Tank bags - which are the best ones?

John3001GS

John3001GS

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Having only recently purchased a new 1300 GSA and after watching numerous videos on tanks bags, I must say, for what, on the surface appears to be a well thought out and well equipped bike, it does seem to be a little bit lacking in this department. The OEM 12 litre BMW tank bag, to me, appears to be a little bit bulky and possibly restrictive when it comes to moving around on the bike and to top it off, its neither waterproof nor does it have an external waterproof cover.
Then you have various other after market tank bags such as sw motech. They do manufacture some smaller tank bags (4litre and up) which do have a waterproof external cover to pull over, but they fasten on using the filler tank ring system only. This seems a bit of a shame that they don't utilise the front fastening clip (the one closest to the riders seat). I haven't yet found a manufacturer that produces a smaller size bag that uses the bmw front and back fastening clips in a more user friendly way..... Penny for your thoughts. I am guessing this is a well discussed topic...John
 
John3001GS said:
Having only recently purchased a new 1300 GSA and after watching numerous videos on tanks bags, I must say, for what, on the surface appears to be a well thought out and well equipped bike, it does seem to be a little bit lacking in this department. The OEM 12 litre BMW tank bag, to me, appears to be a little bit bulky and possibly restrictive when it comes to moving around on the bike and to top it off, its neither waterproof nor does it have an external waterproof cover.
Then you have various other after market tank bags such as sw motech. They do manufacture some smaller tank bags (4litre and up) which do have a waterproof external cover to pull over, but they fasten on using the filler tank ring system only. This seems a bit of a shame that they don't utilise the front fastening clip (the one closest to the riders seat). I haven't yet found a manufacturer that produces a smaller size bag that uses the bmw front and back fastening clips in a more user friendly way..... Penny for your thoughts. I am guessing this is a well discussed topic...John
Click to expand...
I've got the OEM BMW bag, after a lot of indecision about getting an AliExpress copy. The fitting system works well, and I don't find it at all obstructive. It does come with an interior waterproof liner, but I agree it would be better if the bag itself was actually waterproof. I have seen an AliExpress version on another bike, and felt that the OEM version is a bit better quality, the ALi one was a bit misshapen/baggy.
 
The best bag? The one that suits you best, irrespective of the make / model of bike.

Consider:

How large you want it to be.
Expanding or not expanding.
Method of attachement,
Easy of removal and replacing when fueling.
Powered or unpowered (I convert my own).
Waterproof from the off or requiring a condom / plastic bag.
Clear map pocket or not.
Phone display pouch or not.
Side pockets, yes or no.
Elasticated ‘holder’ for your gloves, yes or no.
Credit card / wallet / sun glasses pouch, yes or no.

PS I like Touratech tank bags and always have.
 
Have had the Givi Tanklock system and the SW Motech Pro quick release ones. Both work in a similar way. Both decent, but I prefer the Motech ones as the release mechanism is less fiddly. They've a good range to suit all use cases. We have a larger one for going away, and a 3-5 litre one that'll fit keys, glasses case, phone, wallet, visor spray in it.
 
I use Enduristan tank bags ,, some very decent multi week trips with serious weather at times ,, and none of them have Ever let in a drop of water .
The current one even has a clever water proof cable access at the front , through which I pass a wire to charge up 2 power packs .
These are not the cheapest things on the market ,, but are good quality and work well for me .
 
John3001GS said:
Having only recently purchased a new 1300 GSA and after watching numerous videos on tanks bags, I must say, for what, on the surface appears to be a well thought out and well equipped bike, it does seem to be a little bit lacking in this department. The OEM 12 litre BMW tank bag, to me, appears to be a little bit bulky and possibly restrictive when it comes to moving around on the bike and to top it off, its neither waterproof nor does it have an external waterproof cover.
Then you have various other after market tank bags such as sw motech. They do manufacture some smaller tank bags (4litre and up) which do have a waterproof external cover to pull over, but they fasten on using the filler tank ring system only. This seems a bit of a shame that they don't utilise the front fastening clip (the one closest to the riders seat). I haven't yet found a manufacturer that produces a smaller size bag that uses the bmw front and back fastening clips in a more user friendly way..... Penny for your thoughts. I am guessing this is a well discussed topic...John
Click to expand...

