Tank bags?

I have a simple question for those who have tank bags. I've been wanting saddle bags, but with my third going to college this Fall, funds are extremely tight. So I am considering a tank bag. Can anyone who has a tank bag tell me if it would hold a pair of dress shoes? I bring a back pack just to carry my dress shoes for work and would love to ditch the back pack if possible. I figure a tank bag would be enough to get by.

Thanks.

 

I have a 7 liter Tour Master expanding tank bag that can hold an entire change of clothing, including shoes. There are tank bags that are large enough to hold a week's worth of clothing when expanded. I got mine used from an E-bay seller for $30.oo shipped and have been very satisfied with its utility around town, and on my multi-day trips.

 

Wow K-Moe, I didn't realize they held that much. I've been rather discouraged by the cost of used saddle bags. I'll have to start looking harder at tank bags. I really don't need much, but since I work in a shirt and tie environment, the shoes are a must. My combat boots just don't do it - grin.

 

I used to keep a pair of dress shoes at the office, but that was back when my desk had a working lock.

 

I thought of that, but I need the shoes on Sunday's for church service. I'm too old to start wearing sneakers to church. Plus, I like the idea of storing my waterproof gloves in a bag, if its big enough, and I'm too broke to get another pair of dress shoes until the 3rd child gets out of college, at which time the fourth will probably be heading that direction.

 

My search continues. I stopped by a couple places and looked at tank bags, sissy bar bags (I don't have a luggage rack so I don't know that this will be a good option), and saddle bags. I have found a couple threads about folks putting on saddle bags and having them touch the exhaust system. Is there a way of determining what fits well on the XJs? I've primarily looked at bags that either sit on the back seat or saddle bags that hang under the seat. Thanks again for any pointers.

Edit: Here is an example of some of the items I am looking at, although I am primarily looking at used.

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Motorcycle-Saddlebags/Dowco-Fastrax-Value-Series-Saddlebags/11281993.html

 

I use a sissy bar bag on my Maxim. Mostly a copy of what I said in another thread:

It slips on and off without me needing to strap anything down. I needed something big because I need to be able to carry a laptop for work, my personal one and school books. I got this one from Amazon. It also holds a full 30 pack of cans!

I looked at some saddle bags but, like you said, there isn't much room for them with the pipes coming up the way they do. I don't have a luggage rack, I just flip it around so that it rests on the seat. The pic is with it on the "right way", I flip it around because there is nothing for it to rest on otherwise, which wouldn't normally be an issue unless you are putting a lot of weight in there (which I frequently do). Also, with the bag on as pictured, it covers up the license plate, which might attract some unwanted attention. For what it's worth, I really like the bag and would absolutely recommend it. Being able to take it off whenever is a big plus (plus the bag actually has straps that you can attach to carry it like a backpack). I was concerned about how well it would stay on, but I was in an accident which knocked my bike over and the bag stayed on. It fared better than the crash test dummy in the seat!

 

Looks like a nice setup. I appreciate the detailed information. Unfortunately the bar on my bike is only a few inches high.

 

about 25$

 

17 bucks look like they will hold a pair of shoes
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Leath...ash=item3cdeee3b60:g:CmgAAOxyhXRTNwHE&vxp=mtr

 

Now those are in my price range...

 

I use a tail bag. Go to Ebay and type in MotoGear Motorcycle Tail Bag to see the one I have. I have mine on an XJ700N and it looks like it came with the bike. I carry a rain suit, gloves, hat, etc in mine and love it. Type in Motorcycle tail bag to see a large selection.

 

I'll take a look. I haven't found one that fits well on the small bar, but maybe I'm just missing it.

 

I have the XJ700 with the small oem "back rest" if you want to call it that. That's why I bought a tail bag. They attach to the bike without using the back rest. Mine has four straps, two go around the top of the rear shock bolt, and the back two attach to the side lift bar. The straps have snaps if you want to remove it to carry around. They come in different sizes so you should be able to find a size that will fit for you. By the way, MotoGear also shows some fairly small saddle bags that might work on these bikes.

 

I fabbed up a back rack for my motogear tail bag and use a joe rocket manta tank bag. The tail bag holds a motorcycle jacket and other junk. The tank bag may hold a pair of shoes if you have small feet.

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Acces...=UTF8&qid=1460041241&sr=8-4&keywords=tail+bag
http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Rocket-Ma...d=1460041275&sr=8-1&keywords=joe+rocket+manta