Anyone using a tank bag on a cruiser?

samurai01us · 08-26-2007

My current bike is a cruiser. It's my first one. The chrome strip that extends from the bottom of the speedo halfway down the top of the tank has me a little gun shy about mounting a tank bag over it. I was using a Cortec Super Mini tank bag, but I made the mistake of getting one with magnets. They started rubbing away at the paint on longer rides. So, before I buy a strap-mounted one, I was wondering if anyone has used anything larger than that on their bikes. Since that chrome strip is plastic, and a larger bag would be sitting on it, I wasn't sure if it would scratch up easily.

RichLockyer · 08-26-2007

Anything that contacts the paint will abrade it over time.
The only protection is to get something on the paint like a clear sheet stick-on that does not move.

fireplug · 08-26-2007

In the same boat you are. Sold my tank bag and I am going to buy a tail bag and secure it with straps. I have the 900 custom and just cannot find a way to have a tank bag without covering up the speedo.

samurai01us · 08-26-2007

I've had tank bags in the past that didn't seem to cause too much problem. Those protective bottoms do a fairly good job, if you can keep dirt and grit from getting underneath them. But these plastic chrome pieces on the cruisers, I just don't have the experience with having a tank bag sitting on them.

Classic · 08-27-2007

I use a Rapid Transit magnetic tank bag with a map pocket on the longer rides and it has never done anything to the paint.

windrider18 · 08-29-2007

DH and I both have magnetic tank bags and neither of us have had any paint problems with them. However, we also don't have tank mounted speedos, so perhaps that is more of your problem. I believe River Road has a strap mounted version of their "One Bag" system (basically 3 bags in one.) DH has the magnetic version and likes it. I have a little bitty Manta tank bag.

samurai01us · 09-02-2007

I wonder if I need to use a better quality paint protection on my tank. I've been using waterless bike wash on it, the kind that foams up and wipes off. It's supposed to leave a light wax coating. Maybe I need to use a heavier paste wax or something like that to better protect the paint. Those magnets on my tank bag are very powerful. Maybe I'm just not protecting the tank's finish as well as I could.

08-26-2007	#1 (permalink)
samurai01us Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 68	Anyone using a tank bag on a cruiser? My current bike is a cruiser. It's my first one. The chrome strip that extends from the bottom of the speedo halfway down the top of the tank has me a little gun shy about mounting a tank bag over it. I was using a Cortec Super Mini tank bag, but I made the mistake of getting one with magnets. They started rubbing away at the paint on longer rides. So, before I buy a strap-mounted one, I was wondering if anyone has used anything larger than that on their bikes. Since that chrome strip is plastic, and a larger bag would be sitting on it, I wasn't sure if it would scratch up easily.

08-26-2007	#2 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 20,063	Anything that contacts the paint will abrade it over time. The only protection is to get something on the paint like a clear sheet stick-on that does not move. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Classic Member CORVA, BRC Patriot Guard Rider

08-27-2007	#5 (permalink)
Classic Ahhh Crap BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southwest PA Posts: 1,885	I use a Rapid Transit magnetic tank bag with a map pocket on the longer rides and it has never done anything to the paint. __________________ Steve 2003 1500 Classic VROC 11660 RB 139

08-29-2007	#6 (permalink)
windrider18 Can't find time to ride BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 694	DH and I both have magnetic tank bags and neither of us have had any paint problems with them. However, we also don't have tank mounted speedos, so perhaps that is more of your problem. I believe River Road has a strap mounted version of their "One Bag" system (basically 3 bags in one.) DH has the magnetic version and likes it. I have a little bitty Manta tank bag. __________________ Angela '02 ZR-7S Metallic Blue Violet "Bluebird" "I am not pretty baggage! I ride my own!"

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Big Touring Cruiser COmparo in Cruiser Mag.	Jambolaya	Kawasaki Cruisers	19	06-03-2007 10:54 PM
Tank Bag on a cruiser.	jimbo-vn900	Kawasaki Cruisers	21	05-08-2007 07:27 PM
tail and tank bag...help please	danallen636	Kawasaki Touring and Sport Touring	10	11-04-2006 06:21 PM
Magnetic Tank Bag- keep from rubbing paint?	webnetxpress	Kawasaki Streetbikes/Sportbikes	3	08-21-2005 08:35 PM
Product Review - Saddlemen Renegade II Sissy Bar Bag	BigJohn	Kawasaki Cruisers	1	06-30-2005 10:58 AM

08-26-2007	#3 (permalink)
fireplug "Sniper Up!!" BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 201	In the same boat you are. Sold my tank bag and I am going to buy a tail bag and secure it with straps. I have the 900 custom and just cannot find a way to have a tank bag without covering up the speedo.

08-26-2007	#4 (permalink)
samurai01us Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 68	I've had tank bags in the past that didn't seem to cause too much problem. Those protective bottoms do a fairly good job, if you can keep dirt and grit from getting underneath them. But these plastic chrome pieces on the cruisers, I just don't have the experience with having a tank bag sitting on them.

09-02-2007	#7 (permalink)
samurai01us Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 68	I wonder if I need to use a better quality paint protection on my tank. I've been using waterless bike wash on it, the kind that foams up and wipes off. It's supposed to leave a light wax coating. Maybe I need to use a heavier paste wax or something like that to better protect the paint. Those magnets on my tank bag are very powerful. Maybe I'm just not protecting the tank's finish as well as I could.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)