Africa Twin Tank Bag
 

Anyone have any advice on a tank bag for the AT. Have seen a few bad ones - heard the Touratech is not very good.

Portability off the bike is highly desirable.

What about fastening it to the tank?

Cheers for any help. 23 days to go...

Matt

I use the touratech VP45 (with zip-off side bags) and find it OK. Tank harness fits well, zips are strong and well stiched. Map pocket could be larger but is as big as most.
It is not waterproof but the fairing keeps the rain off when on the move, side bags, when used, are full of stuff that dosent matter if it gets wet. It is also expandable and has shoulder straps for use off the bike.
I thought it quite expensive but find it to be one of my most used pieces of gear. All in all - good value.

Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt!

You've done it again! But this time I'll step in and help you out. The Touratech bag is sold by quite a few places, and is called the VP45. Try this link to African Queens for starters and click on Tankrucksacke,

http://www.africanqueens.de/html/zub___art.html

Also try the Africa Twin Internet Connection at,

http://www.atic.org

which has a good summary of tankbag options.

Then there's Hein Gericke at

http://www.hein-gericke.com

which does a fair range of universal tankbags, both magnetic and strap-on. I would check out part 21001470 and part 21001472.

But what you want is a Bagster tankbag. First of all there's a full tank cover (product 1245T) and add to that a choice of 9 tankbags (all of which can be worn as a rucksack I think). Go here to end your search,

http://www.bagster.com

and

http://www.baglux.co.uk

(And now I've done this searching for you, I'm probably going to order a Bagster cover and bag myself. So that's some more money you've cost me!)

Iain

23 days to get rid of the lucky git...!

Hi Matt

As I mentioned the other day the Touratech bag is crap compared to other monufacturers. I always used an Oxford bag but that was on the old Bandit. All I can say was that it was far easier to use on and off the bike. The Touratech takes ages to put on relative to the old Oxford bag and just 2 little hooks secure the bag to the air filter at the front of the bag. I never feel comfortable with that so I use a couple of bungies too = more time!

Its the only Touratech item I have for the trip and its the only one I'll ever have. I look forward to chucking it in the sea at Mexico and replacing it with something designed for a bike and not a shopping trolly.

Sorry - I feel better now.

14 days to go - See you on the other side.

Chris

Divided opinion on the Touratech number. Is this only because of difficulties securing to the bike Chris?

Bagster tip looks like an attempt by Iain to sabotage my trip by forcing me home after a few weeks to pay off the Bagster bill. Guess I could probably pick up a cheap secondhand one in the Baltic States in the summer once you've been through with your shiny new one!:-) Wonder how much Bagsters cost in the US these days?

Preference is for something of reasonable quality at a sensible price that doubles as a rucksack. The HG kit looks economical but how does it stand up to the rough and tumble?

22 days to go......

Matt

Hi,

check the bag on the bike before buying. I used a universal bag (I think they're designed mostly for sports bikes) and found that when turning on almost full lock the starter button was being pressed into the bag, causing the starter to turn constantly. not good.

So it would need to be a thin bag, or designed for the AT

Cheers,
Doug

"Divided opinion on the Touratech number. Is this only because of difficulties securing to the bike Chris?"

Pretty much 'cos it takes so long to get it secure over the tank and because it only secures front and rear so its not too stable 'side to side' i.e. it wobbles about without the bungies. The zips are a bit flimsy too. I'm not convinced they will stand up to aload of sand etc. in them for to long. They're over priced too. I bought mine second hand pretty cheep which is the only reason I went for it.

Its a fair point about some bacgs hitting the starter on full lock. I fitted a cover over the starter on the AT to get round the problem. I have to say its not a problem with the Touratch bag though in its defence.

Iain has the right idea with Bagster but they cost loads of £££. Top kit though. Try Ebay. There was one on a while ago for £50!

Chris

13 days to go! Don't forget to send me your flight details Matt!!!!!