Tank bag vs tail bag

[Pumba]

Ok people I started my new job today and thankfully im allowed to comute on my bike to this one, however going to work to day I straped a bag with the essentials (lunch, change of pants and shoes etc.) on the back with bungies (sp). This was cool and it worked but I was woundering if I would be better off looking at a tank bag or tail bag.

Now I have heard a few bad stories about magnetic tank bags scratching the crap out of peoples tanks, and from the stories about how thin the paint is on the SV this wouldent be a good thing.

And looking a the tail packs they look a bit more complicated to put on, and I have short legs so with somthing on behind throwing my leg over gets harder, I manage but it is more akward.

So people that have used a tank bag, a tail bag, or both give me your opinion, or maybe I should just stick with the bag and bungies.

Might put a poll up as well.

[Karma]

Tank bags are sweet, decent ones have a scratch-proof lining on the bottom to stop it messing up the tank.

[Hitcher]

Without having a decent look at the arse on your SV, it's hard to know whether or not a tailbag will work with its array of bungeys and hooks. A tailbag will also impede your ability to get your leg over. I'd go for a tankbag, and if you need additional storage, go for a decent set of throw-over panniers (not the Ventura ones).

[McJim]

I prefer a tank bag coz I prefer a tank bag - it's a personal preference kinda thing coz I can't easily get my leg over since my knee got munted by a car...but enough of my personal problems.

[imdying]

Now I have heard a few bad stories about magnetic tank bags scratching the crap out of peoples tanks, and from the stories about how thin the paint is on the SV this wouldent be a good thing.Yep, the paint on the SV is beyond pathetic. Don't put a tank bag on it... And make sure the tail bag doesn't rub on the rear panels, or it'll fuck them inside of 1000kms. Learn from my mistakes, don't do it.

[Clivoris]

Without having a decent look at the arse on your SV, it's hard to know whether or not a tailbag will work with its array of bungeys and hooks. A tailbag will also impede your ability to get your leg over. I'd go for a tankbag, and if you need additional storage, go for a decent set of throw-over panniers (not the Ventura ones).

I used an oxford tailbag on my SV. Nice size for day trips. Just had to make sure that I put some scuff-stuff in the right places to prevent bungy-rub. Tank bags can be convenient but even if it has material that wont scratch the tank, it is inevitable that crud will get caught in there one day and give it a scratch.
Edit: SV paint is total shite.

[imdying]

Without having a decent look at the arse on your SV, it's hard to know whether or not a tailbag will work with its array of bungeys and hooks.Hooks are all good on the SV, you have a grab rail and some bungee luggage hook thingys on the rear peg mounts :yes: Or at least mine did :no:

[R1madness]

I like tank bags. Simple and easy to use, mostly waterproof. Dont get in the road when short pricks like me go to get on (unlike tail bags) A good coat of top quality wax (like mothers or maguires) sometimes will help prevent scratches. Or take your tank to a professional paint shop and get them to give it a THICK coat of clear (should only cost about $100). That way you can polish out any minor scuffs.

[James Deuce]

Go to the $2 Shop. Buy a roll of that anti-slip netting you put under a rug. The matting is made of alientech grippy rubber.

Buy a tank bag. Cut a piece of netting off the roll that is roughly the same size but slightly bigger than the "footprint" of the tank bag. Et voila, a non-slip anti-scratch pad. Replace as necessary.

[arj127]

every day, and find it very easy to use and not obtrusive. Sometimes it is a little small and may have to also carry a backpack if i need to take something extra to work. The bag has not scratched my tank at all.

Why dont you remove the tank and have a signwriting company put the clear protective sticker on the tank. Should stop the scratches and is totally removable later on when you sell the bike.

[madandy]

As above, treat the tank with a coating or have it painted properly with a couple of coats of clear to boot. Tank bags rock, IMHO.

[arj127]

that couple of coats of clear. :Punk:

[Insanity_rules]

I have a expandable motoline tank bag and its the second best thing I EVER bought for the bike. It's never scratched the paint and it also attaches to the tail if I want it to. Plus you'd be amased what you can fit in it. I get my lunch, wet weather pants, shoes, notebook, cd case, disc lock, bags wet weather cover, sunglasses, pen drive, mobile phone and assorted other work stuff in it without even expanding it.

