I find that I need something to hold those little indispensable items we all have to carry. Things like a remote for the garage, extra pack of smokes, cell phone, work keys, security badge etc etc.

I didn't really want to go with saddle bags and a tool bag wasn't secure enough to leave on the bike when I am not around. So I got an idea into my head to start looking at tank bags. Have you ever tried to find a tank bag that fits in on a little peanut tank? Not an easy task.

So after trying a few bike shops in town, I ran across a place that had the "Cargo Performance Luggage" Bags. Their smallest bag is the "Basic" and seemed to fit the bill.

http://www.bastaards.org/Miscellaneous/Cargo1.jpg

Well made, heavy duty nylon with a see-through map pouch. A reinforced rubber handle to carry it with you.

http://www.bastaards.org/Miscellaneous/Cargo2.jpg

This bag expands over twice its normal size by unzipping a second zipper.

http://www.bastaards.org/Miscellaneous/Cargo3.jpg

The underside of the bag. The flaps fold under and buckle together to make the bag compact and easy to carry.

http://www.bastaards.org/Miscellaneous/Cargo4.jpg

The underside of the bag is a rubberized nylon so it doesn't scratch the paint. Each flap has a large 2 1/2" magnet and there are four 1 3/4" magnets in the underside of the bag, at the four corners.

http://www.bastaards.org/Miscellaneous/Cargo5.jpg

Here you can see it on the tank. The flaps do obscure the "Sportster" logo, but anyone who doesn't know this bike is a sportster doesn't matter anyway. By placing it over the gas cap, you get the best mount and the speedometer is unobstructed. At 75mph, the bag is as solid as if it were screwed on, so no worries there. I would probably move it down the tank so if I were to load it up and expand the volume.

http://www.bastaards.org/Miscellaneous/Cargo6.jpg

Just another shot of the bag, from the front.

All in all, this $40 tank bag is just what the doctor ordered. It allows me to take the gear I want and then when I get there, take the bag with me to keep that gear secure.

Funnily enough, the only link I can find to this bag is from a UK site, so you bikers across the pond can go here to get yours:

http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/shop/index.php/product/motrax/luggage/cargo/tankbags/

That looks exactly what I'm looking for. As you mentioned most tank bags are quite large, and I don't want saddlebags or wear a backpack. This will keep me from stuffing everything into the front of my jacket. Is there a US source? Thanks for sharing.

That looks exactly what I'm looking for. As you mentioned most tank bags are quite large, and I don't want saddlebags or wear a backpack. This will keep me from stuffing everything into the front of my jacket. Is there a US source? Thanks for sharing.

I haven't found a web link yet but I got it at a sport bike shop.

The funniest thing about the whole deal was that the guys in the shop were shocked by me. Here comes this guy, riding sportster, 6ft, 270lbs of shaved head, tattoed ugly guy asking them for their advice on a sport-bike accessory. Their eyes were like saucers :yikes

http://www.longdistancebiker.com/

This site has several similar bags and a lot more. Might find what you want there, and cheaper too by the looks of it.

I use a Teknic "Freeway" model that I purchased at Cycle Gear for $50, IIRC. It is a little bigger than the Cargo bag, but is wedge-shaped to fit the Sportster peanut tank.

For the REALLY good stuff, have a look at Marsee & RKA--pricey but very well built.

FYI, I used a Joe Rocket magnetic tankbag for a while and it scratched the hell out of my tank in one place, right below the badge... :cry1 Now I just bungee it onto the pillion part of the seat...

One of the fastest ways to scratch a perfectly nice paint job!
The only thing I put on my paint is wax and a sponge!

One of the fastest ways to scratch a perfectly nice paint job!
The only thing I put on my paint is wax and a sponge!

I agree, anything that moves around and vibrates on the paint is bound to scratch it. Is the tank bag manufacturer guaranteeing that it won't scratch the paint? If so, what will they do if the paint is scratched? Will they fix your tank or just refund the money for the bag? That's why I use a back pack to hold my stuff in, not as convenient but its not gonna scratch my paint job.

I combat the scratching of my tank by not giving a s#it.

I figure since there's so much dirt on my bike (from riding in the dirt), and scratches on my pipes from draggin 'em in right hand corners, that it just adds to the ambiance. YMMV.

I combat the scratching of my tank by not giving a s#it.

I figure since there's so much dirt on my bike (from riding in the dirt), and scratches on my pipes from draggin 'em in right hand corners, that it just adds to the ambiance. YMMV.


I am with you.... Since the color of the bike is not going to stay the same, I am not too worried about some small scratches on the tank. it will eventually be painted as I get nearer to my vision. I am considering painting it to match the paint on my Vette.

Personally I think saddlebags look better than a tank bag, but i saw the bullets in your pic so do what you want.

i saw the bullets in your pic so do what you want.

Holy shit, I saw that too, I was afraid to say anything about it. But now it's out in the open, I agree with gymrat, do whatever the !!!!!! you want, I just don't wanna be the dead guy that pissed you off. :laugh

Personally I think saddlebags look better than a tank bag, but i saw the bullets in your pic so do what you want.

"There are two kinds of people in this world, sheeps and wolves....pick the group that you want to be in..." :D

Come on ya nancy-boys! The bullets are harmless by themselves. It's the nutcase holding the pistol that fires them you have to worry about. :D

Those were 125gr .357mag rounds for my little snubbie BUG.

Come on ya nancy-boys! The bullets are harmless by themselves. It's the nutcase holding the pistol that fires them you have to worry about. :D

Those were 125gr .357mag rounds for my little snubbie BUG.

Like Chris Rock says "We don't need gun control, we need bullet control. If it was up to me, bullets would be $5,000 a piece. I guarantee you woudn't have any more innocent bystandards."

I combat the scratching of my tank by not giving a s#it.

Hey, mine's no garage queen either--I was just surprised at the size of the scrape b/c it seems to be caused by the stitching but looks like someone gouged it with a damn screwdriver. Basically, any luggage is gonna !!!! up the finish somewhere, somehow. They don't stay new forever (except for those garage queens, I guess).

Come on ya nancy-boys! The bullets are harmless by themselves. It's the nutcase holding the pistol that fires them you have to worry about. :D

Those were 125gr .357mag rounds for my little snubbie BUG.


Are we getting huffy here?? :frownone

Naw...looks like just is little bit of joking all in fun....I hope!!!

Naw...looks like just is little bit of joking all in fun....I hope!!!

Just joking as far as I know.

Are we getting huffy here?? :frownone

Huffy? I ride a Schwinn! ;)

It was all in fun, or was supposed to be. Go for a ride, get a smile on your face, then read it again! :tour