What Backpack?

[dako81]

Who uses what backpack when riding?
What would you reccommend?

I am looking for a nice backpack that will attach securly and comfortably for use on day rides/short trips. I don't really want to tie anything down to the bike but I do have one of those small cargo nets that I have used before and works well. I would just like to find a nice comfortable backpack probably around $100 or less, give or take 20-30. I would use it for like I said riding and probably other camping type things. I just don't want something that will be uncomfortable or move around alot with a jacket or no jacket on. And if it is black that would be cool.

Thanks

 

[reiobard]

Who uses what backpack when riding?
What would you reccommend?

I am looking for a nice backpack that will attach securly and comfortably for use on day rides/short trips. I don't really want to tie anything down to the bike but I do have one of those small cargo nets that I have used before and works well. I would just like to find a nice comfortable backpack probably around $100 or less, give or take 20-30. I would use it for like I said riding and probably other camping type things. I just don't want something that will be uncomfortable or move around alot with a jacket or no jacket on. And if it is black that would be cool.

Thanks

I have (or should say had, since my wife claimed it) an Ogio backpack that is the most comfortable and well balanced backpack that i have ever had and even has a convenient laptop pocket in the back for safe transport of that as well. Ogio all the way IMO I might have to buy another so i can use one again, but i think for the bike i will be doing saddle bags or a tail bag.

 

[HavBlue]

$35.00 and it even comes in the faster blue. It's comfortable and has enough room in the main pack to hold my FF helmet. I don't use it very often but it's a great backpack.

 

[F250moto]

I use a backpack everyday when I ride. The one I use to commute back and forth to work is an Alpinestar Vader. It retails for around $70 I think. I have fit in it at one time; 1 XXl body armour, 1 duty belt, Taser, radio, two cell phones, wallet, bdu pants, shirt (uniform), baton, 2 glocks, and my lunch. It was a tight fit, but it worked.
When I ride off road, I use an Ogio 2150. It retails around $90. It's quite a bit bigger than the Astar bag. I always keep two tubes, tools, lunch, a 2 liter bladder, extra gear, extra googles, and two 1 liter water bottles. I haven't tried to wear it on my FZ yet. You can also get it without the KTM graphics, although I don't know why you would....

 

[Botch]

$35.00 and it even comes in the faster blue. It's comfortable and has enough room in the main pack to hold my FF helmet. I don't use it very often but it's a great backpack.

Mine looks just like that, with the Fox logo but sans the Yamaha logo but that made it $10 cheeper.

 

[Hellgate]

I use the Spec Ops "The Pack". I carry my work clothing, shoes, computer and lunch. I also carry the cell, wallet, PDA, blah, blah, blah. Basically it is my brief case, gym bag and purse!

I really like it because is has the two external pockets, a pouch on the inside for a Camelback or a tactical radio, and openings for the Camelback hose or an antennae. It is a very heavy ballistic nylon and has been to war and back.

I've noticed the price has gone up since I bought mine a few years ago. I think I paid about $109.00, they are $199.00 now.

 

[schumacher62]

what i find sad, and insane, is the fact that most backpacks, if any, feature any sort of reflective material applied to them. given that they cover up what little reflective material is on your jacket is all the worse. everything is black, dark, unreflective, from jackets to backpacks.

riding 45 miles to work, i never liked the feel of the two shoulder straps tugging at my arms and shoulder area when i stuffed my pack full, as i usually do when going or coming from work. so i got a messenger bag, with one strap over the shoulder, which i loosen enough so that the bag can just barely rest on the seat at the base of my back, and take some of the tension off the shoulder area. i got the timbuk2, which has a second strap attaching the front of the bag to the back around one side of your waist. its brilliant. cavernous, depending on the size, very sturdy and solid, and has (at least mine does) a good amount of reflective material on it.

you can design and build your own for about 80 usd.

its the timbuk2 classic messenger bag.

Timbuk2 Bags - Timbuk2 and they are sold all over the internet as well.

 

[dako81]

Thanks for all the replies, this is proving to be a very informative thread!

