Exactly my thoughts on tank bags. There’s a couple of the lads who come on our annual trips have them. They have to take them off and carry them about whenever we stop for a wander around or park the bikes out of sight. I certainly couldn’t be bothered with having to carry a handbag around. Everything i need to hand is in my pockets.
Or you could just put the locking pin in, nearly put my back out doing it and snapping the padlock shut mind you. Saves on me having to carry my pump, sockets, tyre plugger kit, multitool and visor cleaning kit. That tab you have to pull to release it at a petrol station can be a real inconvenience though.
Not sure there is a locking pin on their magnetic tank bags but you seem to be sure. I’ll ask them why they carry all that crap around instead of the locking pin. All that crap you have in your tank bag is in the bottom of my panniers. The weight is much lower down that way. I hardly need the tyre plugger so immediately available. After all I will be getting off if I have a puncture.Or you could just put the locking pin in, nearly put my back out doing it and snapping the padlock shut mind you. Saves on me having to carry my pump, sockets, tyre plugger kit, multitool and visor cleaning kit. That tab you have to pull to release it at a petrol station can be a real inconvenience though.
I dont ride around with panniers on everyday, 2 bikes, just take the tank bag across from one to the other depending on what im riding day to day and always have my kit with me. The one day I didnt take the puncture kit was you might of guessed is the one day I got a puncture and had 5 hours waiting for BMW recovery due to being on a Sunday evening. Hate the look of tank bags but it just works and is convenient. You can buy the SW Motech kit(as on the last pic) or you can just buy your own ball pin for a few quid and a padlock. The pin stops you being able to pull the cord to release the bag. I know givi have some bags with an actual key lock and I think Rhinowalk do now but I'm all in with SW Motech tankrings and rear plate.
Definitely no pin on the magnetic tank bags - only on the tank-ring types where the ring is screwed to the bike. The optional SM-Motech locking kit comes with the locking pin - though you have to drill the hole for it - and a combination lock to go the the zips.
I have the SW Motech tank ring on my R12 and I’m almost certain it’s the same tank ring I had on my Urban GS.. I know I didn’t go out and buy a new one…
I did get the SW Motech Yukon bag and their offset tank ring. Just come back from a trip and it worked well.
Does this bag have a way to get a charging cable in? …..or is it case of drilling a hole?
‘Drill baby, drill!’ It is very waterproof. Tested already.
