AR09 travel kit and stopping tankbags ruining my paint!

Lo folks

Been trying to prep for this yrs AR (my first ) tents sorted along with most other things but i'm struggling to transport it all on the bike.

I currently have a tankbag (oxford i think) which is fixed on using magnets and a strap round the steering column. This would be fine for clothes etc but on my Kwak it stratched the tank alot (it was a black paintjob). Now as my SV is brand new i dont want anything to damage its purdy looks. Anything I can do to prevent this?

Or would you recommend getting panniers or a tail pack (i know this SV has the bungee straps allready on it).

ta for replies

[ophic]

try putting a clean teatowel under the tank bag. Or buy some non-slip rubber matting from netto or home bargains or somewhere - about £1 for a roll. Oxford sell high quality sheets of it for about £10 i think.

Duct Tape.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by ophic

Oxford sell similar quality sheets of it for about £10 i think.

Corrected! Although to be fair I think the Oxford stuff is not that expensive.

To the OP - Ophic is right, just put something between the tank bag and the tank. The rubber matting stuff is the best, I got 1sqm of it for £2 from Lidl - they call it an anti-slip mat. Also, when fitting the tank bag, make sure it has no stones etc stuck to the underside.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Davido

Duct Tape.

what he said

panniers will rub the paint off your tailpiece if you don't protect them

[Spiderman]

I find duct tape too sticky tbh so i would suggest electrical tape. Thats what i use if i need to tape directions to my tankk.

Also its how you lift the tankbag off that causes the scratches to the tank. Just remember that lots of small grit particles get in under the magnetic flaps so make sure you lift the flpas off the tank before lifting the bag off the tank.
oh and wipe em off before you refit the bag. Even if you have tape down its good practice.

Just dont do what i di and get carried away worrying about all that...and forget to do up the strap at the front. getting a face full of tankbag at 50mph and trying to get it back down one handed aint fun!

i'm sure it was funny for anyone who was at the bus stop i was flying past at the time and saw it happen tho me.

[dizzyblonde]

don't put the tankbag on the floor, put it on the seat when you fill up. Then you won't get any grit underneath to scratch the paint, or even do the buckle up underneath when you take it off, then its garanteed to not pick anything up. Tankbag magnets are very strong, I've never used the stupid strap ever, and I've done some very fast speeds on 'peages'(honest not over the speed limit ) and its never moved.
A tankbag is super for when your tired and you need to lean on it

get a topbox

[ophic]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

don't put the tankbag on the floor, put it on the seat when you fill up. Then you won't get any grit underneath to scratch the paint, or even do the buckle up underneath when you take it off, then its garanteed to not pick anything up. Tankbag magnets are very strong, I've never used the stupid strap ever, and I've done some very fast speeds on 'peages'(honest not over the speed limit ) and its never moved.
A tankbag is super for when your tired and you need to lean on it

i use the strap primarily for dangling the bag off when filling up - if it goes around the headstock it allows enough movement to lift and pivot the bag sideways to access the filler cap. Easier and safer than putting it on the floor or sticking it to the petrol pump.

[dizzyblonde]

I never put it on the floor anymore Ophic. I learnt a lesson when I scratched my black tank last year at the GM.
I wedge it firmly onto the rider seat, but I do have a tailpack on the rear, so it squashes in against the front pocket,without moving.