Tankbag Fitment and Comparison

[sigeye]

Thanks so much for all the input everyone!

 

[sigeye]

If you check the sale forum you will find a recent thread with some excellent pics of the OEM tank bag.

Great pointer. I just searched that forum and found the thread you're speaking of. Great pictures and I like the bag with a couple exceptions. I don't really like the "pouch" that is directly facing the rider because I prefer a permanent attached big pocket. Also, I don't like the funky shape of the top of the tank bag and that the clear cover is not very big. I still like using paper maps and that looks like it would be kind of a pain in the arse to fold a map up and try to squeeze in there. I really like the Wolfman Ranier so it's a shame it won't fit well apparently.

 

[Travex]

I'm a long-time user of Wolfman products, in particular the Rainier. It's a well considered and implemented design. Very durable. That aside, I'm actually no longer using it on my S10 having switched to an Italian made Famsa FA244/78 E-Max.
This bag is far sturdier as it has internal wall strengthening and it's geometry is better suited to that of the S10's tank. It's volume is equally impressive. Also, the rain cover is not an extra.
The desire for a bag other than the Rainier was prompted by the PITA process of fueling. The Rainier truly did slow that process down as it lengthened each fuel stop. On longer trips that got old pretty quick. The Famsa's attachment process utilizes a reliable circumferential zipper around the base that mates to a protective tank pad/mount. First time or two was a tad clumsy, but after that it became just a quick zip.

Had to order from an authorized dealer (Winding Roads) in the U.K., for £135.00. I don't recall the figure, but shipping wasn't too bad and it was here in 4 days.

Best of luck with your choice.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[twinrider]

Great pointer. I just searched that forum and found the thread you're speaking of. Great pictures and I like the bag with a couple exceptions. I don't really like the "pouch" that is directly facing the rider because I prefer a permanent attached big pocket. Also, I don't like the funky shape of the top of the tank bag and that the clear cover is not very big. I still like using paper maps and that looks like it would be kind of a pain in the arse to fold a map up and try to squeeze in there. I really like the Wolfman Ranier so it's a shame it won't fit well apparently.

The small map pocket also put me off as the road atlas I use won't fit. Don't know why Yamaha thought it would be a good idea to cover the portion below the zipper. Should've put the zipper by the bottom and made the map pocket bigger.

Looks like the Ranier works, check this post. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17054090&postcount=749

 

[DcN]

Check out the Cortech Dryver gas cap mount. $20 and available anywhere. Install a stiffener sheet in your favorite old tankbag and you are all set. Not the same quality as Bags Connection ring (plastic) but works for me.

 

[sigeye]

I'm a long-time user of Wolfman products, in particular the Rainier. It's a well considered and implemented design. Very durable. That aside, I'm actually no longer using it on my S10 having switched to an Italian made Famsa FA244/78 E-Max.
This bag is far sturdier as it has internal wall strengthening and it's geometry is better suited to that of the S10's tank. It's volume is equally impressive. Also, the rain cover is not an extra.
The desire for a bag other than the Rainier was prompted by the PITA process of fueling. The Rainier truly did slow that process down as it lengthened each fuel stop. On longer trips that got old pretty quick. The Famsa's attachment process utilizes a reliable circumferential zipper around the base that mates to a protective tank pad/mount. First time or two was a tad clumsy, but after that it became just a quick zip.

Had to order from an authorized dealer (Winding Roads) in the U.K., for £135.00. I don't recall the figure, but shipping wasn't too bad and it was here in 4 days.

Best of luck with your choice.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Travex - I just sent you a PM requesting some more pics of the bag's exterior, mounting methods and interior. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[CDMartin884]

Even though I have used the Bags Connection tank bags on previous bikes, I am looking at other options this time. I really like the looks of your setup. Can you tell me how you have attached the bag at the front?

