Sargent Cycle Superbag Tankbag

By Stephen Wendelboe

A: The bag itself is a nice mid-size bag that allows a moderate bit of expansion via zipout extensions of the bag sides. Some compression of the bag is possible using the elastic bungy thingy on the top of the bag. Construction quality is very good. It's made from a leatherlike material that should be water resistant, but the seams would be a problem. A rain cover is provided.

The "launch bag", the one that can move between the panel and the main bag, is almost useless on the Superbag. The way it sits on the flap of the Superbag allows it to dump most of the stuff in it when you open it unless you remove it first. In the second location at the rear of the Superbag, the mounting system ( three dome fasteners) is not secure enough for my liking. On the tank panel itself though, the launch bag works very well. The two side bags use a bullet proof mounting system and one of them can be used at the rear of the Superbag if you like. The main bag has an outside pocket on the top that will hold a map or two or the raincover if you can get it folded flat, as well as the above mentioned "bungy thingy" that can be used to secure gloves etc to the top of the bag. The Bag has hidden straps that allow it to be used as a back pack when off the bike, and zips off the pad quickly.

The Superbag ships with two map pockets. Both of these use a "zip-lock" type closure that should be totally water proof. The larger of the two is a usable size (8.5" X 10"),reversible, and will attach to the Superbag, the tank panel, the rain cover, or the Superbag mounting pad vertically with four dome fasteners. The large pocket has a tendency to kite badly in a cross wind. The small one (8.5" X 5.5") mounts on the bag only in a horizontal orientation. It can be folded under the flap of the Superbag when not in use. Both map pockets are made of a very flexible super clear material. The Superbag comes with a Mini Maglite clone that clips under the flap. The "clock and compass" that is mentioned on their web site makes a very nice zipper pull, and that's what they use it for.

A: I like the look of the panel. The panel with the launch bag gives you another two storage locations (the panel has a mesh pocket at the rear). It does not protect the sides of the shelter but does cover the top from the steering head to the seat. The fuel filler door access is a snap (pun intended)

Not so far (~500 km.) The base of the panel uses a soft felt material that should be kind to paint. The Superbag pad uses a waffled (SP?) foam that may not be as kind. I think I saw a mention of some marking by another lister. I always use the bag over the tank panel so it doesn't affect me.

The system used to mount the Superbag to the Tank Panel flat out sucks. Sargent uses a SINGLE dome fastener at the bottom of the panel, just above the seat, to anchor a thin web "Y" strap. The two ends at the top of the Y are then clipped to the bag base. The front of the base uses two thin web straps that connect to two corresponding DOME FASTENERS on the panel. When everything is installed you have a very expensive bag anchored to the bike with DOME FASTENERS???? What's worse is the fact that the resulting three point system is so unstable I would not trust it with an empty bag. Lateral movement can be measured in inches. I began trying to tighten everything up and almost broke the Tank Panel clips off. I have modified my system by running webbing straps to the wire loops on the steering head, and looping the Y strap under the seat hook. This at least allowed me to tighten the system up so that it was useable. It also allows the bag to be positioned more to the rear for bar clearance. I'm going to continue to experiment with mounting as the hassle (and cost) of returning the system from Canada isn't an option. I think that the mounting system I have in place for my CH bag (as per the Warchild Pages of course) will work.

A: Your call. I have only the Chase Harper 1150 to compare to. The CH is a better bag in many respects but the reason I got the Sargent was versatility. The CH is great for two up long haul but I find it a pain to get into for small stuff. I like the Superbag for it's good points but hate the mounting system (to the tank panel). The universal mounting system may be better, but then you loose the panel. For the price of the Sargent it should be perfect, absolutely F***ing perfect, and in my opinion it's not.

Stephen Wendelboe
Sundre AB GWN
swendel@ccinet.ab.ca
STOC #1009