Another pleasent surprise, it blocks a bit of headwind to the chest. (I ride a naked bike).

Don't know much about SV paint but if its anything like my mates GSX then a good coat of wax would be the order of the day. Her GSX scratches when you even look at it funny.

[NinjaBoy]

For commuting everyday a Tailpack will be a hassle. Too much to strap and hook on. Good for day trips and yeah you have to master the "Ninja" kick :innocent: move to get on the bike.

I commute almost everyday and use a small backpack .... I carry my laptop (+ accessories), lunch and waterproof (PVC) pants. I leave a pair of shoes at work.

[twinkle]

Givi luggage box thingamy beats them all for me. Waterproof, I can store my helmet in it and I can leave it on the bike if I want to. If I really try I can fit my helmet, gloves and riding jacket into it :shit:
It does spoil the looks of my gn a bit though :rofl:

[BarBender]

I used a tank bag with magnets on the old bike for work - but its redundant now that I have a plastic tank cover. So now I use a back pack. If I need to bring the laptop home - I'll bungy the case to the pillion seat. If travelling for more than a couple of days - I'll use a the tank bag but attach it to the pillion seat with bungies.

[Cajun]

Have you considered a Ventura pack rack?
In my experience, you can fit more into two Ventura bags (zipped together over top of the pack rack) than you can in two 40L Givi hardbags!

[Pumba]

Or take your tank to a professional paint shop and get them to give it a THICK coat of clear (should only cost about $100). That way you can polish out any minor scuffs.

Thats not a bad idea at all.


A tailbag will also impede your ability to get your leg over. I'd go for a tankbag, and if you need additional storage, go for a decent set of throw-over panniers (not the Ventura ones).

Ive allready got a good set of Rjays throw over panniers, grat for long trips, Rjays throw over some of the non slip matting from payles plastics to protect the rear.

[Pumba]

Have you considered a Ventura pack rack?
In my experience, you can fit more into two Ventura bags (zipped together over top of the pack rack) than you can in two 40L Givi hardbags!

Yea I have the same issue with them as I do with a givi box, they look:sick:.

[Oakie]

I have a small tank bag (17 litres) and an Oxford Expander bag (75 litres fully expanded to go over my Ventura pack rack). I use whichever is appropriate. I use the tank bag more often and it has not scratched the paintwork. Just gotta make sure there's no grit on the bag bottom or tank and it's fine.

[sunhuntin]

Givi luggage box thingamy beats them all for me. Waterproof, I can store my helmet in it and I can leave it on the bike if I want to. If I really try I can fit my helmet, gloves and riding jacket into it :shit:
It does spoil the looks of my gn a bit though :rofl:

ive got one of those as well. carry bungy cords and bungy cargo net, spare gloves, tool kit, etc. can also fit helmet and gloves and jacket [not all at once, though i did manage once.] i was meaning to take it off when not touring, but cant be bothered, and ive got used to the look. i also have saddle bags, but they stay off the bike in case they get knicked.

i also use those brackets to bungy my backpack on if needed.

how much do you generally carry to work pumba? for lighter loads, i have a black leather shoulder bag. if i balance it right on the seat behind me, i dont notice its there. it goes either on my seat or my knee, depending.

[Pumba]

how much do you generally carry to work pumba? for lighter loads, i have a black leather shoulder bag. if i balance it right on the seat behind me, i dont notice its there. it goes either on my seat or my knee, depending.

I dont carry a lot, pair of shoes, chage of pants, my lunch if I can be bothered making it an that is about it. Im not a big fan of having a backpack or anthing else attached to me, sometimes it is the only way I know I did it for years to and from school and uni but I never really felt comfortable doing it. And in the situation that I happen to come off (touch wood) I would prefer to have nothing attached to me, just some weird thing I prefer thats all.

[limbimtimwim]

Tankbag.

Anything else moves mass rearward. Do you want that?

[Hitcher]

Anything else moves mass rearward. Do you want that?

Girlfriend?

[Pumba]

Girlfriend?

She can ride her own bloody bike!

If she was actually real and not figment of my fantisies

[Hitcher]

If she was actually real and not figment of my fantisies

Fantasies. She looked real enough. As did THAT helmet...

[Fat Tony]

I found a small tank bag was OK, but anything big enough to carry a decent amount of kit in just gets on the way of riding (on a sportsbike). I found it impaired moving around the bike and there was no way I could get my head out of the wind.