Installed straight from the Wolfman instruction sheet ( http://wolfmanluggage.com/images/features/Universal_4Point_mount_Sloped_Instructions.pdf ). Their are two slots in the frame under the cowling that you can access easily through the space around the goose neck of the handle bars. Once the front two (2) straps are in place, the tank bag's buckles just snap in place. When I want to re-fuel, I just unsnap those two (2) top buckles and raise the tank bag back and sit it on the seat. The bottom of the tank bag is very nice and extends past the buckles, so no scrathing.

 

[Travex]

This bag came to my attention after reading as many ride journals as I could find prior to the S10 coming to the states. Famsa is an Italian made product and commensurately found primarily in Europe... At least that's what I've found. Although the various features were similar to the two Rainier bags I'd come to count on over the years, I favored the Famsa for it's heavier gauge materials, superior rigidity, and considerate mounting.

Not unlike the Rainier, it has three external zipped compartments. Two generous pockets on the flanks and one (with mesh outer pocket) on the rear. It does lack the removable forward pocket found on the Rainier. That was/is obviously not a problem for me. The top cover has a clear, zippered, semi-waterproof map compartment. The inside of the top has a mesh pocket. The bag also expands upward for increased capacity. I call that souvenir headspace.
The graphics and trim are evident, though not overly so... Except for night which I prefer.

The mounting system is unique and positive. It consists of a pad-like tank cover that is 3-point mounted via nylon web straps. It stays put quite well with the bag stuffed full and also has a non marring surface on the tank side. It also extends far down near the seat offering greater tank finish protection.

The actual mounting mechanism is a zipper that runs the circumference of the bag, making a positive mating with the tank mount. I've had no issues with this system and find fueling much simpler and quicker... Very helpful in inclement weather, not to mention less aggravating. Another bonus is that for around the town riding without the bag I still get the tank protection of the mount. The mount is designed around the filler fixture further adding to fueling simplicity.

I believe both bags are great products and both have served very well. For me the Famsa is a better pairing on the S10.



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[sigeye]

Thanks for all the pics Travex!

 

[Stray Goose]

I'm looking for a tank bag and read that the Yamaha OEM bag is well liked. I looked at their specs and did tne conversion, from cubic inches Yamaha lists, to liters, and it came up at about 8 liters. That seems small when compared to oter bags on the market.

Any feedback on the size of it wouuld be helpful.

Thanks

SG

 

[Travex]

The Famsa FA244 is 13L expandable to 19. The Rainier is 17 expandable to 20. ::003::

 

[AVGeek]

I bit the bullet and went for the RKA 8-Liter Shiloh Road tank bag.

View from the pilot position:

Right Profile

Left Profile

This is the In Charge model, so isn't expandable. It includes a large aluminum box in the main compartment to mount the electrical for the panel; I also intend to install a Sena SR10 there. This box does take up about half of the volume of the tank bag. I find I do like the strap version over the magnetic bag I was previously using (and is still on my FJR), as once the straps are pulled tight, teh bag does not move. I wrapped the front straps around the frame in front of the airbox, and the tail strap goes to the tank pivot point. For fueling, I pop the rear buckle and push the bag up forward, like its on a hinge.

 

[LowAndSilent]

Update.... Twisted Throttle does not sell the bottom-of-the-bag ring as a separate item due to some agreement that they made with the manufacturer. So if I want this ring, it looks like I'll need to buy a used bag and then scavenge the ring off of it.

As near as I can tell they want to stop all us crafty do-it-yourselfers from fabbing up creative ways to mount items other than the Bags Connection items to our tank rings. Seems a bit shortsighted to me as they could sell plenty of those rings, I would think.

That is correct.

I found a much, much cheaper option than buying a bag to scavenge the bottom plate off of, but they seem to have discontinued the part. Alas, there only seems to be a slightly cheaper way to get the top plate without a bag, but it's not the best solution and would still cost $90+ compared to the cheaper $30-40 solution I had found to get the SW-Motech plate.

