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riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 8:52 am
by Ben Wiseley
I don't have bags for the bike yet. I put on my
backpacking frame backpack the other day and was
able to ride around the block with it and most of
the weight rested on the seat - so it wasn't even
that uncomfortable. It seemed safer than
strapping it down (because it's definitely not
going to fall off my back without me noticing)
I'm (obviously) a total newbie biker ... is there
a reason why this isn't a good idea or isn't
safe?
-ben
kirkland, wa
'99 KLR650
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riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 9:24 am
by Jim
I always cringe when I see people riding with backpacks. It seems
like a bad thing to add more mass to your body in the event you get
tossed off. I'd also worry about falling off the bike the wrong way
and landing on my back - seems like the lump of the backpack would
make things extra painful. Not to mention the hazards of what is in the
backpack. On my one low-speed get off I had a ring of keys in my pants
pockets. After the accident I noticed they ripped through my jeans,
and all the layers of my Aerostich. I also realized they could have
just as easily probably gone the other way and ripped into me
Everything now goes into the tank bag. Cell phone, keys, etc.
jim
On Thursday, June 12, 2003, Ben wrote:
BW> backpacking frame backpack the other day and was
BW> able to ride around the block with it and most of
riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 9:26 am
by KLR Rider
Ben - backpacking on the bike is not a great idea. Your whole sense of balance is changed and it makes your feel for the bikes balance, leaning, etc. "out of whack". Since you said yours rests on the seat, that is going to prohibit you from being able to lean appropriately side to side or shift your weight around in the saddle. Generally speaking it is not a good idea.
Strap that baby down good and secure (tight) with solid straps and buckles/catches (ie. NOT BUNGEE CORDS WHICH SHOULD NEVER EVER EVER EVER be used on a bike) and the weight will become a solid part of the bike, not a fluid part like you.
Good luck!
-Scott
Banks, Oregon
----- Original Message -----
From: Ben Wiseley
To:
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 6:52 AM
Subject: [DSN_klr650] riding with a backpack
I don't have bags for the bike yet. I put on my
backpacking frame backpack the other day and was
able to ride around the block with it and most of
the weight rested on the seat - so it wasn't even
that uncomfortable. It seemed safer than
strapping it down (because it's definitely not
going to fall off my back without me noticing)
I'm (obviously) a total newbie biker ... is there
a reason why this isn't a good idea or isn't
safe?
-ben
kirkland, wa
'99 KLR650
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riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 11:15 am
by Pople, Michael (JUS)
I usually ride with a pack and have never experienced a problem. Just make
sure it's strapped down firmly so it doesn't blow around. Also remember the
wind has a tendency to open zippers. I suppose one could make the argument
that it could snag in dense brush but it won't cause an inherently unsafe
riding condition. Perhaps others disagree.
Mike
I don't have bags for the bike yet. I put on my
backpacking frame backpack the other day and was
able to ride around the block with it and most of
the weight rested on the seat - so it wasn't even
that uncomfortable. It seemed safer than
strapping it down (because it's definitely not
going to fall off my back without me noticing)
I'm (obviously) a total newbie biker ... is there
a reason why this isn't a good idea or isn't
safe?
-ben
kirkland, wa
'99 KLR650
riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 11:19 am
by Zachariah Mully
On Thu, 2003-06-12 at 12:14, Pople, Michael (JUS) wrote:
> I usually ride with a pack and have never experienced a problem. Just make
> sure it's strapped down firmly so it doesn't blow around. Also remember the
> wind has a tendency to open zippers. I suppose one could make the argument
> that it could snag in dense brush but it won't cause an inherently unsafe
> riding condition. Perhaps others disagree.
>
> Mike
I prefer riding off-road with a backpack. It has my camelback, food, and
tool roll. I guess I could go with the Tumu rainbow bag and bungee net
solution, but I just don't. I've never had a problem with it getting
snagged or hurting me in a fall (in fact, I think it's broken my falls
several times).
