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Prompted by a comment from aladinsane on another thread I want your opinions on Bagster tank bags.

I’ve got the bagster tank cover for the Falco and I’m not convinced I know which bag to get. I guess a modular thing would be favourite so I can add or subtract parts to suit the needs of the day.

If there’s no such thing then I reckon I’d rather have a smaller bag than a large one. I’ve got enough other luggage I can use for bigger trips.

Not sure what volume territory I’m getting into, but I’ve got an Oxford Humpback tailpack which seems about the right ball park. According to the www it’s got a 28 litre capacity, however I’m assuming that’s in its expanded guise so probably something around 20 litres.

Anybody regularly use a bagster (or another type that fits on the bagster tank cover) that can comment. Ease of use and fillups info would be helpful too.

EYEFANKEWE

I've used Bagster/Baglux tank harnesses and bags for the last 20 years and I wouldn't use anything else. All tank bags fit all harnesses (they are a proper system) and filling up is a breeze. The harnesses have a soft inner lining that doesn't scratch the tank, in fact protects it. And the harnesses are a remarkably close match to the tank colour in my experience.

Can't help with volumes of tank bags; my advice would be to go to a stockist and have a look at some. I'd steer clear of the monster ones, as when fully loaded it's almost impossible to ride the bike, unless you're blessed (?) with the physique of a gorilla.

Pricey to start with, but pays for itself over the long term. Highly recommended.

Dale , I have used bagster tank bags for some time now on a few different bikes, and have always liked them.
I got a tank cover for the Falco, and often fit it throughout winter just to protect the tank from all the crap they put down on the roads in winter.
Like you I don't want to use a large tank bag all the time with the problems you get looking at the clocks.
I have an old Baglux expandable bag I bought years ago to fit on an old red VFR, which I still use. Not sure which one it was or if they still make it now.
It's the original expandable unit with the map pocket in the top and a built in cover. I've not used it expanded for some time, but it's there if I need it. Mainly use it if I go to work on the bike these days.
I also have a small Givi magnetic tank bag, that I use as a day bag, when out on my old CBR Thou. Obviously not much use on a plastic Falco tank.
Seemed a pity to not be able to use it with the Falco.
I modified it in a simple way to fit the baglux tank cover. Not up to your recent standard of fettling! I used a trimmed down leather belt with a buckle through the rear D rings on the bag and the standard fixings at the rear of the harness. At the front I made a loop from some 1/4 " square leather thong type stuff, (don't ask where I got that from I can't remember!), I just found it in a cupboard in garage and thought that will do for now, until I find something better and never did. This was made into a loop at the front that fitted to D rings at the front of the bag and throught the two releasable rings on the harness. The leather was just right to stretch just enough to fit to the releasable front fixings of the harness and leave it just tight enough to stay in place.
This meant I could quickly release the front and lift the bag up and back to rest on the seat whilst filling with petrol. To take it off fully, it was just a case of unfastening a belt buckle at the back.
The problem with small Baglux bags is they aint cheap, this bag cost me about £25, can now use it on either bike, as Inever found a harness on eBay for the old CBR, and they have not made them for years.
Hope that makes sense, if not sit down and have another single malt before reading again.
I'm sure somebody like you could do something better.
It gives me a versatile set up with a medium sized Baglux bag that can be expanded to a larger bag or the small one I use most, to hold waterproofs and a camera and stuff on a longer day out.
See Newark picture below -

well me being me, I bought http://www.baglux.co.uk/productinfo.php?code=4891 - the sherpa

reason was simple - most of the bags retail for 90 quid or so - for 140 I got two :)

I use one as a day to day bike bag - it has waterproofs etc in it. The other is used for stuff - currently it has my gym gear in.... i just put what I need on the bike for the day - guess the point I am making is have a couple of bags

I friend has bought the citadine - she rates it highly

Only got the one bag - a Design model (http://www.baglux.co.uk/productinfo.php?code=4878) - works great for me for daily use (if I was still using the bike daily ). Does fine on my morning/evening commute, fits shoes, trousers & shirt plus my lunch and a bike lock with room to spare. Takes my gym gear if needed - all in unexpanded form. Expanded it's more than big enough for regular use or short trips - 30l IIRC

Unexpanded is almost un-noticable - expanded it gets in my way a bit (can't crouch behind the screen), and obscures the clocks unless you stretch up a bit to look over the bag. But, I still think it's great.

Edit: Should point out, when I'm carrying my gym gear, it's the work shoes or trainers unless expanding the bag, so it tends to be dress-down day on those occasions

Hi Dale,

I use a couple of different sized good quality smallish rucksacks that using bungees, effectively clip onto the bagalux tank cover. They can be fliped up to fuel and are comfortable on my back off the bike or if I have something else to go on the tank. In think a more versatile and cheaper option than the pucker bag. I also use the same bags as tail packs when I don't want to go the whole hog and use my Ventura system.

[img]http://a05-b05.mypicturetown.com:80/P2P ... .JPG?rot=1[/img]
[img]http://a05-b05.mypicturetown.com:80/P2P ... .JPG?rot=1[/img]
[img]http://a05-b05.mypicturetown.com:80/P2P ... .JPG?rot=1[/img]

And rider's view...
[url]http://a05-b05.mypicturetown.com:80/P2P ... .JPG?rot=8[/url]

Thanks for the input chaps.

Being Scottish and very skint at the mo' Keith's solution looks pretty appealing.

I fronted up a whole $30 for a three tier magnetic tank bag from Aldi, absolute bloody bargain. Imagine my surprise when I unpacked it and found that a spare base section from the many unzipped pieces in the box had mysteriously slipped into the package I picked up . Now that'll come in handy for experimenting with.

Connecting to the front rings is easy using Keith's bungee method, but I want to use the proper clips at the back, just to look a bit neater. I'm cutting down the base section to get rid of the magnetic side flaps and with a bit of careful sewing it should be pretty good.

So here's the rub. Wher do I get the aforementioned clips for the bag?

I've found a couple of Chinese web sites that have something like I think I want, but I'd appreciate it if one of you chaps with a proper bag could post a photo and give me some dims so I can get the right part.

While you have the bag and a camera in your hand I'd appreciate a pic of the front connectors too.

Thanks in advance.

Once my digital camera is fixed I'll post up the work.

Not sure what sort of clips you are looking for but I have an ancient Oxford Lifetime tank bag that secured with straps and clips - the clips are very similar to those used on rucksacks and waist bags (bumbags) so I would try a shop that sells and mends those!

This sort of thing?

Ta BG, I'll considered that as a backup plan if I can't get the ones I need.

The recipient side of the catch is already attached to the tank harness (placcy tank see) so I'm trying to get the exact other half.

Well here's a surprise - you can get Baglux spare parts from....

Baglux!

Nice one BG, I was really looking for the D'OH emoticon as I really should have thought of that.

I'll try and track down a supplier in Oz.