Anyone do LONG miles w/a backpack?

Chain · 11-24-2004, 10:13 AM

Not talking about a 30 mile commute, but rather a long trip - all day in the saddle, akin to my blast to the Rockies this past fall (600 miles/~9 hours).

Will having the pack on wear my ass out (wind tugging at it and the weight of what I'd have inside the bag)? We're talking about a sustained ride here.

Input welcome...

TGZ13 · 11-24-2004, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

Not talking about a 30 mile commute, but rather a long trip - all day in the saddle, akin to my blast to the Rockies this past fall (600 miles/~9 hours).

Will having the pack on wear my ass out (wind tugging at it and the weight of what I'd have inside the bag)? We're talking about a sustained ride here.

Input welcome...

Get one with chest and waist straps and you will be fine. I did a 450 mile hike over the summer wearing my REI Whitney pack with no problem. Yo can pull it tight against you or leave it loose and let the straps hold it in place.

Plenty of room but not to annoying

ND4SPD · 11-24-2004, 10:25 AM

I went on a ~1300 mile 4 day trip last summer with my Ogio Metro backpack and did ok. It was pretty heavy so after a while it started to hurt my back, but it wasn't unbearable. Definitely get one with chest/waist straps.

ccwilli3 · 11-24-2004, 10:29 AM

did roughly ~500 one time with conqsoft on the 929 with a backpack and a tankbag.

Also, did a 4 day weekend one time, about 1500 miles with a very large backpack. No issues, but then again, I ride a honda, not a suzuki...

It seemed to me, that the pack was sometimes resting on the rear seat, which will help if its heavy/large.

ConqSoft · 11-24-2004, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccwilli3

did roughly ~500 one time with conqsoft on the 929 with a backpack and a tankbag.

Is that all it was?

I thought it was further....

nhfirefighter13 · 11-24-2004, 10:37 AM

Like anything else make sure you buy a good backpack.

The trick to backpacks is that you want most of the weight on a waist strap NOT the should straps...although you do want some nice, wide, padded shoulder straps (with chest strap) too.

ccwilli3 · 11-24-2004, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Is that all it was?

I thought it was further....

I think you did more than I as you had further to go to get back home. I think my actual mileage was like 560 or something.

I just remember my ass hurting (stock seat) and not being able to walk.

TGZ13 · 11-24-2004, 10:40 AM

sheepofblue · 11-24-2004, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

Not talking about a 30 mile commute, but rather a long trip - all day in the saddle, akin to my blast to the Rockies this past fall (600 miles/~9 hours).

Will having the pack on wear my ass out (wind tugging at it and the weight of what I'd have inside the bag)? We're talking about a sustained ride here.

Input welcome...

Yes you feel it but it is not terrible. I prefer without since even riding with only the camcorder in the top of the backpack is noticable. Also the pack will at times ride up into the back of your helmet if you are far over (might be the wooly form factor that does this though

)

Chain · 11-24-2004, 11:23 AM

I've already got a KELTY backpack, the Redtail model. While it does have nice, precurved and padded shoulder straps, it's only got webbing straps (unpadded and narrow) for the chest and waist. Think this will suffice? I'm just trying to add to my luggage options (currently Tour Master Cortech Tail Bag and Mini Tank Bag).

LINK

sheepofblue · 11-24-2004, 11:27 AM

Should be fine, also I find if I overstuff it my comfort drops fast.

On a side note have you considered get the Cortech Saddlebags? Personally if I was on a trip they hold more and the comfort on you is better.

Critz · 11-24-2004, 11:29 AM

it will wear out your wrists and arms quicker..

TGZ13 · 11-24-2004, 11:29 AM

The REI bags straps are pre curved padded and actually with the little adjustment straps kind of hold the form that you put them in if that makes any sense. You can put the bag down pull the adjustments and the straps will stay like it was still on your back almost like it supports itself

Ok back to work I must go.

Chain · 11-24-2004, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

...have you considered get the Cortech Saddlebags? Personally if I was on a trip they hold more and the comfort on you is better.

No, mostly because my Cortech Tail Bag serves me pretty well and I can lash it down w/o touching the tail plastic. While I think I could find it in me to overlook the appearance of saddlebags (pure vanity at play, I know), I don't like the notion of them lying on the bodywork. Then again, Ninerpilot or someone else recently had a great idea about some sort of film or something to put on the plastic first...

ConqSoft · 11-24-2004, 11:37 AM

http://www.corbin.com/suzuki/gsxr1300bags.shtml

Chain · 11-24-2004, 11:40 AM

There are a couple guys on the busa board I lurk around who have those on their bikes. Poor fit on install, less interior room than I would have thought, and they're ridiculously expensive. Good suggestion, but I guess they're not all they are cracked up to be.

sheepofblue · 11-24-2004, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

No, mostly because my Cortech Tail Bag serves me pretty well and I can lash it down w/o touching the tail plastic. While I think I could find it in me to overlook the appearance of saddlebags (pure vanity at play, I know), I don't like the notion of them lying on the bodywork. Then again, Ninerpilot or someone else recently had a great idea about some sort of film or something to put on the plastic first...

I have used mine for a test run of 700 miles and they were fine. Agree on appearance but the bags I have do have neoprene backs, 0 scratch. I even had to put moleskin on the hooks for my tailbag so I am with you on scratches.

bag pic

Chain · 11-24-2004, 11:49 AM

Yeah, I remember that thread sheep.

Hell, I thought I had this all solved. Got a Ventura and I had to BEND the damned tubular rack to get it to fit... and the insides of the tubing was rusted right out of the box. Eh, no thank you.

So then I bought a large Bagster brand TechUp Tank Bag from Eurobikes. I ordered that SOB a couple months ago. Eurobikes hemmed and hawed and made all sorts of excuses about why my order was being delayed. They finally coughed up the truth: they recently lost the Bagster contract as the company's sole U.S. distributor. Now I'm waiting on a refund from Eurobikes. [/rant]

So I'm back to square one, thinking the backpack option is what I'll give a try. Coupled with my tank and tail bags, I should be able to ride w/a week's clothing and supplies w/o problem.

ConqSoft · 11-24-2004, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

Eurobikes hemmed and hawed and made all sorts of excuses about why my order was being delayed. They finally coughed up the truth: they recently lost the Bagster contract as the company's sole U.S. distributor. Now I'm waiting on a refund from Eurobikes. [/rant]

Damn. Hadn't heard that. I dunno what the deal is. I know that they are at least the 2nd to lose it.

They still list em:
http://www.bagster.com/en/moto/distr...php?id_pays=44

sheepofblue · 11-24-2004, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

Yeah, I remember that thread sheep.

Hell, I thought I had this all solved. Got a Ventura and I had to BEND the damned tubular rack to get it to fit... and the insides of the tubing was rusted right out of the box. Eh, no thank you.

So then I bought a large Bagster brand TechUp Tank Bag from Eurobikes. I ordered that SOB a couple months ago. Eurobikes hemmed and hawed and made all sorts of excuses about why my order was being delayed. They finally coughed up the truth: they recently lost the Bagster contract as the company's sole U.S. distributor. Now I'm waiting on a refund from Eurobikes. [/rant]

So I'm back to square one, thinking the backpack option is what I'll give a try. Coupled with my tank and tail bags, I should be able to ride w/a week's clothing and supplies w/o problem.

It should fix things I agree. Just one other thought if you go the saddlebag route. Tourmaster claims you can fasten the tailbag right to the saddlebags. I did not find this true since I opened the width of the saddlebags to better go over the wide tail on the CBR (would probably be true on a touring bike or my Ascot though). Of course you have some time to plot now since snow is coming to your area soon...... Plotting the years skiing/boarding this weekend

CBR929RE · 11-24-2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

No, mostly because my Cortech Tail Bag serves me pretty well and I can lash it down w/o touching the tail plastic. While I think I could find it in me to overlook the appearance of saddlebags (pure vanity at play, I know), I don't like the notion of them lying on the bodywork. Then again, Ninerpilot or someone else recently had a great idea about some sort of film or something to put on the plastic first...

I did a quick search on tankslappers website but didn't see that they had just big pieces of it. That would work pretty good on the tail. Try giving them a call or doing a good search on the site to see if they'll sell it in uncut sheets.

Serial Thriller · 11-24-2004, 12:39 PM

To each his own, but I don't think I'll ever be able to put bags on a sportbike. My motto when travelling on a bike has always been if I can't fit it in the trunk (most are surprised by what you can fit in a 929's trunk!) or a backpack, it doesn't go.
I've never had trouble with wind resistance or anything on a backpack. And with most sportbikes, you have to stop for gas before discomfort is really an issue. But like ccwilli3 mentioned, it's nice if the pack can kinda rest on the rear seat to take some of the weight off your shoulders.

deez · 11-24-2004, 1:04 PM

I have had the same backpack for 3 or 4 years now. It has an X pattern strap system, and it was specifically made for motorcycles. It works better than anything I've seen yet. It also comes with a rain cover and a net should you want to carry your helmet around. I think it used to be on Bagster's site a long time ago, I'll see if anyone carries it anymore.