Dowco Fastrax 50143-00 Backroads Series: Water Resistant Reflective Motorcycle Tank Bag, Black, 27 Liter Capacity

I'll base my review on the following things I was looking for in a bag:1) attachment scheme2) rigidity (a flimsy bag is annoying for anyone who has had one)3) Space, pockets, pocket interconnects4) Ability to rest head on bag (my neck sometimes hurts during longer trips, need to be able to rest easily)So,1) The quick attachment scheme consists of a forward facing single large disc magnet, and the two side wing flaps each contain (2) large disc magnets. The (slow attachment) has has two D-rings used for attaching a nylon strap in the rear, and a single nylon clip in strap for the front. The D-ring also doubles as a spot to attach the removable single shoulder strap.The magnets are more than adequate, however other bags have forward and rear facing magnets. I actually use this bag facing opposite the intended direction to rest my head on it, and thus, i'd prefer that it had a rear facing magnet (front facing in my case). Some people do prefer the straps, however, the front has straps + magnet, the rear only has straps. Don't let this deter you even if you are planning to use this backwards like I do, it's still confidence inspiring in either direction with just the magnets. The magnet flaps are a nice rubbery grippy material and seem pretty good so far. My last bag used a lesser fabric combination which the magnet eventually started to chew through, losing it's ability to prevent damage to the tank rapidly.2) This thing is a tank, it's fully form keeping and will protect anything soft or squishable. The expandable pocket, naturally, is not rigid, however, even the top and bottom panels are rigid unlike many other bags, and thus, you can have full confidence carrying around a slice of cake in it without fear of damage. The stiff bottom also protects hard objects or tools from scratching or denting the tank. Looks and feels solid, does not change shape.3) This question is relevant on how much stuff you need to have on you. If you are looking for the "largest possible bag", this is not it, but you should know that based on the liter rating. If you are looking for an every-day commuter bag that holds a ton, this is it. This thing will hold the following all at once: A pair of sneakers, a sweatshirt, a t-shirt, phone, flashlight, knife, maps, wallet, keys, And that's just "easily", it can definitely be packed tighter.It has 3 internal mesh pockets, in the main compartment, a very large "bladder" area with 2 zippers, easily accessible, on the inside of the lid, along with a small flashlight/knife pocket. The outside of the lid has a bungee flap with a clear pocket inside of it. The clear pocket is kind of odd shaped, but will fit a variety of phone/gps devices, bad for maps though. Which is why it comes with an enormous full page map pocket add-on which is attached via velcro. There's another mesh pocket in the map flap, an external pocket in the rear to hold the rain cover, and a pocket on the back to hold the shoulder strap. Seriously, there's tons of pockets.The pocket to pocket interconnect is pretty darn good, the bladder pocket on the inside has a very large "port" to the outside, which is meant for a water tube, but can also allow a micro/mini usb plug to pass through it, which is what i use it for. The outside map pocket port is smaller, and will not accommodate a usb plug, but that's a minor detail and the usb cable can simply go through the zipper portion of the pocket. The map pocket has two ports.4) Works pretty well, it's tall enough on my Ninja to allow me to rest my head. Works better when facing backwards, with the expandable pocket opened up and something soft put into the outside pocket.Conclusion: If you've got $110 or so, you can't be disappointed with this bag. It's every bit as big as described, and it "feels" big because it is boxy and stiff, allowing lots of things to fit inside easily. It has a powerful attachment scheme and inspires confidence. The expandable pockets function easily and with a high quality feel to them. The removable color scheme inserts is pretty cheesy, i'd rather have these be sealed up pockets, even though they wouldn't be able to hold anything thicker than a credit card. I've had a less expensive bag before this one, and it was not a good compromise. Don't skimp on a bag unless you are prepared to be underwhelmed, or don't have many requirements for one.

This is the first tank bank I've bought, for my first motorcycle. So I don't have a frame of reference for tank bags or any preconceived notions.Once I received it, I can see that the magnet mounts would be perfectly adequate to retain the bag on the steel tank. However, I am using the straps because of preference.So far, the longest trip I've used this bag was about 450 miles roundtrip. I did get the hydration bladder, which might just be impossible to use while riding (at least with a full-face helmet). It was handy to have water right there that I could fairly easily consume at a stoplight.In the bag, I was able to fit the clear visor for my helmet in case I ended up being out after sunset and needed to swap with the tinted one I wore. I also had an MP3 player, phone, gum, beef jerky, my point and shoot camera, house keys, and a few other odds and ends. It is adequately roomy.The map holder was nice, the only complaint is that I had to fold the maps a little funny because the map holder (the one that uses Velcro to attach, not the built in clear pocket in the lid) is shaped like the bag's footprint. It doesn't fit an 8.5x11 sheet from a printer very well. But with a couple of folds, it worked OK. That's probably my only complaint. I did note that if I took off my gloves, the clear plastic allowed me to use my touch-screen phone without removing it from the lid compartment.It's expandable, which was nice, but I didn't need the extra room this time. I can see using it in the future to stash a few more items on a longer ride.The replaceable colored panels are a nice touch I suppose, but all black would have been fine. In case you are wondering, I attached this to a 2009 V-Strom. It fits pretty decent. No complaints, the straps also allow me to quickly move it to refuel. I'm happy with the purchase.

UPDATE on 21 April 2014:... I invested a few phone calls and emails and DOWCO sent me replacement bags to cover for the nearly immediate stitching failure on the 2 bags I'd purchased from them. I had to stay diligent in chasing this down, the individuals I dealt with were very courteous and professional... it only took a few iterations of communications and photos. I only hope that the replacements don't also have stitching failures... it may take me a year or two to find out since I so rarely get the opportunity to take adventure trips on my bikes. As far as design features and quality of the conceptual design.. these elite bags are VERY nice... about the perfect size for ultracompact long distance travel... e.g., 2 or 3 light changes of clothing. Just looks like there are quality control production issues at the plant.MY ORIGINAL POST from the first week of March 2014.... The little velcro tag that holds the map cover down failed within the 2nd day of use from a brand new mail order install. It REALLY sucked having to do a 10 day remote adventure ride with my map cover blowing all over the place.... almost dangerously distracting..... Even when 2 of the velcro tages were both present.. the little velcro tags that hold the map window down were barely sufficient to hold it in place... .. absolutely incapable when the 2nd one just failed and fell off after the 2nd day.

I haven't had the bag long and one of the magnets are starting to fade, it's kinda dangerous when u think about it. It's got more than enough space for an average short ride. I keep a tire repair kit, air pump, cell phone, hoodie and more in it when I travel but while Im riding it starts to slide off to the side. It's a compact tire kit and the air pump kit is also compact so weight isnt am issue. The magnet is def not as strong as it should be. I'm giving it a two out of five because of the potential hazard it could cause other than that it's the perfect size, it expands and u can fuel up easy with it.