Tank Bag Strapping

[Rich82GS750TZ]

So, I picked up a genuine Suzuki Tank Bag cheap from a guy on Face Book. It's brand new, pretty happy with it. The blue doesn't match the custom blue of my bike, but it'll do.

I have it strapped in the back OK, but the front, I'm not so sure. I have the strap going down around the little crook between the bottom of the steering head and the top of the frame down tubes. Can't really see it in the pic. This seems OK, and I doesn't bind any cables or wires. But I'm wondering, from anyone who's using a similar bag, might there be a better way? This bag does not have magnetic flaps. The strap buckle have a very nice, soft pad under them where they rest on the tank.

 

[Redman]

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I have the strap going down around the little crook between the bottom of the steering head and the top of the frame down tubes.
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That sounds like what I did (years ago) with vintage Eclipse tank bag on 850G. My bag had a soft rubbery pad on bottom that had kinda lost its grippyness (that I assumed it had previous) and the front would slide sideways one way and other a little. THat little movement wasnt too much of a concern, the pad was smooth, but concerned if some gritt got under it. I used a cable tie around the two straps to hold the straps better against the upper frame bar.

Didnt use the tank bag much, (also had full samsonite bag and trunk, yah, suitcases), but the tank bag was quite good for holding a small cheap point-shot camera that could operate with one hand. . . .ah. um. . . .er..... nevermind.

 

[Baatfam]

Just down and around the top tube, or bottom tube, or whatever you have there. Close to the neck. All I've ever done.

 

[LAB3]

I'm using my old cell phone as a GPS which sits on the tank, it's heald on by a few refrigerator magnets that I glued onto the back. You could try that or get a larger one to put inside the bag, a reclaimed speaker magnet would probably do the job.

 

[storm 64]

I am a Antitankbagger. I never liked them and never will. I would never put something on my paint that will adventualy wear away at it. Plus, you have to remove it to get to your gas cap. I think it takes away the look of the motorcycle. But hey, Function is the Fashion...

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

I hear ya Norm. I’m still not sure I like it better than the big black bag I had on the rack behind the seat rest. I went for a ride with it last night and rode it to work today. I thought I would mind it being there but I really didn’t notice it. You only have to release the front right buckle to get to the filler cap. It’s really easy. The concern about the paint is real.

LAB, I have a phone holder on the bars. The magnets inside the bag is a great idea. I may try that and forgo the straps.

Bob and Dave, thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Grimly]

I have a magnetic tank bag, which i leave on all the time now.
It's got a strap which just snap-buckles around the steering head, no problem.
Fuelling is easy, and the paint on this tank is needing done anyway, so that's not a problem.

 

[Burque73]

I'm using my old cell phone as a GPS which sits on the tank, it's heald on by a few refrigerator magnets that I glued onto the back. You could try that or get a larger one to put inside the bag, a reclaimed speaker magnet would probably do the job.

That's way simple and awesome. I always thought magnets and phones did not play well together.

 

[Gorminrider]

a piece of flannel underneath? (or that soft,polishy hairy cloth for wax polishing)? Pretty much anything is going to rub the tank if the bag moves at all,and good magnets seem better than straps. Not that I like mine for looks and seldom use it except on the back seat.

...I can't think of much bothered by magnets in a smartphone except the compass sensor and it's useless anyways near a bike. The AC from the engine coils might be worse if anything does bother it. But if anyone knows for sure it'd be interesting.

 

[LAB3]

Just to clarify for the electronics guys out there, The phone is inside a silicone case and the magnets are glued to that. All I use it for is GPS and the FM radio when I'm out camping.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

I use a phone holder on my car that is a magnet. There’s a thin steel plate between the phone back and my Otterbox phone case. I get in the car, plop the phone onto the holder, works great. No issues that I know of with the magnet/phone.