Backpacks. Are they a safety hazard?

[Madmax]

I came off at 140km with a backpack on once
my laptop had a crack in its case but the bag was stuffed
(the laptop only died after on of my workmates managed
to spill coke on it)
I am not a fan of backpacks as i have had my foot caught
on one trying to get away from the bike in a spill

[Pixie]

IMO carrying luggage on your body makes you the nail and the luggage the hammer.
Back in 82 I was on a trip around east cape with auck uni bike club,and witnessed a rider and pillion lose it on a corner and ride off a bluff,landing 20 meters below in a paddock the pillon had all their stuff in a hikers pack on her back and suffered spinal injuries.She was not crippled, but did suffer continuing extreme pain.I heard that the Docs were considering performing sympathectomy procedures to reduce the pain.

[750Y]

I used to carry my boxes of piss in a backpack, 24 bottles of beer. that was until i t-boned a car at speed & did the superman, crushing them all. I've carried glass once since then. As for general duties, backpacks are fine but if they are heavy then on long trips it can be tiring. The ventura packrack system is the best way to carry stuff on a sportsbike that i've come across.

[Lou Girardin]

I don't like backpacks, they're uncomfortable when loaded, unsafe if you have heavy/solid objects in them. I use a topbox for commuting and panniers when touring. I haven't had any handling woes with the bags on, even had a bloody good fang with some sportbikes through the Whangamoas.

[Pwalo]

I still wear a backpack for commuting, and short trips (so I only carry lunch, jersey, etc). I've got a Ventura pack rack for any longer ones.

I was wearing my backpack when I canned last year with out any problems. May have been something to do with it being a highside which meant I landed on my helmet and gloves. The pack was scuffed a bit so I'd obviously rolled.

The scary bit was that the tyre pan that I'd been carrying in one of the outside mesh pockets was scratched. I sure as hell don't carry that any more (in fact I'd just forgotten that I'd put it there).

IMHO it's probably not a problem using a backpack for carrying small, light stuff, but for the heavier bits I'd use my carrier.

[vifferman]

Up until I got the VFR750 (1999), I used to wear a backpack. The VFR had a Ventura rack and pack, so that was the end of that.
One problem not mentioned with backpacks is that if it has any weight in it, it's pulling you backwards, so you're going to be holding the bars more, and it could potentially affect the steering. Also, I found the pressure from the straps on my shoulders restricts the blood flow a little, and makes your shoulders sore after a while. Of course, you can loosen the straps so the pack rests on the seat, but then it's more likely to flop around. Furthermore, with a heavy bike jacket on (leather at the time), getting the bag on and off was a bit of a drama.
The first few times I rode to work with the Ventura rack after using the backpack I was really pleased at how much better it felt riding the bike without a bag on my back.
One more point - even though the Ventura backpack doesn't seem to affect the handling much unless it's very full/heavy (I had two fire extinguishers in it once - THAT made it sway around!), it's nice riding without it on, if for no other reason than I can hear the zorst more betterer.

[sels1]

I used a backpack on my last bike and was never that comfortable with it. Fortunately my current bike had a Givi topbox fitted already when I bought it. Altho it clicks off and on at the push of a button I tend to leave it on most of the time because its so bloody handy. The only time I noticed affect the handling was when I crammed it really full to go to the Waikato Rally. Even go offroad with it on - no probs

[XTC]

Pack frames or top boxes for me.... Not worried about whether or not it "looks" funny I just want to be able to carry stuff.

[Eurygnomes]

So what's the best top box/pack carrier thingie to get for my shoes when I ride my GN250?!

At present, I've been using my backpack - with the chain lock thing, my wallet, keys and sunglasses and a change of clothes (just in case something dramatic happens en route) but I would rather have stuff off my body. It's not like any of my gear is heavy or even particularly bulky - but it would be far handier (and I could stop at the shops on the way home instead of going home, collecting the car and then going shopping!)

[vifferman]

So what's the best top box/pack carrier thingie to get for my shoes when I ride my GN250?!

Depends on your budget, and whether you need to be able to lock stuff in it to leave it on your bike. Choices are Ventura (~$200 for the rack, plus ~$100 for a bag), or Givi for a lockable topbox $???). Alternatively, see if you can find a rack somehwere that will fit, and just bungy an ordinary pack on to it, or get some "throw-over" saddlebags that go on the seat, or a tankbag, or (if you don't have much stuff) there are some tailbags that clip onto the pillion seat.

[XTC]

So what's the best top box/pack carrier thingie to get for my shoes when I ride my GN250?!

At present, I've been using my backpack - with the chain lock thing, my wallet, keys and sunglasses and a change of clothes (just in case something dramatic happens en route) but I would rather have stuff off my body. It's not like any of my gear is heavy or even particularly bulky - but it would be far handier (and I could stop at the shops on the way home instead of going home, collecting the car and then going shopping!)

Here's a pic of the GN with a bag. can face forwards or back.
www.ventura-bike.com

[Hitcher]

There are pros and cons for any system of carrying stuff, other than a rider, on a motorcycle. There will always be an effect on centre of gravity, wind resistance, rider/pillion comfort and just general aesthetics. The fine print in the owner's manual for a Yamaha FJR1300, for example, cautions about using panniers AND a top box. Whatever system you choose, you should be aware of its limitations and the effect it will have on your bike's riding performance.

There are risks in carrying hard objects on your person, particularly in case one lands on said and has them inserted in places most painful. And the backpack has to be the nuttiest idea of all. It constrains your ability to move freely, increases your drag, alters your centre of gravity, has straps that can get caught in stuff, and just generally looks naff. The biker equivalent of a "baby on board" sticker...

[Lou Girardin]

So what's the best top box/pack carrier thingie to get for my shoes when I ride my GN250?!

Givi rack and top box kit = $199.00 inc.
I'm almost sure this is a 30 litre box.

[Wolf]

Generally use a backpack as that's all I have. I don't like it - restrictive, tiring on long journeys, annoying to put on/take off. I feel overweight enough with the armour and helmet without the pack turning me into a B-grade Igor.

I'd love proper lockable waterproof panniers. I've always figured them as rather expensive, though.

[Hitcher]

I'd love proper lockable waterproof panniers. I've always figured them as rather expensive, though.

Throw-overs are a good compromise. Jimmy sold us a set (no brand-name) a couple of years ago, and they are just brilliant! They have waterproof inners, as opposed to some of the more expensive "named" varieties that require waterproof outers.

Lockable panniers are good though, especially when they can be easily detached from the bike. One design flaw with the ST's pannier system is that you need two keys -- you can't have both unlocked at the same time if you only have one key.