Z
DC
A5X
A12X
riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 11:24 am
by bigburlybaldbeardedbiker
I used a Camelbak backpack on my Copper Canyon, Mexico trip and it
seemed to work out fine.
Paul Streeter
-- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Ben Wiseley wrote:
> I don't have bags for the bike yet. I put on my
> backpacking frame backpack the other day and was
> able to ride around the block with it and most of
> the weight rested on the seat - so it wasn't even
> that uncomfortable. It seemed safer than
> strapping it down (because it's definitely not
> going to fall off my back without me noticing)
>
> I'm (obviously) a total newbie biker ... is there
> a reason why this isn't a good idea or isn't
> safe?
>
> -ben
> kirkland, wa
> '99 KLR650
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM).
>
http://calendar.yahoo.com
riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 11:25 am
by Pople, Michael (JUS)
I totally concur. Obviously they are a bad idea if you pack them with 200
lbs or fill them with axes heads. Otherwise I think they provide some
spinal protection, particularly if they are securely belted at chest and
waist.
Mike
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Zachariah Mully [SMTP:zmully@...]
> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:19 AM
> To: Pople, Michael (JUS)
> Cc: 'wiseleyb@...'; 'KLR'
> Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] riding with a backpack
>
> On Thu, 2003-06-12 at 12:14, Pople, Michael (JUS) wrote:
> > I usually ride with a pack and have never experienced a problem. Just
> make
> > sure it's strapped down firmly so it doesn't blow around. Also remember
> the
> > wind has a tendency to open zippers. I suppose one could make the
> argument
> > that it could snag in dense brush but it won't cause an inherently
> unsafe
> > riding condition. Perhaps others disagree.
> >
> > Mike
>
> I prefer riding off-road with a backpack. It has my camelback, food, and
> tool roll. I guess I could go with the Tumu rainbow bag and bungee net
> solution, but I just don't. I've never had a problem with it getting
> snagged or hurting me in a fall (in fact, I think it's broken my falls
> several times).
>
> Z
> DC
> A5X
> A12X
riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 1:01 pm
by KLR Rider
The world has lots of opinions...ok, you know the rest.
But, Michael, I couldn't disagree with you more. If you go off on your back that backpack is not going to add spinal protection, it is going to be something for you to bend your back over the wrong way and break it. MUY DANGEROUS! If you are going to slide on your back, you want a perflectly flat surface wherever possible.
-Scott (Firefighter/EMT who has picked up lots of motorcyclists in lots of contorted positions).
----- Original Message -----
From: Pople, Michael (JUS)
To: 'Zachariah Mully'
Cc: 'wiseleyb@...' ; 'KLR'
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:25 AM
Subject: RE: [DSN_klr650] riding with a backpack
I totally concur. Obviously they are a bad idea if you pack them with 200
lbs or fill them with axes heads. Otherwise I think they provide some
spinal protection, particularly if they are securely belted at chest and
waist.
Mike
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Zachariah Mully [SMTP:zmully@...]
> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:19 AM
> To: Pople, Michael (JUS)
> Cc: 'wiseleyb@...'; 'KLR'
> Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] riding with a backpack
>
> On Thu, 2003-06-12 at 12:14, Pople, Michael (JUS) wrote:
> > I usually ride with a pack and have never experienced a problem. Just
> make
> > sure it's strapped down firmly so it doesn't blow around. Also remember
> the
> > wind has a tendency to open zippers. I suppose one could make the
> argument
> > that it could snag in dense brush but it won't cause an inherently
> unsafe
> > riding condition. Perhaps others disagree.
> >
> > Mike
>
> I prefer riding off-road with a backpack. It has my camelback, food, and
> tool roll. I guess I could go with the Tumu rainbow bag and bungee net
> solution, but I just don't. I've never had a problem with it getting
> snagged or hurting me in a fall (in fact, I think it's broken my falls
> several times).
