BMW 51L SportBag
Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 2:41 pm
Since there's not much praise of this great bag I thought I'd throw it out there for those of you who might want a softbag to take on Adventure's, or an alternative to a top box.
Yes, it is more expensive than other drybags, like most things BMW. With that extra cost comes extra convenience, and nothing but exceptional quality and design - also like most things BMW.
It's 100% waterproof, (the main compartment, even though there's been reports that the outside pockets are also waterproof, the zippers don't look like waterproof one's, therefore I pack things that can get wet in the outside pockets, ie; cooking, and fishing stuff. It has a built it strapping system, and comes with 3 sets of 4 straps, small 6", medium 9", and long 14". ( I use the small one's)
This allows you to use the size you need without having extra webbing flying around. It can be strapped down with 4 straps, or if you have a BMW with a tail rack it has 2 straps built in on the bottom that you slide your rack through, allowing you to just use 2 straps on the front to mount it securly - easy on easy off. The wider strap is for our bikes, the smaller one is for a K1200R, I know because a buddy of mine used it last weekend on his K-Bike for a 2-up trip. I have mounted it with 2 straps method and it is very secure, thought the pics are of Plan B without the tail rack. I opted to move it as far forward to help with my CG, and give my back a little support.
The hybrid hard/soft design is great helping the bag keep it's form, while still being very lightweight and expandable. Having a flat bottom is nice, you could even troop a laptop in there if needed.
It includes a shoulder strap, and has handles built in that zip into their own little pocket.
I ended up buying it with a credit I had at a dealer, I might not have ever spend the cash if it was out of pocket, but if it won't break the bank for you I highly recommend it, it's a sweet bag that's very convenient since you can get in it without removing any straps.
With some help from a few compression bags I am able to pack everything I need for a (summertime) camping/fishing trip in this bag, including a kermit chair - minus the tent that goes in a H2W bag strapped to my forks.
You can buy one from Chicago BMW @ 20% off for $169. Buy a couple of other drybags, with rokstraps and you're not far off from the price this one....
Yes, it is more expensive than other drybags, like most things BMW. With that extra cost comes extra convenience, and nothing but exceptional quality and design - also like most things BMW.
It's 100% waterproof, (the main compartment, even though there's been reports that the outside pockets are also waterproof, the zippers don't look like waterproof one's, therefore I pack things that can get wet in the outside pockets, ie; cooking, and fishing stuff. It has a built it strapping system, and comes with 3 sets of 4 straps, small 6", medium 9", and long 14". ( I use the small one's)
This allows you to use the size you need without having extra webbing flying around. It can be strapped down with 4 straps, or if you have a BMW with a tail rack it has 2 straps built in on the bottom that you slide your rack through, allowing you to just use 2 straps on the front to mount it securly - easy on easy off. The wider strap is for our bikes, the smaller one is for a K1200R, I know because a buddy of mine used it last weekend on his K-Bike for a 2-up trip. I have mounted it with 2 straps method and it is very secure, thought the pics are of Plan B without the tail rack. I opted to move it as far forward to help with my CG, and give my back a little support.
The hybrid hard/soft design is great helping the bag keep it's form, while still being very lightweight and expandable. Having a flat bottom is nice, you could even troop a laptop in there if needed.
It includes a shoulder strap, and has handles built in that zip into their own little pocket.
I ended up buying it with a credit I had at a dealer, I might not have ever spend the cash if it was out of pocket, but if it won't break the bank for you I highly recommend it, it's a sweet bag that's very convenient since you can get in it without removing any straps.
With some help from a few compression bags I am able to pack everything I need for a (summertime) camping/fishing trip in this bag, including a kermit chair - minus the tent that goes in a H2W bag strapped to my forks.
You can buy one from Chicago BMW @ 20% off for $169. Buy a couple of other drybags, with rokstraps and you're not far off from the price this one....
a North Face 2 man tent because I lost the poles to my Mountain Hardware Lightwedge 3 tent on my last trip. The tent and poles goes on the forks in a Helen2Wheels tent bag, secured with 2 Rok Straps. 
