What I know for sure is that I don’t need anything big. I’ve got a 35 litre Kriega R35 ruck sack (excellent bit of kit) for my main on bike storage. I know that I am limited on what will fit my bike because I have a plastic tank so all of the magnetic bags are obviously out of the window. I also know that I don’t want a soft bag because I will sometimes only carry a warm set of gloves, phone, wallet, ear plugs and disc lock. That means that half the time the tank bag will be half empty so I’m specifically looking for a bag that’s semi rigid so that it wont flap around when out on the open road.

I’ve set my budget to the slightly higher end bag and will pay for a product that’s right for the job. Buell make a branded soft tank bag that will fit my CityX like a glove but from my research I don’t believe its a particularly good product. Its good but there’s better available. Givi do the 440N which is technically a soft bag but due to its shape and size could be classed as semi rigid. The problem is that it looks a bit too funky for me. We’re all different but for me it’s not what I’m looking for just now. Its a good bag that’s magnetic BUT can be converted to fit the newly released TFS – tank fitting system. This converts a number of their bags into a quick release style bag for plastic tanks.

Another brand that I don’t believe is flashed around in the UK that often is Rex Marsee. RM as they will be known as for the rest of this article have been in business since 1969. They were the first company to come up with the magnetic tank bag back in 1976 although their product did not make it into production until 1979. With this kind of history I believe that they must know their stuff and therefore have put a bit of intelligence into their designs. One product that I am interested in is their 6 Liter Ciao Borsa semi rigid bag. Its obviously small and has a nice clear plastic map holder in the top. The bag zips on to a quick release base that straps around your tank. It is also available with a clever release system for bikes that have a more traditional fuel tank than my Buell. The other bag of interest in their range is the 10 Liter bag. This bag has a unique hard clear plastic lid on the top of it. A great place to store a GPS or map. It can also be powered from the bike by means of a quick release wire loom that’s wired in to the battery of the bike.

I’m currently in talks with Mission Motos to obtain an RM bag for use and review. Watch this space…