Accesory bag.?

[L J VFR]

Wondering what different types of bag(s)  people are choosing to put in front of handle bars.  Special brand everyone likes?  I am talking about the bag that goes between the handlebars and the windshield.  Are you happy with it?  Does it block all your lights, gauges..?  On the trip I made to springfield, uncle had one but it was on a valkyrie and there was a lot of room between the bars and the gauges.  I got to looking at where one would fit on my bike, and his would completely cover all my lights, neutral, high beam, oil light.  And almost cover the mph, rpm gauges..  I have the bag that goes in front of the bike below my headlight, but it is kind of hard to reach while riding!     Thanks ..

[Charles S Otwell]

I haven't found anything that will work on a Magna without covering up the guages. I settled for a small tank bag on the tank and my large tank bag fits on my rear fender like a glove. I've even considered a tank bib with a removable bag, not the normal cigarette pouch.

[L J VFR]

Thanks charles, a tank bag may be the way to go.  Do they scratch the paint at all??

[TLRam1]

Mine doesn't, I have the bib with 2 pockets. You may actually be looking for a bag.

[Charles S Otwell]

Not that I've noticed, some of the guys may can give you more insite on that.

[hootmon]

I sometimes lead groups of 4 - 8 people, so I use a magnetic tank bag when I travel.. ( don't have e saddle bags) Wherever I go, it pops right off and I can take it with me and not worry about someone stealing stuff out of it, or messing with it. I keep a tire patch kit, band aids, cozys, a tow strap, sunblock, etc and I usually throw a couple bottles of cold water in it when I leave for a longer day of being out and about. It has a nice Map holder on top so I have some idea where the heck I'm supposed to be going.. At least sometimes  
When I get home, I just pop it onto the door of my fridge in the garage. It has a nylon strap so I can throw it over my shoulder when walking around.
It also has an expansion zipper, so when we go on multi day trips, I can pack it with even more.
Mine is rubber on the bottom, I've never had a scratch from it, and it holds on really tight.. I have had some rubber smudges, but they come right off...
Here are a couple of pictures..



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[L J VFR]

Thanks Hootman, for the info.  You wouln't happen to know what brand it is and where you bought it from would ya?  Thanks again

[Herman]

I have a Cortex mini tank bag.  Works perfect for me.  Holds a bottle of water, sunscreen, camera, wallet, and comes off easy to take with you.  Like the magnetic bag, but without the magnets 

[hootmon]

Mine is a Nelson-Rigg. BTW the Map also just snap/velcro's off, so when your lost, and you stop at a gas station (yes I ask for directions, sometimes) you don't have to take the paper out, or take your whole tank bag in..
I prefer the Magnet Bag as there are not straps to deal with, just pop it on, pop it off.. But if you use it a lot, the none Magnet bag is great.. Also with the Magnet Bag, When I fill up, I just slide it down toward me some, when I'm done, I just move it back up...
Mine was actually a Christmas present from a good friend... But bike shops, ebay, J&P, etc. have them
Mine is approx 13x9x5 and expands to 6.5 or 7.. it has pouches and compartments on the inside and a zipper compartment on the out side above the map and this the size of the whole back, good for paper towels, and other things you might need quick...

[MagnaDaddy]

Joe Rocket Manta Tank Bag. Plenty of room and it fits real nice on the tank in front of me.

[Sledge Hammer]

+1 on the tank bag. Mine is the Oxford Sports Lifetime bag. The magnetic base allows you to zip on any one of three different sections, so it can hold as little as a spare pair of gloves and a map or enough to give your host cause for panic when you wheel into his driveway for a visit. Oxford quality seems to be first-rate.

There are only a few slight caveats to the magnetic bags in my experience. To refill the tank, you have to remove the bag, and depending how big it is and how much you have in it, it might be next to impossible to keep it on the saddle during a fill-up. Which leads me to the next thing: you have to be careful where you set the bag down when it is off the bike or you might pick up all sorts of stray bits of ferrous material that can really do a number on the paint on your tank. Also, because of the angle the top surface of the tank makes with the rider, a really large bag is not in order. One as big as the Oxford with all three sections attached can be awfully cumbersome when riding with it.

[Magnum Magna]

I could not find a bags that I was happy with for me.  I picked up 3 fanny pack designed to hold a CD player.  I used the bolt that hold the shield to the frame.  It is not pretty but functionality is what I was going for. 

[L J VFR]

Thanks everyone for their help, I do appreciate it..  Now my next step is going out and buying one...

[drkngas]

If you have a Memphis Fats windshield, there is a 3 pocket carry-all that mounts to the windshield.  I carrry 2 pair of glasses in the middle, cell phone on the right and ear plugs and chapstick in the left and each pocket has room to spare.  Over time it has started to drop a little since it is mounted from the bottom but it's still not blocking the guages.  I think they make these for other windshields.

you can sort of see it in this pic.

[L J VFR]

David, that is exactly what I have been looking for.. Where did you get it from??    I have your identical windshield on my bike.