Riding with a BACKPACK?

C

CharleneLizette

Well-known member
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Heyaa,

So since I'd like to ride as much as possible I'm trying to figure out what kind of backpack i should get.. there are really expensive riding ones...

I dunno if its worth the $$ or if i can get away with a trendier backpack.. and is riding with a backpack difficult?

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Any backpack will work fine.. when I started out I bought a Motocentric backpack, still got it around here somewhere. But now I mostly ride with a regular old knapsack I've had since '08, no problem..

I usually ride with one on, and as long as it isn't too heavy you won't notice it
 
Most people around here are anti back pack. I've used the icon squad II and it's absolute trash. I'm now using the no drag mach3 and it's okay. Use a cheap pack for a couple trips to see if you mind riding with one before you shell out $150+ on a good one.
 
How the hell are we supposed to know? WTF are you going to put in it? Find one that fits.
 
Find one that fits and doesnt impede on your ability to control the motorcycle, after that, anything works.
 
Can you walk with a backpack? Yes? Cool, then you shouldn't have any problems riding with it either. There are people though that will tell you not to wear a backpack because it screws up how your body rolls when you hit the ground during a crash... Personally at that point it's a little late for me to be worrying about my backpack... I'm just hoping my gear holds me together.

Keep in mind though, there are a lot of variables here. How much weight, your riding position, your bike (weight limits/weight sensitivity) etc... We really can't say for sure.
My Vulcan 500 isn't overly sensitive to weight changes, has an upright riding position is fine when I wear a backpack (just a regular everyday like your going to school one) as long as I don't make it so heavy it disturbs me when I'm walking.
 
If your not going to use the helmet mount portion of the pack I would just buy a cheap pack for $40 or so and your going to be fine.
I use an older Joe Rocket pack with waist/chest straps and anything well over legal riding limits will really want to pull you off the bike.
Normal riding to zip around town or the highway a normal pack will do fine. If your worries about safty then get one with a chest/wasit strap so do you dont pull an arm off in the event of a crash.
 
I don't find it too comfortable to ride with a pack on, especially if it's heavy. Seems hotter too. I now strap my backpack down with bungee cords on the passenger seat. Much better.
 
I prefer to ride without vs with, but I do use an AlpineStar Tech Aero I picked up from GP Bikes fairly often. If it is fully loaded I do notice the weight when leaning in turns (tend to try to be more upright), however with only the minimals in it (water bottle, cloth and solution for cleaning visor/paintwork, deodorant, etc) I hardly notice it at all. I also use an AlpineStar Biotic back protector, so the hope is if I do come off the bike, it will help protect me even with the pack in place.

My only big gripe is if a bag is small enough for riding, it never seems to hold quite enough. I can fit what I need into mine, but would like it to be just a touch larger 9 times out of 10.
 
When I first got my bike I would use a pack to go back and forth from work. It's no problem on a short distance but whenever I took it about 100km+ then I would start feeling it on my shoulders/back even with small weight in it.

Now got a great (used) Cortech tail bag and love it. Any bag will do so long as the straps aren't flying around all over the place you should be fine.
 
MEC has cycling packs, with chest and waist straps and reflective on the back. Less than $30.
 
I have an old Dell / Samsonite backpack I use sometimes. It can get a bit cumbersome if it's stuffed too full. I've also found that on a windy day it acts a bit like a sail. You might be better off finding a tank bag depending on what you want to stuff into it.
 
I used to ride with a normal school backpack but commuting I found with weight and/or wind on the highway I would have a sore back by the time I got home, It also covered my vents on my jacket so it would get hot on warm days.

I went to a tank bag and it works great, Can't get into a full tuck but I only use it while commuting so it works perfect for me.
 
Not hard to ride with one at all, depends on the kind of bike i guess, i have standard position bike, any regular backpack will do, mine's just a plain old one any student would get for school, with the straps over my shoulders, don't even have to tie it across the bottom or my waist and i ride with it on long highway trips regularly.
 
mikbusa said:
How the hell are we supposed to know? WTF are you going to put in it? Find one that fits.
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i think you need to get laid... I was asking an innocent question as I'm new to the sport.. I'm putting a change of clothes in it bc i work in an office environment. nothing too heavy.. I know i need one that fits.. I wanted to understand the difference between an expensive motorcycle backpack and an inexpensive regular backpack.

Smile... it will make u feel better.
 
CharleneLizette said:
i think you need to get laid... I was asking an innocent question as I'm new to the sport.. I'm putting a change of clothes in it bc i work in an office environment. nothing too heavy.. I know i need one that fits.. I wanted to understand the difference between an expensive motorcycle backpack and an inexpensive regular backpack.

Smile... it will make u feel better.
Click to expand...

What I found works for me is I just come in and leave some clothes at my desk at the office and just change once I get here. This way it cuts down on how much I need to bring. Might be an option depending on the space you have in your office/desk.
 
I've rode with a backpack before, I'm not real crazy on it. sometimes i don't have a choice, like if I need my laptop for whatever reason.

You might want to look into one of these: http://www.thecycleguys.com/fastpack-tail-bags/

I have one on my SV and use it all the time. big enough to fit my frogg toggs and a couple bottles of water, so a change of clothing is probably doable.
 
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