RT Tank Bag Yellowing Plastic

[Kenn45]

I have the BMW tank bag for my '07 RT. After two summers and 26K miles of use the plastic map pocket is so yellowed as to be unusable. I don't use it much, so it isn't a huge deal, but disappointing nonetheless. Am I alone with this problem? Has anyone tried to replace the map pocket or the plastic? Am I just SOL?

 

[DrSteve]

Yellowing

Same problem here. Await your replies

 

[PGlaves]

If it were mine I'd take it to my dealer and complain. Maybe if they get enough complaints they will do something about it. Maybe even change the plastic vendor by 2020 or so.

 

[savategreg]

If the clear plastic ever comes in contact with rubber, that may be the problem. Scuba masks made of silicone will turn brown if it contact with rubber for any length of time.

 

[sailorlite]

If the tank bag was purchased as an accessory at the time the RT was purchased, what is its BMW warranty period?

 

[roborider]

Common problem. The more Sun it gets the worse it gets. My bag is going on 5 years and isn't too bad, but it's heading that direction. I will eventually replace the plastic or get a new aftermarket bag and still use the mounting plate which I really like.

I believe the warranty is 3 years if it was purchased with the bike.

Yeah, it's disappointing.

 

[racer7]

Plastics for clear flex windows always yellow with UV and time, some are better than others but all will crap out eventually.

Any place there are lot of boats boats you can find guys who sew boat curtains. Call a couple nearest you and see if they're up for replacing the window on your tank bag. If you can't find any, check with your local boat dealers- they'll know.

 

[racer7]

One other tip- lay off the alcohol, ammonia or other similar cleaners. They will leach the materials that help protect from UV and shorten life of the plasti

 

[mistercindy]

May I offer a suggestion...

I've had mapholder plastic issues, too. Most recently with Marsee tankbags, which are otherwise quite durable. As others have said, its sun related. Particularly in Texas summers. They yellow and crack over a few summers.

My Marsee Corona's mapholder got so bad that I replaced the bag and mapholder with a Bags Connection Trip quick lock bag and mapholder (from twistedthrottle.com). One of the cool things about the mapholder is the ease with which it is removed from the tank bag. I pretty much keep the mapholder off the tankbag and in one of my hard bags unless I'm actually going to be referring to a map, then I put it on. I'm hoping that it'll last a lot longer that way. And even if I did keep it on and exposed to the sun 24/7, once it does wear out I can oder another mapholder for just $20. Pretty intelligent way to make the products, IMHO.

 

[ted]

Meguiar's Mirror Glaze No. 10 (heavy duty) or No. 17 followed by No. 18 worked wonders on my horribly yellowed, discolored and brittle clear vinyl convertible top window. Seems to work great on my Multivario tank bag as well, but it only had a bit of fogging which came right up.

I bought the trio at a Pep Boys, should be available at West Marine as well.