BMW R1200R Tank Bag

[mogu83]

My RKA tank bag after a decade of service was looking a little rough and I was kind of thinking about a new one but didn't see anything that interested me.
Then I noticed that someone had a new BMW tank bag made specifically for the R1200R on E-Bay. I put in a reasonable bid and figured I would be outbid, but only two people bid and they bid real low. So I won it. I didn't even know BMW made a tank bag for the R1200R but It's a first rate piece of equipment. The map case is a little larger than the one on the RKA so putting in a full size map (I still carry a paper map) is no problem,not only does it appear water tight it's also air tight.
The way the inside is built, basically a waterproof bag with a draw string on top, I think you could throw the tank bag in a lake and the contents wouldn't get wet. The mounting system is simple and efficient, the only problem ,for me, is caused by the bar backs that make getting the front mount on a chore. Also because of the bar backs the bag doesn't tilt forward enough to easily get the gas nozzle in when filling up, but I can live with that.

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/ ... d=03252011




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[deilenberger]

Harry - the BMW bag is a love it or hate it sort of thing. I had one, tried it for a few weeks and sold it.

I'm a disorganized sorta person, so anything that helps me keep structure in stuff is useful. I found the BMW bag was a black hole of stuff.. no partitions, no compartments, just a gaping black hole that stuff went into never to come out again. It quickly became a jumble of my crap. That's probably why I really like my RKA. It has several levels (I keep folded up maps in the top-level without expanding it; owners manual, LED Maglite and registation/insurance info in the mesh pocket in the top of the lower compartment; pens in the pen holders; small grab-stuff in the pocket on the back; and the rest of my crap in the main compartment.)

While I still lose things - I stand a slightly better chance of finding them with the organizer that RKA builds into their bags.

The other gripes I had with the BMW bag - the front mount scratched the paint on the VIN# bracket when I put the front mount on/off. That became old fast. It was a minor PITA to disconnect the front mount.

The bag itself sat far enough forward and was tall enough that it made the BMW GPS (Navigator-III) in a BMW bracket mounted to the handlebar clamp bolts totally useless. It hit the GPS pressing buttons, and you couldn't see the GPS. I guess the GPS guy didn't talk to the tank-bag guy when designing things.

I see them used now and then, and they rarely go for big bucks (especially considering what BMW wants for them..) I'm always tempted to buy another one just to put on the spares shelf, but can't really justify having one I know I'd never use.

YMMV - and see you at Weds meeting (Princess Maria diner this month!) Someone else in the club got bitten by the Test Ride Victim Syndrome - perhaps he'll have it by then.. that will make umm... I think 6.. R12R's in the club (we outnumber GS's now!)

Don

[Ric]

mogu83.....
Sorry...i can't ever figure out where you guys buy things like a BMW tank bag. BMW's web site doesn't have such things so, what does that mean ? It's not really a BMW tank bag ? It's an aftermarket tank bag made for a BMW R12R ?
I don't understand.

from the link you provide, is this the bagtank you got ?

Diagram 77-0059
P/N 71607695236

[mogu83]

That's it, the price is high but most likely in the price range for any quality bag. I got mine for $100 (new) and from what Don reports their around used, although I never saw one. I looked at the BMW site for a picture also and couldn't find one. I found them for other bikes but not the R1200R. I don't know if saying it's not made by BMW is correct, as most things they sell (including transmissions) are made under contract by other companies.

I haven't been on a trip with this one and it will have to wait till next year for a good test, but I think it will suit my needs perfectly. I really like the mounting system and it would go on and off easily from the brake side of the bike, except for the bar backs. I usually leave the bag on the bike at night when I'm traveling so it's not an issue for me. No problem seeing the instruments even with the bag expanded, but that was just a short ride. It's possible that a vertically challenged person (Don ? ) may have a problem.

My favorite tank bag was (is) the old Eclipse, with the two pockets on the sides and one in the back.

I actually have a new one on the shelf but it's too wide for the R1200R. The bag is wide and hits the controls before the handlebars go full lock. Not a problem on the road but can cause a surprise during parking lot maneuvers. Plus the mounting system leaves something to be desired, but then it is a thirty year old design.

