Hey There! 👋 Tank bag is the best place to store luggage on a motorcycle in terms of weight distribution and aerodynamics. Especially on adventure bikes with upright ergonomics and decent windshields.
Unfortunately, this space is limited and it is better to use it for quick access items like documents, water, snacks, rain gear, and electronics like cameras. It is also a good place to put stuff out of your pockets like keys and wallet.
Contents
What to consider when choosing a motorcycle tank bag?
#1) Capacity – I prefer to be able to fit a 1-liter bottle and my rain gear plus have additional storage for snacks, or thermos. So for me, the ideal tank bag capacity is around 8 liters with the possibility of expanding the bag to 12 liters. This way it is still compact and low profile enough.
#2) Mounting system – Magnetic, Strap-on, Tank-Rings, or Pin system. Strap-on is the most universal but I don’t like having additional straps on my bike all the time. Magnetic is convenient but make sure your tank is made of steel and not plastic or aluminum. Also, magnetic and strap-on systems may scratch the tank paint so consider using a vinyl wrap or ceramic coating to protect the paint. The Tank ring is my favorite but it required bike specific tank ring that bolts into the tank filler cap. The Pin system, similar to the tank ring, uses pins bolted as replacements for tank filler cap bolts. Note that any tank bag that makes contact with tank paint will scratch it eventually. You can use 3M Clear Paint protection in the places where the tank bag rubs against the paint.
#3) Expendability – Expandable tank bags are more useful since they can stay compact for daily use and be expanded to larger volume when you need it. It is usually achieved through an additional zipper that allows bag sidewalls to unfold.
#4) Waterproofness – Good feature to have if you plan to carry electronics inside. IP68 rating means that the tank bag is waterproof and IP65 stands for water-resistant.
#5) Does it affect your stance and handlebar control at full lock? – A big tank bag with a larger capacity occupies more space and influences your standing position. On most adventure bikes you are standing over the rear side of the tank. If this space is occupied by the tank bag – it is not as convenient anymore. Secondly, the handlebar may hit the tank bag on full lock turns on bikes with large steering angles influencing your low-speed maneuverability.
#6) Additional features like a clear view pocket on top for a tablet, additional pockets to organize your stuff, and holes for wires if you want to charge GoPro batteries inside.
Motorcycle Tank Bags
Best Overall
#1 KTM Adventure Tank Bag
Capacity: 18 Liters
Mounting system: Straps
Expendability: ✅ Yes
Waterproofing: ⚠️ Water-resistant
Pockets: ✅ Yes
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Comes with a waterproof rain cover. It is a bit of a hassle to put it on and off and it occupies additional space if you store it inside the bag on sunny days
✅ Lots of features including outer pockets and a clear window pocket on top that will fit your tablet or map.
✅ The storage capacity of this bag is overkill for a tank bag. At 18 liters, there is enough space for a few day trip without side panniers, especially if accompanied by the tail bag.
⚠️ This bag is big and will get in the way of the handlebars on full lock turns on many adventure bikes.
⚠️ Designed for the KTM, however, it will fit any motorcycle as long as there are exposed frame bars or engine protection bars to attach the straps to.
Best Waterproof bag
#2 Nelson Rigg Hurricane
Capacity: 11 Liters
Mounting system: Straps
Expendability: ❌ No
Waterproofing: ✅ Yes
Pockets: ✅ Yes
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ 100% waterproof. Best for carrying electronics like camera gear, batteries, tablet, and power bank.
✅ 11 liters is the best size for my liking. Not too big but has enough useful space.
✅ Transparent pocket on top for a map, phone, or tablet.
⚠️ Zipper is a bit hard to open and close with motorcycle gloves due to the waterproof liner cover.
⚠️ No outer pockets to put miscellaneous items.
Best for Commuting
#3 Cortech
Capacity: 18 Litres
Mounting system: Magnetic
Expendability: ✅ Yes
Waterproofing: ⚠️ Water-resistant
Pockets: ✅ Yes
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Doubles as a backpack making it convenient for daily commuting or day trips. Good for trips to the supermarket, gym, or office, you can comfortably wear it on your back as you explore various points of interest on your trip.
✅ Lots of pockets and slots for organizing your items.
✅ Expands to bigger volume for longer trips.
✅ Has rain cover included.
⚠️ Magnets are not as strong as I would like them to be. With heavy items inside it may slide backward. If you have a windshield and the bag won’t be affected by the oncoming wind – it should be okay.
⚠️ Don’t forget to protect your tank with ceramic coating, Vinyl protection film, or 3M Clear Paint protection. Otherwise, this will scratch the tank p.aint
⚠️ Top opening is smaller than the bag itself, making it difficult to fit certain items.
Worth Mentioning
#4 Chase Harper
Capacity: 6.8 Litres
Mounting system: Magnetic
Expendability: ❌ No
Waterproofness: ❌ No
Pockets: ❌ No
Clear window on top: ❌ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Has straps on top allowing to strap on additional items.
✅ Strong magnets considering the size. It doesn’t move or budge at high speeds or off-road.
✅ Has rubber inserts at the bottom which help it stay put on the tank and not slide.
⚠️ The capacity is on a smaller size
⚠️ Simple bag with no pockets, no clear window on top, not expendable, and not waterproof.
Most affordable
#5 Lozom
Capacity: 3.5 Liters
Mounting system: Magnetic
Expendability: ❌ No
Waterproofing: ❌ No (Water-resistant)
Pockets: ✅ Yes
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Good value for money. It is hard to imagine anything more affordable than this bag.
