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Motorcycle backpacks?

Jbella

Jbella

Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Location
Atascadero, CA
Moto(s)
Triumph Bonneville T120
Name
Rob
Hi all.

I currently carry an RKA small tailpack on my Triumph Bonneville. It works great for iPads, glasses, phones, sunscreen, gloves, etc. but is too small for carrying a real motorcycle jacket for those cooler trips over to the coast. I could get saddlebags but... the look, you know. Besides, I think they'd be overkill for what I'd want to use them for.

Now I'm looking at backpacks. I have a travel backpack but I want one specifically designed for motorcycling as I'm thinking it will have an extra layer between your back and the pack for ventilation. They come in sizes from 18L up to 24L. Do you think an 18L would be big enough for a folded jacket?

I'm kind of liking the OGIO Mach 3 and Mach 5 I see on Revzilla but have never looked into these before. Do you have a favorite brand / model? Is one of these the "industry standard"?

Oh yes. This backpack strategy wouldn't be for overnighters, just day rides.

As an aside, and at the risk of hijacking my own thread... If it sounds like I'm riding around in a long-sleeved T-shirt in the summer you're right. I moved down here to the Paso Robles area from the Bay Area two years ago and have resisted this local custom all this time but.... even my lightest jacket with the liner removed is too heavy for these hot summer days. Before this I've always been ATGATT. Feel free to lecture me, I deserve it, but maybe that can be a new thread as I want to hear about backpacks.

Thanks.
 
Of course the problem with a motorcycle jacket is the armor, padding, and the material. This makes them extra bulky. They don't even fold well.

If you're not riding with a jacket now, that is you're running about in your t-shirt, why worry about carrying a motorcycle jacket for when it gets cool? Why not just stuff in a light jacket, or fleece (which are kind of breezy, to be sure), or just get a leather jacket (which served the community pretty well for decades). Something that will pack tighter.

My first motocycle specific jacket was mostly nylon with leather patches, and modicum of padding. But it packed quite well, if necessary.

Then, of course, there's this:

helitemoto.com

HELITE H-MOOV Airbag Backpack (Mechanical Trigger)

Motorcycle Airbag Vests And Jackets By Helite With Technology To Reduce Injury In A Crash
helitemoto.com helitemoto.com

Which is super clever.

I wear a backpack into the office, mostly because I don't have any other luggage of note right now, and it works ok for me. It's a generic Amazon Basics backpack (which, honestly, as a day pack, it's great!). I didn't choose this for riding, I bought it as a gift for someone who never came by, so I just used it. But it's pretty good!

The singular feature that I've found on a motorcycle specific backpack that I liked is having a quick release strap. Basically, instead of having the strap sewn at each end, with adjustments, one end (the lower end) is clipped to the backpack. That way you can just unclip it to have it fall off.

But that's more a problem for me because it's over my bulky, armored jacket. Not a real issue for when you're wearing a t-shirt. I've contemplated doing surgery to my backpack to add that feature.

Have you considered just strapping the jacket down to the seat with a bungie net? If you're hot, you sure you really want something on your back? The tail pack you have could easily hold the bungie net. Bungie nets have their issues, but they sure are versatile if you can lash 'em down properly.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I currently DO use a bungee net over my tailpack to hold my jacket when I'm not wearing it but it prevents access to the tailpack when it's bungeed over it. ;(

You make a good point about not trying to fold a REAL motorcycle jacket since I'm not getting the protection anyway. Thanks for getting me out of the "box" I was in. ;)
 
I use a standard back pack bungied to my passenger seat for 3 day rides.
I am not a fan of wearing one, but hey.. I also wear a jacket when it is 100 degrees. :laughing
Of course access is limited, but I keep stuff I need often to the south of the last bungee and if I have to remove a bungee I can deal.
 
I like Kriega too - I've a waterpack and a 20lt rucksack from them. I've carried bundles of heavy stuff in the 20lt, on all day rides and you barely notice you're wearing it. I think the hydration packs are the best you can get also.
 
When I rode to work I would just use a plain ole Victronix backpack I used to carry my laptop in and would just put velcro straps around the pull tabs to keep it from opening on the freeway. easy-peasy. Used a Kriega 20l for food and shoes and backpack for the rest.
 
+1,000 for Kriega. I've ridden in your area and had no problem staying cool enough in fully ventilated Dainese textile jacket and pants.
 
Currently on my 2nd Kriega R35 (First one got stolen from my car :( ) and I carry my lunch bag, my polo shirt and other daily essentials for work. It can hold ALOT but I've done long rides with my Kriega and I feel like it's not even there.
 
Kriega makes good stuff. I bought one of their bags for a trip last year and am using it on my current adventure and despite being pretty loaded it's been comfortable for 33 miles a day or so.
 
It's your lucky day, my friend. I have a Triumph riding backpack I'm looking to get rid of.
 
I pondered this for a few months, I have a backpack that I do use, but I was looking for something easier. I was living in Flag at the time, I got to comparing what I see on a collage town's street.
One guy was wearing the top of two piece race leathers, and a tight backpack, both went on & off together. I don't think he did much hiking with this setup.
I bought a 'stich messenger bag, one strap, it does move around, hiking, but doable for me.
Adjusting straps, on & off , not that handy, , ,

Downside, it does get heavy on one shoulder, with water and sometimes I carry my leather jacket, folded over the top, hiking.
 
N4teTheGreat said:
Kriega makes good stuff. I bought one of their bags for a trip last year and am using it on my current adventure and despite being pretty loaded it's been comfortable for 33 miles a day or so.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the replies everybody.

Kriega is getting a lot of recommendations so I'm looking at them too.
 
I live where it' hot also. My solution is to wear a mesh jacket when it's hot, and I carry a windbreaker for when it's colder to wear under my mesh jacket. A windbreaker is light, small, and easy to pack and makes a lot of difference. Another option is to use the rain liner from the jacket. It is very wind proof, and packs small. If I really expect a temp. differential I will include an electric vest. The windbreaker, or liner, and the vest can be put in a large tank back, or rear bag. It's a lot less baggage than a regular bike jacket, has layers for adjustment and the mesh jacket has full armor for safety. I don't like wearing a backpack, it makes me feel like a mule.
 
bobl said:
I live where it' hot also. My solution is to wear a mesh jacket when it's hot, and I carry a windbreaker for when it's colder to wear under my mesh jacket. A windbreaker is light, small, and easy to pack and makes a lot of difference. Another option is to use the rain liner from the jacket. It is very wind proof, and packs small. If I really expect a temp. differential I will include an electric vest. The windbreaker, or liner, and the vest can be put in a large tank back, or rear bag. It's a lot less baggage than a regular bike jacket, has layers for adjustment and the mesh jacket has full armor for safety. I don't like wearing a backpack, it makes me feel like a mule.
Click to expand...
Great post. All those options sound good. I'm second-guessing a backpack now - especially because the whole idea in hot weather is to wear less, not more.

Thanks.
 
JBella - I live in the Central Valley (Turlock, commute to Modesto) you don't know hot (or maybe you do?) LOL. I use a mesh suit during the summer with a backpack and switch to my three season suit during the other seasons.
 
I loved my Rev'It textile jacket for its myriad of cooling vents it was awesome in the heat. Then I had a get off and it got torn up pretty badly in a short pavement to dirt transition which then got me thinking about what would have happened if I had slide longer on the asphalt so I switched to a perforated leather jacket for peace of mind and learned to deal with the heat. It got pretty sweaty on those 100 plus days riding from Los Altos to Morgan hill.
 
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