Wearing a backpack while riding?

[Rback]

I had a "off" while wearing my pack and too be honest, think it helped. I highsided at over the legal speed limit. Admittedly I only had a few clothes in it and it has a hard backsupport. My question to this is - What about the hump on the back of racing leathers. That doesnt support the neck.??

[nico]

tank bags are a great invention

[Stromble]

I had a "off" while wearing my pack and too be honest, think it helped. I highsided at over the legal speed limit. Admittedly I only had a few clothes in it and it has a hard backsupport. My question to this is - What about the hump on the back of racing leathers. That doesnt support the neck.??

Doesnt the hump on racing leathers line up with the rear of the helmet though..? i would assume to avoid neck injury? (as well as the aerodynamic properties..)

[Mikkel]

Just don't be dumb about putting sharp, heavy/rigid things in it ... oh and wear a back protector.

+1 - especially the back protector bit, and that's whether you carry a backpack or not.

...and get a backpack which fits snugly along the length of your back.

I wear a backpack on my daily commute - doesn't bother me too much. Wearing one on a 700 km trip is a different matter though - but still doable.

I came off while wearing my backpack and I don't think it aggravated the fall in anyway, but it's hard to say...

[Gremlin]

Doesnt the hump on racing leathers line up with the rear of the helmet though..? i would assume to avoid neck injury? (as well as the aerodynamic properties..)

I thought it may help too once upon a time. Its actually made of very soft foam, ie, useless for protection. Its there for two reasons, 1) a little bit of aerodynamic help, 2) gp riders have them, they look good, so surely road riders would want them.

[CookMySock]

I wear mine so often I feel undressed when I DON"T wear it.....

I reckon. I feel like "I'm off on a trip" when I have my pack on - I love it..

I had a "off" while wearing my pack and too be honest, think it helped. I highsided at over the legal speed limit. Admittedly I only had a few clothes in it and it has a hard backsupport.

Yeah I agree. I wouldn't wear some small pack with no back support. And as for putting nasty pointy steel tools in it - in an off you would be very fortunate to not have one of them sticking out your chest. Um, bad!

DB

[Mom]

Here she is in all her beauty... (sorry, no front basket)

OMG!!! They really did look wanky, seeing one after all these years!..

That was one seriously good little bike! It was our shop hack, the apprentices had to get the smoko on it They hated it. I actually had a couple, I got sick of the boys wrecking my baby...LOL

Thanks guys! Wish I had one now

[<Rhino>]

This is an interesting topic, I'm still a relative newby and have had a back pack on since day 1!! Since I commute to work I have to take somthing with me. On any given day all I have in my bag is a spare rain jacket for under my bike jacket on re helly bad days , my phones, and wallet. Sometime I have have a spot of leftovers for lunch.

I never really thought that it was that bad, but now I'm wondering. Might have to look into some saddle bags

Huh nurses,

[Mom]

I had a "off" while wearing my pack and too be honest, think it helped. I highsided at over the legal speed limit. Admittedly I only had a few clothes in it and it has a hard backsupport. My question to this is - What about the hump on the back of racing leathers. That doesnt support the neck.??

Obviously the content of the back pack defines the risk to a degree...If you have another option use it

tank bags are a great invention

They sure are.

+1 - especially the back protector bit, and that's whether you carry a backpack or not.

...and get a backpack which fits snugly along the length of your back.

I wear a backpack on my daily commute - doesn't bother me too much. Wearing one on a 700 km trip is a different matter though - but still doable.

I came off while wearing my backpack and I don't think it aggravated the fall in anyway, but it's hard to say...

I guess as one gets older, one gets more afraid...LOL

Take care with the back pack eh! Yes, doable, but sensible? Think fatigue here...my shoulders hurt, wish I could get this thing off my back, God when is this trip going to end, my back is killing me.....OMG! WTF! OUCH! Worst case I agree... Not being able to enjoy completely the hospitality of your hosts after a long trip because you wince each time you move?

I thought it may help too once upon a time. Its actually made of very soft foam, ie, useless for protection. Its there for two reasons, 1) a little bit of aerodynamic help, 2) gp riders have them, they look good, so surely road riders would want them.

You are talking "wank factor" surely for road riders? To step aside from my shit stir long enough to avoid the wrath of my friends that have them for a moment, they must add aerodynamics? They must be proven technology, or we would not see them used professionally? Safety...I dont know, someone smarter will though I have no doubt!

[skelstar]

Have done a 900km trip in a day with a fullish backpack had don't remember it being a problem at all.

[Ragingrob]

I believe it would have much to do with what you're carrying in your back pack... I doubt that a pad of refill and a couple of pens in a backpack would make any difference to any injuries sustained in a crash. If you were carrying a dozen beer bottles, or a bag full of heavy duty tools, then yes this could harm your chances.

[BiK3RChiK]

I often wear a small backpack with 'essentials' in it. I once tried a large backpack with an inbuilt back support and as soon as I got on the bike, I knew I'd not even get down the drive! If I ever have to go anywhere that requires more 'stuff' I'll be sending it forward to my destination or getting a packrack.

[Gremlin]

You are talking "wank factor" surely for road riders? To step aside from my shit stir long enough to avoid the wrath of my friends that have them for a moment, they must add aerodynamics? They must be proven technology, or we would not see them used professionally? Safety...I dont know, someone smarter will though I have no doubt!

since I ride on the road... ummm no... no wank factor

yes, they provide a little bit of aerodynamics... but we're not doing 350kph are we? or are we? The screen will assist more with aerodynamics, and considering I can't get behind mine, and still have umm... done, *cough* $2.80 its really a moot point.

[Mikkel]

I guess as one gets older, one gets more afraid...LOL

Actually neurological research show that the number of receptors in the brain that induces anxiety decreases with age - if you're past 40 you should feel significantly less afraid... (I'm not going to guess at a lady's age - it would be improper, not to mention indecent )

Take care with the back pack eh! Yes, doable, but sensible? Think fatigue here...my shoulders hurt, wish I could get this thing off my back, God when is this trip going to end, my back is killing me.....OMG! WTF! OUCH! Worst case I agree... Not being able to enjoy completely the hospitality of your hosts after a long trip because you wince each time you move?

Well, more sensible than missing the party I'd say! A few backaches is not anything a few beers won't sort.

[Pogo2]

The weight of the backpack will also have an effect on the handling as it will move the centre of gravity higher. The nett result we be that the bike will have a slighty higher tendency to topple ( and maybe also some extra instability)due to the additional weight at the higher level.

Its best to carry all of your weight as low as possible. Thats why the big tourers, such as BMW (and others) have their panniers as low as possible. Weight is lower and therefore bike is easier to handle.

I guess for smaller stuff its not too bad but if your carting around alot of weight then I would perhaps reconsider where I put that weight.

Oh hang on - way too much physics after 8.00pm.