>
> Z
> DC
> A5X
> A12X
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riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 1:27 pm
by Pople, Michael (JUS)
In the interest of gaining some objectivity, I called a doctor I know who
works with a lot of MV accidents. Her opinion was that a backpack could in
fact provide leverage to cause a neck injury and was obviously dangerous if
filled with bulky or sharp objects. The bottom line she said is that you're
"so exposed" that it probably doesn't matter a lot. Meaning I surmise that
dead is dead. So I'll concede that you probably shouldn't crash with a
backpack on. Truth be told I'm largely anti-crashing under any
circumstances. I still maintain that so long as they aren't loaded to an
extreme, they don't create an inherently unsafe riding condition. Riding a
motorcycle at all isn't as safe as driving a car in general so the question
is "does wearing a backpack cross the line from calculated risk to
unnecessarily stupid risk?" I say no, but everyone has to make that
decision for themselves.
Mike
> -----Original Message-----
> From: KLR Rider [SMTP:klr@...]
> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 1:01 PM
> To: 'Zachariah Mully'; Pople, Michael (JUS)
> Cc: wiseleyb@...; 'KLR'
> Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] riding with a backpack
>
> The world has lots of opinions...ok, you know the rest.
>
> But, Michael, I couldn't disagree with you more. If you go off on your
> back that backpack is not going to add spinal protection, it is going to
> be something for you to bend your back over the wrong way and break it.
> MUY DANGEROUS! If you are going to slide on your back, you want a
> perflectly flat surface wherever possible.
>
> -Scott (Firefighter/EMT who has picked up lots of motorcyclists in lots
> of contorted positions).
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Pople, Michael (JUS)
> To: 'Zachariah Mully'
> Cc: 'wiseleyb@...' ; 'KLR'
> DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:25 AM
> Subject: RE: [DSN_klr650] riding with a backpack
>
>
> I totally concur. Obviously they are a bad idea if you pack them with 200
> lbs or fill them with axes heads. Otherwise I think they provide some
> spinal protection, particularly if they are securely belted at chest and
> waist.
>
> Mike
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Zachariah Mully [SMTP:zmully@...]
> > Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 11:19 AM
> > To: Pople, Michael (JUS)
> > Cc: 'wiseleyb@...' ; 'KLR'
> > Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] riding with a backpack
> >
> > On Thu, 2003-06-12 at 12:14, Pople, Michael (JUS) wrote:
> > > I usually ride with a pack and have never experienced a problem. Just
> > make
> > > sure it's strapped down firmly so it doesn't blow around. Also
> remember
> > the
> > > wind has a tendency to open zippers. I suppose one could make the
> > argument
> > > that it could snag in dense brush but it won't cause an inherently
> > unsafe
> > > riding condition. Perhaps others disagree.
> > >
> > > Mike
> >
> > I prefer riding off-road with a backpack. It has my camelback, food, and
> > tool roll. I guess I could go with the Tumu rainbow bag and bungee net
> > solution, but I just don't. I've never had a problem with it getting
> > snagged or hurting me in a fall (in fact, I think it's broken my falls
> > several times).
> >
> > Z
> > DC
> > A5X
> > A12X
>
> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at
www.dualsportnews.com
> http://www.dualsportnews.com>. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at:
>
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> DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com> .
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> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>
>
>
>
>
riding with a backpack
Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2003 1:29 pm
by coolmaduro
--- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Pople, Michael (JUS)"
wrote:
> I usually ride with a pack and have never experienced a problem.
Just make
> sure it's strapped down firmly so it doesn't blow around. Also
remember the
> wind has a tendency to open zippers. I suppose one could make the
argument
> that it could snag in dense brush but it won't cause an inherently
unsafe
> riding condition. Perhaps others disagree.
>
> Mike
>
I also ride with a Camelback Mule backpack. As long as you don't have
too much weight in the pack, and it's strapped well to your body,
there shouldn't be any problems. In addition, a Camelback (or
something similar) is very useful on long rides because you can drink
as you ride and has just enough room for wallet, keys, cell phone, an
additional piece of clothing (shirt, sweatshirt, rain gear, etc.) and
maybe a couple of snack bars.
-cm