Backpack On a Motorcycle

Anyone have experience carrying a backpack on a motorcycle? I'll be taking a couple trips this summer/fall and am looking for a bag that's large enough to fit my 20D, 3-4 lenses, tripod, laptop and a load of accessories, but that also won't be constantly riding up my back from being pushed up by the passenger seat. Anyone here take their gear on the road with their bike?

Regards,
Joe

I would recommend a tail bag or large tank bag. I guess compatibility here would depend on what bike you have. I never wear a back pack for two very good reasons. Long term comfort with heavy gear hanging off your back, and the potential of increased neck and back injury during an unfortunate dismount.

There are a number of bag options that mount to your bike that would hold a smallish camera bag pretty well.

I use Cortech Sport bags http://www.motodepot.c​om/product_cat.php?cid​=139. I had the saddle bags for my last bike and they were very secure. My current bike can mount factory hard bags when I plan to carry a bunch of stuff, but for small loads, I still use the tail bag.

I'll be on a Honda Shadow. I've got touring bags that will likely carry all my other necessities for traveling. And a couple stops will include some light hiking, so a backpack would be most flexible. I was also looking towards a backpack so it could pull double-duty as an international travel carry-on.

I've taken backpacks on extended trips in the past with no major comfort issues, although I admit it's probably not ideal in a potential spill.

The one I use is the Kata R-103 GDC Rucksack also works as a carry-on.

I can't say which backpack - but you are on the right track, in my opinion. A tank bag is too small for your gear list. The "Barcalounger" seating of the Shadow will limit your options.

You are also looking at close to 30 lbs of gear - that will be wearing on the rider especially the lower back in that riding position. I think your gear list may have to go on a diet...

One final option may be a sissy-bar bag - I've seen some that fit very well, and may take your gear. You'll have to divide it into compartments yourself, but would work.

Also consider the Pelican airline roller attached to the sissy bar - rugged, and water proof, too. Attachment will be a bit jury-rigged, and hit-or-miss.

Look for one with a sternum strap, they give a more secured fit.

I have a couple of backpacks, depending on what I am carrying and how far I am going. I have a standard backpacking one with a chest and waist strap. I also have a messenger-style single strap pack that was designed for cameras.

I would suggest you not use the hard bags on a bike for long trips. Your lenses will not be happy. I did that on my 90 Electraglide and after a 200 mile trip, even though my 70-200 was well padded, the vibration over the rear wheel was just too much. One of the elements (glass bits?) broke free and trashed a second one inside the barrel.

I have done a 2000 mile trip with a replacement lens in a backpack with no problems. The move forward to the seat (where vibrations are reduced) and carrying it in a padded backpack( where the straps can soak up more of the vibration) seems to have done the trick.

I'll be taking saddlebags and a large bag on my sissy bar/luggage rack for clothes, first aid, light rations, toiletries, the usual travel lineup. I could lighten the load of my backpack and store some gear in the bike luggage (tripod and laptop). That way I'd save my back and still have the backpack for when I'm on foot.

Think the Lowepro Vertex 200 is too big?

I use a Swiss Army Back Pack every day. Got it at target for like $60. It works great!

Vetteography wrote in post #5916606
I would suggest you not use the hard bags on a bike for long trips. Your lenses will not be happy. I did that on my 90 Electraglide and after a 200 mile trip, even though my 70-200 was well padded, the vibration over the rear wheel was just too much. One of the elements (glass bits?) broke free and trashed a second one inside the barrel.

Put some suspension on that Hardley Ableson!

I was planning to carry some gear in my hard bags once I put them on again. These lenses survive shipping, which is most likely harsher than you'd see on a bike. How was your lens packed? I won't carry a back pack, but you have me thinking a larger tank bag would be better than the hard bags.

Lacks_focus wrote in post #5918151
Put some suspension on that Hardley Ableson!

I was planning to carry some gear in my hard bags once I put them on again. These lenses survive shipping, which is most likely harsher than you'd see on a bike. How was your lens packed? I won't carry a back pack, but you have me thinking a larger tank bag would be better than the hard bags.

Come on now... that Electraglide was the softest riding bike I have ever owned. Air suspension in back too! The bag was layered with foam on the bottom and the lens was wrapped in a towel and fit snug. Still shook itself apart.

Now a days my bike is a lot rougher but my backpack has extra padding (around my waist)

where are you riding, what's the temperature? i had a sportbike, not quite what they call a "crotch rocket" and i used a backpack just for the daily commute. but in the heat my shirt would be soaked and stuck to my back cuz the bag prevented airflow. maybe you could get a backpack that could also be strapped to a sissy bar.
if i had kept my motorcycle (sold for needing money due to health issues, i miss it) it had the large exhaust pipe on the right side. i was gonna put a fake muffler on the left side and it would be a tripod holder.

NJ to Chicago to Raleigh, NC next month and NJ to Watkinsville, GA in early Oct. Heat will be an issue on the first trip. One solution may be to strap the backpack to the sissy bar and add tank bags to make up for the lost luggage space. Not as much storage volume in tank bags, but it may work.

I love the fake pipe/tripod-holder idea!

i should have kept that quiet and got a patent.