Tank Bag Scratches and Prevention

Ilbikes

Ilbikes

Vendor
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
132
Location
Alabama
Bike
09 ST
Guys,

I want a tank bag. On the ST1300 it just makes so much sense. It is the place for an IPod, maps, water bottle, glasses, contacts, ect. Now, how to stop it from damaging paint? Aerostitch sells some rubber mesh they say will prevent it - has anyone tried it? I will have to have a low-profile, but what is the best attachment method on the ST?

Suggestions are very much appreciated.

Regards,
Gordon
 
Ilbikes said:
Guys,

I want a tank bag. On the ST1300 it just makes so much sense. It is the place for an IPod, maps, water bottle, glasses, contacts, ect. Now, how to stop it from damaging paint? Aerostitch sells some rubber mesh they say will prevent it - has anyone tried it? I will have to have a low-profile, but what is the best attachment method on the ST?

Suggestions are very much appreciated.

Regards,
Gordon
Click to expand...

I bought a huge roll of that stuff at Walmart... PM me your address and I'll just send ya some and you can cut it up to size.
 
I have two different tank bags. Neither have scratched my tank.

I use a tank bag almost always. Just keep them clean.
 
I don't know who makes them or what they are called, but I've seen some tank bag mounts that bolt onto the gas cap ring. I think it's supposed to keep the bag up off the tank. I don't really know. I think ACL has/had one. I'm sure someone else will know what they are called.
 
+1 on keeping the tank and the magnet areas on the bag clean. However, if you're on a long trip and have to keep taking the bag off to get gas, it's inevitable that some dust is going to settle right where the bag attaches. Every time I clean the bike, which is usually before every ride, I hit the bike with Meguiar's Detailer spray and the tank and saddle bags with Scratch-X. They both work great! I have the Manta bag on my bike on every ride. Also, as others have mentioned, do not leave the bag on your tank all the time; it can damage the paint. Mine goes on my metal garage door going into the house up high and out of the way. Good luck!
 
I have been really careful and so far I have had no paint damage from two types of tank bags, a magnetic one and a strap-on. I always dust or wipe off the tank and underside of the bag with a soft cloth after gassing up or removing the bag. 4 years and 70K.
 
st11ray said:
I don't know who makes them or what they are called, but I've seen some tank bag mounts that bolt onto the gas cap ring. I think it's supposed to keep the bag up off the tank. I don't really know. I think ACL has/had one. I'm sure someone else will know what they are called.
Click to expand...

I have a Tanklocker which attaches to the tank filler ring and does not touch the tank. Check out their website http://www.luggagelocker.com
Also twisted throttle has a version of this design as well.
 
Joe, thanks for the generous offer. The mesh was $10 for a 24"x36" piece from Aerostitch where I needed some boot socks and other items anyway, so I just ordered it all together this morning. I've got some other uses for it as well, so I'll give this a try.

And by the way, I'm really loving these police bars I purchased from you. Of all the bars I've seen sold here - these are the only ones that I'd have confidence in not bending in the event of a fall. They are made for the task.

Again thanks to all for your time and inputs guys.

Regards,
Gordon
 
Would you guys give some suggestions at which tank bags are the most duarable and provide the most functional attributes in terms of water resistance and security? I have only owned one tank bag - a Technic and it was simply a round bag, no zippered pockets - just one chamber and is not what I want to use on long trips.

Thanks,
Gordon
 
If you want it for long trips, get a large tank bag. Apart from the obvious storage advantages, you can rest against it for a break in body position.

I have the Honda bag, am careful keeping it clean around the magnets, and tank is pretty well scratch-free after 3 years and over 70,000 Kms touring with the bag. Looks bulky but I don't find it interferes with handling. A search should give you info on different bags. I posted pros/cons for the Honda bag here https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54268&highlight=honda+tankbag
 
I'm on my third or fourth tank bag and the last two have been made by Marsee. The materials quality is very high, though the newer one isn't quite as functional as my older one because the exterior pockets are smaller than I'd like.

Having at least three exterior pockets is mandatory, in my opinion, so that the things you find yourself needing often, like sunglasses and earplugs, are always where you can find them quickly. One feature that makes a big difference in the utility of the bag is having a light colored interior, which the new Marsee does. It's amazing how things can just simply disappear inside a large bag with a black interior.

I don't think any tank bag is going to be completely waterproof on its own so getting one of the waterproof covers that looks like a big shower cap is mandatory to keep things dry in any kind of real rain.

The caution about keeping the bag clean is right on. If you have a magnetic bag be especially careful to keep it out of any workshop space where you've done any drilling, sanding or grinding of metal. The bag will attract metal filings you didn't even know were there and they're impossible to remove. If they're on the bag when you put it on the bike you've turned your bag into a pretty fair imitation of a belt sander.

I really prefer a magnetic bag to one with tie-down straps because it takes so much less time to deal with getting it on and off the bike. That was a problem when I got the ST1100, obviously, since the tank cover is plastic. The Marsee magnetic bag was almost new and I didn't want to give it up so I used silicone caulk to glue magnets to the underside of the tank cover, lined up exactly with the magnets in the bag. It works great. I can post details and pictures if anyone is interested. The main thing you need to know, though, is that you'll need to find rare-earth 'super' magnets to make it work. The usual ceramic magnets aren't strong enough.
 
The previous owner of my bike put this stuff all over the bike::

http://www.invisishield.com/ Scotchgard Paint Protection Film made by 3M

This stuff can be bought in large rolls and can conform to all kinds of shapes. It can even be put on plastic headlights. My bike has this on most of the paint on the front of the bike and I have not yet gotten around to removing it from there. It makes the paint look less shiny, but frankly, does not ruin the looks too bad and it means the paint there will be like new (I guess) when it is taken off. It supposedly can be removed from the paint any time without damage.

I plan on getting a bunch of this one of these days. Eventually. Some day.

Bob L
 
I bought a lifetime supply roll of that stuff at Wal Mart for about $3 just like Mellow. Have used it for several years on several bikes with magnetic tank bags and no scuffing of tank paint.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom