bags, nets...WHICH ONES IF ANY

[cody]

I just purchased my first bike a month ago. '01 sv650s. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Anyways , I will be commuting on it this summer and need to find some way to carry some thing to and from school. IF anyone has some info for me i would greatly appreciate it.

[bluebell]

Hi and welcome to the site. One option is a tank bag.

[cody]

I really am skeptical about the scratching and chaffing on the tank. Its so pretty and shiny you know?

[Peter Henry]

Cody...I recently collected my new bike a long way from home and just used a medium sized rucksak for a journey well up to 800km in 2 days. Longest journey I have ever made on a bike and have to say the rucksack did a great job.Get good padding in the straps and ensure it is a snug fit when you have it on and all should be fine. :wink: 8) (BTW my rucksack is red, any ideas why? :lol: )

[Sid Squid]

You might consider a Baglux tankcover and bag combination.

Not cheap but work well and minimise any possible risk of tank and paintwork damage.

[K]

You could always get a top box?!


Ok, maybe not. :P

Another option, could possibly be a tailpack, but I doubt you'll find one that will take an A4 folder easily and still be a decent fit on the SV.

Much as I hate them, it sounds like a good quality rucksack would be best for you.
I'd go for one 'made for bikers' rather than from a camping store. I don't know if it's a problem for storage, but you can get some quite good ones now that will even double as an extra helmet bag - a kind of unzipped expandable section.

[Quiff Wichard]

I have a buffalo backpack is is ace !! when needed.....

depends wot u carrying? laptop or just books etc!!...

safety first !

[Tris]

personally I'd give the rucksack a miss unless you like riding with a big sail on your back. Its a bugger in a cross wind

Cargo net and or tank bag are better options

Good luck

tris

[Nekkid]

Baglux: I really don't see the point. You put this (quite pricey) thing over the tank to protect the paintwork, but you cant see the paint anyway! Resale value on a bike that old isn't going to be much affected by having abit of worn paint on the tank, I don't think. Especially if you're going to do lots of miles on it.
Just get a tankbag. Easy as pie!

[Nouf]

I have a tank bag and a Rucksack and personally I hate that BIG lump infront of me when am riding.

The Knox rucksack is ace got gr8 reviews in bike mags. I also see alpinestar came out with one which the mags said aren't too bad. Both cost around £30-£40

[Mogs]

I've gone for the magnetic tank bag option, the expandable ones are quite good.

[OF.uk]

I prefer something strapped to the pillion seat, whether it's a tank bag, rucksack, holdall etc. A tank bag on the tank can restrict movement, I find a rucksack on my back uncomfortable. Best option is to use a bugee net and strap whatever you use behind you.





BTW, I still have some of the bungee nets left that I was selling a few weeks ago....£3 inc p+p 8)

[richwill68]

Hi and welcome.

Any decent waterproof bag and a cargo net, mate! You'll be suprised just how much stuff you can safely carry like this. Magnetic tank bags are great too. :D

[PSJ]

I personally prefer using a rucksack - although can be a bit annoying if there are strong crosswinds.

If you subscribe to Ride magazine then you get a free Knox rucksack (recommended above).

here's a link for the subscription

http://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/store/displayitem.asp?sid=64&id=5397&ts=a402

[Ceri JC]

Expanadable magnetic tankbag is my first choice, for additional capacity, I add panniers, rucsac and tailpack in that order.

If you're worried about scrapes, clean your tank, coat it in hard wax and polish. I do this every couple of months and mine is fine, only scuffs are where my legs grip the sides. With any tankbag (or panniers, tailpack,etc.), it's important there's no grit/dirt on the tank before you put a bag on top (the vibrations will make the bag rub it against the paint). With magnetic tankbags, it's also important to check there is no dirt on the underside of the bag (bits of metal swarf from a garage floor, for example, can get stuck to the magnets).

I'd advise against rucksacks, particularly if you're wearing a back protector (very uncomfortable on long journeys/inhibits your movement). Little capacity benefit as anything larger than a big tankbag will be a nightmare in crosswinds/raise the centre of gravity quite severely. Panniers/tailpack are okay, but soft ones are a lot slower to fit/remove, they're also (on the SV at least) prone to scuff the fairing unless you get some of that protective mesh between them and the bike, as all manner of fling from the road works its way up under them.

[valleyboy]

Well, I have a strap on tank bag (Ooo Errr) and use foam mesh type stuff under it.. this stops any scratching etc, and helps it grip as well.

Though I aint had a chance to use it much since buying it for various reasons :(

[Mogs]

Well, I have a strap on tank bag (Ooo Errr) and use foam mesh type stuff under it.. this stops any scratching etc, and helps it grip as well.

Though I aint had a chance to use it much since buying it for various reasons :(

I thought you might be a champion for the big cargo net. That way you can carry home the lamb after you've killed it. :D

[Kate]

A tank bag isn't possible for me and I hate carrying rucksacks so I just bungee stuff to the back of the bike - things like laptops, skates etc etc.