Gearsack bag-new product review.

[Strika]

Having had two of the same brand bag come apart on my last trip, rather than risk it happening again, I purchased A new "Gearsack" bag, which, if asI am yet to use the "Gearsack" bag, although I have mounted it up, and filled it with the usual kit of spare ockies, wipes, lube, Mr. Sheen, tyre repair kit, Co2 bottles, plugs etc.

From a visual viewpoint the "Gearsack" brand bag, is made of thicker material, it's inner waterproofing layer also appears to be thicker, hardier and generally more durable. The storm flaps have greater depth and therefore coverage, the zippers are much sturdier and the Piping is a tougher thicker rubber like material.

Inside the bags are very simliar. Capacity is slightly (around 5 litres I think) smaller in the "Gearsack" bag than the "Ventura" bag. They have the same amount of Storage pockets, just arranged a little differently, but the "Gearsack" bag has a neat little Card/Licence/Credit card holder, and a Map/Paper and pen storage area, attached to the inside of the lid, which is really quite handy, and in the waterproof section also.

The area on the 'Ggearsack" bag which mountes to the rack loop also is much thicker in material, and the stiching is more robust looking from appearance. I can pull a "Ventura" bag with my hands and watch the sticthing stretch, whereas I can't with "Gearsack". It can be used with "Gearsack" and "Ventura" racks.

The "Gearsack" bag also came with a carry strap as standard. Whereas, the old one didn't have one, it just had a handle.

Once I have done this next trip to Sydney, I will let you all know how it fared in comparison on a trip!

[Rusty]

I have both, and use 'em on a Gearsack rack. The Gearsack's the only bag I've found to be waterproof (try a 45 minute downpour!). The Ventura leaks around the zips and then through the material. This isn't really a problem if you use plastic bags inside, but the Gearsack's more convenient that way. All my stuff that needs to be kept dry goes in it rather than the Ventura.

My only problem with the Gearsack is that it's more than 10 years old, and the plastic base has gone soft. Solution: fibreglass!

[daffy67]

I've had 2 Gearsack rack bags over the years and they last. I've still got the one from the ZZR 11 just sitting in the cupboard, maybe i should put it up for sale!!

[Strika]

I've had 2 Gearsack rack bags over the years and they last. I've still got the one from the ZZR 11 just sitting in the cupboard, maybe i should put it up for sale!!

Past good experiences is the reason I went back to a "Gearsack" this time. My last one I bought second hand in about 1987. I really used this bag. It went on the bike everytime I rode, which was 400-700klms every Sunday back then. I reckon I could easily have racked up 250,000 klms with it strapped to the back and never had an issue once. I actually ended up giving it to a mate who was a bit in need of a new bag but couldn't afford one. I think he used it for another 5 years before he got rid of it.Not bad considering I had it for about 12 years before that, and it was 2nd hand when I got it!!!!!!

Although the new ones are a little different to the old ones, the changes appear to be for the better. With larger storm flaps, and more rugged construction. Here's hoping. I am gunna load it up to the gunnals again on the next trip, so I'll let you know if it hangs together or not!

[Felix]

I bought my Gearsack around the time I got the ER-5...so that must be nearly 3 years ago. That bag has had a lot of use, especially during the time when my car was safely tucked away at my parents place on the coast.

The only thing I'm going to add is that the bag is very water resistant, however less so if you

a) don't put the storm zip flaps in the "down" position (der!)
b) you have the bag on the seat, facing the "wrong" way

But other than that, it withstood a very miserable ride in some extreme wet conditions during the early parts of last year, with only minor seepage through the zip because I didn't do the above.

[Felix]

Nearly forgot...

I actually have a Ventura rack and pack on the SV, bought it second hand in a very un-used condition. Not saying that the Ventura bag is necessarily bad, but I think there is a good reason they force people to buy the set, and it isn't the BS anti litigation reason they tell you on their site either. I think a lot of the competing products are as good, if not much better than the Ventura...time will tell for this cat, I haven't had much of a chance to use it yet.

