Backpack and safety

[Doobage]

Question: Is it safe to ride with a large back pack on your bike?

I have a large internal frame backpack that can hold a fairly large volume. With it, I could probably contain 90% of my camping equipment on the "inside" of the pack, so as to not cause things to flap around from wind shear. Being that it is an internal frame pack, it would be close to my body.

Does anybody ride with packs? Does it cause instability or discomfort?

[number9]

I guess some guys would use one - just a matter of personal preference I guess. I would not. Much like a driver backrest - I'd not use one because if some bone-head bumps you at a red light you stand a chance at having serious back injury.

Anything you carry on your bike or person could be a potential weapon in a crash. I never carry anything hard in the pockets of my jacket or pants for this reason (except a Skoal can in left thigh pocket).

[Mellow]

I think it just depends on how big. You can strap down anything to your bike and keep it from moving.

I agree about not riding with any sharp/hard objects in your jacket however, I try to keep my cell phone with me just in case I'm riding alone and, in a crash in the middle of nowhere, might not be able to get to the bike to access the phone. Of course, I might also land on the phone and break it so that's one of those things that goes both way.

How big is the back pack? Can you put it on your bike and show a pic to help us see how big you are talking about?

[Trailace]

Question: Is it safe to ride with a large back pack on your bike?


When I went on my first long camping trip /ride I used a waterproof backpack and it work fine. However I learn a lot since then and now do thing a little different. I pack about half that much stuff and keep it lower now. Live and learn. I had it tied down with two heavy-duty straps and it did not move at all.
Then
http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/908907-M.jpg

Now
http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/45859344-M.jpg

[Mellow]

I've also cut back.. no more trailer on my current bike.
http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/281472-M-1.jpg

[Doobage]

I'll grab a picture later today. But for quick reference, it's about as long as from mid butt to middle of the head. When sitting, it pushes the pack up about 4 inches (which works well if you are waiting for a train in Europe and drunk on <fill in the blank> ). It's about as wide as my torso and about the same depth.

Since I primarily use it for my family camping nowadays, I stuff the tent and other camping gear in it, and strap all the bags and everything else to the outside of it for hikes to the primitive campsites that are about a mile or two back from the road. My daughter is 7, so going further requires her to ride on my shoulders, which is tough to do when you're already carrying 60+ pounds of stuff in your back and both arms full of junk.

Camping solo, I use it for my clothes, pad, sleeping back and food....keeping it to the bare essentials...probably around 25 to 30 pounds (10 of that being food) and 8 lbs being water. And that's usually enough to last me 3 or 4 days, assuming I can refill water. Otherwise I pack more water.

I could certainly strap it down on the bike, but I notice that when I have stuff strapped down, I pay probably too much attention to it, which detracts from the ride (Both in enjoyment and focus). Perhaps I need to strap down in such a way that it's "impossible" for it to come off?

BTW...how well did you like your uni-go?

[Big Bandit]

I am thinking that strapping it to the bike is better than wearing it for two reasons. If you wear it, the center of gravity of your bike will be higher than if it is strapped down horizontal on the back of the seat. Also, in a crash you will be able to move faster and be more agile without it. Rolling on pavement is better than sliding (don't ask me how I know) and it would be hard to roll with the backpack on.

[mongo]

I am thinking that strapping it to the bike is better than wearing it for two reasons. If you wear it, the center of gravity of your bike will be higher than if it is strapped down horizontal on the back of the seat. Also, in a crash you will be able to move faster and be more agile without it. Rolling on pavement is better than sliding (don't ask me how I know) and it would be hard to roll with the backpack on.

I have tried roling and sliding (neither intentionally of course) and don't like either one!!!! Personaly the lowest the weight of your pack is the better. No tent (or other ) poles lined up front to back with potential to get jabbed into our back in an accident.

[Doobage]

Well, I still need to provide a photo, but I was thinking of mostly stuffing clothes in it. The only reason I'd use it for my tent is if I had a need to bring a 4 man tent.

I'd think since I ride 2-up from time to time that the pack would alter the center of gravity less than a pillion...so it's probably okay...but rolling vs. sliding, and or getting jabbed with stuff in the pack is something to consider.

My 4 man tent poles, when folded are about 3 feet long, so they can only go in the pack vertically and on the inside (but furtherst from my back).

It doesn't appear that too many people ride with large back packs, so I'm guessing that either there aren't a lot of people that have those with motorbikes...or it's a comfort issue.

If I get a chance, I'll experiment some with it and post some pics. Thanks again.