In the past I have used a variety of magnetic mount tank bags on my bikes. I have always gotten minor blemishes or scratches from frequent use but never really cared since my bikes were always well used and not free of blemishes anyway. Since I got the VFR and it is so clean and scratch free I decided to not use any magnetic bags on it. I recently purchased a Givi TankLock T480 tank bag with a mounting ring to use in its place.
For those unfamiliar with the Givi TankLock system it currently includes three different tank bags, a mounting base, and a bike specific ring that matches the bolt pattern of the fuel filler ring on your bike. They have the Large bag, T480, that 14 liters (expandable to 22 liters) and includes a top map pocket with a formed cutout for a GPS or spart phone. They have a medium bag, T489, that is 14 liters (expandable to 18 liters) and has a map pocket but no GPS holder. The last bag is the TPH02 Tank bag that is small, semi hard sided, and has a phone cutout/holder. It is 4 liters. They do not list a tank adapter ring for the 5th gen bikes but since the filler has the same bolt pattern as the 6th gen I just bought that which they do list.
I am overall very please with the quality of the bag itself and the mounting hardware. I think the side pockets are not as well designed and useful as they could be but they will work well for earplug, pen, and small item storage. I think the port or cutout for the GPS could have been made a bit larger and actually had a foam block insert that was perforated like pelican case foam inserts are that allows you to remove just what is needed to properly secure and cradle your device. Zipper quality is good and the material is thick and tough. It holds shape well and seems to be very well constructed. The mounting setup looks a little dodgy at first glance but it locks solid and I have not had the bag move around, come loose, or give me any cause for concern so far. It turns out to be far more solid than it looks really. It is very easy to remove and reinstall for fuel stops in fact I would say it is far easier than a magnetic bag since you have to line up and place the magnetic bag each time. Since the mounting point for this system are fixed you just drop it on and take off.
First the ring itself takes just minutes to install and is very straight forward. As you can see it is pretty low profile and leaves very little on the bike with the bag off.
[image: IMAG0182]
IMAG0182Base ring on tank
[image: IMAG0181]
IMAG0181 Base ring on tank
Here is the bag itself with the GPS shown in the cutout for it. Also shown is the bottom side with the locking ring arrangement. You can see that I moved the ring all the way to the most forward position. This moves the bag as far forward on the tank as it will go.
[image: IMAG0177]
IMAG0177Top with GPS mounted
[image: IMAG0179]
IMAG0179
[image: IMAG0178]
IMAG0178Bottom showing locking ring
Finally a couple shots of the bag on the bike. As you can see there is nothing touching the tank itself. Nothing to scratch the paint on the tank.
[image: IMAG0184]
IMAG0184Bag on the bike
[image: IMAG0183]
IMAG0183 Bag on the bike
[image: IMAG0185]
IMAG0185Nothing touching the tank
Now I wanted to be able to power the GPS on long trips and also wanted to be able to recharge my phone in the tank bag while traveling. I did not want to add a lot of wire or connections to the bike so I wanted one simple power lead from the bike to the bag so that the chargers and plugs could stay in the bag. One simple connection would allow me to unhook the bag and carry it into a building with me at a stop for security.
I purchased a waterproof power port bulkhead from an RV supply house. It is designed for mounting on the roof of an RV and is a two wire (hot and ground) setup. It came with both the port and a plug with a short bit of wire lead to hook up. I chose to mount it on the front right corner of the tank bad out of the way. I cut a small hole for the wire and the port plug. I then punched 4 small holes for the screws that would attach it to the backing plate I made. Once all bolted down it is quite secure and tucked away.
[image: IMAG0161]
IMAG0161Power Port
[image: IMAG0162]
IMAG0162 Power Port
[image: IMAG0188]
IMAG0188power port
[image: IMAG0189]
IMAG0189 Power port
The backing Plate
[image: IMAG0192]
IMAG0192mounting ring for the power port.
The inside with the trim panel back in place and covering the backing plate.