[Smitty]

good review Strika

hope it lasts longer than the previous gearsacks that i have had
and turns out to be more waterproof..the old ones were shockers
they leaked like sieves

...the current Ventura bags (which i have ) are much more
waterproof than the Gearsacks of 10 years ago

btw
have Gearsack stopped the Grade3 kids making up their frames?
the ones I had on my ol' GeePeeZed Kwakas were shockers
lumpy welds, poor piant


cheers

[Barrabob]

I thought the gearsack racks looked a lot more industrial, fair enough people putting racks on sports bikes want something lightweight but some of us want a stronger rack.

whenever my ventura rack cracks I have a peice of solid inserted in the tube and have it rewelded and would rather have chunky and snotty then a thing you have to reengineer.

I should try a gearsack bag by the sounds of it someone nicked one of my ventura bags.

[Strika]

good review Strika

hope it lasts longer than the previous gearsacks that i have had
and turns out to be more waterproof..the old ones were shockers
they leaked like sieves

...the current Ventura bags (which i have ) are much more
waterproof than the Gearsacks of 10 years ago

btw
have Gearsack stopped the Grade3 kids making up their frames?
the ones I had on my ol' GeePeeZed Kwakas were shockers
lumpy welds, poor piant



cheers

I packed it full to the brim today with spare clothes....not that I needed them But i wanted to test it out on a fang fully laden to see if anything started to come apart! I am pleased to report that I came home with all items intact and the bag did not pull apart anywhere. I was probably 5 kgs lighter today than the last trip, cause i didn't have the lappie in it, but it was a good test bed to see how it performed. I did some High speed testing (very obviously at the Anglesea proving grounds not on a public road ) and no stitching has decided to part ways anywhere. I even left the lid half open on the way home from Geelong and it still stayed together.

I disagree with your comments on the water retention capacities of the two. My old "Gearsack" bag was heaps more waterproof than the "Ventura" bag was. Also the outer pocket on the Ventura are not waterproof either. In a small period, my "Ventura" bag leaked more than what the old one did in an all day downpour.

And as far as lasting, I'd be happy if I could get a "Ventura" Bag to stay together for the duration of 1 trip! My "Gearsack" bag lasted me over 12 years and then was handed on down for another to use, AND it was 2nd hand when I got it!!

I agree with your comments on the racks though. The older "Gearsack" universal fit racks where perhaps the most hideous looking racks anyone has ever had the audacity to bring to market . However, as ugly as they were, they rarely failed if fitted with a little thought. Interesting that some others have had "Hallmark/Ventura" rack failures!! I hope mine stays together on this next trip.

[Gosling1]

I thought the gearsack racks looked a lot more industrial..........but some of us want a stronger rack.....

You should have seen the reaction back at the Supers in March, when Yoda copped an eyeful of my *modified* Gearsack rack for the 12 !!

It had seen duty on a few bikes, but with the right modifications, it fitted the 12 *like a glove*, was solid as a rock, and does exactly what I need. I really couldn't give a rats arse about how it *looks* , its a rack for a bag, its gotta *work* first, and look good after.......

Old Gearsack bags are the ducks guts. Zippers do fail after many years, but the stitching stays together, and they are *really* waterproof if you know how to get them that way Best quality touring bag on the market imvho.

[Smitty]

You should have seen the reaction back at the Supers in March, when Yoda copped an eyeful of my *modified* Gearsack rack for the 12 !!

ain't that the truth!
made the 'real' Gearsack frame look like it came from
Porsche Design

Old Gearsack bags are the ducks guts. Zippers do fail after many years, but the stitching stays together, and they are *really* waterproof if you know how to get them that way Best quality touring bag on the market imvho.

..interesting Gos, Strika sez the same too
dunno...but the old (like bought in the mid 90s) ones
I had were garbage...maybe just a bad batch or something

[Gosling1]

could well have been a bad run or something.....one of the Gearsack bags I have was bought new back in 1984 .........it is still a good 'spare' bag if needed............but the colour has faded to a really light gray

[Felix]

Most of the Gearsack bags I see are browny-reddish tinged from sun exposure...must get a lot of use over a few years...

[hoffy]

well I have just purchased my new ventura rack and ventura Rally Euro bag, I dont have a lot of confidence in it after reading all this shit!

[Strika]

I stuffed the gearsack bag till it was ready to explode and no stitching came apart! Happy daze.