Backpacks

[Guest]

Hi,

 

I've currently got a work isued "laptop backpack" which is rubbish, especially when i put in it my chain and d lock etc.

 

Any good suggestions for backpacks that won't struggle or feel bottom heavy when carry large chains and disc locks etc. (aswell as a laptop).

 

Thanks in advance

[Simon Davey]

What about this?

https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/30l-drybag-daysack-black/

 

 

Or maybe use a separate bag strapped to the back seat to stash your locks in. 

 

Lomo linked above, have a great selection, and they're highly regarded. 

[onesea]

Personally back packs are not good on bikes, wind age is tiering. 
 

Plus in the event of a slide you have nothing pointy or bulky to damage you.

[Guest]

44 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

What about this?

https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/30l-drybag-daysack-black/

 

 

Or maybe use a separate bag strapped to the back seat to stash your locks in. 

 

Lomo linked above, have a great selection, and they're highly regarded. 

i never thought about that, thanks. Maybe i should get a small tank bag or something for the back rack thing for my locks.

[Guest]

Maybe i should change post to "anyone know best tank or luggage thing best for holding chains and disc locks etc. "?

 

Thanks though, food for thought.

[RideWithStyles]

Topbox or or panniers.

[ChrisBiggsUK]

I have a drop leg bag (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D3HDGRGN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title) that I strap to my leg when out riding.  I can put my wallet, disk lock, house keys, all sorts in it.  It extends too and when extended I can fit everything mentioned in it as well as a 500ml bottle of water / cola, snacks and more.  Saves carrying a rucksack with me and gives me much more personal storage options than pockets.

I also have a highly reflective rucksack that I got from Lidl? Aldi? Lidl? One of the two.  I use that if I have to pick up any shopping or the sort while I'm out and about.

[Fender1515]

I have always fitted TopBoxes on my bike for carrying LapTop and, disk lock etc. 

My thinking is if, and we all know this will never happen! I have an offey, I would like to think my LapTop has half of chance or surviving, also I am not shot sure having a disk lock/chain impact on my spine is going to to be a good ting!

Also, I can do shopping without hanging plastic bags off the bars, not a great look 

Just sharing not telling 

 

[RideWithStyles]

Agree with fender…doesn’t matter if it’s you hit a solid object of just sliding along…doesn’t take much even with a back protector, but just the lumpy bit that can cause a twisting motion is bad for you.

ambulance and doctors hated the small aero hump that was abit of foam in it on racing leathers so what you you think they’re opinion of a larger solid mass kgs lower down will be like?

[daveinlim]

I have 2 bags.

A large one from SW motech. 

It's a large roll top and waterproof and great at holding everything whilst comfortable. Also it's bright yellow so good in winter. 

 

I've a black Samsonite rolltop too that's smaller which has more of an office look. That's water resistant. Materials are good but I don't 100% trust the zips.

 

[Guest]

21 hours ago, daveinlim said:

I have 2 bags.

A large one from SW motech. 

It's a large roll top and waterproof and great at holding everything whilst comfortable. Also it's bright yellow so good in winter. 

 

I've a black Samsonite rolltop too that's smaller which has more of an office look. That's water resistant. Materials are good but I don't 100% trust the zips.

 

When you say bag, do you mean a tail bag? Which do you think would be better, a small back box thing or a tail bag for my chain, disc locks and a few bits?

[Simon Davey]

With a top box, you don't have to faff about with straps, just open the lid. 

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

With a top box, you don't have to faff about with straps, just open the lid. 

Excellent suggestion, all these new ideas isn't making it easier to pick lol. Too much choice!!

[daveinlim]

3 hours ago, laughsatcats said:

When you say bag, do you mean a tail bag? Which do you think would be better, a small back box thing or a tail bag for my chain, disc locks and a few bits?

I meant a backpack for both.

I've now got a top box as it's easier and I now use an airbag which you can't really use a backpack with them. 

[Guest]

getting myself in a bit of a state now, i only want a small top box but they only carry 3kg. My chain weighs 5.5kg, the disc lock is about 2 and dlock also.

