Practically Perfect Tankbag!!

[John in PA]

I did add the foam wedges to the bottom of the bag, but I honestly can't say they're that big a deal. ( I can't resist tinkering and tweaking stuff!!) Unless you put bricks or a bag of rocks in the bag, it's not gonna "rock" very much. I used closed cell foam pipe insulation, (sized for half inch pipe, maybe 1 3/4" total diameter??) split it lengthwise, and made two tapered wedges. I glued with GOOP brand adhesive down either side of the bottom, maybe about an inch in from the edge at the back of the bag, tapering toward the center as you go forward.
Snugging the straps is what really pins it down. Your front buckles are going to be right up to the edge of the bodywork, the rear buckle needs the seat to kind of snap past it as you close. Good to go!!:2thumbs:

 

[jeuchler]

Remember way back when a person who claimed to be from Nelson-Rigg said they were working on a complete line of luggage made specifically for the Spyder? :dontknow:

Ha!

Yeah, Brian, and I'm "working on" putting wings on my Spyder....

 

[jeuchler]

I did add the foam wedges to the bottom of the bag, but I honestly can't say they're that big a deal. ( I can't resist tinkering and tweaking stuff!!) Unless you put bricks or a bag of rocks in the bag, it's not gonna "rock" very much. I used closed cell foam pipe insulation, (sized for half inch pipe, maybe 1 3/4" total diameter??) split it lengthwise, and made two tapered wedges. I glued with GOOP brand adhesive down either side of the bottom, maybe about an inch in from the edge at the back of the bag, tapering toward the center as you go forward.
Snugging the straps is what really pins it down. Your front buckles are going to be right up to the edge of the bodywork, the rear buckle needs the seat to kind of snap past it as you close. Good to go!!:2thumbs:

Terrific.

That's what I was thinking of doing, John--I have some closed small-cell foam from building a kayak (the closed cell wont hold the water).

I popped for the Nelson-Rigg bag (brand loyalty, I guess) last night. Ought to be here for the big banner hand-off. Photos to follow!

Thanks again for all of your advice on this, everybody.

 

[John in PA]

Just checked out pics/blurb on the NR bag. Looks like one or the other company copied the design. The only difference I spotted is the Cortech has an extra outside pouch for change, earplugs, turnpike ticket, etc. right behind the carry handle, quick access for small stuff. Can't comment on fit of the NR either, but unless its identical or smaller than the Cortech, it won't work as well, as the Cortech JUST makes it, lengthwise.

 

[LittleJohn]

My 2 cents on tank bags,
I would probably have also bought one of the new minis from Cortech or NR, but just before the daytona trip, while I was in the dealeership getting my service done, I helped a salesman answer ALOT of questions by a couple possible purchasers. The sales manager and the Service manager "chipped in" and plopped down a tank bag on my bike as I picked it up for my help and for some delays due to unforseen circumstances during my service (with no complaints from me....hey stuff happens). The price was right, and it gave me a sunglass / snack bag for my 3300 mile trip! I was a happy Ryder.
Yay Pro Powersports of Conroe, TX!:clap:

 

[jeuchler]

OK, so I received two (2!) Spyder-related UPS deliveries today plus a USPS Spyder delivery!

My DVD shop manual from Midwest manuals came (hooray), a RAM GPS mount from CycleGadgets.com, and a Nelson-Rigg CL-400 mini tankbag from NewEnough.

The RAM mount is much nicer than my cheap-o "suction-cup-on-the-tach" method, and it brings the GPS nice and close without blocking my view of mirrors or instruments.

Thanks again, Scotty for your advice, and John in PA-- I used your recommendations for attachment points for the tankbag. I went for the Nelson-RIgg bag because I've owned three of their bags and am impressed with durability and workmanship. New Enough never fails to deliver on customer service above and beyond. So, there's that loyalty + practicality. ALso, I can't help but like the looks of N-R bags on a Spyder, due to their slogan being imprinted in silver on the black rain cover:

"It's not just another bike."

I haven't test ridden yet (cold rain tonight and I have to work) so I don't know how much the wiggly-wobbly of the tank bag will drive me loco, but I will take the suggestion of cutting some closed cell foam to put under it.

Photos coming this weekend...:doorag:

Of course, after all this my dealer calls and leaves a message that he has a BRP tank bag in stock for me...nojoke

Niagara Falls, Here we come...Oh, yeah, gotta get a banner first!

 

[retread]

Hey jeuchler, do they still call the western part of route 20 Jacob's ladder? Used to ride my Triumph through there back in the early 60's.

john

 

[powerbyaj]

Modified Cortech

Modified Cortech:

 

[jeuchler]

Hey jeuchler, do they still call the western part of route 20 Jacob's ladder? Used to ride my Triumph through there back in the early 60's.

john

Yep. Good idea for a test ride!

 

[jeuchler]

Modified Cortech:

That's a nice mod! No more rock & roll?

(Do you have a pic of the underside?) :thumbup:

 

[Don in E Texas]

Thanks for this fine post.... my new, Red, tank bag arrived today...looking forward to installing it.... :clap:

don

 

[powerbyaj]

Underisde

That's a nice mod! No more rock & roll?

