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TANK BAG
Sure , you could use a magnetic or strap-mount tank bag , but if you ride a bike with a screw-mounted flat gas cap ( like most sport , sport-touring and adventure bikes ), a gas cap-mounted bag is even more convenient . Givi ' s Tanklock system is a good example ; you attach the plastic ring to the gas cap , and then snap the bag on and off easily . Tank bags are available from 3 to 25 liters in capacity starting at $ 75 . Add a Power Hub accessory port , and you can even charge your phone while it ' s safely tucked away inside the bag .
HARD LUGGAGE TOPPER
Love your hard luggage , but need a little more space , or easy access to certain items ? Several manufacturers make pannier toppers . California-based RKA makes Topper Bags especially for BMW GS aluminum luggage . The Toppers attach securely to the luggage and the three pieces together add a whopping 50 liters of extra carrying capacity ! Prices start at $ 115 .
Tank bags are probably the most common soft luggage , useful for daily riding as well as long trips . Strap-on bags take a little more effort to remove and replace , and more initial set-up since you need to route the straps around the tank and fairing so they don ’ t abrade and break , or melt from engine heat . On cold days , with numb fingers , the buckles can be a pain to operate , and if a strap drops down into the fairing a simple gas stop turns into a frustrating search in the bowels of the bike . Magnetic bags are the easiest to mount — all you need is a steel gas tank — and come off in seconds at gas stops . The magnets in most mag bags are very strong , and if you keep the heavy stuff at the bottom , the bag won ’ t shift around — but look for a bag with a safety strap anyway . In addition to peace of mind , it makes a quick lift-off theft less likely . Avoid keeping anything in a magnetic tank bag that can be affected by the magnets , like credit cards and unshielded digital media .
Backpacks are popular with commuters , but there ’ s some debate about the advisability of strapping luggage to your body right over your spine , and if heavily loaded , many riders find them fatiguing on long rides anyway . – JERRY SMITH