Actually it’s a fairly new topic for the 1300 section I think. I have an Aliexpress one which I bought from a kind member on here. Waterproof inner bag as well.
Fits fine but I must say I don’t particularly like tank bags. Too bulky. But I do have one now. I tend to use side frame bags and the radiator bags. It’s all what everyone prefers.

tw99 said:
I've got the OEM BMW bag, after a lot of indecision about getting an AliExpress copy. The fitting system works well, and I don't find it at all obstructive. It does come with an interior waterproof liner, but I agree it would be better if the bag itself was actually waterproof. I have seen an AliExpress version on another bike, and felt that the OEM version is a bit better quality, the ALi one was a bit misshapen/baggy.
Click to expand...

Actually the Aliexpress ones are fine and for a fraction of the cost. I have a spare set of Ali express Radiator bags as I bought a set of original ones from a gent on here and there is a difference in fitting and quality but it’s not huge.
Again what fits your pocket.
 
boatman said:
I use Enduristan tank bags ,, some very decent multi week trips with serious weather at times ,, and none of them have Ever let in a drop of water .
The current one even has a clever water proof cable access at the front , through which I pass a wire to charge up 2 power packs .
These are not the cheapest things on the market ,, but are good quality and work well for me .
Click to expand...
Agreed . Very good . Also had SW Motech waterproof tank bags . Currently using a Shad on my Vstrom which is lockable and fully waterproof.

IMG_7106.jpg

Much cheaper than equivalent SW Motech but just as good .

IMG_7105.jpeg


They do the WankPanzer ring too

IMG_7104.jpeg
 
I had the Givi/Kappa tanklock system on 3 previous bikes. The Kappa bag I used from 2015 to 2023 is still serviceable if a little tired.

On the V85, I did not like the offset ring arrangement from Givi so I switched to SW Motech. I have a couple of the SW-M waterproof bags, the small one and a larger, expandable one. The system works well but I have one gripe, compared to the Givi system, the mechanism on the SW-M bags takes up quite a bit of space inside the bag. This is not so bad on my larger bag but eats into the space in the smaller bag.
 
RedRick Esq. said:
Personally I try to avoid the ones with straps and harnesses as they rub the paint work
SW Motech with the magnetic quick release ring are just brilliant
Click to expand...
While it’s true that straps can potentially abrade the pain a wee bit ,,,, they are simple , with nought to go wrong ( Enduristan supply spare clips with them from new ( never needed to replace one so far 👍) .
We were stuck for an hour in a fuel station somewhere north of Trondheim in Norway last year , because the SW Motech bag release system had jammed up ( we went through a load of open surface roadworks , and recon dust jammed the mech ) ,,, anyhoo after much patience ,, appropriate engineering related swear words and WD 40 ,,, we managed to free it off 👍
 
SW Motech waterproof version for me.. just choose which size suits you best.
 
tw99 said:
I've got the OEM BMW bag, after a lot of indecision about getting an AliExpress copy. The fitting system works well, and I don't find it at all obstructive. It does come with an interior waterproof liner, but I agree it would be better if the bag itself was actually waterproof. I have seen an AliExpress version on another bike, and felt that the OEM version is a bit better quality, the ALi one was a bit misshapen/baggy.
Click to expand...
thanks tw fair comments (y)
 
Wapping said:
The best bag? The one that suits you best, irrespective of the make / model of bike.

Consider:

How large you want it to be.
Expanding or not expanding.
Method of attachement,
Easy of removal and replacing when fueling.
Powered or unpowered (I convert my own).
Waterproof from the off or requiring a condom / plastic bag.
Clear map pocket or not.
Phone display pouch or not.
Side pockets, yes or no.
Elasticated ‘holder’ for your gloves, yes or no.
Credit card / wallet / sun glasses pouch, yes or no.

PS I like Touratech tank bags and always have.
Click to expand...
very good points thank you and yes, ultimately its whats best for you. I've had a look at the Wunderlich 6-8l version of the fuel cap fitment and it seems a good compromise although, agin its not waterproof. It does seem to have a good inner liner sytem though....cheers Wapping
 
Fiddlesticks said:
Have had the Givi Tanklock system and the SW Motech Pro quick release ones. Both work in a similar way. Both decent, but I prefer the Motech ones as the release mechanism is less fiddly. They've a good range to suit all use cases. We have a larger one for going away, and a 3-5 litre one that'll fit keys, glasses case, phone, wallet, visor spray in it.
Click to expand...
Yes I had the 4-6l sw motech on my previous GS it attached and detached really well
 
boatman said:
I use Enduristan tank bags ,, some very decent multi week trips with serious weather at times ,, and none of them have Ever let in a drop of water .
The current one even has a clever water proof cable access at the front , through which I pass a wire to charge up 2 power packs .
These are not the cheapest things on the market ,, but are good quality and work well for me .
Click to expand...
thanks for your thoughts, I'll take a look (y)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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