Tank bag or top case?? What do you recommend?

[bcityroller]

EDIT - Sorry about the big picture

I voted both, but I'd opt for a medium sized (12L-ish) tank bag that was expandable. I've got a givi topcase (45L) on the Shad rack and a tank bag. Frankly I can't really notice either one of them being there while riding (maybe I'm not pushing it hard enough?). I use the tank bag for things I want access to on the bike or quickly while stopped - extra shield, gloves, ear plugs, heat-troller when not in use, etc and the case more for actual luggage. Others on the same trip had the range of options dry bag/duffle bungeed to the seat, hard side bags, soft side bags, tail bag, top case. We all got the things we needed we we were going.Here's my bike as setup from a recent 4-day trip.

 

[steveindenmark]

Yes your right, it also comes down to expense.

Last year I went to Sweden on my Intruder. I stuffed everything into plastc bags and strapped it on where I could. It looked like a gypsy bike but it did the trick.

Another good idea is Dry Sacks that canoeists use. I carry my tent in one, it is on top of the top box but can be strapped on the seat behind the rider. They are cheap and waterproof.

Steve

 

[gearheadstu]

I'm a big fan of using panniers. I have soft bags (Cortech) because all of the hard sidecase options were either inelegant (Givi: when I want side cases, why on earth should I have to first buy the baseplate for a topcase I will never buy?!) or priced prohibitively (SWMoto, also on backorder at the time I purchased).

I don't (yet?) have the matching Cortech top bag. Thus far, I doubt I'd need it. Between the side and tank bags, I've had more than plenty room for 1- and 2-up touring.

Here's a shot from my 1400 mile Indy MotoGP trip. Tent, sleeping bag, and clothes are in the side bags. Raingear, camera, and nutrition in the tankbag. Hydration bladder in the backpack. Sleeping pad and tent poles rolled up and lashed across the pillion. I could've packed in a lot more stuff if I needed.

 

[jamesfz6]

I'm a big fan of using panniers. I have soft bags (Cortech) because all of the hard sidecase options were either inelegant ([COLOR=\"Gray\"][SIZE=\"2\"]Givi: when I want side cases, why on earth should I have to first buy the baseplate for a topcase I will never buy?![/SIZE][/COLOR]) or priced prohibitively ([COLOR=\"Gray\"][SIZE=\"2\"]SWMoto, also on backorder at the time I purchased[/SIZE][/COLOR]).

I don't (yet?) have the matching Cortech top bag. Thus far, I doubt I'd need it. Between the side and tank bags, I've had more than plenty room for 1- and 2-up touring.

Here's a shot from my 1400 mile Indy MotoGP trip. Tent, sleeping bag, and clothes are in the side bags. Raingear, camera, and nutrition in the tankbag. Hydration bladder in the backpack. Sleeping pad and tent poles rolled up and lashed across the pillion. I could've packed in a lot more stuff if I needed.

Thats why I dont opt for the trunk, because i can tie up all kinds of stuff with my handy bungee cords.

 

[blantonator]

EDIT - Sorry about the big picture

I voted both, but I'd opt for a medium sized (12L-ish) tank bag that was expandable. I've got a givi topcase (45L) on the Shad rack and a tank bag. Frankly I can't really notice either one of them being there while riding (maybe I'm not pushing it hard enough?). I use the tank bag for things I want access to on the bike or quickly while stopped - extra shield, gloves, ear plugs, heat-troller when not in use, etc and the case more for actual luggage. Others on the same trip had the range of options dry bag/duffle bungeed to the seat, hard side bags, soft side bags, tail bag, top case. We all got the things we needed we we were going.Here's my bike as setup from a recent 4-day trip.

what kind of tank bag do you have?

Anyone have tank bag recommendations?

 

[bcityroller]

what kind of tank bag do you have?

Anyone have tank bag recommendations?

http://www.600riders.com/forum/1240-post9.html

 

[opds9091]

what kind of tank bag do you have?

Anyone have tank bag recommendations?

