Nelson-Rigg CL-135 Touring Tank Bag (Tripple Threat System)

[Tidrick]

I have been looking for feedback on the magnetic mounting systems that tank bags use...I am very worried that movement on the road and dust will get underneath the magnetic pads and scratch the finish on the tank. I like this N-R bag but I am worried...

Same for the suction cups possibly moving slightly (you bump it or a wind gust whacks it)...

What's the truth on these damaging the finish on the bike? Thanks.

This comment should NOT be taken as reflective of the Nelson Rigg bag as I have no experience with IT, but....

When I bought my '96 ST1100, it came with a larger strap mount tank bag with a soft underpad. This bag is another brand - not Nelson Rigg. I used it two or three times as a tank bag, then noticed I was getting a little scuffing from the bag shifting while in flight. I no longer use it as a tank bag! If I use it, I strap it on the pillion seat as a tail bag, and it does work well in that role.

One thing I should add - the bag I have incorporates a 3 point strap design. That could make a difference in how much the bag is able to shift as compared to a 4 point system.

Just my 2/100 of a dollar...

 

[M&M Take2]

One of the things I keep in a tankbag is a good cleaner like Plexus so every time I gas up I clean the tank before re-attaching the bag. No scratches in 5 years.
Does anyone manufacture a water resistant/water proof tank bag? Seems like a better idea than a cover that can be blown off or lost. IMO it would be worth the extra cost. Marty

 

[hafstar]

Just my two cents. But on my 4K ride to Sarasota and back, this last April, my CL135 worked great! I used it expanded and positioned it back towards the seat. I used the stock tie downs which allowed the bag to move from side to side slightly which came in handy when making left turns. I just moved it to the right before turning and avoided the embarassment of my horn scaring pedestrians walking through the parking lot. I've since gone to the suction cups that allow you a greater degree of lateral stabilization and positioning which was apparent this September on my trip through New England. The suction cups never even hinted at letting go until needed! All round a great bag!

 

[nelsonriggusa]

Just my two cents. But on my 4K ride to Sarasota and back, this last April, my CL135 worked great! I used it expanded and positioned it back towards the seat. I used the stock tie downs which allowed the bag to move from side to side slightly which came in handy when making left turns. I just moved it to the right before turning and avoided the embarassment of my horn scaring pedestrians walking through the parking lot. I've since gone to the suction cups that allow you a greater degree of lateral stabilization and positioning which was apparent this September on my trip through New England. The suction cups never even hinted at letting go until needed! All round a great bag!

Thanks for your comment. We have had many similar repliues about these suction cups. Here is an image that will be used in an upcoming ad.

 

[Tidrick]

One of the things I keep in a tankbag is a good cleaner like Plexus so every time I gas up I clean the tank before re-attaching the bag. No scratches in 5 years.

Marty, thanks for this comment!!! I recently bought a magnetic tank bag to use on my CBR and had plans to do the "magnets under the plastic breather cover" on the ST1100 so I can swap the bag back and forth between bikes. However, I have a few light scuffs on the tank from my trip to NC this past weekend on the CBR and was about ready to either swear off tank bags altogether, or post up and ask, "HOW DOES EVERYONE USING THESE THINGS KEEP THEM FROM SCUFFING THE TANK FINISH?!?!?!?" :

Your comment is timely, and I'll be hunting a local source for the Plexus stuff VERY near term!

 

[sirepair]

I have the CL450 on my 1100; it's a BIG BAG! It appears to be a bigger version of this bag. I'm impressed by the quality of the materials and construction.

It was just too wide for me, so I removed the 2 external pockets (oops, did I just void the warranty??) because there's plenty of room even without them! I utilize the strap mounts and leave them a bit loose so the bag can slide left or right as needed in a tight turn. And I have it positioned about as far back as I can.

Also, I cut down some empty oil bottles, cleaned them out and stapled them together to make a few compartments, and I utilized some laptop case dividers (the padded strips with velcro on the ends) to separate and hold the containers in place. I'll have to snap a few pics and post.

About the only thing I would change would be to put a pocket on the front of the bag to put the awesome rain cover in to.