Wearing a backpack while riding?

[vifferman]

There's a bit of scaremongering and misinformation on here about backpacks. Firstly, wearing one should be OK if:
- It's not too heavy (will strain your shoulders, and back, and will upset the balance of the bike. If you crash, it's also going to affect your ability to slide or roll.)
- Has a padded back, or armoured outer (like those turtleback thingos), or you wear a back protector. (Incidentally, I have a Teknic one for sale).
- You don't carry dangerous items in it, like wildcats, explosives, biological waste, babies, or P-addicts.
- It is well tied on (waist strap).

Having done thousands of km with a backpack on, I'd say you're better off with a topbox or backpack on a rack, in the event you crash, and from the point of view it doesn't hinder you as much when you're riding. However, it IS convenient just being able to jump on the bike and go, as opposed to having to put the backpack on the bike or fill your topbox.

[mattian]

I wear my backpack to work everyday. I only carry my work clothes in it and yes, I do consider it a risk...... but, its a calculated risk, like every decision you make about your riding. Its not so much the impact of objects inside the bag that would concern me so much as the the possibility that it might "snag" on something while you are sliding along the tarmac, and, with it attached firmly around my shoulders with straps could be quite nasty. It is certainly safer to have a pack rack or topbox.

[Mikkel]

I wear my viola (which is slightly bigger than a violin) on my back slung like a rifle. I have been doing this for over 50 years, mainly in the city. This topic has made me think on the dangers. I expect I will continue to do so. My only concern in the past was the fact that the instrument is worth over $6000, I was concerned about what an off would do to the viola, never thought about me untill now.

Hardcase or softcase?

If it's a softcase I don't think you'd need to worry too much (about yourself...)

A hardcase on the other hand.

[Flip]

Could be that you just know more and have more to worry about as you get older...

No my bones don't bend and even a slow fall will result in a trip to hospital.

[Mikkel]

No my bones don't bend and even a slow fall will result in a trip to hospital.

Trust me mate, my bones don't bend either... Doesn't mean you have to break them though.

[musicman]

Hardcase or softcase?

If it's a softcase I don't think you'd need to worry too much (about yourself...)

A hardcase on the other hand.

The only stringed instruments I've seen carried by softcases are guitars and double basses... I don't think violinists, violists, and cellists would risk carrying their instruments in a soft case. I've never tested the fragility of my violin, and I hope I never have to.

[sunhuntin]

ill only ride with a backpack if the top box and tank bag are full, and i have no bungy cords on hand. i bought a top box and had it fitted before i had my license, so ive never had to travel any great distance. usually, ill pack a backpack with whatevers needed, and their either jam it into the box, or strap to the pillion seat. soft stuff like clothes i dont expect would make much difference, depending on how tightly packed the bag is. if its close to splitting the zip, then it might make a difference.

[Bass]

From a purely subjective viewpoint, when I am watching motoGP, it seems to me that after an off, if they only slide, they get up and walk away. However, if they tumble, that's when they tend to break bones.
A back pack encourages tumbling.
Having said that however, I have just spent 2 months doing 18,000 km around the back blocks of Oz while wearing a 3 litre camelback with some extras like camera etc in it - about 5 kg all up. I wouldn't have done without it. I could have, but it was a risk balance call.

[3L4NS1R]

look cool if you're planning on sliding down the road on your back

Excellent. Its all about the looks, and if you can look cool while in the midst of what is probably a bit of a screwup on your behalf, why not?

[alanzs]

I ride with one frequently. Usually fairly light, nothing sharp, etc. I also have a back protector in my riding suit. Bottom line, the ground comes up really fast when crashing, so I try to avoid it at all costs.
Number one rule of riding: NEVER TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE. It covers everything really if you think about it.

[Zuki Bandit]

Yep, wear mine all the time. Never really thought of it as a risk

[portokiwi]

I wear my back pack allmost everytime I go on my bike, I have a waist and chest harness on mine but I cant say I do both of then up.
Like most say commen sense in what you put in the pack and how big the pack is. I can strap my fishing gear to it as well. Just glad I never catch anything or I might have a problem bringing the catch home lol

[ManDownUnder]

I feel undressed when I DON"T wear it

... it's much nicer to feel your missus when SHE's undressed....

[Dakara]

I used to ride with a pack, but the amount I had to carry to work was getting too heavy and weighing on my shoulders, also realised my own safety was at risk.

Easiest solution is a bungy net. Fill ya pack up, strap it to the pillion seat and off ya go. When I ride 2 up in summer, I have had my other half riding with a pack on, but just with towels for the beach. However, am going to look into a tank bag, or even some soft panniers (http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=5562) for the next bike.

I have a tail bag, but it's a pain in the arse as evertime I put it on or take it off the bike I have to remove 4 bungees then the Pillion seat. Doesn't sound like much, but after a few weeks of doing it 4 times a day (Home... Work...Work...Home) ya get pretty sick of it!

[munterk6]

Yep, wear mine all the time. Never really thought of it as a risk

Grow a brain buddy....wearing a backpack on a bike is downright STUPID!
Apart from falling off and breaking your neck.1)ts so much harder on the wrists under brakes due to the weight of the pack being increased by G force,
2) it weighs on ya shoulders and is a general pain in the arse compared to riding without one
3)Its like having ya missus ON YA BACK...and who wants that?
There ya go, 3 good reasons!

Seems to me that people who are happy to wear a pack on there back are just TOO TIGHT to shell out for proper luggage or packrack and bags. I use a ventura system on my bike and I commute it so its real handy for throwing shit in.