I've never liked soft luggage, but then i've always owned Sports Bikes over the last 15 years and soft luggage has a way off looking fairly "tatty" pretty darn fast. Same goes for tank bags, I have a tank bag for my 2001 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport (aka "Britney") and hated it! Havng a plastic gas tank meant that it strapped on, rubbed against the paintwork and was a pain every time i had to refuel.

  Well, this has all changed. I just got back from a 1000 mile roadtrip to Santa Monica and back to hang out with Demon Overlord Stoafo (aka "Kawasaki Riding Bastard") and his family, oh yeah and to do some work too. I knew that i'd need to put some luggage on "wee Billy" for the trip and didnt want to spend a bunch of cash because i've already ordered a set of Krauser aluminium luggage from Twisted Throttle. 

 Prior to the trip I called Honda/Suzuki of San Mateo on the off-chance that they could do a while you wait first service on "wee Billy" as i was already over the 600 mile point. Of course they could ! This dealership rocks! They're a bunch of more "mature" guys, just having fun running an "old skool" shop. I instantly felt at home and i will buy product from them in future. While they serviced my bike i decided to buy some soft luggage. First up the Cortec "Super 10 Liter" Tank Bag.

Ok I'm way impressed with this product. It mounts to the Vstrom's Gas tank magnetically. Easy on, easy off and doesn't move anywhere while underway. This eliminates my biggest gripe with tank bags about stoppping at the gas station. (even though with "wee billy" i only have to stop every 230 miles or so!) I also love the map pocket, although its a little on the small side, nae more stopping to pull my google-mapped location out of my pocket :)

The Zippers are also very sturdy, and i like the grab handle and the little pocket seperator that I use for my house keys and phone etc.

The first big thing that i've noticed with the tank bag is that now i carry a chain and padlock with me everywhere. They live in the tank bag, so i have nae excuses not to lock up "wee Billy" wherever i happen to be!

Here's one last shot of the Cortech Super 10 Litre tank bag in action, high up in the Santa Monica mountains on the hottest day of the year so far in Southern California.