Fans of the motorcycle tank bag and fans of the saddle bag have been in heated arguments over the years about which style of bag is safer.
You can hear many arguments supporting either side and it is unclear if there is really any substance behind either one of the sides.
The main argument focuses around the fact that the tank bags are mounted rather high on the motorcycle whereas the saddle bag sits much lower.
The thought being that by adding weight high up and the center of gravity is changed, therefore the bike becomes unbalanced.
While there is no argument about the fact that the tank bag is mounted higher on the bike, proponents claim that it is virtually impossible to put enough ballast in the bag to actually have a negative impact on the stability of the bike.
You would need to pack lead balls and gold coins so the argument goes.
And while it is certainly possible that some riders use their bags to carry lead and gold around, the vast majority are using the tank top bag as a means to keep treasured things close to them; mostly packing personal items like a camera or glasses.
The flip side of the argument however is that because the saddle bag sits low on the rear axle and therefore is adding a lot of additional weight at the lower end of the bike.
By doing so it lowers the center of gravity and at the same time moves it to the back and the overall effect is that the bike becomes more stable.
Of course there are also scientific approaches to this argument.
The so called "load triangle" is the argument used most.
The idea is that as long as you keep the vast majority of the weight in the imaginary triangle that is formed between the front axle, the back axle, and the top of the riders helmet the balance of your bike is maintained.
As the tank bag is well within this triangle whereas the saddle bag is well outside this triangle the preferred choice should be the bag on top of the tank.
In my opinion it really is your decision.
The facts can be twisted and turned in every direction and there are good arguments for both sides.
It all comes down to a matter of personal style and preference if you want to choose a motorcycle tank bag or you go for a saddle mounted one.
Decide based on what makes you comfortable rather than what your fellow bikers think.
It is your ride, enjoy it the way you want!
You can hear many arguments supporting either side and it is unclear if there is really any substance behind either one of the sides.
The main argument focuses around the fact that the tank bags are mounted rather high on the motorcycle whereas the saddle bag sits much lower.
The thought being that by adding weight high up and the center of gravity is changed, therefore the bike becomes unbalanced.
While there is no argument about the fact that the tank bag is mounted higher on the bike, proponents claim that it is virtually impossible to put enough ballast in the bag to actually have a negative impact on the stability of the bike.
You would need to pack lead balls and gold coins so the argument goes.
And while it is certainly possible that some riders use their bags to carry lead and gold around, the vast majority are using the tank top bag as a means to keep treasured things close to them; mostly packing personal items like a camera or glasses.
The flip side of the argument however is that because the saddle bag sits low on the rear axle and therefore is adding a lot of additional weight at the lower end of the bike.
By doing so it lowers the center of gravity and at the same time moves it to the back and the overall effect is that the bike becomes more stable.
Of course there are also scientific approaches to this argument.
The so called "load triangle" is the argument used most.
The idea is that as long as you keep the vast majority of the weight in the imaginary triangle that is formed between the front axle, the back axle, and the top of the riders helmet the balance of your bike is maintained.
As the tank bag is well within this triangle whereas the saddle bag is well outside this triangle the preferred choice should be the bag on top of the tank.
In my opinion it really is your decision.
The facts can be twisted and turned in every direction and there are good arguments for both sides.
It all comes down to a matter of personal style and preference if you want to choose a motorcycle tank bag or you go for a saddle mounted one.
Decide based on what makes you comfortable rather than what your fellow bikers think.
It is your ride, enjoy it the way you want!
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