Uber tank bag mergefest

[Crapdealerbob]

    "What is his history with the K?"

  Argent,

 Here is a link to his web site.  He rides and uses all the stuff he sells, I met him in Vegas, he tours with his products and checks with dealers that sell his stuff.

Here is the link :   http://www.rka-luggage.com/A08%20BMW/BMWstartpage.html

[BrickFlyer]

I have a set of RKA bags and the rain cover coming for my K12GT. (Bought the GT used without the hard bags) I'll review them when I get them. However, It's taken quite a while to get delivery. My wife ordered them as a birthday present for me (Ordered around July 11th) and I'm still waiting for them as of today (Aug 3rd).  So they've got a back log, (which is good to hear for a US company) , but it sucks when I'm heading off for a MC camping trip tomorrow and wanted to ride the K bike.  I'll take my RT instead since it has side cases, top case etc.

I heard lots of good things on the iBMW site about the bags and so hinted to SWMBO that I would like a set. Will advise and post some pics whenever they make it here.

[argent brick]

I am reading that they are behind a little. I can tell you that they have a 30 day cutting program. Just like furniture.

[enialb2]

Time for me to get one then. Thanks.

[jonb]

I picked up their cheapest expandable 3-point tank bag for my bike at the BMW Oregon rallye a couple of years ago.  While I don't have any complaints on the bag which still looks pretty much like new, I do wish I spent more money on a better model. Solid construction with good wall thickness, and can retain open water on the inside for over 3 minutes  :embarass:

[sh00ter]

Duck, or someone in-the-know.

I understand there's a difference in the mounting plate for the factory tank bag for the k75/100 vs 1100/1.  Duck, you've mentioned this as have others.  Could someone be very specific about the difference and if there's a way to make a k75 mount work on an 1100 or if not, what's the issue?  thanks; i'm just in the market and trying to explore all options.

[argent brick]

Not all bases will fit on all K bikes. I think the K1100 has a larger tank. It is my understanding that the K75 and 100 bases will interchange. The K1100 base will not fit the baby brick or the 100. I can not speak with certainty about the K1, but I have seen somewhere that it fits the 1100 bikes.  Also, the zipper that fastens the base to the tank bag was changed during production so not all bases will fit on all bags.  Early bags sport a fine zipper with heavier zips later in production. I do not remember exactly when the zipper was changed, but will post the information after I look it up.

Take note that there are about four, maybe five, different styles of the tank bag made over the years. The newest version has a flat top and the outside is all black including the trim.  I think the one before it was black with a small amount of yellow trim. Earlier tank bags were different colors. With that being said, the tank bag itself seems to be interchangeable from bike to bike, if you have the correct base with matching zippers. My dealer offered me a complete new K1100 set up plus a base for my K75. You do not want to know how much that was going to cost me.
 
Do you already have a base and/or bag?  If you can live with an aftermarket bag, you can get some very decent bags for the same amount (or less) as a used OEM bag.



 

[frankenduck]

It has to do with how the side(battery) covers mount.  On K75s and K100s (including the K100RS4V) the base plate can attach directly to the lips on the lower tank seams.  On K1s and K1100s there are additional brackets that mount to the tangs on the sides of the tank that the K1/K1100 base plate attaches to.

For example, my K75, which has a K100 tank and K1100 side covers, will need the brackets and a K1/K1100 base plate and tank bag due to the side covers.

Also note that the zippers can vary from year to year so not all base plates are compatible with all tank bags.

The gas tanks are the same for K100s and K1100s. (With the exception of 85 and earlier which is the same size and shape but mounts differently.)

Bottom line: If you need a tank bag for a K1100 then get a K1/K1100 base plate and tank bag.

[argent brick]

Every time I read your comments, I learn something new. Thanks, Frankenduck.

[sh00ter]

I bought a K1100RS bag, came with the little aformentioned "clips"  I can't exactly figure out where/how to mount those clips.  On the Frame there is a loop of metal on each side down and towards the rear of the tank, I'm guessing they bolt here - can someone show me a photo  of what a mounted k1100rs clip looks like?  thx.

[frankenduck]

I'm installing some on my K75(with K1100RS side covers) today.  I'll snap some pics and post them up later.

[frankenduck]

Here you go: (click on the pics)

I looked at how they were installed on my K1100RS and the backside uses the side panel mounts for a K1100LT.

What I chose to do on my K75 was to use some M6x12 bolts and lock nuts and with M6 fender washers on the backside.

[argent brick]

So Duck, Are you showing us a way to run an OEM tankbag for a 1100 on a K75?  This would be great news for many brickheads.

[frankenduck]

So Duck, Are you showing us a way to run an OEM tankbag for a 1100 on a K75?  This would be great news for many brickheads.

No. I'm showing you how to run a K1100 tank bag on a K75 that has a K100/1100 tank and K1100 side covers.

1 - A K75 tank doesn't have those tangs. (Except for the RT that uses a K100 tank.)

2 - If you have a K75RT or K100 then those tangs have a rubber grommet in them for the front mounting point of the side covers.

The only things K75 about that bike are the motor, frame and wiring harness.  That's why I call it a Frankenbrick.

[argent brick]

Nuts.

[frankenduck]

The previous owner of my K1100LT included a Bagster (http://www.bagster.com/fr/) tank bag with my K1100LT.  I used to prefer it because it has a nice big map window, good volume, built-in rain cover and unclips at the back to flip forward for easy fill-ups and knee pads to boot. (And no zippers to break/straps to stretch.)

When I got a GPS I went back to the OEM one because it's easier to stay organized with the two main comaprtments and I don't need a big map window anymore.

The newer ones are fancier and nicer than my old one.

[Michael in AZ]

Anyone use a Marcee bag with their Brick? I have a line on an excellent condition Marcee 12liter for $43. Seems like a decent next step for added storage space at a good price.

[argent brick]

Anyone use a Marcee bag with their Brick? I have a line on an excellent condition Marcee 12liter for $43. Seems like a decent next step for added storage space at a good price.

I have only heard of one person using a one on a K bike however, I have read reports about many boxer owners that use them. The bag has a super reputation.

At 43 dollars, you can't go wrong.