A well secured tail pack on the other hand... you don't even notice it's there (until you get on or off the bike and forget that you have to get your foot higher than your head to get on/off by the usual 'leg over the backend technique')

I use a rucksack for the commute though

[Bytor]

Tank bag as it's great for resting my beer gut on it:drinkup:

[James Deuce]

Fantasies. She looked real enough. As did THAT helmet...

I see someone else was wondering if the excessively feminine girlfriend was compensating for something.

[Dodger]

I commute almost everyday and use a small backpack .... I carry my laptop (+ accessories), lunch and waterproof (PVC) pants. I leave a pair of shoes at work.

That's what I'm doing, only problem I find is the backpack can be hot at times :sunny:
Tail pack looks like it would fit more in it than a tank bag to me, but there's no why I could get my leg over the the thing :(

[McJim]

Girlfriend?

Best placed on the tank facing you for weight distribution. Apparently there is a socket available on most girlfriends to facilitate a secure fastening too.

[ArcherWC]

Tail bag or back pack for me, my arms are too short for the tank bag

[Quartermile]

Tank bags took waaayyy better and It's alot better to be able to see it rather that hoping it stays on the back.

Backpacks are very uncomfortable on leathers!!

[Hitcher]

Backpacks are very uncomfortable on leathers!!

I always wince when I see a biker wearing one. Much the same wince I have when I see jandals, shorts or no gloves ride past. If one was to come off on top of one's backpack surely one could do oneself a nasty injury?

[dawnrazor]

Oxford do a bag that is a tank bag, tail pack and back pack

[merv]

I'm with Cajun on this one, Ventura pack rack and bag. I use one on my VFR all the time and you can see that in my avatar. I'm a short arse and there is no worry getting your leg over. Being shorter probably helps because when I throw my leg over it doesn't touch the pack rack at all. Its slightly awkward for Mrs merv if she climbs on the back as she can't throw a leg over for that seat with the rack in the way. I wouldn't use anything else these days and we have racks on all 5 bikes in our garage.

[mstriumph]

i've got a ventura rack and packs ............... had a great little tankbag that cunningly turned itself into a handbag as needed BUT it scratched my tank so i don't use it now

............ you probably wouldn't want one that turned into a handbag anyway ........

[Quartermile]

I always wince when I see a biker wearing one. Much the same wince I have when I see jandals, shorts or no gloves ride past. If one was to come off on top of one's backpack surely one could do oneself a nasty injury?

Never thought about it like that:shit: , thanks man:yes:

-Seeing someone I knows injurys from coming off a scooter at 25km/h has made me very safty gear concious.

[Pumba]

Oxford do a bag that is a tank bag, tail pack and back pack

Well once you pay the extra money for the conversion kit.

[sinned]

So people that have used a tank bag, a tail bag, or both give me your opinion, or maybe I should just stick with the bag and bungies.


The SV doesn't have much space for a tank bag. I have a Clover bag (see pic) and that is as big a bag as can be fitted to the SV. Any bigger and the bag will restrict your riding position. There are smaller bags by Givi and Oxford. I like the Clover as it is firm and retains its shape - looks good too. I use the tankbag all the time to carry stuff instead of using jacket pockets. You will need another bag to carry the big stuff like your lunch (shoes will fit in the Clover but not much more). So far no scratches to the paint - am careful and wipe the base before fitting.

I am to fit a Ventura frame for carrying a laptop bag or pack and may buy the Motorline throw over saddle bags.

[Unit]

A tail bag anyday, I find a tank bag too restrictive on my riding, I have enough trouble without objects in my way. Plus I like the xtra weight over the back of the bike, helps with handling.
Bungys are far from ideal, I should know, I've just done 10,000kms in 9 weeks with a bag purmanently bungyed on the back of my bike, it was OK but prone to moving around a bit more, and the bungys stretch and have to be replaced regularly.

[Back Fire]

I use a tail pack... tank bag gets in the way on longer runs and after a while my neck starts to get sore from not being able to hide from the wind blasts... Ventura is just to plain fugly, as is Givi... I don't use panniers because I have absolutely no confidence in the strength of the side panel bits of the tail of my K6 1000... I reckon they will fall off if you give them a funny look, let alone put weight on them...