Motorcycle Tank Bags
Best Motorcycle Tank Bags for Easy-Reach Storage
6 picks compared
10 min read
ProductPickly is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks.
The short answerThe best motorcycle tank bag overall is the Rhinowalk Magnetic & Strap Tank Bag, which fits both steel and non-steel tanks and has a phone window on top. For touring the TUSK Olympus 8L is the pick, and the Nomad 4L is best when you only need to carry essentials.
?How we pickedWe compare published specifications, safety certifications and thousands of verified owner reviews, and we do not physically test every unit. Read the full process in our review methodology.
Rhinowalk Magnetic & Strap Tank Bag
★★★★★ 4.6 / 5 Best overall
A versatile tank bag that mounts by both magnets and straps, so it fits steel and non-steel tanks alike. That flexibility plus a phone window makes it the best all-round choice.
Mount Magnetic + strapPhone Clear top windowBuild Water-resistantBest for Most bikes
- Fits steel or plastic tanks
- Phone window on top
- Secure dual mounting
- Bulkier than small bags
- Check tank shape fit
Best for: A do-it-all tank bag
TUSK Olympus Tank Bag Large (8L)
★★★★★ 4.6 / 5 Best large capacity
An 8-litre tank bag with quality YKK zippers for riders who carry more on longer trips. The extra volume and durable build suit touring and adventure use.
Capacity 8 LZippers YKKMount StrapsBest for Touring
- Large capacity
- Durable YKK zips
- Rugged build
- Large on smaller bikes
- Premium price
Nomad 4L Heavy-Duty Tank Bag
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best compact
A compact 4-litre heavy-duty bag for riders who want essentials to hand without a big footprint. Small, tough, and out of the way.
Capacity 4 LBuild Heavy dutyMount StrapsBest for Essentials only
- Compact and tough
- Stays out of the way
- Good build quality
- Limited capacity
- No large-item room
Best for: Carrying essentials
Dracarys Oxford Tank Bag
★★★★★ 4.4 / 5 Best value
A rugged Oxford-fabric tank bag at a low price, covering the basics of secure, weather-resistant storage. The value pick for everyday riding.
Material Oxford fabricMount Straps/magnetBuild Water-resistantBest for Value buyers
- Affordable
- Tough Oxford fabric
- Weather-resistant
TUSK Olympus Small Tank Bag (4.5L)
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best small clear-top
A small 4.5-litre bag with a clear top for maps or a phone and YKK zippers. A neat, durable choice for navigation on shorter rides.
Capacity 4.5 LTop Clear windowZippers YKKBest for Navigation
- Clear top for maps/phone
- Durable zips
- Compact
- Small capacity
- Straps setup
Best for: Map and phone use
Rhinowalk Tank Bag Backpack
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best convertible
A tank bag that converts into a backpack so you can carry your gear off the bike. Practical for riders who want one bag for the ride and the destination.
Type Tank bag / backpackMount Strap/magnetExtra Carry handleBest for On-and-off use
- Converts to backpack
- Carry off the bike
- Versatile
- Compromise on both roles
- Medium capacity
Best for: One bag for everything
A motorcycle tank bag keeps your phone, wallet, and essentials within easy reach and often doubles as a map or navigation holder. The best one fits your tank type, suits your riding, and stays secure. Below, picks from compact commuters to large touring bags.
How tank bags mount
The mounting system is the first thing to check. Magnetic bags grip a steel tank and fit or remove in seconds, but they will not hold on plastic or aluminium tanks, which many modern bikes use. Strap-mounted bags work on any tank, and combined magnet-and-strap designs are the most universal. If you are unsure of your tank material, a bag offering both, like our top pick, guarantees a secure fit.
Sizing to your bike and rides
Capacity should match how you ride. A compact 4 to 4.5-litre bag carries a phone, wallet, and small essentials for commutes and day trips without getting in the way. A larger 8-litre bag suits touring and carrying more gear, but can crowd a small bike or block your view of the instruments. Consider both your storage needs and your motorcycle\u2019s size and riding position before choosing.
Navigation and weather
Many tank bags include a clear top window to hold a phone for navigation, which is one of their most useful features; look for a touch-sensitive window if you need to interact with maps. For weather, choose a bag that is waterproof or comes with a rain cover, and keep electronics in an inner dry pouch during downpours. A well-sealed map window protects the phone beneath it.
Protecting your bike and gear
Magnetic bags have soft bases to protect paint, but trapped grit can scratch, so keep both the tank and the bag base clean and lift rather than drag when repositioning. Whatever mount you use, secure the bag so it cannot shift, and check it does not interfere with steering or your knees. Sized and fitted well, a tank bag adds handy storage without compromising the ride.
Questions people ask
How do motorcycle tank bags attach?
Tank bags mount either with strong magnets that grip a steel tank, with straps that loop around the tank and frame, or with both. Magnetic bags fit and remove in seconds but need a steel tank, while strap or combined systems work on plastic and aluminium tanks too. Combined magnet-and-strap bags are the most universal.
Will a magnetic tank bag work on my bike?
Only if your fuel tank is steel. Many modern bikes use plastic or aluminium tanks, where magnets will not hold, so those riders need a strap-mounted or combined bag. If you are unsure, a bag that offers both magnets and straps, like our top pick, is the safe choice for guaranteed fit.
Do magnetic tank bags scratch the paint?
Quality bags have a soft, protective base to guard the tank, but grit trapped underneath can scratch over time. Keep the tank and the bag base clean, place the bag gently rather than dragging it, and lift it off to reposition. With care, a good magnetic bag protects the paint rather than harming it.
What size tank bag do I need?
Match capacity to your riding. A compact 4 to 4.5-litre bag holds a phone, wallet, and small essentials for commutes and day rides, while a larger 8-litre bag suits touring and carrying more gear. Bigger bags can obstruct the view of instruments or feel bulky on small bikes, so size to both your needs and your motorcycle.
Are tank bags waterproof?
Many are water-resistant and some include a rain cover, but check the specific bag. For all-weather riding, choose one that is fully waterproof or ships with a cover, and keep electronics in an inner dry pouch during heavy rain. A clear-top map window should also seal well to protect the phone underneath.
Can I see my phone or GPS in a tank bag?
Yes, many tank bags have a clear top window designed to hold a phone for navigation while riding, keeping it visible and protected. Make sure the window is touch-sensitive if you need to interact with it, and that the bag sits where you can glance at it safely without taking your eyes off the road for long.
Will a tank bag interfere with riding?
A properly sized and mounted bag should not, but an oversized bag can block your view of the instruments or crowd your body in an aggressive riding position. Choose a size suited to your bike and riding style, mount it securely so it cannot shift, and check it does not interfere with steering lock or your knees.
Tank bag or tail bag: which should I get?
They suit different needs and many riders use both. A tank bag keeps essentials and navigation within easy reach at the front, while a tail bag carries larger loads behind you. For quick-access items and phone navigation, choose a tank bag; for bulkier gear on longer trips, add a tail bag.
The bottom lineSo which one?
Buy the Rhinowalk Magnetic & Strap bag for guaranteed fit and everyday use. Choose the TUSK Olympus 8L for touring, the Nomad 4L for essentials, or the Rhinowalk convertible if you want to carry the bag off the bike.
