Best Magnetic Tank bag for 1250....?

[scharfg]

Hi there I'm looking in the 15-20L size range.

What fits/works well on the Bandit 1250?

Does it matter magnetic or straps?  I think I prefer the magnetic better that way there won't be a strap coming down over the middle of the tank to the frame which could mar the tank (unless I spend $$ to get a tank protector).

I did some searching and was liking the look and price of the Givi Voyager Series T429 Magnetic Tankbag ~$69 for 16L.

Let me know your thoughts thanks!

[rider123]

Be advised, the tank bag will scratch your paint on your tank to shit. I know I've had several. Do you have a tank bra or some other covering for the tank? Even if you are careful it will still pick up minute particles of metal that you won't be able to see on the bottom that will dig into the paint. However if you don't care like on some of the bikes I've had as the paint was already kinda crap they work great.

You could rig up some sort of a covering that is non slippery like vinyl and create a covering for the tank if you like from a fabric store. Usually you can get a soft underside and vinyl or fake leather and just sew some little straps to it. I'd be very wary on brand new paint putting a tank bag on there without some sort of protection but if you don't care I'm sure the GIVI is fine. Hell I've bought a magnetic tank bag for $30 and it worked great. Maybe consider getting a tail bag instead that sits on the seat? I use a bungie cargo net I bought for $15 and I've actually carried an 18 of beer and a few groceries with no scratches to the paint.

[scharfg]

Hmmmm, thanks for the info.

I don't have the bike yet, been searching for a good used one starting the last couple of weeks, hoping to make a spring purchase.  I'm about 8hrs north of Vancouver BC so we are deep into winter right now and won't be on the road till mid April if we are lucky so I have some time to do some research.

I wonder if I should get a bag that attaches with straps then instead of magnets...?  I have one of those for my Wee and it seems to not be scratching the tank paint.  A bit of a pain moving it all the time to fuel up but I guess the magnetic ones would be about the same PITA.

I've seen those tank bras but then stuff gets under them as well like on a car.

I plan to have my cot, and duffle cloths bag on my passenger seat like I do with my other bikes on multi day road trips so I won't have room for a tail bag set up.

New Enough has some great deals on tail bags though: 

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/browse/search?page=1&product_area=parts&query=tail+bag

Yeah those bungee nets work great, I dont go anywhere without them!

[rider123]

Well the straps will scratch slightly less but it will still scratch. If you glue or sew a soft material underneath you'll be good just make sure those straps are tight. I've owned lots of bikes so most times I don't care that much but you may get upset on a brand new bike. I bought some soft saddle bags and they work great you just droop them over and clip in the straps to the rear footpeg mounts takes about 5 seconds to put on and holds like 4 times the amount a tank bag would hold. To put the snap plugs to the foot pegs you just loop it through. To take everything off the bike takes like 10 seconds.

[scharfg]

Hi there Rider123 thanks for that info.

Yeah I like the soft saddle bags with the neoprene backing (suppose to be "no scratch").  I put a set on my DL650 Wee and found they were not "no scratch" as the paint on both side pannels under the neoprene had wear marks.  I should have put that clear mac tac peel n stick stuff over my painted side panels first but with the soft neoprene backing I thought I'd be fine, lesson in there for sure.

Yes I travel with the soft bags and the tank bag and the waterproof duffle and the Pelican 1550 case on the back as I camp when I do multi day trips.  The tank bag is nice for the odds n sodds I need up front, like gloves, glasses, camera, cell phone, wallet etc...

[rider123]

Well to be honest you can use a magnetic tank bag but either take it off very infrequently. Or if you take it off, lift up gently as much as possible. Try not to slide while taking it off. If you just plopped a tank bag on there and only took it off a few times a year very very carefully you should be ok, it's just those times your in a hurry, etc and you forget and scraaaattcchhh!! Just dont set the bag down in a pile of iron fillings! :-)

[scharfg]

I guess that would work if one didn't need more that one or two tanks of gas a year (ie: you have to move the tank bag to access the fuel tank), but alas that is not me, I try to fill it up 2x/day on my road trips....

UPDATE:

Problem solved, Motorcycle superstore put their Fieldshier Contour strap bag on for $30 so I ordered one.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/DoTd.aspx?SiteID=em_DOD_12_03_Feature_FS-Contour-TankBag&WT.mc_ID=36168&WT.i_e_dcsvid=1173361472

[pmackie]

Hey Scharfg

If you're worried about tank scratches, you can look at something like this:

http://thetankslapper.biz/osc/index.php?cPath=27_187&osCsid=94720eb6be70c600cf158efeb5fa9c9c

I have this material on my Triumph tank, and althought not perfect, really protects the paint from my magnetic tank bag. I had the same Joe Rocket bag on my 02 Bandit, and I did pick up some scratches in 60,000 kms, but not a lot. As 123 says, you need to keep the magnetic area clean...you can vacuum it off. You might want to consider this material for your strap-on bag, but I don't know how well it will stay with the strap-on.

[scharfg]

Hi there fellow BC'r...

I have the tank slapper cover on my Wee (goes from one side of the tank to the other) and seems to work well with my strap tank bag (ie: has stayed put), can't remember which part it was called and the graphics examples are poor.

I had a look at the site to figure out which one I would need to protect the tank from the bag for the Bandit but unfortunately there are no graphics for the different Bandit part options.  I sent them an email asking if they could help me out.  Do you remember what the part number was called for your bike (ie: is it a "tank top" protector or the "tank protection kit" both are the same price for the bandit ($15.95).

Thanks for the reminder!

[wizzobeer]

If you are not set on a 1250 I have an 06 1200 that I am looking at selling and it comes with a tank bag 

[scharfg]

Hey Wissobeer, that's mighty tempting... 

But alas I"m wanting the EFI, all the torque before 4K rpm, fairing etc.

Thanks though....

[notagix]

 A little off the topic. I've got an '07 B1250 with 70,000 km Hindle slip-on, excellent shape well maintained, make me am offer. Cruising around with a newbie rider, at the speed limit, I got 68mpg.

[wizzobeer]

Hey Wissobeer, that's mighty tempting... 

But alas I"m wanting the EFI, all the torque before 4K rpm, fairing etc.

Thanks though....

I have to defend Janis' honour and say she has all of that except for the EFI 

[scharfg]

Here's the reply I got from Tank Slapper:

Lucas said to get a Tank Top kit will protect the tank from the bag.

[rider123]

Believe it or not I actually made a tank protector by going to an art store. I got a 2mm thick piece of black vinyl that was magnetic. I just cut a piece out to fit the back part of the tank where you rub against and it's still going strong. I didn't want to get the ones that use glue to stick to the tank. It comes off and on no problem.