Triumphrat

Pauljo · 02-15-2008

I bought the Triumph tank bag when I purchased my T100 last month.

After about 5 weeks of looking at it and several rides (its Winter here) totaling a mere 65 miles, I decided that bag isn't for me.

1. It's huge - it dominates the appearance of the bike (and hides some pretty paintwork on the tank).

2. It isn't quick on/off due to having to remove the seat, deal with four straps for the base pad, then replace the seat. It would stay on the bike most of the time due to that.

3. I removed the tank pad last night and saw evidence of fine scratches in the clearcoat on the tank. That's with only 65 miles on the clock. And that's when I decided to return the bag to the dealer and beg for a refund.

The dealer gladly refunded my money today (whew) and I ordered a T-Bags Saddle Roll Bag for the MC Resources rack I just installed. I love it - and it will make up for some of the carrying capacity lost by returning that big tank bag.

But I still want a small to medium magnetic tank bag with a map pocket. Something I can quickly toss on the bike (or not). And I've had pretty good luck with magnetic bags vs paint in the past.

My short list is 2 tank bags right now.

The Cortech Super 10. Pricey for it's size, but nicely featured, and I think it would look good with the black pannier bags & roll bag.

http://www.newenoughhp.com/browse/vi...uct_images/124

The First Gear Silverstone Tank Bag. A bit larger, less expensive, equally nice features - but it might look out of place with the other luggage. I like First Gear products, but this one might look a bit too high-tech for a Bonnie.

http://www.newenoughhp.com/browse/vi...duct_images/21

I'm really interested in input from anyone who has used either bag on a Bonneville, particularly a Bonneville with knee pads.

I'll also solicit general opinion on the looks of each bag vs my other luggage.

And yes, when I get this all sorted out, I'll look for that darn camera again.

sweatmachine · 02-15-2008

your pictures aren't working

http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tank_bags/

Pauljo · 02-15-2008

Yes, none of the IMG tags are working, and I don't know why. Maybe a Mod can help me out.

sweatmachine · 02-15-2008

you linked to a web page, not an image. To link to an image, right click the image, select properties, then copy the URL and then paste it with image tags into the forum.

mecscc · 02-16-2008

See if you can find, try Googling it, a Nelson-Rigg Model 950 Magnetic Tank Bag. They discontinued it after many years, but they are exactly what you are looking for and are a perfect fit for a Bonnie tank.

uzidzit · 02-16-2008

Cargo basics, brand bag and it is really good, it is about 6x9x5 in tall but expands up to about 10" tall, came with a shoulder strap and drybag two small outside pockets. and a rigid cell phone pocket on top. The bottom is not fabric it is a slick rubber so It stays well in place and does not pick up grit. What ever you pick, wax your tank, and then go to ace hardware and get a roll of clear shelf paper the sticky kind it is really low tack and will keep the tank bag from eating the paint, not real noticeable from a few feet away. All tank bags will scratch paint no matter how careful you are with them. use some clear film under them. of the two bags you mentioned, I like the coretec, Have you looked at a joerocket Manta tank bag they are small and fit nicely on the bonnie, and are good quality, I had one until it was liberated at a gas station, that is the nice part of the triumph bag, It takes a rocket scientist to figure out how to get it off. It is a big tank bag though.

ridesouth · 02-16-2008

Another vote for the Joe Rocket Manta tankbag. It has a cool shape and has a good profile from a side view. Durable, treats your tank pretty good, too. The other one I use is the Marsee 10 liter Rocket Pocket. Very useful clear plastic lid for maps, phones, etc. and it sits up top well, not destroying the visual lines of the tank. Great day trip bag. Marsee stuff is top quality, too.

Foam drawer liner works well under the bag, too...like the tool drawer liner from Sears or the Depot.

Pauljo · 02-16-2008

OK. I cleaned up my opening post. There are now 2 IMGs that work, and clickable links to the 2 tank bags that show multiple views. Some things work better first thing in the morning than last thing at night!.

I have read several other threads here on tank bags prior to starting this thread. I just didn't find too much on these two bags that seem to be at the top of my short list (as used on the Bonneville T100). One thing I'm concerned about are the pull out magnet flaps that some of these bags have being possibly incompatible with the tank knee pads & Triumph emblem that the T100 tank has.

Monte. I did Google your Nelson-Rigg 950 bag. One minor thing it doesn't seem to have is a small pocket on the outside (external to the main compartment). Not necessarily a show-stopper, but I like those for garage door opener, etc. I do like the big map compartment though.

uzidzit & ridesouth: The Joe Rocket Manta doesn't have a top map pocket, and for me that is a show-stopper. I had a beautiful Joe Rocket bag 5 years ago for my V-Strom. It was two bags really that zipped together (a small bag + a large one). Both had map pockets, and you could use either bag by itself. Very flexible. Unfortunately I let it go with the V-Strom - and like Monte's Nelson-Rigg 950, that bag has gone out of production.

ridesouth: I found the Marsee product line to be kind of confusing, as well as pricey (and rain covers seem to be an optional extra). That 10 liter rocket pocket bag might get added to my list though.

http://www.newenoughhp.com/browse/vi...ct_images/1788

Thanks for the input so far.

Pauljo · 02-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by uzidzit

Cargo basics, brand bag and it is really good, it is about 6x9x5 in tall but expands up to about 10" tall, came with a shoulder strap and drybag two small outside pockets. and a rigid cell phone pocket on top. The bottom is not fabric it is a slick rubber so It stays well in place and does not pick up grit.
--snip--
Have you looked at a joerocket Manta tank bag they are small and fit nicely on the bonnie, and are good quality, I had one until it was liberated at a gas station, that is the nice part of the triumph bag, It takes a rocket scientist to figure out how to get it off. It is a big tank bag though.

I just Googled the Cargo Basics bag. It does look like a good buy for a basic bag. Doesn't have the external small pocket(s), but it is certainly worth considering.

I agree about that Triumph bag mounting system being a theft deterrent. That's one reason that I originally purchased it. I think you pretty much have to carry a magnetic bag when you leave the bike - or cable lock it to the bike. There are trade-offs with all soft luggage. I just can't get myself to do lockable hard luggage on the Bonnie.

M700R · 02-16-2008

I went with Coretech's 14 liter magnetic tank bag. Seems a very nice piece of gear, much better than my old tank bag, and it fits the Triumph well. Sorry, no photos of it on my bike yet.

I know there are a couple of threads here on tank bags, with some photos.

Regards, Guy