If you plan to hit the road on your cruiser for a few days, then you will need all the storage space that a motorcycle can possibly afford. Realistically speaking, on its own a bike does not offer much. That is why there is a range of saddle bags and bags for the sissy bar. After you have got yourself these, what next? Motorcycle tank bags are the natural extension. As the name suggests these bags sit around your tank. Most of them are magnetic and have ears that you can clamp in place once the bag has been positioned in the way you want. The method to fix them is simple: you simply have to hold the bags by their ears, place them the way you want to and then click the ears in place so that the position is locked. However, these bags by virtue of sitting on your tank can often scratch the surface. This is not because the bags per se are made of abrasive material but because dirt and debris can get in between the bag and the bike surface. Quality tank bags therefore have a special padding that keeps the paint safe. But this scratching is not just a phenomenon that happens with only the tank bag. Saddle bags can scratch off the paint too. There are precautions you can take to minimize the chances of scratching. The most obvious thing to do is keep the surface that’s touching your bike clean so that there is no abrasive grit to do the scratching. Also, never place the bag on the tank and then move it around to get the right fit. This movement is bound to cause scratching. Your best bet to prevent scratching is to actually put a protective material between the bag and the bike so that there is no contact between the two. One solution available in the market is a rubbery mesh. This material lets the magnet of the bag cling on to the bike and yet forms a protective layer between the two. This material is both cheap and easily available. Get yourself a roll and cut an outline of the bag’s bottom on it. Then put this cut piece between the two for a snug fit. This will give you extra storage space without spoiling the looks of your bike.