Interesting hard-tank-bag from Sargent

[deilenberger]

Anyone tried it yet? http://www.sargentcycle.com/hardshell.htm

[dderrig]

I saw that and am interested with a couple of concerns. The side attachments, were do they attach and how does it look? What is the bottom made out of and what will it do to my tank? I do like the styling though and it sure would be waterproof! I see also if you don't like it you can return it for no restock fee (provided it's as new) so I am very tempted.

Dave

[thepeacebullgrunt]

I guess more pictures could....

[Tak]

I found a brochure here:

http://www.hardshell.jp/SYSTEM%20TANK%2 ... DSHELL.pdf

Looks interesting.

[deilenberger]

I found a brochure here:

http://www.hardshell.jp/SYSTEM%20TANK%2 ... DSHELL.pdf

Looks interesting.

Tak - cool. It appears to be made by a company called Doken. What's really neat in the brochure - is the bike they modeled it on. Shows excellent taste..

Also linked around and found this sort of interesting catalog (PDF format): http://www.doken.biz/DOKEN_Catalog2007.pdf

[websterize]

I finally found the tank bag, on eBay of all places, at one-third MSRP. Sargent no longer sells it although their hardshell site is still live. It's a nice kit. I plan on trying it out during this unseasonably warm holiday weekend and will share feedback. More to come.

[websterize]

If you've ever wondered if there were a tank bag low enough to see a GPS (on the OEM mount), the waterproof Doken Hardshell System is worth consideration.



The hardshell tucks under the Navigator IV, looks tidy and it doesn't impede handlebar movement at full lock. But after opening the lid the first time, it bumped against the GPS, pivoting it up a few degrees — things are tidy but tight. Inside, though, it can hold most anything you could stuff in gear pockets, like a compact camera. It could hold a full-size Nikon D70 body with a 50 mm prime lens, but only disassembled, and there wouldn't be room for much else.



Because of the plastic shell, the Doken is actually a case, like the BMW system cases. With both, materials are robust. The bottom of the top case is soft and grippy and doesn't appear to scratch the tank. Adding clear Scotchgard film might be a good buffer at strap rub points.



In front, the case connects to two eyelet straps fastened behind the screws that hold the plastic covering to the front of the fuel tank (see photo above). At back, the case's fabric strap connects to the thread above the metallic battery strap under the seat. Top down, the straps look like a Y.

I'm fairly pleased with the glossy black case, but it's flashy. I selected black because it looks better on my white bike than the only other available color, silver. A matte black would match the rest of the OEM black plastic well. Releasing the case takes seconds, and, unlike the system cases, you can't lock it down. In the Doken ad, there is a rider walking with the case slung on his shoulder like a man-purse. I'm fine carrying it with the built-in handle.

It passed a high-speed test today, failing to fly into my helmet. I'll likely continue to keep mission-critical gear, such as a wallet and phone, in a jacket pocket.

I've been looking for this case since buying the R12R nearly three years ago. MSRP was a hefty $350ish. At last check, Docdoru has four silver ones for $119 shipped. Sargent, the sole U.S. supplier, discontinued it.

Sargent's web page says the case is Powerlet-ready via an accessory jack, but the site gives no model number or details. Powerlet said their luggage electrix cables should work with the Doken, but the rep didn't know what accessory jack came with it. I received only the case and mounting straps. If anyone knows how a Powerlet accessory works with it, please holler.