Riding with a Backpack?

[Twism86]

Hi Guys,

Im pretty new to riding and plan to commute to work and back home to NJ (2.5hrs from Albany NY). I will need a backpack for work stuff, and clothes on weekends. I dont plan to commute until i get used to the bike for a while. Once i do need to wear a backpack how much different does it make riding a bike on the highway? When its packed with clothes it will probably weight ~ 10lbs.  Do you recommend wearing it or strapping it to the passenger seat?

I also think i should practice ridng with it locally before hitting I-87 south for the first time...

Tom

[Elijafir]

I have had no problems wearing my back pack at freeway speeds.. In fact I have found that it helps keep my jacket tight to my shoulders.  You *might* notice a small change in your COG (Center of Gravity) with 10 pounds.. depending on how it's packed.  I often carry a gallon of milk home from the grocery store (~8 pounds) and I notice that.. but it is also all in the lower portion of the pack. I.E. Not evenly distributed.  I have carried a 2.5 Gallon (~20 pounds) jug of water in my pack and it was not that bad, not anything I would want in there for 2.5 hours.. it was awkward though.
I would suggest packing up like you would for your commute.. and practice riding like that.  Kind of like "weighted training clothes."  You will be used to riding with the pack.. then when you ride without it you will feel lighter and more nimble. 

[tykho]

I ride with mine on my back, mostly because I'm kinda cheap. I want to invest in a tank bag, I think that would be a great addition for storage. I ride tandem a lot so I'm also not keen on rear storage, so I guess I'm biased.

I don't even notice it when I ride, I've only been riding since february, but I've but over 4000 miles on the GS, and I can't even remember when I had the bag on and when I didn't. Shouldn't ever be a problem, unless your lugging around 80 lbs of gear in there or something crazy like that.

[007brendan]

I think you'd be better off investing in a tankbag, or some other type of motorcycle luggage.  You could also just get a small to medium sized duffel bag and use a cargo net to strap it to the seat, though it won't have the ease of loading/unloading that tankbags and saddlebags have.  Either way, I would recommend against riding with a backpack.  It will just make riding more tiring, especially when it starts to get hot.

[tt_four]

I barely even notice wearing a backpack anymore. The one thing I do notice is the free feeling I get from not having one one, but when I do I don't think anything of it. I used to have a tank bag and loved it. I need to find another. It's pretty convenient for not having to carry something, but still being able to see it to know it's there. I hate strapping stuff to my tail because no matter how well I do it, I hate not being able to see it, and always worry that it's going to fall off. Also keep in mind that putting something heavy in a tank bag will help the bike feel top heavy. I know I can definitely feel it when I fill up my gas tank, so it would feel a bit like that.

Depending on what bars you have, if you sit upright enough sometimes you can rest your bag on your back seat while it's still on your back and transfer some of the weight that way.

Getting a bookbag big enough to fit your helmet in, or one with helmet straps is also extremely convenient if you need to go into a store or something else and don't want to leave the helmet on your bike.

[skudman]

i'm a backpack user for shorter rides, and pull out the saddlebags for longer rides. With rides that long i always find myself wiggling around to change the weight on my spine if i wear a backpack. Also i would hope your backpack has a lumbar strap AND a chest strap, cause when checking my blind spot before changing lanes the strap catches the wind and falls off, just get annoying after doing it a bunch.

[Twism86]

Thanks guys. Good point brendan about the heat. With my jacket and backpack in the summer it will get warm to say the least. I have lots of bungee straps so i will try strapping it behind me.

[Twism86]

i'm a backpack user for shorter rides, and pull out the saddlebags for longer rides. With rides that long i always find myself wiggling around to change the weight on my spine if i wear a backpack. Also i would hope your backpack has a lumbar strap AND a chest strap, cause when checking my blind spot before changing lanes the strap catches the wind and falls off, just get annoying after doing it a bunch.

Yup, its a hiking day pack so it has chest and waist straps. It wont be going anywhere.

[black and silver twin]

I ride with a backpack every day, it never goes any where, even at 120mph. Yes I have and do regularly go over 110 with my backpack

[Homer]

I ride with one of these every day:
http://www.chromebagsstore.com/bags/messenger-bags/citizen-buckle-bag---medium.html?c=95
When I don't wear it, my back feels cold and naked.  

(Fun fact: Once stood under a waterfall by the Blue Ridge Parkway, and forgot my $600 camera was inside.  Not a drop.   )

If the weight is uncomfortable, you can loosen your straps a little.  The bag will rest on the back seat, but will still stay snug enough to not flop around in the turns.  That's IF you're sitting upright with stock handlebars - can't say the same for clip-ons/dragbars.  