 

I've only got a tiny 125, i dont want to have a caravan attached to the back. lol

[bonio]

The great thing about a top box is that you can lock it shut and lock it to the bike. But they hold the weight high and you'll notice a difference with those locks inside. If security wasn't an issue, and if I had the space on the pillion seat, I'd go for the tail bag. 

 

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, bonio said:

The great thing about a top box is that you can lock it shut and lock it to the bike. But they hold the weight high and you'll notice a difference with those locks inside. If security wasn't an issue, and if I had the space on the pillion seat, I'd go for the tail bag. 

 

Yeah i think i'm going to go for a tail bag, as its smaller and it'll only be taking a bike security chain and disc lock, maybe a small tool kit.

 

thanks

[curlylegend]

2 hours ago, laughsatcats said:

I've only got a tiny 125, i dont want to have a caravan attached to the back. lol

Get a scooter sidecar !

[RideWithStyles]

12 hours ago, laughsatcats said:

getting myself in a bit of a state now, i only want a small top box but they only carry 3kg. My chain weighs 5.5kg, the disc lock is about 2 and dlock also.

 

I've only got a tiny 125, i dont want to have a caravan attached to the back. lol

Wife had a 125 with a small box of about 20-30ltr, 2metre 10mm link chain and lock, 1mtre link chain and lock, disc lock, tyre repair kit and other stuff, plus has added small shopping things on the odd time, more than the stated, never fell off.

 

I have a 58ltr one. Had a 1.5mtr 14mm chain and lock, disc lock, 6x1ltr milks, 6 packs of cheese, numberous packs of beer and other stuff. it was an essential odd and sods run etc done numberous times and never fell off even at spirited back roads, obviously can handle more than the 10kg quoted. 

 

[bonio]

Agree. The quoted weights are always very conservative. 

[RAYK47]

have a look at Rhinowalk (readily available on Amazon).  Just like a Kriega but a lot cheaper.  I have a 30l and a 20l and they are excellent.  

 

Much better to have it attached to the bike than on your back. 

Edited February 25 by RAYK47

[Pie man]

Not a fan of top boxes (yes I do use one every now and again) The Rhinowalk gear is quite good, I run 3 of their bags, keep my belongings dry, but for a backpack, in my opinion you cant beat Kriega. The way the quad lock harness transfers the weight to the chest, makes it all day comfy especially around and under your arms. Expensive, yes, worth it, 100%  

[RideWithStyles]

On 23/02/2025 at 22:55, curlylegend said:

Get a scooter sidecar !

You can have giggles and scare yourself silly all in the space of a single left and  right corner!

 

on the topbox, I’ll say it…I’ve seen the benefits over the stereotypical bs that others put over it because they don’t need it…

[rem]

As other people said, I'd go with a topbox for heavy bike-related objects but I'd also put a breakdown kit in the box, it will save you a lot of stress and money at some point in your life, plus having a couple wrenches to adjust your chain always already where you need them is quite neat.
for other generic objects I may want to carry like work related stuff I go with generic ebay assault style backpack: cheap, decently built and the boxy profile is great for when you need to go on a plane since it maximizes volume for the bulk you have to carry, although I'd cut to length and sew all the straps over so they won't flap around and get tangled anywhere. The external webbing would let you install a mounting point for your laptop satchel so you can conveniently carry everything without the weight shifting around, the modifications should take 30mins if you've never picked up a needle and thread in your life.

 

Maybe you can also mount knockoff pelican cases to your bike, superior protection and versatility compared to aftermarket panniers and could go on with a topbox and backpack.

[_amw_]

On 25/02/2025 at 20:24, RideWithStyles said:

on the topbox, I’ll say it…I’ve seen the benefits over the stereotypical bs that others put over it because they don’t need it…

 

Top-boxes are great and I have one; having said that, if I had a bike 'for the looks' then I probably wouldn't have a top box on it out of choice, so I can understand why some people don't like the look of them.

 

You can't beat one for practicality though.  I have an ancient 45L Givi top box on my CB500 and you can get lots of stuff in there - the 'weight limit' is claimed to be 5kg, however I'm fairly sure this is the point at which it starts to effect the handling of the bike - you can certainly put more than 5kg of 'stuff' in there (think going on holiday amounts of stuff) without a problem.  It _does_ effect the handling, but IME not enough to cause any serious problems.

Edited March 15 by _amw_