Backpacks + crashing?

[Sailariel]

I tend toward tankbags and tailbags. Worked fine for the past two years.

[JMcDonald]

Every time I think of getting either a small tail bag or (more likely) a tank bag, I realize I take so many short trips, and leave my bike parked for longer periods of time, that I'd constantly be taking it off and carrying it around with me anyways. So, the backpack is the simplest way for me to do that, especially since I might have valuables in it (work keys, laptop, etc).

[gfloyd2002]

I have both a tank bag and a backpack, but prefer the backpack in most cases. My tankbag is a Joe Rocket Manta, it just marks the hell out of my tank, and is too small to hold work documents, any gear, etc. I'll use it to hold keys/wallet/etc. on a short pleasure ride in the heat, but for commuting I use a MotoCentric Centrek Backpack.

With the backpack, I'm very hesitant about putting anything on my body that could be a weapon in a big crash, so I won't carry: 1) parts or tools; 2) pens/rulers/etc; 3) anything metal or plastic or glass that could break into anything sharp except my cell phone; 4) weapons, ammunition or anything explosive (/me glares at ungluck and jmcdonald).

With limitations on what you carry, I feel a close fitting motorcycle-specific backpack built with protective material (mine is 1700D ballistic), reflective logos or striping, and a minimum of straps to flap around or get caught on stuff, is a decent risk/reward and could even act as protection in case of an accident.

[JMcDonald]

Originally Posted by gfloyd2002

4) weapons, ammunition or anything explosive (/me glares at ungluck and jmcdonald).

Though, given that at any point we have about 15 pounds of gasoline sitting between our legs, concerns about "explosives" are kindof moot :P .

[gfloyd2002]

Originally Posted by JMcDonald

Though, given that at any point we have about 15 pounds of gasoline sitting between our legs, concerns about "explosives" are kindof moot :P .

If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times -- It is impolite to discuss the size of the explosive thing between your legs.

[JMcDonald]

Ohoooo!!

[ungluck]

lol why I keep the clacker in indifferent pocket!! lol

[iplante]

Has anyone ever crashed with a backpack? I'm wondering what are the odds of getting injured from the bag, as opposed to without.

Example: You high-side and your body rolls on the road.
Example 2: You call flat on your back.

Both of those cases, I can imagine the bag would cause quite a bit of discomfort at the very least.

Am I being paranoid? I'm sorry if this was ever discussed, I searched around a bit and didn't really find anything. I ride to work with a backpack quite often and I always wondered if I would get worse injuries if I was ever to crash.

[fishdip]

Originally Posted by iplante

Has anyone ever crashed with a backpack? I'm wondering what are the odds of getting injured from the bag, as opposed to without.

Example: You high-side and your body rolls on the road.
Example 2: You call flat on your back.

Both of those cases, I can imagine the bag would cause quite a bit of discomfort at the very least.

Am I being paranoid? I'm sorry if this was ever discussed, I searched around a bit and didn't really find anything. I ride to work with a backpack quite often and I always wondered if I would get worse injuries if I was ever to crash.

Its not to bad. now if something is in the bag its going to hurt lol

[iplante]

ha! I don't usually carry around an empty backpack

[fishdip]

Originally Posted by iplante

ha! I don't usually carry around an empty backpack

I stop riding with one on after crashing and having the stuff brake me more then the fall.

[iplante]

Could you please elaborate? What happened, how did you fall, and what did you have in your backpack?

I'm sorry to hear you got injured.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by iplante

Has anyone ever crashed with a backpack? I'm wondering what are the odds of getting injured from the bag, as opposed to without.

Yes, I have.

The bag tends to separate from your back and the shoulder straps tend to pull your arms back.

I believe that a bag that has a sternum strap and a hip belt will stay next to your body.

[JohnnyBravo]

I dislike riding with my back pack on, but gota do what ya gota do sometimes

[jhap2009]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

I dislike riding with my back pack on, but gota do what ya gota do sometimes

It's time to invest in a tank bag or tail/saddle bag set, then you won't have to wear a back pack. I personally use a tank bag and i love it. It hooks everything i need it to, to include my lunch for work.

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by jhap2009

It's time to invest in a tank bag or tail/saddle bag set, then you won't have to wear a back pack. I personally use a tank bag and i love it. It hooks everything i need it to, to include my lunch for work.

True, but I don't often tote stuff

[krolinked]

I would say that it depends more on what you might have inside the backpack, at the time of the fall.

[Alex]

/merged with another great thread all about backpacks + crashing

[lgk]

What ever is in the bag should be secured well to soften the blow when you land on it.

For example on long trips ill carry some tools, and make sure they're wrapped up in the outside pocket so they don't shift around. Then i pad the inside with jacket liners and extra clothes so i land on something soft.

I would most likely still do a careful packing even with a hard case.

[iplante]

Thanks guys. I do have saddle bags, tail bag, and hard coocase trunk but my laptop won't fit in any of those.

Alex, thanks for finding that thread for me! I was already looking at the Ogio backpacks, now I'm even more certain that's what I want when I have some $

[anacron]

Originally Posted by iplante

Thanks guys. I do have saddle bags, tail bag, and hard coocase trunk but my laptopwon't fit in any of those.

I'd expect the laptop to be the biggest factor in injuring yourself, especially if you have a macbook. Falling backwards onto a slab of metal isn't very appealing.

A back protector might be a good investment, for peace of mind.

[iplante]

I do have a back protector. And yes, I have a Mac.

[Numbersix]

I don't think it's just the impact you need to worry about. That pack can twist the back even if the objects in it are light or soft (e.g., before my Coocase, I carried sparring gear in a bag).

