2fast4love Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I just purchased a '97 Blackbird yesturday (yippy!!!) and have been looking it over to see what I will be needing for it. Wondered if any of you have any suggestions on a tank bag that works well on these bikes? Was thinking small/medium size perhaps 8" high or so - mainly for camera, wallet, glasses for day trips. I flipped through Dennis Kirk - a little overwhelming... Also, do the magenetic or strap units work better? How do they work with a tank bra? I have one that covers about 1/4 of that back of the tank. Is it better to skip the bra and get one of the smaller adhesive protectors? This bike also has the Givi Wing rack and bags. The previous owner used some shorter and rather ugly rear turn signals to clear the rack. Any suggestions on some black ones that look good? Down the road a few months I would like to go to an aftermarket exhaust - main objective would be a more agressive sound. I assume slip-ons are the easy route here? Again any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! I have been riding the my 83 Suzuki GS750ES for over 20 years and am really looking forward this new (old) bike. I can't wait to hit the road! Thanks! Mark PS - I am not to familiar with this type of forum, so if I louse up some kind of protocal, please don't crucify me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cecome Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Welcome! I like my tour-master. Anything magnetic will probably work out well if you take it with you when you travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoWhee Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Are you planning on removing the bags? I'm asking because it looks like you have about as much storage as a minivan already. Oxford makes some nice tank bags, and if you're not fussy about the colour, there is a blue one for sale in the other section. There is "bags-connection" that are nice and can be setup with electrics, but they aren't cheap, have a look for them on twistedthrottle.com . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicholy Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 My Joe Rocket Manta lg works very well. Magnetic that sticks tightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardCranium Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Several members here have Cortech Super Minis. Its a great looking tank bag and works really well for what you described. I just bought a Cortech Super 10 because I wanted a little bit more room than the Super Mini and so far I am happy with it. It fits the bird well. I also have a Givi Tank Pocket for around town. Its very small. Glasses, keys, phone and maybe a couple other items are about all its big enough to hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warp11XX Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Eclipse for the tank bag, Lockhart/Philips for the tank bra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2fast4love Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share Posted May 28, 2011 Thanks for all the suggestions on tank bags! I will be making a decision and ordering one very soon so the ideas will be a big help! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmacza Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 I have an oxford magnetic tankbag that I hardly ever take off the bike. Holds fine to about 280kph - have done about 100,000km with the tank bag on (currently on about 170k km) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwimack Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I have an oxford magnetic tankbag that I hardly ever take off the bike. Holds fine to about 280kph - have done about 100,000km with the tank bag on (currently on about 170k km) I have Cortech magnetic, using the second look tank cover the bags work great with the tank cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockertom Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 I use GIVI bags. Had mine since 04. Still holding up great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2fast4love Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 Several members here have Cortech Super Minis. Its a great looking tank bag and works really well for what you described. I just bought a Cortech Super 10 because I wanted a little bit more room than the Super Mini and so far I am happy with it. It fits the bird well. I also have a Givi Tank Pocket for around town. Its very small. Glasses, keys, phone and maybe a couple other items are about all its big enough to hold. Thanks for the tips. It sounds like the Super 10 is about the size I need. What do you do about tank covers? I now have a Lockhart 1/2 cover and like it so far. Will it work out with a Cortech bag? If so, will the magnetic or strap style be better with the 1/2cover or do you think its better to go with a full cover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooplehead Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I went to a local bike shop, dropped $20 on a tank bag, and been using it for 3 yrs. I dont know the brand, but its got magnets down the bottom and one on each of the four corners. It had to be cheap, and it wont fall off. At high speeds im laying on it anyhow. BUT, magnets and electronics make me kinda wonder. Its faded to brown from black. Personaly I dont like tank covers. Had one on a Katana once, and I hated the way it never stayed smoothly tucked at the edges. I do have a sticker for protecting from belts, and that "stomp" pad stickers for the knee area. I must admit however, for the man with the money and loves to travel, that givi shit looks awesome. Think I saw a really cool full tank cover with snap on bag here somewhere. Anyhow, welcome to the club, enjoy the bike, I love my '97. Black IS the fastest, and nothing like the soulful response of a carb'd beast either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXTi Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I used to like my Marsee magnetic tank bag (when my motorcycle had a steel tank ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiremanBob Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I put an expensive magnetic tank bag on my Sabre and it scratched the hell out of the tank. If I ever get another I'll pay up for a Bags Connection setup. I also find the ergos on the Bird put my chest really close to the tank, so there isn't much room for a large bag there anyway and I have three large Givi hard cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearXX Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Several members here have Cortech Super Minis. Its a great looking tank bag and works really well for what you described. I just bought a Cortech Super 10 because I wanted a little bit more room than the Super Mini and so far I am happy with it. It fits the bird well. I also have a Givi Tank Pocket for around town. Its very small. Glasses, keys, phone and maybe a couple other items are about all its big enough to hold. Thanks for the tips. It sounds like the Super 10 is about the size I need. What do you do about tank covers? I now have a Lockhart 1/2 cover and like it so far. Will it work out with a Cortech bag? If so, will the magnetic or strap style be better with the 1/2cover or do you think its better to go with a full cover? If you want a tank cover and a bag, BAGSTER is the best. Had mine for 11 years now. You clip the bag to the cover. Quick and easy and no magnetic that can scratch the tank. www.bagster.com The bag holds 30 bottles of beer I had the tank cover on all my bikes. I have been riding the my 83 Suzuki GS750ES for over 20 years and am really looking forward this new (old) bike. I can't wait to hit the road! Nice! :icon_thumbsup: Same as mine. I drove my 84 GSX750ES for years, and bought my first Blackbird in 2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat830 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 PS - I am not to familiar with this type of forum, so if I louse up some kind of protocal, please don't crucify me... Protocol calls for noobs to post up some porn. Post away, we're waiting. and Welcome to the asylum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2fast4love Posted November 3, 2012 Author Share Posted November 3, 2012 Thanks for all the suggestions - I really appreciate it!! Thought I'd pass along some feedback on what I ended up with and how it worked out after a summer of riding: Tank bag--- * I looked at Cortech 10 at a local dealer and tried it on the bike. Looked like very good quality unit, about $120 or so, but I did not like the looks of the magnetic "wings" on the sides - they splayed forward and covered up the Honda logo on the tank. * Ended up buying a Joe Rocket Manta XL and really like it alot. Seems like the perfect (mid) size unit, stays put (even at 120+), have not had much of an issue with tank scratches, but I think you do have to be very careful to not get dust and grit under the bag. I started carrying a small bottle of detail spray and micro fiber - seems to do the trick. Tank bra--- * I searched high and low and could not find any new tank 1/2 bras other than Targa - I did buy one from Dennis Kirk, but did not like the fit so returned it. * I had an older Lockhart 1/2 bra that I had been using and was hoping to replace with a new one. I ended up having an auto upholstery shop put a new elastic cord on that one and fix a few weak stitches and that got me back in the game - for now anyway. My new tank bag seems to work out fine with the 1/2 bra, although I was skeptical at first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicholy Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 I used the Manta on my bird also. It could hold a fair amount of stuff. Yes, the magnets are strong also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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