How big a tank bag is too big?

Shawn K

Shawn K

Professional Cat Confuser
Joined
Oct 11, 2008
Messages
855
Location
Boiling Springs, SC
Bike
GL1800
I'm considering a Givi tanklock series tank bag for my ST1300, mostly for carrying a hydration bladder. My thinking is that a tank lock bag will hover it over the tank slightly and help keep things cooler.

What I don't have is a frame of reference for size. How big a bag can I get without being a serious impediment to handlebar movement? 15 liters? 20 liters?

I know shape plays a factor, so I'm open to suggestions (including other brands or styles).
 
Shawn K said:
How big a bag can I get without being a serious impediment
Click to expand...
I find anything over a 30gal drum gets in my way......

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This is what a few of us use. It hits during lock to lock a little but usable.
twistedthrottle.com has the rings for the bike.
 
I got an Evo as well. However, I would not call it big. It is definitely under 30 gal capacity. Think about the size of one of those fanny packs.

They sell a nice map pocket for it.
 
You talked me into it. I just bought the SW-Motech EVO Engage.

I was going to buy a Givi bag because they sponsor Cal Crutchlow, but they didn't make a smaller one like the Motech. So I guess Cal's going to have to switch sponsors now.
 
If you have a HeliBar Riser fitted, expect to be honking the horn when you turn the bars to the left.

15L is more than enough for a water bladder, surely. Unless you like stopping for the toilet more than for fuel...
 
I have a Bagster tank cover and tank bag. Suits my needs, glasses case, water bottle, SLR camera and a few sundries. The bag will snag the horn button, but that's only a problem with handlebars on full left lock when reversing into a parking position, sometimes. The bag is expandable, but then I don't get a clear view of the instruments.
SAM_0137_zpstxvdcijv.jpg


And that was a real problem with the Gearsack tank bag (which had upper and lower sections) on the CB1300.
Picture066.jpg
 
I'm gonna chime in for my 2cents and maybe I'll get scool'd on this. I've used bladders. Sounds good. Nice hot day and ya wanna a few sips. Problem is, those first sips are nice and warm and not really what I want every time. I've tried the blow back in the tube a little, then hit it again. I always seem to fill the bladder up with too much air. When I want a hit, I want it to be cold. I wear a full face and don't have any type of cup holder that maybe I could grab a cup and take a hit with a straw. So a bladder isn't for me.
 
+1 on the Bagster tank-bra and their bags...
They have a wide selection of sizes and styles to choose from, textile, vinyl-leather, hard, soft, 2-stories, expandable...
"too big" would be obstructing the view on the instruments and/or impairing operation of controls...
This one (2 sections, detachable zipper between) is about the max I'd go with...

IMG_20180814_183950.jpg
 
Shawn K said:
Also makes a comfortable place to rest your thumb if you really need to lay on the horn for a while!
Click to expand...
Or to lay your thumb on when nice & relaxed, so that you're ready to hit the horn when a numpty pulls out in front of you.
EA6BMECH said:
When I want a hit, I want it to be cold
Click to expand...
I hear you. My approach so far has been to use a camel pack, worn on my back. The camel pack I went for, came with a thermal carry case and insulated pipe, the opening to the bladder is about 3inches wide - meaning it's easy to pop some ice cubes in on a warm day. I also found a filter that fits with it's connections, so I could happily scoop from a stream etc while out (or use it for camping trips).

Granted, warmest I've ridden in was probably 36C, but boy was the pack welcomed that day. Even while rolling down the road at 70mph (pipe fed through the bag straps hanging down on my right, grab with the left hand for a drink). I went through about 2L/hour that day.

I've thought about putting a hot drink in it during winter, but honestly, the heated gear does me just fine.
 
Shawn K said:
You talked me into it. I just bought the SW-Motech EVO Engage.

I was going to buy a Givi bag because they sponsor Cal Crutchlow, but they didn't make a smaller one like the Motech. So I guess Cal's going to have to switch sponsors now.
Click to expand...
Good choice. Have one on my Strom. 2 years now and still liking it.
 
Shawn K said:
You talked me into it. I just bought the SW-Motech EVO Engage.

I was going to buy a Givi bag because they sponsor Cal Crutchlow, but they didn't make a smaller one like the Motech. So I guess Cal's going to have to switch sponsors now.
Click to expand...
Good choice. SW-Mo bags are well made. As I said in another thread I looked at several - at a Progressive show, and at Iron Pony. Only downside is my Evo is not waterproof unless I put on the rain cover. But the ST offers so much protection, that even in a frog choker it doesn't get very wet when you are moving. Stop to watch the ducks and it's another story.

I notice nobody really answered your question. There is no tank bag that is too big for some folks. Thirty gal might be The Dan's upper limit, but go online and look at what some folks in undeveloped countries carry on their two wheelers. (Tongue half in cheek).
 
ad.hom said:
Or to lay your thumb on when nice & relaxed, so that you're ready to hit the horn when a numpty pulls out in front of you.

I hear you. My approach so far has been to use a camel pack, worn on my back. The camel pack I went for, came with a thermal carry case and insulated pipe, the opening to the bladder is about 3inches wide - meaning it's easy to pop some ice cubes in on a warm day. I also found a filter that fits with it's connections, so I could happily scoop from a stream etc while out (or use it for camping trips).

Granted, warmest I've ridden in was probably 36C, but boy was the pack welcomed that day. Even while rolling down the road at 70mph (pipe fed through the bag straps hanging down on my right, grab with the left hand for a drink). I went through about 2L/hour that day.

I've thought about putting a hot drink in it during winter, but honestly, the heated gear does me just fine.
Click to expand...
Ad.hom when you're right you're right.
It is very comfy to rest your thumb on there and those annoying moments when you sometimes cover your horn just in case and then hit a bump and you peep unintentionally don't happen anymore. You know where your thumb and button are so no need to hover over the switch. Not their intended use but a good addition.
I remember being at the back of a hotel at Lake Garda (?) and it was a bit tight so I was manoeuvring backards and forards and every time it went on left lock, peep, peeeeeeeppppp, every time it peeped the hotel owner came to the window to wave us off, after a while he stopped coming to the window. Something had to be done.
Upt'North.
 
I had one of these on the Kawi. It was too big :) When sitting on the bike you couldn't even see the GPS in the first photo.
The upper and lower zippered together to make the double bag, or leave them unzipped and use it as a single bag.
It did make for great wind protection though! (and for getting strange looks from passing cars)

IMG_6210.JPGIMG_6213.JPG
 
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