A motorcycle tank bag solves a problem no other piece of luggage does well: keeping your phone, wallet, and passport within arm’s reach without having to pull over and dig through a saddlebag. It sits right in your line of sight, doubles as a wrist rest on sportbikes, and can usually be unclipped and carried with you the moment you park. Here are five that cover every attachment style and budget.
1. Nelson-Rigg Hurricane Adventure Tank Bag — Top Pick
Nelson-Rigg has built waterproof motorcycle luggage since 1972, and the Hurricane Adventure Tank Bag is the strap-mount option to buy if you want something that works regardless of your tank material. It’s made from 100% waterproof PVC tarpaulin with electronically heat-welded seams — not just water-resistant, genuinely waterproof — with a quick-release strap system that makes refueling painless and a touchscreen-friendly map pocket on top. Because it mounts with straps rather than magnets, it works on plastic-tank adventure bikes as easily as steel-tank cruisers.
2. Chase Harper USA 450M Magnetic Tank Bag — Best for Sportbikes & Commuters
Chase Harper has been making tank bags in the USA for decades, and the 450M is their most popular model for good reason. Strong neodymium magnets hold it firmly to a steel tank even at highway speed, while a rubberized anti-scratch bottom protects your paint. It converts to a backpack via an included shoulder strap, and the detachable touchscreen map pouch works with gloves on. If you ride a sportbike or commute daily and want something that goes on and off in seconds, this is the one.
3. Rhinowalk Magnetic Quick Release Tank Bag — Best Anti-Theft Feature
Most magnetic tank bags rely on the magnets alone to keep people from walking off with your gear while you’re inside a gas station. The Rhinowalk adds a genuine pin-tumbler lock on top of its magnetic quick-release system, so the bag actually locks to your tank rather than just sticking to it. It expands from 5 to 6.5 liters, includes a rain cover, and the mounting position adjusts forward or backward by nearly two inches without needing to remove the bag — useful if it’s ever blocking handlebar movement.
4. TUSK Olympus Tank Bag Large — Best for Touring & ADV Capacity
Built specifically for adventure and touring riders who need more than a phone-and-wallet bag, the Olympus Large holds 8 liters and includes heavy-duty YKK zippers, a charging cable port routed to the top phone pocket, and a removable inner divider to keep gear organized. It mounts with quick-release buckles rather than magnets, which matters on the aluminum and plastic tanks common on ADV bikes. A rain cover is included and stores inside the bag when not needed.
5. KEMIMOTO PU Leather Magnetic Tank Bag — Best Value
At 7 liters with 8 magnets for a firm hold on steel tanks, this is the budget pick for riders who want real storage capacity rather than just a phone pouch. It includes a waterproof zipper and a large clear window sized for bigger phones or a paper map. It’s built specifically for iron fuel tanks — skip it if your bike has an aluminum or plastic tank, since the magnets need real steel to grip.
How to Choose a Tank Bag
- What’s your tank made of? Magnetic bags only work on steel. Plastic, aluminum, and carbon fiber tanks need a strap-mount or quick-release buckle system instead.
- How much do you actually need to carry? A phone-and-wallet commute calls for something compact like the Chase Harper 450M. Multi-day touring justifies the extra capacity of the TUSK Olympus.
- Do you park somewhere you don’t fully trust? If you’re leaving the bike in public lots regularly, the Rhinowalk’s built-in lock is worth the upgrade over magnets alone.
- Is it genuinely waterproof, or just water-resistant? Heat-welded seams (like the Nelson-Rigg) actually keep water out. Most “water-resistant” bags eventually leak in sustained rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a magnetic tank bag scratch my paint?
It can, if dirt or grit gets trapped between the magnet and the tank. Most quality bags include a rubberized or felt-lined base specifically to prevent this, but it’s worth checking under the bag periodically, especially after off-road riding.
Can I use a magnetic tank bag on a plastic-tank motorcycle?
No — magnets need a ferrous steel surface to grip. If your bike has a plastic tank cover (common on many modern ADV and naked bikes), you need a strap-mount or tank-ring system instead, like the Nelson-Rigg or TUSK options above.
Do I need to remove the bag every time I get gas?
Depends on the mounting system. Quick-release strap systems and magnetic bags without a base plate typically need to come off to access the fuel cap. Tank-ring systems and some quick-release designs let you unclip just the bag while the mounting hardware stays in place.
How much can a tank bag actually hold?
Compact commuter bags run 4-7 liters — enough for a phone, wallet, and light layer. Touring-focused bags like the TUSK Olympus expand to 8+ liters, enough for a camera, snacks, and basic tools alongside your everyday essentials.
Final Thoughts
For most riders, the right starting point is matching the mounting system to your tank material first, then picking capacity based on how you actually ride. Commuters and sportbike riders do well with a compact magnetic bag like the Chase Harper 450M; touring and ADV riders need the strap-mount capacity of the Nelson-Rigg or TUSK Olympus. Either way, a tank bag remains one of the simplest upgrades that makes every ride a little easier.
Already carrying tools for the road? Check our guide to motorcycle roadside tool kits to make sure you’re covered if something goes wrong along the way.