✅ Has a security strap in case magnets can’t handle the wind. Magnets are actually strong for the size of this bag and it is possible to replace magnets with stronger ones.
✅ Comes with a handy transparent phone pocket on top if you dint want to use a handlebar mount for your phone.
⚠️ Lack of a slot for a USB chord in the phone pocket.
⚠️ The shape is a bit awkward and may not fit certain tank shapes.
⚠️ Small capacity of just 3.5 liters.
Worth Mentioning
#6 Nelson-Rigg
Capacity: not clear
Mounting system: Straps
Expendability: ✅ Yes
Waterproofing: ⚠️ Water-resistant
Pockets: ✅ Yes
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Has a cable pass-through port. This is handy if you need to charge GoPro batteries, your phone, or your tablet inside using the motorcycle’s USB charger. But, the hole is on the back, which isn’t convenient because usually the USB charger is put on the handlebar and the wire needs to go around the bag.
✅ Waterproof Rain cover is included.
✅ Clever mounting system that is easy to install on most bikes. Also, the mount is universal and will work with other Nelson-Rigg tank bags. For example, there are smaller capacity tank bags that can be simply attacked to the same mount. This means that you can buy multiple Nelson-rigg tank bags of various sizes and use smaller one for offroading and bigger one for touring or commuting.
⚠️ The capacity is not clear as the specified number of 39 liters is hard to believe. The real capacity is about 12-18 liters.
Worth Mentioning
#7 GIVI XS
Capacity: 15 Litres
Mounting system: Bike-specific tank ring
Expendability: ✅ Yes
Waterproofing: ⚠️ Water-resistant
Pockets: ✅ Yes
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Does not touch the tank when installed. Won’t scratch the paint. Very clean install on most bikes where a tank ring is available. The mounting ring clip is absolutely rock solid.
✅ Has a Waterproof Rain cover
✅ The bag does not interfere with riding, doesn’t cover any view on instruments or switches, and stores quite a bit of stuff that would otherwise need a backpack.
✅ Has expendable storage making it compact in a folded-in position.
⚠️ Requires bike-specific tank lock ring that is sold separately
Worth Mentioning
#8 Oxford Mini
Capacity: 7 Litres
Mounting system: Magnets + Strap
Expendability: ❌ No
Waterproofing: ⚠️ Water-resistant
Pockets: ✅ Yes
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Decent magnets and has straps for secure attachment.
✅ Has a transparent phone pocket on top and additional pockets on the sides. The capacity is a bit small for my liking but still nice additional storage to have.
⚠️ D-ring buckles on the front strap are not convenient compared to quick-release straps. For example, this is annoying when you want to fill up with fuel and you have to spend a couple of minutes unstrapping the bag.
⚠️ Does not have a rain cover.
Low Profile with Clean Mounting system
#9 Shad
Capacity: 3 Litres
Mounting system: Pin system
Expendability: ❌ No
Waterproofing: ❌ No
Pockets: ❌ No
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ The attachment system of the bag is great, discreet, and effective. The pin system requires you to replace the filler cap bolts with specific pins. Bag mounts to these pins.
⚠️ This bag has a small capacity and is better suited to carry small items like mobile phones, wallets, and items that you don’t want to keep in your pockets as you ride.
⚠️ The Pin mechanism takes up some internal space and adds weight.
❌ Note that the pin system and plate are not included. I expected everything to be included at this price point.
Worth Mentioning
#10 Giant Loop
Capacity: 8 Litres
Mounting system: Straps
Expendability: ❌ No
Waterproofing: ✅ Yes
Pockets: ❌ No
Clear window on top: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Waterproof. Perfect for storing electronics and sensitive documents.
✅ Has adjustable compartment separator inside attached via velcro. Prevents stuff from flying around inside the bag when it is half full.
✅ Size big enough yet the bag has a low chance of interfering with the rider and handlebar movement.
⚠️ The bag is currently overpriced for the size and value it provides. A similar Nelson Rigg Hurricane tank bag is almost 3 times cheaper.
Best for Naked Bikes
#11 GIVI MT
Capacity: 5 Litres
Mounting system: Tank ring
Expendability: ❌ No
Waterproofing: ❌ No
Pockets: ✅ Yes
Clear window on top: ❌ No
Benefits & Features
✅ Does not contact tank paint and will not scratch it.
✅ Secure attachment – the bag won’t move or wiggle under strong wind, acceleration, braking, and offroad riding.
✅ Clean fit on Naked bikes like Yamaha MT07, Triumph Street Triple, Suzuki GSX-8S, and many others. Givi MT Tank Bag has an aesthetic appeal due to the sturdy plastic top cover that fits the naked bike design nicely.
✅ Included shoulder strap so you can conveniently take this bag with you going to the beach for example.
The Bottom Line
Selecting the right tank bag for your motorcycle comes down to understanding your needs and preferences. Factors like capacity, mounting system, expandability, waterproofing, and interference with your stance and control are key considerations in making the right choice.
The best Tank Bag for touring is KTM Adventure Tank Bag. The most waterproof to transport electronics is Nelson Rigg Hurricane, and I would pick the Cortech for commuting since it doubles as a backpack and can be quickly released from the tank.
Overall, a tank bag is a practical tool that will significantly enhance your commuting experience and provide additional storage for long-distance touring.