That being said, you can buy a locking waterproof topbox from JCWhitney for $53.  You can have a mount welded up pretty cheaply, or just bolt it right through the rear seat.  

[tt_four]

I tried wearing my old messenger bag on my motorcycle and I couldn't stand it. They weren't made to be worn when you're not leaning forward almost horizontal and you can tell instantly when you put it on. I have no clue how kids wear them when they're just walking somewhere. If you want a good waterproof bag like that I'd recommend one of their roll-top backpacks, but then you might have an issue of not being able to see over your shoulder.

my bag isn't waterproof, but it's thick nylon, and has a flap over the top and does surprisingly well in the rain. The fact that I'm usually moving keeps the water off my back, although that's definitely something to consider with the short tail on the Buell, as I would not only be dealing with the falling rain from above, but I'd get a good bit of it tossed at me from the back tire too. If it looks like it's gonna rain I try to just keep some ziplock baggies for anything important.

[adidasguy]

I ride with a backpack all the time. Its nothing at all. I suppose if I put 50 pounds into it it might throw me off. I have put in 6 bottles of wine (taking to someone, not drinking and riding) and it was like it wasn't even there. If the backpack is snug and doesn't flop around, then its OK for me. Been to Fry's and filled it up and even put my rear hugger in it (taking home to install it after it was delivered at my office) along with gym clothes. Never have had a problem even on the freeway. Just strap it on snug.

Best suggestion: try it. If you don't like it then don't do it. Ride in your comfort zone.

[NJMike]

I bought a skateboarding backpack at walmart for $15 to see if i liked the backpack thing. I take my bike everyday with me to work and take the backpack as well. As someone stated before, it helps a ton with keeping your jacket down. I'm a HVAC commerical installer and had a 18v drill, 2 batteries, and hand tools in my bag and it went pretty well. I keep my straps as tight as they go and its fine. Almost 2nd nature.

[kml.krk]

I commute with backpack every day. No problem what so ever.
When I go alone for fishing trips I put fishing equipment in my backpack. It is still fine and I really don't notice that extra weight.

[gregvhen]

I commute with backpack every day. No problem what so ever.
When I go alone for fishing trips I put fishing equipment in my backpack. It is still fine and I really don't notice that extra weight.

wow, took the words right out my mouth. i use it for my tackle box and waiters all the time on the highway, off highway, and just strap my poles to the passenger pegs pointing up and backwards.

[Affschnozel]

Backpack? No problem:

[Anaconda]

I ride with one of these every day:
http://www.chromebagsstore.com/bags/messenger-bags/citizen-buckle-bag---medium.html?c=95
When I don't wear it, my back feels cold and naked.  

(Fun fact: Once stood under a waterfall by the Blue Ridge Parkway, and forgot my $600 camera was inside.  Not a drop.   )

If the weight is uncomfortable, you can loosen your straps a little.  The bag will rest on the back seat, but will still stay snug enough to not flop around in the turns.  That's IF you're sitting upright with stock handlebars - can't say the same for clip-ons/dragbars.  

That being said, you can buy a locking waterproof topbox from JCWhitney for $53.  You can have a mount welded up pretty cheaply, or just bolt it right through the rear seat.  

Not to go off topic, but how should i go about having a mount welded for me? *question to Homer or anyone else that could chime in*

[mister]

Why would you want a mount welded? Maybe to save some bux and so you have a bodgy looking mount.

If you want a top box, use a proper mount. Buy the box and mount together. Or buy a mount at a wreckers and then get a box to fit it.

If you want something more removable, get a rack like the Ventura racks. We people down here in Oz love 'em.

Michael

[BaltimoreGS]

A cheap solution is to get a backpack at Walmart and sew some strong magnets into it so it can be used as a tank bag.  I used the magnets out of some junk Volvo throttle bodies but any rare earth (strong) magnets should do.  Then you can use it as a tank bag on the bike and carry it as a backpack when you get off.  Make sure the straps don't hang on the hot engine/exhaust though when you are riding.

-Jessie

[Porkchop]

I used to commute with  backpack.  I tried wearing it as well as strapping it on to the seat.  In the end I bought soft saddle bags and a tail bag.  The tail bag holds most everything I need and comes with straps so I can just sling it over my shoulder when I get to work.  Well worth the investment.

- Porkchop