One of the most indispensable items you can have for your motorcycle is a tank bag. Available in a host of sizes, shapes, and appearances, it helps keep important items close, protected, and perfectly accessible. In fact, as far as bike luggage goes, you might consider this a necessary purchase. But, just like with any piece of bike gear, the most important thing is that it serves your needs. Otherwise, it’s no good at all.
Contents
- 1 Best Tank Bags for Motorcycles List March 2021
- 2 Top 5 Motorcycle Tank Bag Reviews
- 3 Cortech Super 2.0 18-Liter Magnetic Tank Bag Review
- 4 Nelson Rigg Trails End Adventure Tank Bag Review
- 5 Cortech Super 2.0 Low Profile Tank Bag Review
- 6 Oxford Q4R Quick Release Tank Bag Review
- 7 Joe Rocket Manta XL Tank Bag
- 8 Top Rated Motorcycle Gas Tank Bags
Best Tank Bags for Motorcycles List March 2021
As you browse for the best motorcycle tank bag, you should consider such factors as shape, size, material, mounting options, and special features. These bags can differ so much from one another, that these things all come together to shape the perfect bag. Putting together your favorite colors, for instance, along with the right dimensions and necessary elements, will yield the perfect bag for your own needs and requirements.
Top 5 Motorcycle Tank Bag Reviews
Here is the list of the best motorcycle tank bags to add to your gear collection.
- Cortech Super 2.0 18-Liter Magnetic Bag – Best Magnetic Motorcycle Tank Bag
- Nelson Rigg Trails End Adventure Bag – Best Adventure Tank Bag
- Oxford Q4R Quick Release Bag – Best Quick Release Tank Bag
- Cortech Super 2.0 Low Profile Bag – Best Small Magnetic Tank Bag
- Joe Rocket Manta XL Bag
Cortech Super 2.0 18-Liter Magnetic Tank Bag Review
Featuring the ever-popular ballistic nylon outer shell, the Cortech Super 2.0 18-Liter Magnetic Tank Bag has all the components you’re looking for in a piece of up close motorcycle luggage.
With a metallic tank, the magnetic mount option works very well, but for plastic tanks, the alternate strap method is included. A step up in storage size, you can carry a little more gear but you still get the sporty low profile characteristic. Inner guts are lined with bright red fleece, and the map pocket it waterproof and removable should you need to take it off to ask for directions.
This bag also has built in back straps which allow it to be seamlessly used as a motorcycle tank bag backpack.
Pros Include:
- No-slip, no-scratch mounting base
- Locking zipper pull for expansion
- Hidden backpack straps for on the go travel
Cons Include:
- The bag is not waterproof
- Map pocket should be larger
- Outer pockets offer little expansion
Nelson Rigg Trails End Adventure Tank Bag Review
For riders whose bikes have a tank with a sharp slope to it, the Nelson Rigg Trails End Adventure Tank Bag is a great fit.
Touring motorcycles like the African Twin can make good use of the bag, which is V-shaped at the base so that even off-road travel is no problem. The quick-release system lets you pop the bag off to refuel and then pop it right back on once you’re done. You’ll also have access to side pockets for holding smaller possessions, reverse coil zippers for easy functionality, and it’s resistant to slips and marks.
Pros Include:
- Waterproof rain cover included
- Bag maintains the original shape
- Lifetime warranty
Cons Include:
- Rain can soak into the base of the bag, even with the rain cover in place
- For larger adventure bikes, this bag looks a bit small
- The map pocket is a bit small
Cortech Super 2.0 Low Profile Tank Bag Review
The Cortech Super 2.0 Low Profile Tank Bag starts out as a 5-liter bag but easily expands to 10 liters. The sleek, low profile motorcycle tank pouch is perfect for the sports rider, especially if you only need storage for a few specific things.
The magnet harness is perfect for metal tanks, but you can also choose the universal kit to attach it to a plastic tank. It’s made of both ballistic nylon and as well as jacquard fabric. It holds its shape, even when empty, and has reflective strips and a map pocket that works just as well for your cell phone. The main compartment is lined with red felt for high visibility of contents.
This bag can be purchased as a strap tank bag or a magnetic one, depending on the needs of your bike.
Pros Include:
- Rain cover included, in its own easy access pocket
- One way zipper
- Expands to double capacity
Cons Include:
- Strap mounts don’t offer a snug fit
- Not waterproof
- Magnetic attachments can scratch tank over time
Oxford Q4R Quick Release Tank Bag Review
With a quick-release fuel cap mount system, the Oxford Q4R Quick Release Tank Bag is a perfect fit. With a mounting system like this, you’ll never have to worry about scratching your tank.
However, a large, heavily packed tank bag will scratch the tank eventually. Ripstop nylon is reinforced so that a rip or tear will not continue. With a main compartment, a small front pocket, and a small map pocket, it’s great for a quick trip when you only have a few items to store away. Zippers are water resistant and the carry handle is integrated. The map pocket is great for GPS devices as well as smartphones and the plastic is touch screen enabled.
Pros Include:
- Electrical pass through
- A dedicated key pocket
- Headstock safety strap included
Cons Include:
- The map pocket is a bit too easy to remove
- Must have a motorcycle that’s compatible with Oxford’s quick-release mounting brackets
- The bag itself is not water resistant
Joe Rocket Manta XL Tank Bag
For true versatility, many riders are switching to the Joe Rocket Manta XL Tank Bag. With the magnetic mounting system, a rain cover, and lots of space inside the bag, you even have a dedication, easy access phone pocket.
The bag itself is resistant to wind and water, with Rock Tex construction, a guard for your belt buckle, and even a port to integrate your audio as well. Reflective panels help keep you visible and protected, especially for night riding. Extra security is available through the front strap that makes for a more secure mount. It also has a shoulder strap, making it a great grab and go bag.
Pros Include:
- Strong magnetic mount system
- Perfect size for day-long trips
- Works with EZ-Pass
Cons Include:
- Phone pocket won’t hold some of today’s larger phones
- Too small to be considered an “XL”
- Will not hold textbooks or notebooks
Top Rated Motorcycle Gas Tank Bags
From today’s lineup of tank bags, the best tank bag doubles as the best magnetic tank bag: the Cortech Super 2.0 18-Liter. Much of what makes a tank bag good or bad is what you use it for. If want something super small just to carry a few items, this bag might be overkill for you. Or, if you don’t have a metal gas tank, you might want something with straps.
However, if you want a great all around bag, this is a great bag. It works just as well for long weekend excursions as it does for a quick ride across town. It can be expanded if necessary and has a two-tone interior main compartment to keep everything in place, just as it should be. When it’s time to park your bag, you can simply grab the Cortech and make use of the carry handle or the backpack straps, which are built in, but hidden until you need them.
You’ll make use of the hidden pocket on the outside of the bag, probably for glasses or other small items, as well as the sip tube and headphone exit ports, which can really come in handy for longer trips.