There always seems to be "stuff" that you need to protect or have close at hand while riding. This high quality bag works great, either on a skinny woods tank or on a monster long distance one. If you mount it as far forward as possible, it doesn't interfere with riding and sliding forward, though you are aware of its presence. I ride everywhere with this bag and HIGHLY recommend it. I have encouraged several other riders to get one and they have all been delighted.
Wolfman Enduro Tank Bag Review on 4Strokes.com
This pic shows my "Bear Country" setup. I often ride
the high ridges along the Idaho/Montana border, and there are LOTS of moose and
a few brown bears in the area. I fabricated a plate from 1/8 aluminum and
drilled it with 1 inch holes to lighten it to a few ounces weight. With the
plate inserted into the top map pocket, the tank bag flap is stiff enough to let
me bungee a small can of Counter Assault Bear Spray with miniature cords - one
cord goes around the rear into existing accessory loops, and two more go forward
to attach to the steering stops. Access is quick and easy - the spray bottle
slips out the back with a tug of the top velcro strap. The map pocket is NOT
usable for carrying papers in this mode.
I carry a small notebook and mini pen in the rear pocket for making notes about waypoints. I also clip the power cord for my heated vest to the small cross strap there.
Note how far forward the bag rides - to refuel you unclip the front strap and slide the bag to the rear a few inches, or you could even lay it back on the seat. With the bear spray there, you also have to unclip the two forward bungee cords.
I sometimes ride on private timberlands that require
you to carry a shovel. A cheap (heavy!) Chinese steel folder from Walmart fits
_perfectly_ in the bottom of the bag. Note the edge guard to protect the inside
of the bag - it is a piece of automotive fuel hose which I split down the middle
with a razor knife. I upgraded to a wonderful, light Glock Entrenching Tool and
it unfortunately will not fit - I have to store it in my hydropack.
When I am in the mountains I also carry my primary
bear repellant - a cut down Ruger Super Redhawk .480 (a clone of the Alaskan -
see Home Made Ruger Alaskan). It fits nicely
inside the tank bag, riding in a cheap nylon holster. I am a little unhappy with
the idea of carrying the gun here, in case I have to depart the bike in a hurry,
but I haven't come up with an acceptable method of carry that would not hurt me
or the gun in a bad fall.
The gun just fits on top of spare gloves and a cloth
for padding.
Pic of the bike at Idaho Point on the ID/ MT border
north of I-90, about 6500 ft elevation.
Mar 01, 2009
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