Backpack recommendations? For storing all your gear? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Backpack recommendations? For storing all your gear?

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stickman88

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So what I find most annoying is when you are all geared up for a ride going to the mall for example and you have all this gear you now have to lug around. More specifically I mean leather jacket, gloves, and helmet. I rather not strap my helmet to my bike sometime but I was wondering sering if any of you have recommendations on backpacks or any type of luggae where you can throw your jacket gloves and helmet into and just strap it on you instead.
 
2 options I can think of.

1) OGIO and ICON both made backpacks with helmet straps. Problem is that both will not have enough room for your leather jacket, and you risk knocking your helmet with stuff.
2) Cases (Top and/or side) that locks - Cases like GIVI, you'll be able to fit all your gear and lock them up. The soft cases normally are smaller in size, unless you get a tailbag like the Kriega ones. You usually cannot lock them, unless you thread a bike cable lock through.

I usually use a rental locker in a mall if I know I'll be there for awhile. A friend of mine also threads a cable bike lock through his jacket and helmet and strap them all on his bike. Hope this helps.
 
EC2010 said:
2 options I can think of.

1) OGIO and ICON both made backpacks with helmet straps. Problem is that both will not have enough room for your leather jacket, and you risk knocking your helmet with stuff.
2) Cases (Top and/or side) that locks - Cases like GIVI, you'll be able to fit all your gear and lock them up. The soft cases normally are smaller in size, unless you get a tailbag like the Kriega ones. You usually cannot lock them, unless you thread a bike cable lock through.

I usually use a rental locker in a mall if I know I'll be there for awhile. A friend of mine also threads a cable bike lock through his jacket and helmet and strap them all on his bike. Hope this helps.
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Thanks. Yeah that's the problem. The Ogio is very popular but I don't like the side strap for the helmet as it can be knocked around and the back pack itself although stores alot of mini stuff like laptops, is not big enough for jackets.
 
what is the make of your bike?
 
You could always switch to a scooter and put stuff under the seat.
 
Any that is big enough.

I usually go with some kind of alpine/hiking pack from MEC because they are guaranteed for life, have lots of places to attach extra stuff if you need to, expand large enough to fit a helmet (or a 24, if you desire), but also compress small when they are near empty. Only annoying part is all extra length on the straps when it's not full but you can easily tie them up or something. I've tried to find alternatives with fewer straps to deal with but nothing ever ends up being as versatile.

Another bonus is you can use the same pack to deliver a huge box of parts along with 2 tires to your mechanic or, in my case, deliver full size desktop PCs to people or bring cases of beer to my friends' places. And they have big giant straps so the weight won't bother you and secure to your body well.

Lots of people on here disagree with me on these types of bags, though.

If I don't need as much space I use a Timbuk2 bag that converts from carry on wheeled luggage to a backpack but I'm not sure if I can fit my helmet in that one. But between the two that's about $400 in bags but I can use the alpine pack for hiking/camping (and it will last my lifetime, it's 4 years old now and looks brand new) and the Timbuk2 for vacation and business trips. For commuting to work I have a very small backpack my sister gave me that she got for free as a promotional item but it doesn't hold much more than my lunch. Once the guys went to out after work and I was able to stuff both my boots into it and use the water bottle holders on the side to hold my kneepads so I didn't have to find somewhere to store that stuff (or wear it) at the restaurant. I also take that one on vacation for a small day pack as it packs easily into my other luggage.
 
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unL33T said:
Any that is big enough.

I usually go with some kind of alpine/hiking pack from MEC because they are guaranteed for life, have lots of places to attach extra stuff if you need to, expand large enough to fit a helmet (or a 24, if you desire), but also compress small when they are near empty. Only annoying part is all extra length on the straps when it's not full but you can easily tie them up or something. I've tried to find alternatives with fewer straps to deal with but nothing ever ends up being as versatile.

Another bonus is you can use the same pack to deliver a huge box of parts along with 2 tires to your mechanic or, in my case, deliver full size desktop PCs to people or bring cases of beer to my friends' places. And they have big giant straps so the weight won't bother you and secure to your body well.

Lots of people on here disagree with me on these types of bags, though.

If I don't need as much space I use a Timbuk2 bag that converts from carry on wheeled luggage to a backpack but I'm not sure if I can fit my helmet in that one. But between the two that's about $400 in bags but I can use the alpine pack for hiking/camping (and it will last my lifetime, it's 4 years old now and looks brand new) and the Timbuk2 for vacation and business trips. For commuting to work I have a very small backpack my sister gave me that she got for free as a promotional item but it doesn't hold much more than my lunch. Once the guys went to out after work and I was able to stuff both my boots into it and use the water bottle holders on the side to hold my kneepads so I didn't have to find somewhere to store that stuff (or wear it) at the restaurant. I also take that one on vacation for a small day pack as it packs easily into my other luggage.
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Stoppie much, with a heavy bag of stuff? I tried bicycling through part of Holland with a large backpack and it was brutal. Took the train instead.

