SW MOTECH EVO 5-9 Liter Tank Bag, Adding Power

[@adventurehobbies1272]

craig I would like to thank you for getting me into adventure/enduro riding. It was because of you along with Ryan Fort Nine and Florida Outdoor Adventure that I purchased a Honda nc700x (manual in red). I originally wanted a 2014 vstrom , super tenere or africa twin but the nc is all I could afford. It turns out that the nc is a great all-rounder. Cant afford go-pros for motovlogs at the moment but will try to save up. You continue to inspire me. Thank you.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

That is awesome, thank you! Ride safe!

[@jeremywarren7800]

I have the NC700x and absolutely love it. I commute about 30 miles one way everyday and wouldn't think of riding anything else.

[@adventurehobbies1272]

What more can u ask for. I was a bit skeptical about the rpm range, hp and ft-lb but slow it is not. Pulls like a train. Plenty of storage. Fuel efficient. lighter than most. Good looking and CHEAP!! I have seen the light. Im with you it is a great great bike. I will probably buy an Africa twin but I will never ever trade the nc in.

[@fakeappellation7343]

I like how detailed your videos are and how you study these products.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you!

[@zr9115]

Love my SW-Motech tank bag. Stayed put even when I looped my last bike. I like how it floats on the gas ring mount, but I still put masking tape in areas I thought that it would rub on bumps. One of the best mods I did to my bike for touring. Thanks for the review!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks!

[@TouringAmericausa]

Craig, Thanks for the shout-out. Love your install, nice and clean. Makes it so much easier to not have the big rats nest of cables in the way all the time. Heading out on the 1st trip of the season the first week of May if you are looking to get a test trip to Arkansas...

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you for the great idea. I would love to head down, but unfortunately we have to limit our time off before we go to AK. Work sucks...lol...except when you want to pay the bills.

[@vdsgw52]

Great video Craig. Love my MT Evo bag. To those who have not put one togeather yet a warning. You have to drill the bottom of the bag to mount the attach bracket. Be careful your drill bit does not snag the inside linning and tear it. And don't use blue loctight on the bag bolts. Only on the tank ring. I messed up both.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Yes, that is a good point. I did not cover the ring install as I had already don that. What I did was to cut a piece of 3/4 inch plywood that fits inside the bag. I then cut some scrap 2x4s to make a base that I could use to hold the plywood in place as I drilled the holes from the bottom (that is where you have to mark them). You want to make sure you have something applying pressure to the fabric as you are drilling. On the bottom, you can use the quick-release mechanism, pressing it down as you drill.

[@gaylewolf8843]

Yes you were way smarter than me.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Ha...I doubt that, I have just screwed up several times in the past.

[@motorcyclesteve883]

Love the videos. A buddy and I are riding to Alaska about a month before you are. Leaving June 10 from the Oklahoma City area. I also am taking the Yamaha Super T. Your videos have been helpful!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you sir, glad you are finding my videos helpful. Keep any eye out, we may cross paths. Have a great time, ride safe!

[@Techridr]

Great stuff Craig. I wanted to point out that if someone does their own electrifying of a tank bag, to make sure the USB bank or adaptor used is rated to at least 2.4 (*edit* actually meant 2.1) amps each socket. Many cheaper ones will not supply enough energy to run a GPS or some other devices. Same thing goes for the USB power adaptors (cigarette adaptors) people buy for their cars. Cheap ones will not sufficiently power even a phone in some cases. Thanks for sharing your info. BTW, I'm a very long time rider (40 years on the roads) and alternate each year with my buddies between a domestic riding trip, and traveling abroad and renting. 2015 was South of France, 2016 was California (I'm in Hollywood Cal), Nevada, Utah, Colorado. Next September will be 2 weeks in Spain. My next machine is likely a Super Ten ES. I'll keep you posted and will keep watching as well. Cheers!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

The Battery Tender chargers are rated at 2.1 amps, which to my understanding should be sufficient to provide a quick charge. I will let you know if I have any issues. Your travel plans sound great. Getting over to Europe is on my bucket list. Thanks for input!

[@Techridr]

2.1 is correct. I mis-"spoke" :). I've done Europe several times. I'd be happy to chat with you about logistics. Take care. (will edit above)

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you. After we get back from Alaska, we will start thinking about the next one.

[@GettinAuld]

I love these videos so much! You really cover a lot of topics and I've learned a lot in the short time I've been subscribed. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and always with us. I do have to admit it drives me crazy that you still have the safety sticker on your gas tank, but to each their own! :-) thanks again for all the great content and a great channel.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you. I greatly appreciate the kind words and I am glad you find my videos useful. Lol...I actually got around to removing the sticker after I made this video.

[@GettinAuld]

Haha nice! Thanks again.