Anyway, I do have the much desired SW-Motech base plate attached to the bottom of a Pelican bag, which I used as the tank bag on my FJR. I've got a Wolfman Rainier showing up this week, so I may be putting the Pelican (with attached plate) up for sale soon.

 

[Reveille]

Installed a Wolfman explorer lite this week and am very pleased with the size, finish and fitment. Heck, the instructions for mounting actually show it being installed on a S10. How's that for a direct fit. ::012:: Plenty of space for my needs with expandability. ::008:: A friend has the rainier and it looks huge on the tank IMHO. YMMV

 

[hANNAbONE]

I am using the OEM Yammy Tank bag wired with a Powerlet straight to the battery (*allows for easy charging to the BatteryTender too*)

I have a 4-plex plug in there and powers V-1 radar // Garmin 276C // phone charger // Gerbings heated gear.

Bamm...all in one

 

[Bappo]

Been using, and loving the Yamaha tank bag for 25,000 miles and found two weaknesses. It will slide off to the side on occasion, usually in rough conditions or if I get on crooked. Oh well. The second is that it doesn't hold maps worth a crap.

Any suggestions on a bag with a map case top that holds a clipboard for a rally logbook and bonus paperwork? Seems way easier than putting everything in the top case on the back of the bike. Lots of bikes at the Big Sky Rally seem to have that Bags Connection ring on their gas cap ring and many others had some really custom made bags.

 

[Dallara]

Been using, and loving the Yamaha tank bag for 25,000 miles and found two weaknesses. It will slide off to the side on occasion, usually in rough conditions or if I get on crooked. Oh well. The second is that it doesn't hold maps worth a crap.

Any suggestions on a bag with a map case top that holds a clipboard for a rally logbook and bonus paperwork? Seems way easier than putting everything in the top case on the back of the bike. Lots of bikes at the Big Sky Rally seem to have that Bags Connection ring on their gas cap ring and many others had some really custom made bags.

I'm a big fan of the Bags Connection "City" tank bag I use on my Super Tenere, and like its fully detachable map pocket, as well. Don't have any idea how it might work for your clipboard, rally logbook, etc. Works great for me for maps, a little "Rite in the Rain" spiral notebook (has waterproof paper), and little Fisher "Space Pen" (writes in any weather using waterproof ink).

I use the electric tank ring and have a dual-head cigarette lighter receptacle inside the tank bag for charging my phone and other devices if need be.

Dallara



~

 

[okiegtrider]

This bag came to my attention after reading as many ride journals as I could find prior to the S10 coming to the states. Famsa is an Italian made product and commensurately found primarily in Europe... At least that's what I've found. Although the various features were similar to the two Rainier bags I'd come to count on over the years, I favored the Famsa for it's heavier gauge materials, superior rigidity, and considerate mounting.

Not unlike the Rainier, it has three external zipped compartments. Two generous pockets on the flanks and one (with mesh outer pocket) on the rear. It does lack the removable forward pocket found on the Rainier. That was/is obviously not a problem for me. The top cover has a clear, zippered, semi-waterproof map compartment. The inside of the top has a mesh pocket. The bag also expands upward for increased capacity. I call that souvenir headspace.
The graphics and trim are evident, though not overly so... Except for night which I prefer.

The mounting system is unique and positive. It consists of a pad-like tank cover that is 3-point mounted via nylon web straps. It stays put quite well with the bag stuffed full and also has a non marring surface on the tank side. It also extends far down near the seat offering greater tank finish protection.

The actual mounting mechanism is a zipper that runs the circumference of the bag, making a positive mating with the tank mount. I've had no issues with this system and find fueling much simpler and quicker... Very helpful in inclement weather, not to mention less aggravating. Another bonus is that for around the town riding without the bag I still get the tank protection of the mount. The mount is designed around the filler fixture further adding to fueling simplicity.

I believe both bags are great products and both have served very well. For me the Famsa is a better pairing on the S10.



Sent from iPad/Tapatalk HD

Very informative. Thanks for posting all that. I may buy one of these too.