I have a modest out of town trip planned for next weekend and I need to bring a small toolkit and a change of clothes. I'm thinking about just strapping a backpack to the seat with some bungee cords. Ok idea, or should I look into a real piece of luggage?

Be very, very, very, very careful about dangling straps, or straps that start tucked away but become dangling straps. Strap in wheel or chain becomes a really suck-tastic experience.

Quote from: DoD#i on July 22, 2011, 12:01:09 PM
Be very, very, very, very careful about dangling straps, or straps that start tucked away but become dangling straps. Strap in wheel or chain becomes a really suck-tastic experience.

Gotcha.

If that's all you're going to take why not just wear the backpack?

Use a bungee NET. Much more secure than normal cords, and will hold a full 25L backpack steady of the back seat at 80mph+ without moving.

Most good motorcycle shops/dealers will have them in stock too, very cheap.

Id say dont WEAR the backpack, i find it makes your tired much quicker, and affects when i lean etc. With the bag netted down to the back seat i hardly notice its there!

Quote from: vinny on July 22, 2011, 03:09:48 PM
Use a bungee NET. Much more secure than normal cords, and will hold a full 25L backpack steady of the back seat at 80mph+ without moving.

Most good motorcycle shops/dealers will have them in stock too, very cheap.

Id say dont WEAR the backpack, i find it makes your tired much quicker, and affects when i lean etc. With the bag netted down to the back seat i hardly notice its there!

Yes bungee net!!!    I call it bungee spinder web..........I carry all kinds of stuff on my bike on the rear seat with it.....
I put all my crap into one of those Wal Mart fiber cloth shopping bags  (blue color matches my bike) and stretch the bungee spider web over it....4 lugs on frame under the seat to hold in place...
Backpack is uncomfortable and hot!


Cookie

I've done both, the one thing I've noticed about a bungie net is that if you don't have enough stuff under it for it to maintain proper tension against the hooks holding it to the subframe it can come loose, not something you want to happen on the highway.

Oh yeah, that bungee net makes sense. Never thought of that, thanks for the suggestion.

See - this is the best website in the world. 

Northerntool.com is having a sale on their motorcycle luggage...

A seat bag can be had for rather cheap, http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200464317_200464317
and there are matching saddle bags and a tank bag as well.  You could gear up the entire bike for about $100, or just start off with a piece.

I'm looking to grab the saddle bags this week.

also.... put the backpack in a garbage bag and then strap it down
waterproof and no danglies

I just picked up one of these from Cabela's:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-XPG8482-Dry-Sacks/744820.uts?

Was pretty cheap and it's strap-free. Doesn't need to hold much, just some clothes and a bag of tools.

All of these are under $25 and will work with some persuasion.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=atv+tank+bags&ic=48_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

$60
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Classic-Accessories-Motorcycle-Saddle-Bags/10802875

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Paul-Jr.-Motorcycle-Saddle-Bag/16777873

I hate walfart and refuse to shop there but these were posted on another forum.I checked and reposted.

Wow good call on the northern tool bags. Big enough for a weekend trip. Mckinlk what's the dimensions on the seat bag? I didn't see that.

Quote from: evilimprdr on July 26, 2011, 12:11:09 PM
Wow good call on the northern tool bags. Big enough for a weekend trip. Mckinlk what's the dimensions on the seat bag? I didn't see that.

Its the same one on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Motogear-73727-Motorcycle-Tail-Bag/dp/B000RN04VU/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_b

Looks like "Bag Size: 12.5"L x 9.5"W x 7"H"

Quote from: mckinlk on July 26, 2011, 02:55:42 PM

Quote from: evilimprdr on July 26, 2011, 12:11:09 PM
Wow good call on the northern tool bags. Big enough for a weekend trip. Mckinlk what's the dimensions on the seat bag? I didn't see that.

Its the same one on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Motogear-73727-Motorcycle-Tail-Bag/dp/B000RN04VU/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_b

Looks like "Bag Size: 12.5"L x 9.5"W x 7"H"

Strangely it appears Northerntool is out of stock...  The direct link I provided earlier works, but you can not add it to your shopping cart.  As I mentioned, Amazon.com carries all of these as well.  If you have Prime, then pricing is within a couple dollars of Northerntool's sale price.