Riding with a backpack?

[Dustin]

I have been running hard luggage on my last few bikes and I absolutely love it. Not only can I carry a lot more than a backpack, it saves me so much stress and strain when I'm commuting and especially on long trips.

My new SV650 doesn't have a luggage rack yet and I had to commute to school this morning for 45 minutes with a fully-loaded backpack. What would normally be stowed away in my top case where I won't even notice was all stuffed on my back and it made my morning ride a bit unpleasant.

The only advantage I found was that the backpack kept the heat from my heated vest in a bit better.

If you're not interested in a hard luggage system, go grab yourself a decent tail bag--they're cheap and usually have carry handles you can use to tote it around with after the ride.

 

[Red Line]

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like the best bet for me would be a tank bag that can hold a laptop, un-clip and either carry as a laptop bag or as a backpack into work.

 

[Oldschool]

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like the best bet for me would be a tank bag that can hold a laptop, un-clip and either carry as a laptop bag or as a backpack into work.

I have a Cortech magnetic bag that has built in back pack straps that hide away very neatly. The best of both worlds.

 

[fz1uk]

I have a kreiga backpack - always feel happy to wear mine and don't feel fatigue from wearing it for long journeys. Make sure any straps are well stowed though as getting hit by nylon straps at motorway speeds is surprisingly distracting!!

 

[gixxerjasen]

I have been running hard luggage on my last few bikes and I absolutely love it. Not only can I carry a lot more than a backpack

Yup, that was one of the reasons I got rid of my DRZ400SM for the FZ1. Hard luggage rocks. Plus you can carry stuff that'd totally suck in a backpack!

 

[Dustin]

Yup, that was one of the reasons I got rid of my DRZ400SM for the FZ1.

I had the best of both worlds--too bad it's torture on the highway.

 

[Mad_Martigan]

Depending on how full my backpack is (mostly empty) I can ride quite awhile (hours). If it's full to the brim it immediately causes discomfort and distraction... For long road trips I pack my backpack full, and bungie cord it to the passenger seat of my bike (using the passenger handles) - a happy medium for long trips!