[image: IMAG0190]
IMAG0190interior of the bag and the back side of the power port
I will be giving it a further test this weekend with a 1500 mile trip and I will report any updates. So far though every sign points to this being a very solid and useful addition to the bike.
I bought the small one and found it great for gloves, earplugs, iPhone and glasses. I decided to get this bag to hold some of my test gear when I go to job sites. I like the power connector mod you did. Two questions, where did you tie into on the wiring harness and what did you use on the inside of the bag for your power connection(s)?
I just ran hot lead off the battery itself and a frame ground near the subframe mount point. I ran the wires in a protected flexible wire loom up under the tank along the left top edge of the frame. I brought the wires up near the throttle cables past the triple trees and used wire ties to secure it to the existing wire harness. I wanted a lead right to the battery so I could charge a phone overnight without having the bike switched on or the key in the bike. I was able to leave my phone in the tank bag on the bike next to my tent at the campsite this weekend and charge up for the next day.
Inside the bag I just wired up a traditional 12v accessory plug i.e. a cigarette lighter plug so I could plug in any number of items that use that. I have a dual port USB charger that plugs into that so I can power my phone and my GPS off USB chords at the same time.
If you ran another lead to a switched power source (with a relay in the circuit), your GPS could be powered up each time you start your bike. I use a Powerlet in the steering stem hole with a short Powerlet lead made specific for my Garmin Zumo. It's nice that it powers up and off with my ignition key. Otherwise I love your install...looks sharp!
P.S. Did you use any type of sealant on plug adapter?
[image: View Post]MidTNJasonF, on 10 October 2011 - 11:45 AM, said:
I just ran hot lead off the battery itself and a frame ground near the subframe mount point. I ran the wires in a protected flexible wire loom up under the tank along the left top edge of the frame. I brought the wires up near the throttle cables past the triple trees and used wire ties to secure it to the existing wire harness. I wanted a lead right to the battery so I could charge a phone overnight without having the bike switched on or the key in the bike. I was able to leave my phone in the tank bag on the bike next to my tent at the campsite this weekend and charge up for the next day.
Inside the bag I just wired up a traditional 12v accessory plug i.e. a cigarette lighter plug so I could plug in any number of items that use that. I have a dual port USB charger that plugs into that so I can power my phone and my GPS off USB chords at the same time.
Nice. I'm thinking of doing this for my setup. Right now I just have the the iPhone but I may get a more proper GPS. Not sure just yet. Thanks for the update.
Those of you using this GIVI tanklock.... How do you like it after living with it for a while? I've been considering this thing but I use my tankbag daily for all kinds of crap as my bike is my daily transportation.
How's it holding up?
Any issues with the attachment hardware getting loose? How does the bag do as far as staying in position? Does it have a tendency to rotate at all?
Is there a way to literally LOCK the bag onto the bike with this system or is it always a simple quick-disconnect?
Mine has been on the bike for almost all of the 10,000 miles I have put on it since October. No issues at all and it is holding up fine.
It does not turn as it has fingers or tabs that lock into the ring. I am not sure you could rotate it without breaking something. I actually dropped my bike in a bad dirt parking spot at a campground and more or less held the bike up with the tankbag against my knee. It did not have all the weight of the loaded bike but it had a serious portion of it. It did not come off then or rotate at all.
Nothing on mine has come loose but I am a firm beliver it all metal fastners getting blue locktite.
There is no way to lock it onto the bike. It is just a quick disconnect lever that allows you to pop it up.
If I had any complaints it would be the interior of the bag has the extra material for the expansion option bunched up around the top. I would prefer it to not even have the ability to expand as it is plenty big already and I have never used the expansion zipper. That extra material just sort of gets in the way at times. I also would like it if the rain cover bag on the front was more easily removable as I have never used the rain cover either.
I am SERIOUSLY thinking of purchasing one of these set ups.. since painting the VTEC in the RC30 scheme, I'm not keen to use a magnetic bag for two reasons...
