One of the bigger sacrifices to make when picking two-wheelers over four is the ability to carry your stuff with you. But with a few accessories thrown in, that sacrifice doesn’t need to be as severe as you think. One of the most convenient ways to carry small-to-medium amounts of stuff on a motorcycle is a magnetic tank bag. Perhaps its biggest limitation is that it can only be used on bikes with metal fuel tanks, but this Rynox Magnapod that I’ve been using also comes with straps that allow me to use it as a tail-bag.
I find it to be a great size (21 litres unexpanded, easily expandable to 28 litres) – large enough to be able to carry a good amount of stuff, but not so large that it fouls with the handlebars at full lock. The five magnets seem quite strong and hold the bag firmly in place, even when riding hard.
I like the convenience-aiding design, too. You get three quickly accessible external pockets (two on the sides and one on top) closed by zippers that are ideal for something like a wallet, an elastic net on the side facing you (great for quickly stashing your gloves), and a super-convenient transparent top pocket for your mobile phone, which even features a slot to allow you pass a charging cable through. Of course, because of this, the compartment isn’t waterproof. The bag as a whole can be made waterproof by sliding the included fitted rain cover onto it, though this does take some practice and effort, and is best done once the bag is already mounted onto the tank.
It’s constructed primarily from 1680D polyester fabric, but the base of the bag is made from rubberised PU foam fabric which Rynox says has anti-scratch properties to protect your tank. So far, I haven’t found the bag to cause damage to any bike it’s been used on, but make sure to clean the tank and bag thoroughly before mounting it.
Another big plus for me is how quickly and easily this bag can be converted into a backpack, meaning that it isn’t cumbersome once you’re off the bike. At Rs 3,575, the price-to-volume ratio can be argued against, but if you’re looking for a convenient way to take a load off your back for daily commutes and day trips, it’s hard to beat the Rynox Magnapod.
Where: www.rynoxgears.com
Price: Rs 3,575