[SF_Hooligan]

So many of the nicer tank bags seem like they'd really mess with my body position. That BMW bag doesn't look like it would let me shift my weight forward the way I like to when I'm railing the twisties. The BMW bag on my buddy's GSA is the same way - big tall thing, pretty far back on the tank.

So how is it? Does it keep you from leaning forward?

[mogu83]

Hard to be subjective, what with different body shapes. I have lean over the tank bikes, but this one is set up as a tourer so I went for a sit up straight with slight lean forward (IE: moved the bucket in the seat back 2" for leg room, and added pull backs to get back angle almost straight ) position. I'm 5' 10" but have a long torso, figure the same seated height as a 6' person with average build.
That's the best I can do. Maybe you can find someone at a rally with one, but I've never seen one. That's the price we pay for riding a fairly rare model, but at least we don't have to worry about seeing the same bike pull up along side of us at a traffic light.

[SF_Hooligan]

Hard to be subjective, what with different body shapes. I have lean over the tank bikes, but this one is set up as a tourer so I went for a sit up straight with slight lean forward (IE: moved the bucket in the seat back 2" for leg room, and added pull backs to get back angle almost straight ) position. I'm 5' 10" but have a long torso, figure the same seated height as a 6' person with average build.
That's the best I can do. Maybe you can find someone at a rally with one, but I've never seen one. That's the price we pay for riding a fairly rare model, but at least we don't have to worry about seeing the same bike pull up along side of us at a traffic light.

Thanks for the info. I used to be a big fan of the huge Tour Master Cortech TriBag magnetic tank bags, which can get ridiculously tall. Practically never rode without the big bottom section on my VFR. One day, after years of it being as much a part of my riding gear as my helmet, I rode without it. The flexibility in riding position made it feel like a whole new bike.

Haven't ridden much with a tank bag since, usually just run the topcase around the city to ease lane splitting. But lately I've been wanting an easily accessible spot to store camera/phone/etc besides my jacket pockets. So I bought a small Bags-Connection tank bag - it looks like I can mount it far enough forward where it won't get in my way, but still won't mess with the bars. Just waiting for the right ring so I can install it.

My R1200R is set up as something of a sport-tourer, I guess. I ride a fair amount of 500+ mile days, but I tend to gravitate towards more fun roads, from twisties to goat trials and even fire roads. So I like to be able to move around on the bike.

[rfranklin]

My BMW R1200R bag is a big disappointment because the plastic map holder went yellow and then disintegrated this summer on my trip out to Wyoming. Meanwhile my brother in law has a map holder on his bag that is thirty years old and still clear and intact.

[celticus]

That's it, the price is high but most likely in the price range for any quality bag. I got mine for $100 (new) and from what Don reports their around used, although I never saw one. I looked at the BMW site for a picture also and couldn't find one. I found them for other bikes but not the R1200R. I don't know if saying it's not made by BMW is correct, as most things they sell (including transmissions) are made under contract by other companies.

I haven't been on a trip with this one and it will have to wait till next year for a good test, but I think it will suit my needs perfectly. I really like the mounting system and it would go on and off easily from the brake side of the bike, except for the bar backs. I usually leave the bag on the bike at night when I'm traveling so it's not an issue for me. No problem seeing the instruments even with the bag expanded, but that was just a short ride. It's possible that a vertically challenged person (Don ? ) may have a problem.

My favorite tank bag was (is) the old Eclipse, with the two pockets on the sides and one in the back.

I actually have a new one on the shelf but it's too wide for the R1200R. The bag is wide and hits the controls before the handlebars go full lock. Not a problem on the road but can cause a surprise during parking lot maneuvers. Plus the mounting system leaves something to be desired, but then it is a thirty year old design.

Harry , I have had a R1200R tank bag just like that on my bike for almost five years and I love it. If you find you don't like yours let me know and I may buy it from you. To me a bike almost feels "naked" without my tank bag. This last weekend I took my car to a small camp out and had the R1200R tank bag sitting on the front seat because it has many of my camping necessities in it. Not perfect but I love it.

Mark