1. The magnetic flaps cover up the paint scheme
2. The clear coat get scratched over time
3. Credit card magnetic strips get funked up...
[image: View Post]MidTNJasonF, on 11 June 2012 - 03:13 PM, said:
Mine has been on the bike for almost all of the 10,000 miles I have put on it since October. No issues at all and it is holding up fine.
It does not turn as it has fingers or tabs that lock into the ring. I am not sure you could rotate it without breaking something. I actually dropped my bike in a bad dirt parking spot at a campground and more or less held the bike up with the tankbag against my knee. It did not have all the weight of the loaded bike but it had a serious portion of it. It did not come off then or rotate at all.
Nothing on mine has come loose but I am a firm beliver it all metal fastners getting blue locktite.
There is no way to lock it onto the bike. It is just a quick disconnect lever that allows you to pop it up.
If I had any complaints it would be the interior of the bag has the extra material for the expansion option bunched up around the top. I would prefer it to not even have the ability to expand as it is plenty big already and I have never used the expansion zipper. That extra material just sort of gets in the way at times. I also would like it if the rain cover bag on the front was more easily removable as I have never used the rain cover either.
Thanks a bunch for the lived-in review. I'll order one this week.
I've used the SW Motech version of this concept for a while (the tank mount looks like a horseshoe), and I've recently decided to convert to their electrified version. The tank ring gets wired into the bike, so the bag gets power as soon as it's locked down--pretty convenient. However, one other aspect of the SW Motech design initially annoyed me until I thought about it a little bit more, and now I think I'm going to keep it...
That is, the magnetic sensor in the tank ring that cuts the power to the tank ring when the bag is removed. Why do that, considering that the bag is not powered as soon as it is removed? Well, I think it is to eliminate any risk of a spark being generated in close proximity to the tank during refueling--pretty clever. But is it overkill? Possibly. But the safety feature is already there, and while I could eliminate it, I don't see any advantage in doing so.
I've used the SW Motech version of this concept for a while (the tank mount looks like a horseshoe), and I've recently decided to convert to their electrified version. The tank ring gets wired into the bike, so the bag gets power as soon as it's locked down--pretty convenient. However, one other aspect of the SW Motech design initially annoyed me until I thought about it a little bit more, and now I think I'm going to keep it...
That is, the magnetic sensor in the tank ring that cuts the power to the tank ring when the bag is removed. Why do that, considering that the bag is not powered as soon as it is removed? Well, I think it is to eliminate any risk of a spark being generated in close proximity to the tank during refueling--pretty clever. But is it overkill? Possibly. But the safety feature is already there, and while I could eliminate it, I don't see any advantage in doing so.
I have been using the SW Motech tank bag system for three seasons. I have two different size bags, both are electrified. I am pleased with the quality of the bags and the latching system works very well. I keep some of my electronics in the bag and I occasionally notice vibration induced static in my ear buds. A little bit of contact cleaning and shimming has eliminated this. I enjoy how simple it is to remove the bag for fueling. I have received good service from Twisted Throttle. I have not noticed any paint damage. It does need to be wired to a switched circuit, as the relay draws current when the bag is attached.
I have the T489, so far my only gripe is Givi does not allow you to purchase the plastic "ring" that comes with the bag. I bought the adapter for my second bike so I could use the bag on the VFR and the Ducati (since I generally do not ride both at the same time).
I have e-mailed Givi hoping they would just sell me that part, but so far no response.....
I understand they probably want to sell me another bag, but they should at least sell the ring for people who want to utilize the bag on different bikes....
I have the T489, so far my only gripe is Givi does not allow you to purchase the plastic "ring" that comes with the bag. I bought the adapter for my second bike so I could use the bag on the VFR and the Ducati (since I generally do not ride both at the same time).
I have e-mailed Givi hoping they would just sell me that part, but so far no response.....
I understand they probably want to sell me another bag, but they should at least sell the ring for people who want to utilize the bag on different bikes....
Pluseb0 +eb0
Let us know what GIVI says as I have a similar dilemma with my 900SS, the small TH2 bag sits a little too far back towards the seat and it rubs me in the gut when I use it. I want to have a custom bag made but I need the bag mount ring to attach to the new bag.
