent a respray. On other bikes with other tank bags I have sufferred from tank damage. It also gives me the choice of bags.

Vic P.

 

[boundless]

Tank bags do reduce turbulence...

...but you can end up in urgent need of deliverance if you go too much with the flow on this idea :-

The beautifully designed Speed Pac has received the prestigious IDEA Bronze award from the industrial Designers Society of America, and has been placed in a museum for award winning products.

Quite.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

My expierences was not so nice

I have found the baglux tankbags almost fatal in sidewinds on my GS's. Driving from Cape Town to Johannesburg was nearly blown off the road a few times and if you are not aware will definitely be sliding down the road. This was of course with both bags packed to the brim on the tank.
With only the bottom tankbag it was not as bad but still made a difference when hit from the sides by gusts. Of course riding into or with the wind is not as bad.

Cheers