I also have this problem with the Coocase V37 not being wide enough for a laptop. Wish I'd gotten the Astra (50l) just for that reason.

[anacron]

Originally Posted by Numbersix

That pack can twist the back even if the objects in it are light or soft (e.g., before my Coocase, I carried sparring gear in a bag).

Very true. When I ride with my backpack I make sure I only carry flat stuff (notepads, laptop). Not much of a chance to twist since those take up the entire width of the 'pack. So YMMV.

Strap it tightly around your body with all of the clasps and you should be good to go.

Edit: I use one of those hiking backpacks which have tons of clasps for weight distribution.

[anacron]

Originally Posted by iplante

I do have a back protector. And yes, I have a Mac.

Yeah, so I wouldn't worry too much about getting seriously injured. The back protector should do its job, so long as you make sure that things are secure inside the pack and you mostly carry flat things.

Edit: " I wouldn't worry too much about getting seriously injured". Probably not the right phrase, since a lot can go wrong. Perhaps the better way to state it is: you'll decrease the chances of serious injury by making sure everything is snug and conforms to your body.

[GreenNinja]

I crashed around 50 mph with a laptop backpack on. Between the laptop and the road was a hoodie. My laptop did not have a single crack on it (17 inch). The hoodie also cushioned my fall and amazingly the laptop did not hurt my back.

[Used Ninja]

This thread is really useful haha! I looked through some of the posts and I'm digging it. I have a laptop that I carry around, should I put that in a saddle of some sort I don't know if any can fit a 15.6 incher.

[VanillaNinja]

I was following the boyfriend too close down a gentle slope on my YZ105 (80 bored over). It was dusty, we were going pretty fast (maybe 40 or 50) I caught some ruts that I couldn't muscle out of. The bike pitched me to the left, I caught the initial fall on my hands and arms in lemon sized gravel (felt like lemons in the rash) and rolled immediately to the right onto my back after feeling the rocks grinding my skin away. I slid for a while on my small women's camel-bak. I remember thinking while I was sliding "when am I going to stop?". When I stopped, I stood up and said, "fiiiine!" and walked up the hill about 15 paces to get my bike.

Damage: Camel back has a few quarter sized holes on it, water bladder is still in use today. Rash on forearms. Pulled adductor muscle.
Fun Fact: before this, I had fallen straight onto my back on a sharp snowboard rail in this same pack. Those bastards are durable!

[VanillaNinja]

The rash.

[alex.s]

owwie.

[subxero]

Originally Posted by VanillaNinja

I was following the boyfriend too close down a gentle slope on my YZ105 (80 bored over). It was dusty, we were going pretty fast (maybe 40 or 50) I caught some ruts that I couldn't muscle out of. The bike pitched me to the left, I caught the initial fall on my hands and arms in lemon sized gravel (felt like lemons in the rash) and rolled immediately to the right onto my back after feeling the rocks grinding my skin away. I slid for a while on my small women's camel-bak. I remember thinking while I was sliding "when am I going to stop?". When I stopped, I stood up and said, "fiiiine!" and walked up the hill about 15 paces to get my bike.

Damage: Camel back has a few quarter sized holes on it, water bladder is still in use today. Rash on forearms. Pulled adductor muscle.
Fun Fact: before this, I had fallen straight onto my back on a sharp snowboard rail in this same pack. Those bastards are durable!

There was your problem, you can't muscle the front tire around at med to high speeds especially in a rut. You have 3 options some better than others, 1) get loose let the bike do what it wants and just ride out the rut you should have avoided in the first place until you have an easy exit. 2) Slow down a bit then try a little muscle, 3) wheelie out of it but be ready for the rear to buck like bronco.

you ride dirt bikes often in T-shirt, let alone on large cobble stone type roads at high speed? at least you had the pack to give your back some protection.

[antiant]

Should have worn better gear.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by subxero

3) wheelie out of it but be ready for the rear to buck like bronco.

come on bro, you know this one is the only real answer.

[JohnnyBravo]

One time at band camp

[PHMCS]

I've thankfully only had one crash with a backpack on, but it was in gravel, so there wasn't really anything to catch and roll me. In that particular case, I had my rain pants and jacket liner inside and it likely saved me a few bruises.

The bigger problem with the one I have however, is that it is a standard two arm strap version and my shoulders are a bit on the wide side. I end up having to loosen the straps a bit to get over my shoulders with CE padding, and this leads to it being more floppy than I would like, and some eye opening moments in heavy wind or when semi's pass by and wind tries to catch and whip me off the bike.

I pondered the Kreiga R25 with the aluminum sliders, and four point quadloc harness, thinking the sliders might help in the catch and roll department, but $$$.

[Mocha Man]

About a year ago when I crashed, I was wearing this backpack:



It was an absolutely crap backpack and tore from everyday use at a few places. However, the crash that I was in left it unscathed and my phone, PSP, and Game Boy (took the original one that day to play some Pokemon Yellow) were perfectly fine. I landed chin first into the cement but tumbled a bit on my back. I thought they'd all be shattered but they came out of it okay. Of course, the Game Boy is a virtually indestructible machine, but it still surprised me how well the pack protected everything.

[alex.s]

i recently crashed and i was wearing my ogio mach 3. i landed on my side and stayed on my side (leg stuck under bike) so my backback didn't even get touched by the ground until after it was over and i rolled back or whatever wiggling out. but it was a teeny crash. more of a drop really.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by VanillaNinja

The rash.

Nice rash! It really doesn't start hurting until it starts healing!