Review: Mosko Moto Hood Tankbag
I have ridden well over 100,000 miles on adventure bikes with a tank bag between my legs every single step of the way. I’ve tried just about every brand out there, and each is great in its own way.
But, through all my travels (most of which included a camera on board) each tankbag system had features I didn’t like or something that I felt was missing. Until now.
The Hood tankbag from Mosko Moto is an expertly-crafted and well-designed, yet surprisingly simple. These elements make it one of the finest on the market.
Pockets and Attachment
Some tankbags feature multiple zippered pockets, outside pouches, clumsy windows, floppy materials, and complicated attachment systems. The problem with external zippers (take it from me) is that, with prolonged exposure to dust, they just stop working.
The Mosko Moto Hood is an exception, as it features a single-buckle closure and flips open like a clamshell, which shields the interior from dust and rain. This translates to solid reliability and quick access, two features that are essential for multi-day excursions.
If I could count the thousands of times I’ve opened and closed my lid, I can promise you that no zippered system would stand up to that kind of use.
Two internal removable zippered pouches are included, which conveniently attach to the inside with fabric fasteners to stay in place. I keep one inside with enough room to spare for my mid-sized mirrorless camera. The inside top of the clamshell lid features a zippered pocket, with another small zippered pocket within the main body, and a convenient routing port for charging cables.
The Hood is strapped on securely using Mosko Moto’s ingenious harness system. It attaches to the harness with strong Velcro-lined straps and metal clamps, with the main buckles secured to the bike frame, out of the way for when you want to ride without a tankbag.
Compared to all competing tankbag brands I’ve tried, I’ve been the happiest with how securely the Hood bag stays in place and how fuss-free it is to remove. At gas stations, I simply unclip the front two buckles and slide the bag just off of the fill cap. It takes seconds to clip back in.
Additional Features
No trip would be complete without a paper map, and Mosko Moto chose to make a separate map pocket available. It routes securely through the MOLLE webbing, and is easy to attach and remove.
This is one feature I truly appreciate. Sometimes I don’t bring a map if I’m just running to the market, so why have a permanent map pocket?
On other tankbags with built-in map pockets, the clear plastic window is often the first thing to crack, fade, and fall apart. With this system, if you don’t need one, don’t buy one. If you destroy one, order another—it’s that simple.
The Navigator Cell Phone Pocket is also available and securely attaches to the top of the Hood, or any other MOLLE webbing.
The overall size of the Hood is one of my favorite aspects. It’s not too big or too small; it’s just right.
This medium-sized bag stays ultra-secure and features a clever angle to the rider-facing panel, so you won’t even know it’s there until you need it. Even if I don’t carry a camera, it has enough room for my sunglasses, beanie, hat, and other common items. I don’t feel like I have to cram my things in there or, worse yet, scour through a billion pockets trying to find something.
Like all Mosko Moto products, the materials used are rugged, waterproof, and rigid. This bag isn’t a floppy Cordura sack like some others. After 30,000 miles of continuous hard use in the backcountry, mine is showing no signs of needing replacement any time soon.
If you’re skeptical of using a tankbag but need quick access to and good protection for your camera, sunglasses, or other essential items, it’s hard to find a better solution.