 

[Khyren]

Why not the Icon urban tank bag? It's a tank bag that doubles as a helmet holder.

Khyren

 

[sportrider]

I've got a walmart specail, if you use the shoulder straps to tie it to the hand grabs, you can use it as a tail bag and don't have to wear it.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I've got a walmart specail, if you use the shoulder straps to tie it to the hand grabs, you can use it as a tail bag and don't have to wear it.

Don't foget folks, it doubles as a pizza delivery bag!

 

[HavBlue]

Don't foget folks, it doubles as a pizza delivery bag!

No doubt, that thing takes up some real estate.....

 

[dako81]

I might consider a tank bag for longer trips, later, or something to strap to the back, but I will be using this backpack for going to classes and my 50 mile each way trip to work over the summer. I want a backpack so I can take my things inside with me easily so I can go to class or change out of my riding gear at work. But thanks for the suggestions about a tank bag or something to strap to the back, I will most likely be looking for something of that nature a little later down the road into the season.

Thanks!

 

[paulman]

I might consider a tank bag for longer trips, later, or something to strap to the back, but I will be using this backpack for going to classes and my 50 mile each way trip to work over the summer. I want a backpack so I can take my things inside with me easily so I can go to class or change out of my riding gear at work. But thanks for the suggestions about a tank bag or something to strap to the back, I will most likely be looking for something of that nature a little later down the road into the season.

Thanks!

I have the Icon Urban Tank bag and it is awsome. I can carry all the textbooks and note books and whatever else I need for a full day of classes in there with room to spare. It is much deeper than it looks. When I get to class I just pull out the shoulder straps which takes about 30 seconds to connect and I have a perfectly functional backpack. If i dont feel like carrying my helmet all day there is a pouch that folds out the bottom and raps around ur helmet which takes about another minute to figure out. It is a very good product in my opinion, its stylish, works well, carries lots of books and a helmet, and is easy to use once u get the hang of it. Just figured Id offer u another opinion before u completely wrote off the tank bags

 

[PlasticPig]

I use a Targus for carrying my laptop back and forth to work, it is pretty comfortable, the laptop fts perfectly (thats what it is designed for), has a couple of external pouches for easy access and it has been through a couple of Florida downpours and kept the contents dry.

It also has reflective stripes which is always a good thing.

Targus*|*TSB07501US*–*Targus 15.4" League Backpack

 

[Nelly]

I used a mesenger bag when I was a courier, at speeds of 80 - 90 mph it compressed a trapezius nerve on the left hand side. Some days I could not lift my left arm above my shoulder. It has also effected the way I exercise. I am crap at pushing anything greated than about 50lb (shoulder press) with my left arm. I can pull one and a half times my body weight down. A few years prior to becomming a courier I fractured my left scapula in a bike crash so I dont know if the messenger bag just exacibated a pre existing problem. Where is Dbart when you need him lol.
I would only use a messenger bag for short town trips.
Its a very good point about reflective strips though.
I use a 25litre Tesco three section rucksack with water proof reflective liner. £12.00. At the end of the day all it is is a bag.

 

[dako81]

Well, I ordered the Alpinestars Vader in all black with red outlining. I got it for $60. When I get it I will tell you all how I like it and if I am going to try anything else.

Thanks for the help!

 

[fast blue one]

I don't know if these are sold in the US but Kriega have a very good name albeit not cheap.

Kriega

 

[dako81]

I went with the Alpinestars Vader in all black with the red outlining. $60 through motorcycle superstore I believe.

I am very suprised in how small this bag is in comparison to how much stuff you can fit into it. It fit my Dell 17" laptop very easily and looks like it will have plenty of room for all my things. It looks like it was a great choice and will do exactly what I want it to do for now.

Thanks for the reccomendations.

 

[thatguyx]

I like my North Face bookbag that I use for school and some trips. I think any bag that has the chest and waist securing straps is all you really need. Lots of Euro mags praise the Kreiger(sp?) packs and one writer uses the Sidi bicycle pack and he says it works great.