you're gonna ride your bike with a hiking bag on your back??
Either its gonna be half full and will flap in the wind like crazy, or its gonna be loaded and back breaking at anythings above 80km for extended periods...
you're gonna ride your bike with a hiking bag on your back??
Either its gonna be half full and will flap in the wind like crazy, or its gonna be loaded and back breaking at anythings above 80km for extended periods...
MEC has smaller pack options as well. I recommended them because they have TONS of selection so ANYONE should be able to find something there that will meet their needs without spending a premium for a motorcycle specific pack which I find are often missing useful features like chest and waist straps. The one problem is if you are larger and wear a lot of gear a lot of their packs seem to have straps that are a little too short to be easy to get into with all the gear on but if you hunt you should be able to find one. Plus since they have climbing/hiking packs (which aren't all massive) you can find ones with really comfy straps and other features to make it comfortable.
I have a HUGE (I think it's 85L) pack. It's so big that I can pack a day's worth of clothes and a pair of shoes in just the pocket that is built into the top flap. It's never been a problem for me even riding with it empty on the highway. This is why I said you want compression straps. You compress the bag down when there is almost nothing in it. You just need a way of securing the extra loose ends. These packs are designed for people to carry huge amounts of weight, walking, uphill, for DAYS. If you are in any kind of decent shape even 70 lbs+ with these packs should be fine. I'm very out of shape and have loaded mine up with probably 80 lbs worth of stuff (mostly beer) and would be fine for at least an hour, if not several. The heavily padded straps and waist belt make it more than bearable.
The hardest part with a pack that large and heavy is getting it on your back. Then you just have to keep in mind that your handling will be a little different due to the weight and it's easier to lose your balance. It's easier than riding 2-up though so if you can do that, you'll be fine. If it's really too heavy for you, you can strap it to the back of the bike and have no weight on you at all.
What about looking for a tail bag? strap it to your back seat, load it up. You dont have to wear it, and it comes off easy as well. I wear my laptop back when riding home from work, but if I was out for a cruise, or on a trip, I would never strap anything to me. Better to bungie it to your rear seat, get soft saddle bags, or a tank bag.
^^ agree with this if possible. There's lots of different tail bags out there if you have not yet considered that as an approach.
They also double as a backrest on longer trips.
Isn't any bag a tail bag if you've got a couple of bungee cords? I don't see how you could use one as a backrest on most bikes other than cruisers. Even with stock handlebars my 650R (which is considered by many to be very upright) isn't THAT upright...
yes, any bag can technically be a decent backrest with some good bungee cords.
Good point about the forward seating bikes, though for me they can still act as backrests on a semi-upright bike. Mine worked well as a backrest on my Ninja 1000, my VFR 750 and my V-Stroms. That said, I do have long, gangly arms.
I use a Targus bag I bought 7 years ago for college. It was like $60 back then.
Has:
-Waterproof cover that comes out from the bottom
-Padded laptop pouch
-Lined cooler pouch
-CD Player pouch (oldschool)
-Padded backside
-Horizontal clips
-Drink holders on both sides
-2 big main compartments
Pretty much the only bag I will ever own since it is still kickin after all this time. I have ridden with it mannny time wind/rain/fog and it works great.
you're gonna ride your bike with a hiking bag on your back??
Either its gonna be half full and will flap in the wind like crazy, or its gonna be loaded and back breaking at anythings above 80km for extended periods...
Exactly. It's like shopping and just balancing a huge basket on your head while strolling through the grocery store instead of using the shopping cart. To each their own but it defies logic. It takes me literally .2 of a second to position the tankbag over the triple tree and back again when getting gas. I see it as more of a fashion thing to a certain 20 something age demographic.
Exactly. It's like shopping and just balancing a huge basket on your head while strolling through the grocery store instead of using the shopping cart. To each their own but it defies logic. It takes me literally .2 of a second to position the tankbag over the triple tree and back again when getting gas. I see it as more of a fashion thing to a certain 20 something age demographic.
The hardest part with a pack that large and heavy is getting it on your back. Then you just have to keep in mind that your handling will be a little different due to the weight and it's easier to lose your balance. It's easier than riding 2-up though so if you can do that, you'll be fine. If it's really too heavy for you, you can strap it to the back of the bike and have no weight on you at all.
I ride with a backpack almost every time I get on my bike (I use my bike almost exclusively for commuting), but with that said I'm not going to disagree with you because I've never worn a hiking pack while riding
The only thing I can think of is; wouldn't a hiking pack interfere with your helmet when you're leaned over in riding position? Unless your riding position is extremely upright. I would think that you wouldn't want the pack to rise over your shoulders (aerodynamics & potential helmet interference), and you also wouldn't want it too low if you've got a solo seat cowl on ur bike.
My pack is just a regular "swiss army" $40 bag, and I keep a small plastic bag in it which I can fill with anything sensitive to water, should I anticipate a wet ride.
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