[@richardmourdock2719]

Craig, I hadn't seen one of these bags. Very handy and I expect they probably even have a ring for my GoldWing. Just a thought for the Alaska adventure... that bag would also be a great place to keep some bug repellent and maybe even the "over the head" mosquito net that you might need quickly(!) a few times, depending where you stop. having it that handy would be nice as opposed to dragging it out of the back of a saddlebag. Keep hoping we get through this "sprinter" into either real spring or let's just go to summer.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Hey Richard, the tank bag is very handy, and your suggestions for having bug spray and netting are good ones. I have a feeling I will end up with more stuff in there than I originally thought. I do also have bags in the lids of my panniers that allows me to get things quickly without having to search through the larger bags. Yes, this "sprinter" is getting to be a real downer. My ride captain is already taking about cancelling our club rides for next weekend. The weather will eventually get better...

[@sergioandre8759]

Without doubts that the spring is strange, three weeks ago the temperature passed 26 degrees (celcius) this week is not up to 15! Going back to the point, last week I learned the hard way that the tank bag is the most stolen in a motorcycle! While I went to pay the fuel, someone stole mine, inside i had the electronic stuff, a very good camera and expensive, I do not even know how I did not left my wallet with all the documents! The tank bag is the easiest to get stolen and is the one stolen most. I'm liking yours, maybe I'll buy an equal. BUT no more expensive stuff in!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I agree, you defiantly cannot walk away and leave it unattended. Sorry yours got stolen. I plan taking it with me if we all have to go inside at the same time.

[@sergioandre8759]

When I told to some friends, they laughed a lot (they must still be laughing !!!), because I never left on the bike! Either I took it with me, or left it locked in the top case. And I was always tellling to friends not to leave in the motorcycle, I did not abandon the bag for more than TWO minutes! my poor fortune could serve as an example to ALL motorcyclists. It will never happen again! In the police, they told me that it was chronic (stealing tank bag) is often in traffic lights, because it is there that this expensive material is stored, and is not closed, in the insurance company were complicating, but, they saw the video images Of the service station and will reimburse, sharing the most news is to prevent others from going through the disgust of being robbed. Cheers.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

That sucks. We have all had things stolen and know how violating it feels. That is why I went with hard-cases that are lockable. All of my really expensive things go in there. Since I carry cameras etc. I end up having to go through the process of packing it all away every time we go into a restaurant etc. Unfortunately, it is just part of life. While most people are good folks, there are always a few ass-holes out there.

[@sergioandre8759]

We live in a crazy world, I think that being polite and respectful makes us fossils, but I do not change because a parasite of society appeared to me!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I agree. We can focus on the bad stuff or the good stuff. The good stuff is more fun!

[@motosteve6127]

Hi Craig, thanks for another great video. Another source for SAE type connectors is Advantage Auto and likely other auto part stores. Look in the trailer parts area. A short cable with two connectors is $2.99. Might be handy for repairs while your traveling.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks for the tip!

[@garytedrow245]

Craig,I just found your channel and I am greatly enjoying it. Keep up the great vids and info.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks for watching. Glad you are fin ding the videos useful.

[@tmark1301cc]

Nice setup Craig. Myself, I have just decided to carry an external battery in my tank bag to charge my phone. It is small enough and can keep the phone powered for more time than I can spend on the bike in any given day.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks! Your setup works too. I have a battery that I will use in camp if I need it.

[@tmark1301cc]

Sorry, does the Tenere have a power port available as well for charging stuff.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

It has a single cigarette lighter port near the dashboard. I thought about using that, but I think is is cleaner and gives me 4 ports. I am thinking about how I might use the built in port for camera batteries.

[@tmark1301cc]

My 1290 SA has the same. I purchased a dual USB adapter that can plug into the cigarette lighter, and a cable can actually be run from that right into the tank bag as well.

[@vdsgw52]

I also added a map MT map bag to the top of the EVO bag . Works great you can see a paper map and its protected.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Good suggestion!

[@huyked]

Sorry to hear about the weather. Man, I am spoiled in San Diego, California. Do you think you'd like that, or does having time off of riding make you appreciate what you have more? By the way, I rode to Anza-Borrego with my neighbor (only 75 miles each way), but it was a blast! I went again three days later because the ride is beautiful, as well as the super bloom of flowers. That ride through the curvy mountains *_really_* boosted my confidence in riding. I even kept up with a car in front of me that was trying to lose me (he told me when he stopped, and I stopped, just to say, "That was fun!"). Haha.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I have gotten used to the seasons, but some years are longer than others. This year just keeps dragging on... I live in CA for a number of years and used to ride my bicycle all over the place. Being able to head to the beach in Jan and Feb was great! I would have no problem doing that again. Don't miss all the people and traffic though. The ride sounds great! Thanks!

[@huyked]

:) Thank you for the answers; very interesting, indeed!