I have a SCOYCO, SPORT PERSONAL KIT, by MOTOCROSS.
I keep in the bag a= pair of pants, shirt, socks, under ware, towel (small one), rain jacket and pants, that's just like a suit case without the expansion zipper unused. Then there is a separate zipper for some documents or papers. Then there is a map zipper, and if it starts to rain there is another zipper that holds a pouch the covers the bag in case it rains. Each flap has "3 STRONG" magnets that goes on the tank. Perfect for a 1-2 day's travel. They only thing is i dont remember how much it was.

 

[Aggietaco]

([COLOR=\"Gray\"][SIZE=\"2\"]Givi: when I want side cases, why on earth should I have to first buy the baseplate for a topcase I will never buy?![/SIZE][/COLOR])

FYI, you don't have to.

 

[gearheadstu]

FYI, you don't have to.

Right. I haven't gone back to see what, if anything, has changed in the Givi offering. But as of a year ago when I bought my Cortechs, you were right. I could have opted not to get the baseplate for a topcase. Instead, I could've paid more to get a kit for the side racks that eliminated the required baseplate. Eh, no thanks.

I hope the situation has gotten better. The SWMoto side racks are probably the best solution for someone who wants hard side cases w/out also using a top case. And like I said, at the time, they were on indefinite backorder.

 

[Aggietaco]

The SW motech racks are more expensive than the Givi racks plus the fitting kit (the kit that allows you to mount without the top case mount).

 

[b.konstadinos]

Tank bag. I have a Kappa top case too but it stays home after i bought the tank bag. I ride on the highway everyday to go to work and with the top case on the situation is alittle bit scary. Everytime time i used to go over 130kmh the bike was going unstable. And when the wind was blowing from the side the things were worst. Know with the tank bag it is far more better. I have everything in front of me and i can pick everything any time i want. Plus when i'm on the highway, I can lean on it, with my breast touching the top of the bag, just to get under the wind coming from the fairing, which is very relaxing ang comfortable. (sorry for my bad english again!!!):thumbup:

 

[mastakilla]

ok thanks! I have read this a couple of times now, that the FZ6 goes unstable at higher speeds with the top case mounted. I'll have to look into this. We are planning a big trip, and it will include mutliple highways, as we want to get to the cool stuff quickly.

 

[ender]

Take a look at the Fieldsheer Titanium Pro Tail bag/backpack at Newenough.com for $28.99!

Fieldsheer Titanium Pro Tail Bag/Backpack :: New Enough Motorcycle Hard Parts

I just got mine but its too cold to try it out.

 

[mstewar1]

I have a givi fz351, which is the mount to which gearheadstu was referring. According to the twisted throttle web site, in order to fit the givi t351 saddlebag mounts, ya gotta have this top-case mount first. Yeah, crazytalk... But they make a different one, too.

Anyhow, I have this mount and I think a 40l case. I took off my recently purchased scorpion exhaust because I couldn't use this case with 'em. That's how much I like having a hard case. I don't mind the appearance of the rack when the case isn't on the bike. But I can understand how some folks may not like it.

I have a small cortech magnetic tank bag. I rarely use it. If I were to do some sort of trip, I'm sure that I would. They're handy for small stuff that you don't want to have in your pockets. I really don't like those huge, tall tank bags. They're just ponderous. Though I suppose it's not a bad location for that much mass, I just don't want it there in front of me. Besides, to load one that high/full I would think you'd have to use a strap system as opposed to magnets. Or they'd have to be honkin' strong magnets.

I also have a nelson-riggs tailbag. It's a good bag, but after the security of a hard case, I just couldn't get used to one that was held on with straps. Not that I ever ride with a pillion, but if someone did want to come with, I wouldn't be able to use this bag.

As has been mentioned, the givi also can serve as a bit of a backrest for the pillion.

 

[clockworkjon]

I have a Nelson Rigg mini tank bag on mine. Its the smallest one they have, but it holds a ton of stuff. I had my cell phone, ipod, rain pants, 2 bottles of water, a can of Red Bull, small tool kit, snacks, GPS, pens, tire gauge, digital camera, extra helmet visor, and small first aid kit all stuffed into it for a day ride earlier this summer.

Now for longer trips where you need clothes and toiletries I'd personally go with saddle bags. I just don't like the look of the huge top cases. It gets a little tricky though with the heat from the undertail exhaust. You'd have to research which saddle bags have good heat shielding. However, if this is just an occassional thing just get a nice back pack. Just my $.02

Good luck! :thumbup: