The perfect bags/packs for bikers

[klingon]

I just came across a range of bags and backpacks called "nearly roadkill" made by a guy in Australia. He makes them out of the interiors of written-off cars. The straps are safety belts, the bags themselves are usually upholstery.

I just adore the poetic justice of it... bikers riding around using the skins of dead cars as fashion items :gob:

Take a look at the web site. I haven't tried ordering anything from him yet but I've heard only good things (he's a friend of a friend in Melbourne).

http://nearlyroadkill.com.au/index.html

[tri boy]

The messenger bags look quite functional. Handy to throw over your shoulder and ride with.

[HornetBoy]

Probably something HD riders should wear ,adding even more to the angry Harley rider look.:niceone:

[madandy]

I'm ever so slightly disturbed by the blokes' intamacy with that manequin

[Trouser]

I'm ever so slightly disturbed by the blokes' intamacy with that manequin

luckily it was only shirts optional.

[homer]

I bet he rides a honda

[BIHB@0610]

I'm ever so slightly disturbed by the blokes' intamacy with that manequin

There's no price list on the website - does the fact she's missing an arm (can't see her leg) suggest to you they might be expensive?? :lol:

Seriously though, great product, fabulous. Reduce, reuse, recycle and all that. :niceone:

[90s]

Quality actually looks pretty good. I wonder if the actual ones you buy though are a bit 'pot luck' depending on what he's got in the garage?
You wouldn't want a wallet made out of a lada riva seat.

[Rosie]

The messenger bags look quite functional. Handy to throw over your shoulder and ride with.

I've got a bike-courier type satchel that is really comfortable on the motorbike, and it's much easier to put it on compared to a backpack.

[Insanity_rules]

Interesting, but the manequin photos are rather disturbing

[Livvy]

They look pretty damn good I have to say... Hmm... I need a new bag for school... I like the look of some of the larger messenger bags.

[klingon]

yeah the large messenger bags are my favourite. And I definitely like sling-over bags waaaay better than backpacks. I find backpacks a total pain to put on & off over shoulder & elbow armour.

I have to agree that the mannequin photos are disturbing...looks like that guy got a little carried away when asked to model for these shots. Even more disturbing that her nose is missing. Maybe she's a crash-test dummy?

[Livvy]

yeah the large messenger bags are my favourite. And I definitely like sling-over bags waaaay better than backpacks. I find backpacks a total pain to put on & off over shoulder & elbow armour.

I have to agree that the mannequin photos are disturbing...looks like that guy got a little carried away when asked to model for these shots. Even more disturbing that her nose is missing. Maybe she's a crash-test dummy?
Yeah, but the only thing with the messenger bags is you usually do have to keep the strap quite tight and with the bag itself more around on your back from my personal experience, they can get kinda irritating banging into your elbow or when you're leaning into corners... (but this is only pillion experience! :shutup:)

Crash-test dummy sounds about right... One can only hope anyway. I think things get a little lonely out in the big Australian outback (I mean he must have been bored to come up with this idea anyway!) :jerry:

[fireball]

the thought of it coming out of someones car is disturbing.......

who knows what fluids has been spilt on it....:shit:

[Livvy]

the thought of it coming out of someones car is disturbing.......

who knows what fluids has been spilt on it....:shit:
Ugh yuck... Didn't even think of that...

Oh well, the materials probably were cleaned.

[Rosie]

Yeah, but the only thing with the messenger bags is you usually do have to keep the strap quite tight and with the bag itself more around on your back from my personal experience, they can get kinda irritating banging into your elbow or when you're leaning into corners... (but this is only pillion experience! :shutup:)

Messenger bags designed for bicycle use often have a second strap that goes under one arm to help stop the bag from flopping around. Mine (http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.cactus&product_id=100&category_id=56&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=19) has always stayed in place when I've used it on the motorbike.

I agree with fireball - you'd want to make sure the bag wasn't made from the back seat of a Bedford van or anything. :laugh:

[Livvy]

Messenger bags designed for bicycle use often have a second strap that goes under one arm to help stop the bag from flopping around. Mine (http://www.cactusclimbing.co.nz/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.cactus&product_id=100&category_id=56&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=19) has always stayed in place when I've used it on the motorbike.

Ho hum. Mine is an army-style messenger bag, so nothing fancy. Can't quite see what you mean from the picture you linked to but I'll take your word for it all the same - a bag designed for bicycle use would have to have a little extra to make it sturdier whilst riding.

But I don't think these bags were designed with bicycles and/or motorbikes in mind so I doubt they'd have the extra strap.

[HungusMaximist]

I've got plenty of those messenger bags but they're hopeless riding of a bicycle or motorbike.

I've only used backpacks and it's the only way to go!

A lot of those adventure shops sell high quality packs and recently I've managed to score a knock off Osprey style pack with a ventilation spine so it's like a empty mesh against your back. Since I do alot of cycling this was fantastic as my back and pack would constantly get loaded up with sweat.

Also has a waterbladder holder, 2 straps, one around your waist, has coin pockets, the other around your chest. It's nifty all round, and if you chuck some nikwax waterproofting stuff and chuck it on the washer, then it's waterproof!

Would definitely recommend getting the real thing opposed to the knock off, last time I checked Bivouac outdoors were doing them for about $109 for a 30 L pack.

www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/AtmosSeriesMens/

[Livvy]

I've got plenty of those messenger bags but they're hopeless riding of a bicycle or motorbike.

I've only used backpacks and it's the only way to go!

A lot of those adventure shops sell high quality packs and recently I've managed to score a knock off Osprey style pack with a ventilation spine so it's like a empty mesh against your back. Since I do alot of cycling this was fantastic as my back and pack would constantly get loaded up with sweat.

Also has a waterbladder holder, 2 straps, one around your waist, has coin pockets, the other around your chest. It's nifty all round, and if you chuck some nikwax waterproofting stuff and chuck it on the washer, then it's waterproof!

Would definitely recommend getting the real thing opposed to the knock off, last time I checked Bivouac outdoors were doing them for about $109 for a 30 L pack.

www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/AtmosSeriesMens/
I don't generally carry around enough stuff to require something that large... Got any advice on Camelbacks? Or other smaller backpacks?

[HungusMaximist]

I don't generally carry around enough stuff to require something that large... Got any advice on Camelbacks? Or other smaller backpacks?

Camelbaks are fantastic but they are very expensive for what little they can hold. They have a big series of different sized packs so I suggest that you a look on their website.

As for the osprey, the 30 L pack was just right size for me but keep in mind they have a huge range ranging from 10L to 70L sized packs, so have a browse on their website.

I also have a laptop bike similar to the one below and heavy padded internally and got this padded inserts for smaller laptops. They have heaps and heaps of pockets, practical and very nifty.

There's also these Axio hardshell (protection for your goods inside in case for a fall) backpacks especially designed for motorcyclists. Nice looking but rather pricey and no experience with them.

It all down to what you're after aye. :headbang:

[Livvy]

Those look good... Might be an idea for when I'm heading to my parent's for the weekend. But thanks for the advice, I'll have to go check out the camelback & osprey websites and suppliers sometime this weekend.