[@clemgriffis3446]

Craig, Really appreciate the videos on outfitting your Yamaha. You have done a number of interesting upgrades now from crash bar protection to storage boxes to electrical upgrades and I am guessing it has put a large dent in your pocket. All of the add ons I would consider reasonably necessary components for the long trip you are planning. Would you be open to share what your out-of-pocket has been since your "drive-it-off-from-the-dealer" price? Again, love the channel and have been motivated to expand my own for a similar love for motorcycle touring in India/China/USA.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Sure, I don't have a problem with doing that. I guess I should do a video covering everything, but for now...the bike was about 16000 out the door plus another 5000 or so for add-ons. That does not count things I broke and had to replace. So I have spent around 21000 for the bike as it is outfitted today. Of course you could add camping gear etc...and the price would go up. To put this in perspective, my buddies Ducati was more than 25k before any add ons. Thanks for watching, I look forward to seeing what you do with your channel.

[@GTsGarage]

Nicely demonstrated, will be doing something very similar on the new bike..

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you sir!

[@RasmusBlogger]

Great video. I think they are a bit cheaper in Europe. Just bought the sport evo bag paid about 230 euro, which is a lot for me to spend on A BAG. However I got so tired of the cheap Chinese bags I had where the straps would break, they would scratch your tank etc. My advice to others, please don’t do like me! Don’t start out trying to save money on your tankbag, it is such a pain in the ass if your bag is sliding around and breaking etc. In the end the cheap bags are such a waste of money... put them aside and save up for an SW-Motech instead 😊

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks for sharing, I agree, you are very rarely disappointed when you buy quality products.

[@islanddreaming8591]

Craig .., is there a hole at the end of that bag to rum the power cable through , or did you have to doctor one into bag yourself ?

[@islanddreaming8591]

Craig , nice tips .., What fuse rating (volts) did you apply for the SAE 4 way splitter inside of the PDM60 ?

[@marvdw1]

Hey Craig, Good informative video and well made. I have a few technical questions. I'm Curious on many amps are being pulled by each of those usb ports. Usually most good car chargers give 5v/2a which gives a decent rate of charge. With that being said the PDM module has to be set at eight amps for it to not trip (or meager amps) if you are fully plugged in. My other question is how is waterproofing handled and do you feel this is a long lasting product judging from the build quality? Thanks

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

The USB chargers are rated at 2.1 amps each, so 4 is 8.4 amps. I had an open 10 amp circuit so I just used that. I have only had the PDM for a year, but I have not had any issues with it. I have ridden in some heavy rain and even laid the bike down in the mud on its right side, with no effect. The back is sealed with a resin of some kind. The unit seems very solid so far, but ask me again in a couple of years. Thanks!

[@2404Pepe]

I think you did a great job, but, what about computer bypass to alow ignition-power-cut system, relays and safe connection?? I did it on my BMW R1200 RT and believe me, there's a lot more to it than just a cable. Thanks for all your great videos. Regards

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you. As I mentioned in the video I decided to go with the Rowe electronics PDM60, which is a solid state device that acts line a set of fused and relays. The PMD has a keyed trigger and I have set 10 second delays on all of the circuits (6 are available). That was I can start the bike without any drag on the system, before all of the accessories become live.

[@2404Pepe]

miss that part!!!! jajajaja Sorry Craig, kind of call my attention you plug in into the bat directly. Again, thanks a lot for all your videos, the're awsome

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

No, problem. Thank for watching!

[@skyhawk5265]

I just bought a Super Tenere and it looks like I'll have to buy new tires after I ride the 1,500 miles to get it home. Have you tried any tires other than the stock Bridgestones or Metzlers? Looking forward to touring this summer!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Yeah when I wear these out I will be finding a replacement as well. They do not have the wet weather grip I would like. The only other tire I have tried so far are the Mitas E07, 50/50. Which are very good. Not a pure street tire, but as long as you realize that and ride accordingly, they are great. If you find another you like, let us know. Thanks.

[@dustyridr]

I love my Mitas E-07s for on and off road. If you're staying on road, I recommend the Anakee III for the rear. It's a great tire. I haven't developed a preference for the front tire on road yet.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@texaslonestarrider]

Great Review And Thanks For Sharing My Friend!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

+lonestarrider, You are welcome!

[@Frontpagefab]

Does the SW Motech bag scratch your tank?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

No it does not touch the tank with the lock ring. Thanks!

[@sapalobo9723]

will the day pack hold an ipad?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

A small one, but there are larger bags available.

[@sapalobo9723]

Living Off The Slab so only an ipad mini, not the standard ipad?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I am not familiar with the iPad dimensions, but the bag could accommodate something about 6 in. by 8 in.

[@sapalobo9723]

Thank you. I appreciate your help.

[@RidingTusCanY]

Hi Craig, I always watch with interest to your videos. This time I may have a suggestion, if not for you at least for your viewers. The job you made to electrify your tank bag is wonderful, but there is a very handy set of two by GiVi which gives you the same result, without the need of cut&sew, and it's well priced too. Here I put you two links: www.givi.it/motorbike-accessories/Supports-for-mobile-devices-and-power-supply-kits/S111%20Power%20Hub and www.givi.it/motorbike-accessories/Supports-for-mobile-devices-and-power-supply-kits/S110%20Power%20Socket Cheers!!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks, that looks it is an other good option.