Looking for a riding gear bag

Jampy00

Jampy00

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Howdy Folks,

As most "sport" bike riders know, you have very little room on the bike for any kind of storage (if any) within the bike. I own (removable) saddle bags, tail bag as well as some backpacks designed for the "long haul".
What I have been after is a backpack that is compact enough to store in/on bike or form fitting enough to wear empty without 20 million straps and buckles flapping in the wind. The main function of this bag would be to carry your riding gear (Helmet. Jacket, Gloves etc.) when you arrive at a destination. Normally I simply carry my gear if I am stopped for a break or quick meal, but I do find myself stopping at a destination and spending some time there and wanting to walk around to see the sites. This backpack is intended for day rides or just a where ever the road takes me type of ride. Most backpacks now-a-days are designed for laptops etc, which is something I do not need for these 1/2 day adventures. So after googling I think I may have found somthing of interest.

The Givi EA104 - http://www.givi.ca/en/sacs_detail.php?sac=113
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-ea104-easy-range-backpack

I certainly like the fact that is comes with a helmet holder and rain cover and NO laptop pocket. I tried a few CA sites but could not find it listed but Revzilla shows a decent price.

I would love to know what if anything other forum members use and their pros/cons also if they bought local or online.

Thanks for reading
 
You might want to look into some of the packs from Knox. I have an older Aero model, if you look online they have updated it to what they call k-pack.

That being said, I think any small pack like these will be overloaded once you stuff your jacket in it. It will fit but it won't be comfortable to throw over your back with the jacket stuffed in it and the helmet attached.

Have you thought of getting a long cable and lock to basically lock your jacket to the bike? Not ideal but it's a potential solution.
 
JoeyB said:
You might want to look into some of the packs from Knox. I have an older Aero model, if you look online they have updated it to what they call k-pack.

That being said, I think any small pack like these will be overloaded once you stuff your jacket in it. It will fit but it won't be comfortable to throw over your back with the jacket stuffed in it and the helmet attached.

Have you thought of getting a long cable and lock to basically lock your jacket to the bike? Not ideal but it's a potential solution.
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I have a Knox backpack. Works well, has straps to attach a helmet. Don't really use it much since I don't like the feeling of a backpack on while riding plus I'd hate to think what would happen if I came off at speed and took a tumble with bulky crap strapped to my back. With my second bike I got tired of lugging crap about and put a top box on...sexy? No! Useful...yes! Got a Givi Maxia and it fit my helmet and jacket in. One caveat...riding with a full topbox changes the way the bike handles a bit.
 
honestly, any backpack with the extra buckle on your chest will do just to hold it in place. i ride with my hunting backpack and sometimes a fox racing one (usually the fox one).

if i dont need to carry much i have a small joe rocket tail bag, but its a discontinued model....the manta
 
Highly recommend just getting a bigger top box so you can fit helmet and jacket into it. Carrying a bulky pack like that can't be fun in any way shape or form when you're away from the bike.
 
mimico_polak said:
Highly recommend just getting a bigger top box so you can fit helmet and jacket into it. Carrying a bulky pack like that can't be fun in any way shape or form when you're away from the bike.
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I have an E52 top box (two helmets in theory) and V35 panniers. No way I can fit my jacket and helmet in the top box simultaneously. Jacket needs a completely empty pannier. In the same way the helmet will only fit in the top box if there is absolutely nothing above or below it. Basically both need to be pretty empty to fit any gear, which is unlikely to ever happen.
 
mimico_polak said:
Highly recommend just getting a bigger top box so you can fit helmet and jacket into it. Carrying a bulky pack like that can't be fun in any way shape or form when you're away from the bike.
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While I do agree, that is the one thing I do not want to do. I think I'll keep looking as from what I read the backpack feel strange when the helmet is strapped to them.
Thanks for the tips !!
 
Leave the helmet on the bike and take a small convertible tank bag or tail bag

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
 
regder said:
I have an E52 top box (two helmets in theory) and V35 panniers. No way I can fit my jacket and helmet in the top box simultaneously. Jacket needs a completely empty pannier. In the same way the helmet will only fit in the top box if there is absolutely nothing above or below it. Basically both need to be pretty empty to fit any gear, which is unlikely to ever happen.
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I can see that. Leather jacket won't fold down enough for sure. My textile would fit if it wasn't for the back protector in it. If I was to be going hiking I would have to use different riding boots as the ones I have are too stiff to bend and fit into the bags.

Its tough to carry all gear once at your destination.
 
That bag looks good for carrying an extra helmet on the bike but once you get off it's going to be too wide for you to get around comfortably. You're going to be bashing people and everything else with the helmet sticking out so far.
 
unL33T said:
That bag looks good for carrying an extra helmet on the bike but once you get off it's going to be too wide for you to get around comfortably. You're going to be bashing people and everything else with the helmet sticking out so far.
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I don't think there's a way to carry a helmet off the bike with a backpack that doesn't add way more bulk. I've tried it before with a pack (non helmet specific) and it was such a pain in the *** I'll never do it again.
 
there's no bag form fitting or whatever for that matter that will let you haul around your gear...

Just try folding up your jacket and imagine fitting it into a backpack, good luck especially if it has proper armour.
 
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mimico_polak said:
I don't think there's a way to carry a helmet off the bike with a backpack that doesn't add way more bulk. I've tried it before with a pack (non helmet specific) and it was such a pain in the *** I'll never do it again.
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There are a few where the helmet goes above or below the rest of the stuff. Not quite as bulky.

I've stuffed mine into an alpine style pack. It worked alright.
 
unL33T said:
There are a few where the helmet goes above or below the rest of the stuff. Not quite as bulky.

I've stuffed mine into an alpine style pack. It worked alright.
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Yes, I have one of those from Icon, while a great pack it is really designed for longer hauls and is a much larger pack.
 
Cheap option: MEC
Bike specific: Kriega or the ones others have mentioned above. I had knox and I didn't like it as it was just too loose for some reason.
 
xfactor said:
Cheap option: MEC
Bike specific: Kriega or the ones others have mentioned above. I had knox and I didn't like it as it was just too loose for some reason.
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How much are those Kreigas that makes MEC cheap? The last 2 bags I got from MEC were each over $150.
 
unL33T said:
How much are those Kreigas that makes MEC cheap? The last 2 bags I got from MEC were each over $150.
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Kind of wondering the same thing...

I guess what I need to do is go backpack shopping and look for one that can take a helmet at/in the base of the pack versus strapped on the back.
To be honest I am kind of surprised no one has designed something like this as I am sure there is a market for it.
 
Jampy00 said:
Kind of wondering the same thing...

I guess what I need to do is go backpack shopping and look for one that can take a helmet at/in the base of the pack versus strapped on the back.
To be honest I am kind of surprised no one has designed something like this as I am sure there is a market for it.
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There are a few. I had a tank bag briefly that converted into a backpack with your helmet hanging below it.

With even the smaller hiking/camping/alpine packs you can usually fit the helmet under the top flap, if it's large enough and the straps are long enough.
Anything big enough to hold armored gear is going to be huge, anyway.

There is also a bungee net system on Amazon that attaches to any backpack, anywhere, which might help. I'll see if I can find it again.
 
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