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- Riding Gear (http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=140)

- - Back pack (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=96974)

I have used a Targus XL backpack for the last year and a half, works fine for me. I don't like putting it on the pillion seat as I figure at least wearing it as a backpack I absorb a lot of the shocks it would receive in a pack on the seat.

Thanks all ... time to get the wallet out :o)

I have been looking at backpacks and the Axio seems to be designed for biking, and carrying a mac (which I use for work) here's one on ebay : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...194991014&rd=1

They are available in better colours - went to look at the hard one in at J+S Accessories, can't remember the name - but you couldn't get a laptop or anything else in it. Definitely would go for one of these, but will buy from the States - not UK as it is over £100 here!

Would you really want to land flat on your back with one of those hard packs on?

Or even on a soft pack with a laptop, external mouse etc?

Strap it to the bike, not to you.

Ok so this may or may not have anything to do with the original post. But I love my rucksack and I wanted to share that with you all ;-)

I wrote a long post then due to the magic that is one of my IE add ons I closed the page by accident.

I'm a sad bunny and have taken some photo's. I'll let them do most of the talking.

My rucksack
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...IMG_3198_s.jpg

My rucksack with laptop
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...IMG_3196_s.jpg

Neat neoprene side pocket sits flush with bag as per 1st pic. Till you stick a litre bottle of Vodka in it (it was to hand). Yes the pocket zips shut.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...IMG_3199_s.jpg

Useful pocket on back for diary, phones, keys etc.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...IMG_3197_s.jpg

Straps. Normal ones plus two across the normal straps to secure it tightly to you. I only bother with the ones between the straps (the other was useful offroad though).
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...IMG_3201_s.jpg

No idea if it's supposed to be waterproof. I've used it in the rain on numerous occasions and most stuff stays dry. I think it's got a coating to make it waterproof as inside it looks like this is deteriorating. Still after 5 years of daily use (not all on bike, mostly carried to\from work in car) that's hardly cause for complaint.

Not sure if I was wearing it when I wrote my CBR600 off. I agree that wearing a rucksack on a bike probably isn't clever but I do it the majority of the time I ride (I'm wearing it in my avatar pic and profile pic). Relative to riding the bike itself I think it's a very small additional risk to be wearing it. Depends where and how you ride I guess.

It case it's not clear the bag is by Scott. I first used one as part of loan kit when taking part in an off road riding holiday in Andorra. I thought the loan bag so cool that I wanted one. I couldn't find one whilst there but the holiday organisers bought one at a later date, brought it over to the UK when visiting, left it with relatives and I got it picked up from there.

I'm not saying it is great, just that I really get on with it and if I ever kill it I will be trying very hard to replace it.

Having re-read my original post, I would like to add that I DO sometimes wear a rucksack when I absolutly have to.

As said, you weigh your risks

Having done a summersault and landed on my back having been driven into from behind on my push bike last year, landing straight on my back on the tarmac,I would rather have had something to break my fall, as I was lucky to have only damaged ligaments in the back, rather than anything too serious.

I guess it also depends what you carry in the rucksack.

I used to carry an Oxford humpback rucksack and have actually had a high-side spill with it on ... at the time I was carrying work shoes, work shirt, spare underwear (not in case of an accident, but because my textile kit was proving to be less than 100% waterproof at the time!), and a 2m Oxford Revolver cable lock, and I believe the rucksack took the brunt of my fall (I went ar$e over t1t over the handlebars and landed approximately 15ft away on my back, and then slid/rolled a further few feet).

Rucksack seams ripped apart down the right side and the rest of the rucksack was badly scuffed - not an entirely unrepairable state until the ambulance crew turned up and insisted on cutting the rucksack off me :( To be honest the only thing stopping me getting up as soon as I hit the floor was the pain in my groin (caused by the obvious "tank-slapping") and the weight of the Revolver lock in the rucksack! Otherwise I'd have been up and would have been able to unclip and remove the bag quite easily, but as a doctor was already on scene and insisted I didn't move in case of neck/back injuries I had little choice really.

Thankfully the only injury sustained in that spill was a badly bruised scrotum and a bit of stiffening of my left ankle which impacted with the car that decided to change lanes at a most unfortunate moment. No back injuries whatsoever :)

Now obviously a proper back protector would probably have accomplished the same, but I like to think that in the absence of one my rucksack actually helped to prevent any injury as it was (for the most part) packed with soft(ish) clothing.