The only gripe I have for both of the GIVI bags I have (T480 & TH2) is that when I put my cell phone in the "gadget pocket", the clear plastic window acts like a green house roof and my phone will sometimes over heat! In one instance I could barely hold my phone it was so hot.
I read a review or two where people had "cooked" their gadgets. I think I would just use it for a map pocket. To the OP, how/where did you source the nifty backing ring for the SAE connector?
I read a review or two where people had "cooked" their gadgets. I think I would just use it for a map pocket. To the OP, how/where did you source the nifty backing ring for the SAE connector?
I know that you can find these at www.wiremybike.com (I just bought some Speed Bleeders from them and saw this item on their website) they sell the ones made by PowerLet.
You still need to get the flange specific for the bike.
I read through the documentation that came with my bag and nowhere did it mention this replacement ring.
Hope this helps someone else out.
Pluseb0 +eb0
Hey Pluse, is the "ring" you are referring to the one that goes on the bike? (see photo: http://www.vfrdiscus..._6155_63847.jpg). The one I am looking for is the one that is actually attached to the bottom of the bag (see photo: http://www.vfrdiscus...6155_420781.jpg) Are we talking about the same item?
@Duc2V4, I am referring to the plastic ring that goes on the bike, not the part on the bag.
I would e-mail Givi and see if they have a part number for that piece.
Pluseb0 +eb0
After I read your post and re-read your first post I figured we were talking about two different items. I'll send them an email and see what they say. Thanks for clarifying this.
Some SW Motech dealers (Twisted Throttle, for one...) also do that pissy "we'll only sell you the part if you bought the bag from us" thing, but it's not a universal restriction. I just bought what I needed from a European dealer, instead. Business must be good if you can afford to turn down orders... :huh:
Motorcycle-superstore offers the rings for sale individually.... Click the "EDIT" button right below the big red $14.99 - $28.99 to pick your particular bike fitment.
Well, bitter sweet deal: moto superstore got the bag delivered on time for the AR trip but sent the wrong ring adapter ...it doesn't line up to the bolt hole pattern on my bike...grrrrr
WAHOOOO! My T480 arrived in just 3 days and I can't find a thing to complain about. Install couldn't be any easier - 3 filler cap bolts out, 3 longer ones in, click and ride. I was worried that I might receive the wrong mounting ring like 2thdr, but no issues here. Heavy duty construction on the bag, locks to the mount with almost no pressure. Easy as pie removal with a pull on the lever. I did use the fore/aft adjustment on the base of the bag to move the bag as far forward as it will go. That gives me more room yet still keeps all instrumentation in full view. I'm not a big electro-techy so I don't need to add the power port to the bag. The way I see it, the big map window is for......MAPS! Very happy over all and a big thumbs up to 2thdr for the tip on my first of many farkles.
I received the correct ring the other day and like mailman said, easy as pie install. Strange that they packaged the wrong ring in the right box (#BF03 part). Now I am dreading possibly having to do battle with motorcycle-superstore to credit back all shipping to and from charges since it was not my fault they sent the wrong part. As it stands right now I am out almost $14 is shipping charges...we'll see what happens. Other than that, I am very happy with the bag. Takes a little getting used to seeing the bag raised up off the tank. Have to see how I can work around it in the twisties, as I like to move off the seat quite a bit. I think I may add a power port to mine to be able to charge my tech toys while underway...
Ordered and received the Powerlet luggage electrix SAE Bulkhead Kit & PAC-009-18 from Tightwad at Wiremybike.com. Having a hard time finding a location to add the port to the bag. I think I've decided to locate it on the side, towards the front of the bag. I will have to go through multiple layers of material, since there is a zipper pocket on the side, but it will only decrease the size of the pocket by about two inches in length when I am done. Planning on using a heating iron with a cutting tip to melt through the material. I'll post up the results after I'm done...maybe tonight. The luggage port will be powered via my existing Powerlet steering stem port.
End of thread · 31 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 5 Aug 2015