What would be a good backpack to use for Motorcycling and University? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

What would be a good backpack to use for Motorcycling and University?

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I have used the same Targus bag for almost 7 years now.

Bought it from Futureshop or something way back. Around $75 bucks if I recall.

Best bag I have, and probably will, ever own. I have ridden short and long distanced with it no problem.

http://www.targus.com/ca/product_details.asp?sku=TSB045CA&promo=&coupon=

Features:
Padded Laptop Pouch
Mp3 Holder
Cell Phone Holder
CD Holds(those were the days)
Lined cooler bag pocket
TONS of storage(a few binder and textbooks)
Side pockets
Rain Cover
Mesh Drink Holders
Padded backside(Keeps the pressure off your back)
Dual strap
Key Holder

Highly recommended.
 
I use a Canadian Tire backpack. ("Outwards"? brand or something) Good quality zippers. I use carbiners to ensure zipper stay shut. Rain cover. Higher-Viz color (orange). Reflective piping. Well-padded back. Well-padded straps with buckles @ chest and waist (very important). Good to carry my 15" laptop.
I have since downsized to a smaller laptop that fits in my tank bag. Yay! :)
 
Would this work on my honda CBR250R. i'm a small girl going to UTM in sept and i dont weigh much. Just wondering if this will effect my highway ride from toronto or make handling more difficult on curve roads like mississauga road???

Ride_Safe said:
I had a red "Swiss Gear" backpack for when I used to ride to college every day. It expands to be reasonably big. More than enough room to fit all my books and a laptop, plus it has a spine protector so it was pretty comfortable to ride with. I also used to fill it up with groceries sometimes. I've had it since the beginning of high school and it still works great. Very high quality!

This is what it looked like fully-loaded when I strapped it on for a trip.

20ixgzn.jpg
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Bundles1991 said:
Would this work on my honda CBR250R. i'm a small girl going to UTM in sept and i dont weigh much. Just wondering if this will effect my highway ride from toronto or make handling more difficult on curve roads like mississauga road???
Click to expand...

Using a backpack shouldn't affect highway speeds... it barely affects me at all on a CBR125, so the effect would be even less noticeable on the 250.

However, as for handling, the answer is yes. You will feel 'heavier' with a backpack on. Cornering is a little different, but I find that it makes me feel like I have better control on the 125, because it is already super light and wobbly to begin with. So a few extra pounds actually does it some good.

I don't normally strap a backpack onto the back. I usually just wear it, because it is more convenient. But this was for a longer trip, so I wanted to make it easier on my back for larger periods of time.
 
OP in my opinion you want something that can fit a volleyball securely on the highway.

Don't bother thinking if its waterproof or not, if that ball is going to go flying out due to wind then you made the wrong choice

Lol

Sent from phone
 
Any backpack will work...just stuff one and see if it's comfortable for you because with kms on the bike it will get heavy and uncomfortable fast! I have a sweet MEC bag for $30 that I got as a gift and it's great.

I'd recommend a tail/tank bag as once I switched to this I never wore a backpack again.

Also make sure your zippers are down and if you can secure them together somehow...I've read enough people getting to their destination only to find their bags are empty somewhere along the road.
 
I think a lot of what you guys have recommended is over-thought.

OP; will you be carrying your helmet or gear on the pack after your ride? Do you want the functionality of strapping it to the bike? If yes, then I would agree that a motorcycle-specific pack might be for you (as many of them can accommodate a helmet, or optional bike-mounts).

If not, then I'd suggest any regular $50 backpack will get the job done.

When I started riding, I was commuting Mississauga -> Guelph everyday with lunch, shoes and clothes in my backpack with a (then) 6-year old Columbia bag. Now I have a $40 "Swiss Army" bag, and I commute Mississauga -> Newmarket daily. Never had an issue! Nikwax solves the water issue, for all but the heaviest downpours, and always always zip both of your zippers completely to one side (never in the middle at the top, like they recommend).

A laptop and books can get heavy though, so some tail bags sound like the best idea. Happy shopping!
 
I've been using the axio swift 2.0 for 5 years now. I love it, carries my big xps15, ipad and notepad along with my lunch and some water.

I've used it for long ride (4+ hours) and am never uncomfortable. If I went back 5 years I would still buy it, best bag and well worth the expensive investment that it was.

http://www.axioluggage.com/swift2_red.html
 
MEC Darwin 2 Backpack.

Bar none best backpack I've ever owned. Had it for 5 years now still looks really good!

I use it on the bike all the time, I've also travelled all over with it.

I love that backpack like a child!
 
OutToRide RC said:
I used a Ogio No Drag for 2 years.

- Zips against your back, never had it open on me
- Not much wind drag
- Laptop Compartment
- Upper and lower buckles so it doesn't move around
- Has a helmet bag and headphone port that I've never used
- Well padded, never felt pain with a laptop and 4 textbooks in it
Click to expand...

What he said. OGIO stuff also comes with a lifetime warranty. It's pretty much ****-proof.
 
MEC was clearing out their 'bookbag daypack' for under $30.00. I'm on my second one, first one wore out after 5 years daily use.
Doesn't show on their website as it's no longer in the catalogue, but there are lots for sale at the Barrie store.
 
I use a regular OGIO backpack and its very comfortable. You have to spend a little money but its a good investment. You'll be using this backpack everyday to go to school so at $100 a bag its not so bad.

OutToRide RC said:
I used a Ogio No Drag for 2 years.

- Zips against your back, never had it open on me
- Not much wind drag
- Laptop Compartment
- Upper and lower buckles so it doesn't move around
- Has a helmet bag and headphone port that I've never used
- Well padded, never felt pain with a laptop and 4 textbooks in it
Click to expand...
 
vrus said:
P-630x363.jpg
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I would never have imagined to see 10 deep in a gtam thread.

OP, go to MEC. They have a variety of bags that work, are weather-proof, are good quality, are comfortable, and (most importantly) actually look good. You really can't ask for more.

Any time I'm bringing too many things to fit in my backpack, I'll strap down my duffle bag with a cargo net. Just make sure that you position the bulky/heavy items closer to you rather than the tail. I can ride fairly aggressively with a duffle bag strapped to the back seat/tail so I don't think it's much of an issue.
 
wearelopey said:
MEC Darwin 2 Backpack.

Bar none best backpack I've ever owned. Had it for 5 years now still looks really good!

I use it on the bike all the time, I've also travelled all over with it.

I love that backpack like a child!
Click to expand...

+ 10000000000000

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Packs/LaptopCompatibleBags/PRD~5013-106/mec-darwin-2-daypack.jsp

I've had this backpack for years, and use it for pretty much anything and everything. I find it especially good for riding, because it has extra padding on the back and on the straps. It's very lightweight and comfortable, and even if you're not packing a laptop than the front compartment fits a boatload of crap.
 
After looking around and reading your comments i ended up borrowing my buddies Mach 5, stuffed some textbooks in there and went for a ride on the highway, its a much better ride with that bag! ended up going home and ordering a Ogio Mach 5 & their tailbag... (There was a sale few days ago and got 20% off everything so i bought a couple items)

I think it should be fine, I need what, a laptop, and a few text books. and i dont live too far from UTM, so should be a great bag.
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