Anyways, the O.P. would have a nice security escort through all of the stores, if he were to utilize an extra large backpack to store his belongings.
 
Backpack = pain in the *** to carry gear. i have jacket + pants + helmet = huge space required. In my bag i usually can carry the pants and have to carry jacket and helmet in hand.

I have an OGIO Less Drag (discontinued) and for some reason lost the fakkin helmet holder ....

Now i lust for a top case but theyre so damn expensive.
Adding it to the wishlist
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-...ng-travel-multi-function-bags/1915602463.html

New-arrival-Tech-Aero-Backpack-motorcycle-helmet-bag-off-road-hiking-travel-multi-function-bags-.jpg
 
A regular backpack will do just fine for you. No matter what pack you use the helmet will always stick way the hell out when you're carrying it.

I invested in side/rear luggage and definitely the best use of money in my case.

Don't get a super expensive pack, won't do anything for you. A regular one is fine.
 
^^ same here. Tried one of those MEC huge backpacks and promptly switched to the Ogio. The online pics of the Ogio is deceiving. Most comfortable when it is not expanded (you unzip to expand, get another inch of extension) For me, it totally screws up where the paddings are supposed to be. Also, it's great for holding lots of tiny things, but once you jam a laptop in, forget about using the shoe holders. My go to is a small MEC running backpack with the mesh shoulder straps.

If I have the money, I'd get the top cases. For now, if I have to lug loads of stuff, I'd prefer the tailbag and a cargo mesh/rock straps.
 
Baggsy said:
Stoppie much, with a heavy bag of stuff? I tried bicycling through part of Holland with a large backpack and it was brutal. Took the train instead.

Anyways, the O.P. would have a nice security escort through all of the stores, if he were to utilize an extra large backpack to store his belongings.
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Never had much of a problem even when it was loaded with close to 100 lbs of stuff except when moving around tight parking lots at low speed. I wouldn't want to cycle with that much stuff on me but I find cycling hard enough as is, lol. Besides, he's going to be using it mostly empty on the bike and then put all his gear into it when he gets off. That helmet holder thing posted by ZX600 is neat.
 
You can always put a cable through your helmet and gear, then put a bike cover on to conceal it.
 
Top and side cases. Yes the initial outlay is high...but the convenience more than makes up for it. On my recent trip I did some hiking and rafting...I managed to store my boots, touring pants and touring jacket and gloves in the top and side cases and use a lock and cable to put the helmet on my bike. Then went off to enjoy the day in shorts and a T and hiking shoes.

For cheaper bags look for Givi on European sites like Motostorm.it I bought my Givi Trekker set up there and saved around $300 CDN over north American prices and that's after shipping and tax costs. If you're using these sites make sure you set your home country to Canada to get the 17% VAT removed and set currency to US or CDN$. I bought the Givi rack used off a bike specific forum...that's a good way to save a ton of money since the racks don't degrade that much unless someone does something stupid enough to bend them or break a weld.
 
I still haven't figured this one out either, although it is due to the fact I wear most gear than most while riding (eg. helmet, jacket, back protector, pants, knee armour, boots, and gloves). I do have an Alpinestars backpack, but it can't fit very much (maybe knee armour, gloves and some other small things, etc).
 
how long does it take you to get out of the house? If I had to put on all that **** on I would give up on riding.
conundrum said:
I still haven't figured this one out either, although it is due to the fact I wear most gear than most while riding (eg. helmet, jacket, back protector, pants, knee armour, boots, and gloves). I do have an Alpinestars backpack, but it can't fit very much (maybe knee armour, gloves and some other small things, etc).
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So do u guys just all lug around ur heavy ads jacket. I guess another solution is to just get a thinner jacket....

I'm mostly looking for something to store jacket. Helmet can be attached to the bike if necessary.
 
ZX600 said:
how long does it take you to get out of the house? If I had to put on all that **** on I would give up on riding.
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I wear pretty much the same minus the extra back protector.
 
ZX600 said:
how long does it take you to get out of the house? If I had to put on all that **** on I would give up on riding.
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Doesnt take long.

I have helmet, riding jacket (with included CE armor), riding pants (with armor at hips and knees/half shin) boots and gloves.

Takes an extra 2 minutes and thats it.
First few times it takes a while but after that, its just a normal part of the "ritual".

Sometimes wifey asks me why i dont just take the car...
well... ive taken the car for the past 6 years and ill be taking it during winter too, variety is the spice of life hehe
 
ZX600 said:
how long does it take you to get out of the house? If I had to put on all that **** on I would give up on riding.
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Hey now, don't make fun of old people (jk) with preexisting injuries.
I have a small givi top case that holds helmet and gloves, my pants and jacket are another story. I might start strapping a large duffel-bag for jacket/boots/pants in the future. Though most days, I rarely mix riding with another sport/activity...
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