(Do you have a pic of the underside?) :thumbup:

Notes: Make straps short as possible to avoid the clips from hitting the seat when pulled tight. I am going to resew the seam again with the straps shorter otherwise was a perfect fit.

 

[vtrider]

Cortech Mini tank bag

I looked at several options for tank bags for my spyder and myself, also liked the Cortech mini the best for price, fit and features. I wasn't crazy about the BRP tank bag for the price and what you get at $99. I purchased the black Cortech mini from my dealer and installed it like John did in this thread. The only difference is, I left the rear beaver tail on and find this will fit ok in between the seat and the plastic covering the tank once it gets matted down several times and forms in place. The beavertail I find will keep the bags rear buckle in place better which also will secure the bag better with less rocking. Here are a couple pics of my tank bag installed.

 

[jeuchler]

I looked at several options for tank bags for my spyder and myself, also liked the Cortech mini the best for price, fit and features. I wasn't crazy about the BRP tank bag for the price and what you get at $99. I purchased the black Cortech mini from my dealer and installed it like John did in this thread. The only difference is, I left the rear beaver tail on and find this will fit ok in between the seat and the plastic covering the tank once it gets matted down several times and forms in place. The beavertail I find will keep the bags rear buckle in place better which also will secure the bag better with less rocking. Here are a couple pics of my tank bag installed.

I talked with vtrider about this version of John's set-up when I saw him last week. He did a nice job, and it really looks sharp; like it was designed for the Spyder.

I went with the N-R tank bag, which is only a little bigger and a little more expensive. vt and I will have to re-review and do a comparison after we've run them for a while! :thumbup:

 

[DynamoBT]

Resurrecting this as I'm about to pull the trigger (finally) on a tank bag.

It occurs to me, however, that I have the Helibar riser which brings the entire handlebar system closer to the rider. Anyone know if the riser is going to change how a tank bag will fit?

NewEnough has the Nelson Rigg bag on sale for $45!! But that one is slightly bigger than the Cortech Super Mini. So don't know quite what to do at this point. Can anyone be of help figuring out if and which tank bag will fit?

 

[jeuchler]

Resurrecting this as I'm about to pull the trigger (finally) on a tank bag.

It occurs to me, however, that I have the Helibar riser which brings the entire handlebar system closer to the rider. Anyone know if the riser is going to change how a tank bag will fit?

NewEnough has the Nelson Rigg bag on sale for $45!! But that one is slightly bigger than the Cortech Super Mini. So don't know quite what to do at this point. Can anyone be of help figuring out if and which tank bag will fit?

I am pretty sure vtrider is happy with his Cortech fit and finish--maybe he will weigh in again.

The Nelson-Rigg bag is a bit larger (remember everyone seemed to be buying trailers and hard bags last summer--I went the cheap way!) and a bit more expensive, but $45 is a great deal.

It is a bit wobbly, so I took John in PA's advice and put a couple of wedges of foam under it to stabilize it, but I really didn't notice any shifting when I had a normal load (no bowling balls) in it.

Of course money is tight, but $45 is a steal for N-R quality. You could probably even rig it as a rear bag.

Also, they are very good with their return policy if you decide it's just not what you like.

Good luck, Marilyn.

 

[altonk]

first gear mini hard bag

i bought a first gear mini tank bag

http://www.firstgear-usa.com/fgweb3.nsf/Products/F9840E28E57E9CA0862574F1004E4DC4?opendocument

looks nice and a good fit. mounted with their magnet mount and epoxied some magnets under the cover

 

[draboo]

I have one of these tankbags and I really like the fit and quality.

You may have an issue with your Helibars, tho.

 

[DynamoBT]

Bummer. After looking at the pictures of the Cortech bag (smaller of the two) mounted, I can tell the Helibar riser is going to be a problem. The Cortech bag just fits in these pictures. The Helibar riser brings the bars a good three inches closer to the ryder. That's going to cause major problems.

I would have loved to have gotten the Nelson Rigg on sale. $45 dollars is a steal!! But the pictures have proved much more informative than anything anyone said. So thanks for posting these.

Anyone have any other ideas of how I could get a map pocket on my tank?? For my ryding, a GPS is too much money for not enough use. Plus, I'm a low tech kind of person.

 

[NancysToy]

Bummer. After looking at the pictures of the Cortech bag (smaller of the two) mounted, I can tell the Helibar riser is going to be a problem. The Cortech bag just fits in these pictures. The Helibar riser brings the bars a good three inches closer to the ryder. That's going to cause major problems.

I would have loved to have gotten the Nelson Rigg on sale. $45 dollars is a steal!! But the pictures have proved much more informative than anything anyone said. So thanks for posting these.

Anyone have any other ideas of how I could get a map pocket on my tank?? For my ryding, a GPS is too much money for not enough use. Plus, I'm a low tech kind of person.

There are a variety of map pouches available. Dennis Kirk has a suction cup model. Most are magnetic, but magnets or metal epoxied behind the Y-panel would hold them, or maybe even magnetic tape behind the panel. Aerostitch even offers ones that have elastic loops to fasten over your leg or forearm. A Google search for "tank map pouch" will get lots of results. In a pinch, a Ziploc bag and some duct tape or elastic have done it for me.