Bagster or fuel lock tankbag?

Im looking to get myself a tankbag. Ive heard much good about the fuel lock, though a downside is the reported damage to the paint- is this a fact? Does it damage the point of the tank?
Hoping to find a nice 15-20 litre bag, anyone have suggestions? :courage:

 

I'm strictly a magnetic guy. Just put some clear 3M on the tank to protect it. Easy to peel off if / when you want to.

I've actually cut the straps off my bag even. I use MotoPak: http://www.motopakluggage.com/luggage.html

I'm using the GT-Mini which is more than enough. They used to have larger models but they are slowly going out of business.

Everyone I know who owns a Cortech is very happy.

 

I used a Givi TankLock T489 Tank Bag for several years. Never had a problem with scratches. The only way I can see that occurring is by the user carelessly allowing the bag to come in contact with the tank. Blame the bag, right. The mount is simple, effective and secure. A simple movement of the lever unlocks the bag. I had mine wired from a Powerlet plug in the steering head. At fuel up I just pulled the unlock lever and swung the bag onto the bars. Never a problem. That Model is now longer available in favour of new and improved offerings. Mine came with a rain cover as well.

 

Oh!!! Mine is like new and for sale!!

 

I've got a bagster and I love it. It moves out of the way easily for fuel stops, easy to mount and un-mount.
The only downside is that you need the bagster tank cover to clip it to, but the cover protects your fuel tank, I never remove it even when I am not using the tank bag.
I have used magnetic bags in the past, there's nothing wrong with them I just prefer what I have now. It comes with straps to wear it as a rucksack plus you don't have the added weight of any magnets.
I have never used a fuel lock tankbag so I can't comment on that
I guess you pays your money and you makes your choice

 

I have the GIVI tank lock setup and love it. I have two bags that use it, one is the small 4L and the other is the large expandable bag, I believe 17-22L. There is also another maker of bags that use the GIVI ring, I believe their called Kappa, they're slightly cheaper bags but utilize the same tank lock mechanism.

 

Small givi tanklock bag on mine.


Perfect for carrying small items, on and off in seconds, no damage to tank.

 

Ditto. A bit expensive for my taste, but well worth it. I prefer it over the magnetic style, but to each his own.

 

Thanks for all the good answers. Since the fuel lock does not scratch the tank, i think im going for that. That way I can ride without anything on tank a little easier. Again, thanks.

 

Tanks on most "newer" bikes have more clearcoat millage than other painted places on the bike. This is engineered into the paintwork because the manufacturers know that there are many types of tank bags and tank protectors oot there.

Some tankbags with straps allow the bag to be removed leaving the straps in place. Some magnetic bags are the same. An old Chinese guy once said," the more magnets the merrier" I think he may not have been aware of the
rare earth magnets that can FUBAR your analog and digital readoots..

Another nifty trick with a magnetic bag is to make sure nothing is on the magnetized area before plonking the bag on the tank. Drywall screws come to mind as a worst case scenario.

3M has some of that clear film that Jeff is talking aboot. Sometimes shops that apply graphics to vehicles have it in stock. It comes in some forms die cut for specific applications and in rolls for general use.

What is missing here IMO is a how to on packing. I know I never put drywall screws in my tankbag first.

 

If it's the type with a locking ring mounted on top of the tank ring think about this. My bike came with a one from Twisted Throttle. It worked good for a while! Then 500 miles away from home the damn thing wouldn't unlock when the cord was pulled.

I tried everything. Couldn't get underneath it to try to grab the locking fingers without scratching the tank. So I had to use BFF&I to get it off. Good thing it was screwed to the fake mounting screws on the ring. Three go in to the tank and the other four are just in the ring itself. I ended up breaking the cheap white metal ring with just those four screws. Which was a good thing. The gas cap was still secured to the tank.

I'll never use one of those things again. You never know when they may wear past the point of working good. I use magnet now. I've learned my lesson.

 

You can unscrew the base plate by peeling up the edges at the bottom of the inside of the bag if this were to happen, allowing you access to the fuel tank and tank lock itself. Each of the different set ups have their own pros and cons.

 

The one I had wouldn't matter. If you got the bag off the mount was not accessible to get the fingers released. It had a solid base/top what ever.Bag on or off was no different.

 

Sounds like another engineering triumph being defended.

 

That's novel that they designed it so WHEN it jambs you can get to your fuel cap. Good thinking. Mine must have been designed by (place noun here).

 

Maybe the next generation had a hacksaw with it.

 

As I said, each have their pros and cons.
I like the fact it's off the paint of the tank and easy off/on.
I had a Triumph with a plastic tank years ago and this would have been by far the best solution.

 

Hey Helix, which Triumph did you have? I had a 2000 Triumph Sprint RS. I just used the Triumph tank bag that came with the strap on base. I currently have a Bilt magnetic tank bag and it does scratch. I've had it since September 2012 and it's worked fantastically. However since it sure directly on the paint, there is no getting around it, unless you use 3M as Jeff_Barrett said above.

 

Had a 99 sprint rs. Did buy an aftermarket tank bag for it that zipped onto a harness iirc, never really felt that much confidence in it though.
As an aside, on a trip to the lake district about 100 miles from home, I managed to lock the bike key under the seat. Of course I had not brought the spare, this required my brother in law to drive down with it in my car. Duh!