I always find the need for power inside the protected area of my tank bag, so I always end up installing a Powerlet Products Powermate Tank Bag Power System into all of my tank bags. There are many ways to complete the installation, but this is the way I have found to work the best for me. 

You’ll need your Powermate Kit, a soldering iron, a phillips screwdriver, and a small adjustable wrench (or appropriate sized ratchet.) 

First, align the steel ring on the outside of the bag, making sure to check the inside of the bag for clearance. (Note: The steel ring is installed on the inside of the bag, but it makes a great template for the soldering iron on the outside.)

Once you have it lined up, use the soldering iron to melt a hole straight through all layers of the bag.

Repeat for the other three holes, and also the center hole. I usually push the bolts through the holes as I make them, just to hold the ring in place.  For the center hole I melt small holes all around the edge, then use the soldering iron in a circular motion to completely remove the bag material.  Remember, it doesn’t have to look neat since it will all be covered by the kit.

Feed the plug side of the kit through the hole from the outside, line up the holes, push the bolts through from the outside, place the steel ring on the inside of the bag, and install the nuts.

That’s all there is to it. I use a dual cigarette-type adapter for the inside of the bag, so I can use my standard cell phone, ipod, etc charging cables.

Continuing my tradition with Bagster, my tank cover and Medea tank bag arrived today.  The Medea is much improved over past Bagster bags that I’ve had; lots of storage compartments now instead of just a large open area.

And, as usual, I immediately installed a Powerlet PowerMate Tank Bag Kit to supply power to the interior of tank bag. (to charge cell phones, iPod, etc.)

Here’s the Powerlet connection I previously installed on my steering stem, supplying power to the tank bag and the GPS.

The new bike came home on Thursday March 29th 2007.  After making MANY changes to my Honda CBR 1100XX to make it more sport-touring friendly, it just wasn’t cutting the mustard for our touring needs. So, I sold off the bar risers, Givi bags, Givi Windscreen, etc and put it back to stock form to use as my “fun” bike. 

I didn’t have the good camera with me when I took delivery of the ST1300, so crappy cell phone pictures will have to do:

I’m VERY pleased with the riding position on this bike.  I think it will do quite nicely for touring.

Items on order to get it ready for our trips:

• Bagster Tank Cover and Medea Tank Bag (Silver)
• Nelson Rigg UV2000 1/2 Cover
• Powerlet Kit for the new tank bag, along with various other Powerlet cables/items that I’ll need to complete the setup
• RAM mount for the GPS
• Givi topcase rack so I can use the E52 topcase I already have

Here’s the whole Honda collection, which includes my 2003 Honda CBR 1100XX, my wife’s 2003 Honda CBR 600RR, and our new 2007 Honda ST1300.  (To prove we’re HondaWhores, I drive a 2007 Honda Ridgeline and my wife drives a 2007 Honda Civic.)

Bagster makes a great product, and I’ve outfitted at least 6 of my bikes with Bagster systems over the years.  It gives you full coverage protection of the tank, plus a secure base to attach the Bagster tank bags.

Bagster Corporate Site

Bagster 1100XX Catalog

Bagster Worldwide Distributors