Backpacking…the hard way.
Jan 27th, 2010 by Leo
The backpack: It’s arguably the easiest and most natural way to carry a moderate amount of gear on your motorcycle. Motorcycle luggage, panniers and top cases may be best everywhere else (and still great for storing gloves and jackets and helmets) but they are less convenient for transporting your everyday stuff when parking on city streets. But doesn’t the bag get heavy? You generally don’t feel the weight of the bag when you’re riding, and you don’t lose any time installing or uninstalling anything.
So how can you improve on a humble backpack? I’ve seen these jetpack looking bags from Axio, but wasn’t sure if they looked silly or cool. I’m still undecided. But when I needed a better way to transport my laptop I picked up a new but discontinued Axio Forza model for $49.99 on this website. Although I wasn’t sure about the bag, I figured if I didn’t like it I could either return it or sell it on Ebay.
The hard shell is made of polycarbonate plastic like a lot of motorcycle helmets; strong and lighter than fiberglass. And although nothing could protect your laptop in a catastrophic crash, it should add quite a bit more protection over a soft backpack in the event of tip over. The straps are comfortable and the back side is made of a breathable mesh with hard ridges to keep air circulating between your back and the pack.
The bag comes with some standard amenities like a cell phone pouch (that just barely fits my square old school blackberry), a waterproof rubber hole for sticking headphone cords through in case you want to listen to your ipod, an extra strap in case you want to carry it as a shoulder bag, and a rain cover…well, in case it rains. Correction, turns out the rain cover is really one of those cloth bags to put the bag in…the way purses come with cloth bags (I still don’t understand that). And the shoulder strap is really an extra waist belt strap – not really necessary for riding, but maybe useful if you want to take your using the bag for snowboarding. [funny, I didn't bother to try those things out till just now.]
So is a hard backpack for you? Only if you can live with the space age styling. Newer models come with aero-humps (in case you decide to ride a race wearing your bag?) and flashier colors and graphics… but I only shop at the bargain bin when it comes to these things. Mr. Bond, your jet pack is ready.
For further reading:
- If you’re interested in Axio bags, click here…
- And along those lines here are some reviews from people who actually know how to review stuff.
- Don’t like the hard bags but still want something different for your laptop? Check out these super stealth neoprene laptop bags.
- Just plain bored? Click here.
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“The backpack: It’s arguably the easiest and most natural way to carry a moderate amount of gear on your motorcycle.”
Well, I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’d argue with you, but I wholeheartedly disagree. I used to use backpacks exclusively for years riding a bike and know the feeling well. I did feel the extra weight, especially when turning or cornering, and they aren’t the easiest to get on and off while wearing a riding jacket that’s already bulked up with shoulder and elbow armor with a back protector underneath it. I had to loosen the straps when taking it off and re-tighten putting it on.
Given my preference for wearing full gear on my commute to the office (armored jacket, riding pants etc.), I carry a shirt, pants — sometimes shoes — with me to work. The better solutions that do everything a backpack does are tank bags or tail bags with quick lock mounts or magnets that have a carrying handle. Some even have built in back pack straps for when you’re off the bike.
The benefits:
- No extra weight on the rider
- In hotter months, air flows freely out and over your back (a backpack is additional sweat making layer)
That’s just my opinion based on personal experience, of course, but I do believe there’s a compelling reason people would rather roll a suitcase through an airport rather than carry it on their back. To me riding with a backpack vs. the bike carrying it is the same thing.
Cool. I hear ya.
So I guess, if you have a suitcase worth of stuff, then use a suitcase…or in this case semi-permanent motorcycle luggage that you can detach and carry with you.
But if you have just a bag’s worth of stuff, laptop, papers, phone – then luggage can be a little more of a hassle for regular commuting in the city… Which is why sometimes it makes sense to take a backpack to the airport.
But if I were carrying a change of clothes and shoes, I’d certainly need more than a backpack.
Not to hijack your thread but I use a Bailey Works Super Pro Bag. Love it. Here’s a link http://www.baileyworks.com/home/strapschool.html
Cheers
Hey cool, thanks Steve. I always liked messenger bags, but couldn’t deal with how they flopped forward when I’m hunched over on the bike… their side strap solves that problem. Nice!
I use a backpack every day for the ride in. I feel the weight, a bit, but it doesn’t disturb me, too much.
One thing which helps is to snug it up so that it doesn’t move around. Having a bag flapping in the wind or shifting to the side when I’m leaned over is a bit disturbing.
This is no different from a Camelbak. In the warm months I take one of these with me on any ride over an hour or three:
http://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-M-U-L-E-Hydration-System-Charcoal/dp/B00221W9JU/ref=pd_sbs_sg_6
I do have a top case and side luggage. The issue is how to carry my laptop and various papers after I get off the bike. A cheap backpack does the trick for me.
I didn’t think that I felt the weight of the backpack when I ride until I decide to do a lot of city rides without the backpack. Once I realized the difference, I went and bought the Kriega backpack that supposedly makes the backpack weightless. It did not work as advertised for me. So then I dug an old rock climbing lumbar pack out of my closest. Now I ride with that exclusively. Never feel a thing.
http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3662900
It fits a computer (13″), water, GPS (when removed from motorcycle and walking around), and pretty much anything else you need for a city day. I highly recommend trying it. Once you feel the difference, you can’t go back.
I store my security and other everyday gear in throw-over saddle bags. When I need to carry more stuff with me, I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/SISSY-BAR-BACKPACK-by-Harley-Davidson®/dp/B001JSWWTO
I was worried that the bag would feel cumbersome/distracting, but it distributes weight pretty evenly, and after a few minutes of riding with it, I totally forgot it was there. Getting it on and off is a breeze, too, even if you’re wearing an armored jacket. The shoulder straps have an easy quick release tab, and the bag just slides off. Hate to sound so much like a Harley Davidson infomercial, but it’s a pretty good product.