Backpacks

Sometimes you’re not riding coast-to-coast. Sometimes, you’re just headed to the office, or out on a day-trip. 

All you really need at times like those is a way to carry some files and computer disks, or a rainsuit and some water and snacks for a midday break. That’s where backpacks shine.

One advantage of a backpack is that you don’t have to worry about attaching anything to your motorcycle, either with straps that could cut into your paint, or with brackets that clutter the clean lines of your machine. Backpacks are luggage you wear, and when you get off the bike, your stuff goes with you.

Standard backpacks, like those every kid wears to school, can work reasonably well on a motorcycle, but there are drawbacks. The straps can be hard to get over bulky riding jackets, and many packs tend to flop around at speed.

Several companies have adapted the backpack design to the motorcycle market with beefier straps that are more widely spaced to accommodate jackets and helmets, plus unique clasping systems to keep everything in place. Some even incorporate drinking-water bladders that can be used on the move.

Another innovative twist on the backpack theme is the courier bag, based on packs used by bicycle messengers. With a single strap, a courier bag goes on more easily over your helmet, and you can pull the pack around to the front to get at its contents. In addition, many courier bags are waterproof.

Drawbacks? There are a few. Soft items like clothes can cushion your fall if you crash wearing a backpack or courier bag, but you don’t want to fill them with sharp or hard objects. Plus, anything you put in them is weight you have to carry on your body, not the bike. And they can get in the way if you’re trying to carry a passenger. 

Still, if you’re only carrying a light load of something soft, it’s hard to beat a backpack.