Bags-Connection "City" Quick-Lock Tankbag anyone?

[fahz]

Does anyone have this tang back mounted on the 12GS?, I'd love to see pictures of it mounted. It seems to be the small "day" trip bag I'm looking for, but need to make sure it is compatible with bar backs.

Bags-Connection "City" Quick-Lock Tankbag for SW-MOTECH Gascap Mounting System

Appreciate any pictures or comments.

Thanks,
Fernando

[fahz]

No one owns one of these??

[Brent-GS]

Hi Fernando,
I've got that exact set-up. I haven't had it long (and only used it once or twice so far), but my initial impressions are favorable. There is no interference with bars going lock-to-lock. Tonight when I get home I'll take a few pics with a write-up to post. Check this thread tomorrow morning...
Brent

[fahz]

Awesome, Thanks Brent!

[Brent-GS]

Hi Fernando (and All),
Well, I’m not sure if this qualifies as a review, maybe I should call this my "insights" of the SW-Motech 'City' bag (Bags Connection):
After lots of looking and research I bought this bag for a few reasons. The first being it’s quick-release design. My GS is my daily driver and so I wanted a bag that I could attach and remove easily. You can see from one of the pictures that there are two mounting ‘rings’ that are held together by a quick release pin. It is very easy to use: pull the pin, lift the front of the bag and slide off. That’s it. After a couple of practice attempts lining up the two mounts you can put it on the bike without looking…
The second thing I like is the size - it’s not too big or too small. Next week I’m going to be installing a number of farkles (GPS, Autocom), so it can hold these as well as gloves, camera, etc. I wish I could provide some roadtrip insight on how the bag performs, but it’ll be a few weeks for that. (I’d read several favorable reviews on Advrider though.)
The cost was the third factor - less that $200. The BMW GS and Touratech bags are really nice but I couldn’t swallow $300+ for a bag that was bigger than I needed. (I bought this at BMW San Diego.)
You can see from one of the pictures that the bars just touch the side of the bag when on the lock and there is no visual obstruction of the gauges. (The bag is expandable, but it only makes it about 2 inches taller.) It also comes with a carrying strap as well as a rain cover. Originally, I was looking for the GS bag from Chicane but gave up after not being able to locate one. For my M-F needs, I think this one will work out better.

…Now for my one complaint…You can see from one of the pictures that the mount attached to the bag is held on by 4 bolts. The hardware received matched exactly what the instructions said, which is: 2 – M5x20 and 2 – M5x15 bolts. The base of the mount is the same thickness (5mm) in all four corners. M5x15 are not long enough to leave any thread for the nylon-lock nut to grab! Okay, I’m not an engineer but also I’m not a damn idiot and like many of us here I don’t like spending 2 bills on something that doesn’t work correctly. I quickly gave up trying to figure out who the distributor/importer was and took the bag back to the dealer where I bought it. Of course I heard, “Hmm, you’re the first person who’s had this problem…” But he was apologetic and gave me 2 bolts that would fit. Before I had bought the bag I read a review on Advrider where the guy said something to the effect, “the bag is great except I had to go the HomeDepot to replace some hardware…” He must have had the same issue. I can only surmise that maybe early models had varying thickness and so bolt lengths were different. Anyways, that’s the only bump in the road I’ve had with it. If the quick-release functionality sounds like it would work for you then I would definitely recommend you get the ‘City’ bag.

On a side note, I saw you posted a comment on another thread about getting rid of a BMW GS bag. Why? (too big, hard to attach…?)

[fahz]

Thanks Brent, I appreciate your post, very helpful.
Do you think there's room for the city bag (pulling the pin) after installing 40mm "barbacks"?

I'm selling the OEM BMW GS tank bag, because it is too tall for me (I'm 5'6), especially with my low seat installed. (I have to be able to see what's ahead of me on the road you know.... ) I bought it with the bike, but have not used it.

Much appreciated

[joef96]

Ya, thanks for the review. Very helpful and nice pics.

[Brent-GS]

Here's a couple of pics I took from the handlebar profile. I don't see a 40mm offset being an issue when straight but I think the bars will definitely hit the bag when turned towards the locks. There is some fore/aft adjustability in positioning the mount on the bag (you can see it in one of the previous pictures), but I have mine positioned as far back as possible already so any other positioning will only move the bag closer to the bars. Hope this helps.

[fahz]

Brent, you are the best, thanks a lot!!
I did go back to your first pics and noticed the holes? for what seems to be a second optional location of the bag braket. But you seem to have it placed closer to the rider, which will bring the bag forward. Maybe the pic doesn't show clearly...
Thanks again!!

[katso]

Originally Posted by Brent-GS

Hi Fernando (and All),
Well, I’m not sure if this qualifies as a review, maybe I should call this my "insights" of the SW-Motech 'City' bag (Bags Connection):
After lots of looking and research I bought this bag for a few reasons. The first being it’s quick-release design. My GS is my daily driver and so I wanted a bag that I could attach and remove easily. You can see from one of the pictures that there are two mounting ‘rings’ that are held together by a quick release pin. It is very easy to use: pull the pin, lift the front of the bag and slide off. That’s it. After a couple of practice attempts lining up the two mounts you can put it on the bike without looking…
The second thing I like is the size - it’s not too big or too small. Next week I’m going to be installing a number of farkles (GPS, Autocom), so it can hold these as well as gloves, camera, etc. I wish I could provide some roadtrip insight on how the bag performs, but it’ll be a few weeks for that. (I’d read several favorable reviews on Advrider though.)
The cost was the third factor - less that $200. The BMW GS and Touratech bags are really nice but I couldn’t swallow $300+ for a bag that was bigger than I needed. (I bought this at BMW San Diego.)
You can see from one of the pictures that the bars just touch the side of the bag when on the lock and there is no visual obstruction of the gauges. (The bag is expandable, but it only makes it about 2 inches taller.) It also comes with a carrying strap as well as a rain cover. Originally, I was looking for the GS bag from Chicane but gave up after not being able to locate one. For my M-F needs, I think this one will work out better.

…Now for my one complaint…You can see from one of the pictures that the mount attached to the bag is held on by 4 bolts. The hardware received matched exactly what the instructions said, which is: 2 – M5x20 and 2 – M5x15 bolts. The base of the mount is the same thickness (5mm) in all four corners. M5x15 are not long enough to leave any thread for the nylon-lock nut to grab! Okay, I’m not an engineer but also I’m not a damn idiot and like many of us here I don’t like spending 2 bills on something that doesn’t work correctly. I quickly gave up trying to figure out who the distributor/importer was and took the bag back to the dealer where I bought it. Of course I heard, “Hmm, you’re the first person who’s had this problem…” But he was apologetic and gave me 2 bolts that would fit. Before I had bought the bag I read a review on Advrider where the guy said something to the effect, “the bag is great except I had t go the HomeDepot to replace some hardware…” He must have had the same issue. I can only surmise that maybe early models had varying thickness and so bolt lengths were different. Anyways, that’s the only bump in the road I’ve had with it. If the quick-release functionality sounds like it would work for you then I would definitely recommend you get the ‘City’ bag.

On a side note, I saw you posted a comment on another thread about getting rid of a BMW GS bag. Why? (too big, hard to attach…?)

Thanks for that information-i was thinking of buying one of these bags and was wondering how well they fitted. Now i know thanks to you and will be buying one soon!