Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Why not a back-pack? Why not a back-pack?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 14 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
Posts: 103
Obviously a number of factors have to be taken into account - the rider, the bike, the road surface, the distances, the amount of gear, the design and construction of the backpack....

I carried all my gear in a backpack (Gearsack) on my rides across Australia and wore it on my back.

The first time I had too much stuff and the straps cut into my shoulders, even though the shoulders don't support all the weight.

After learning my lesson I took only the essentials on subsequent rides and had no problems at all.

If you're out in the middle of nowhere on a highway with no bend in sight there's no problem loosening the straps and letting the seat behind you take some of the load. Handling really is not an issue in that situation.

Two advantages of wearing my backpack:

1. It helps to keep me warm on a cold day and stops the wind whistling up my back.

2. The reflective writing and triangles on it make me more visible at night.
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 15 Oct 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,903
Quote:
Originally Posted by flying biker View Post

Two advantages of wearing my backpack:

1. It helps to keep me warm on a cold day and stops the wind whistling up my back.

2. The reflective writing and triangles on it make me more visible at night.
This is hardly a ringing endorsement. Aren't there other, more direct ways of providing visibility and staying warm? I mean, which don't compromise handling or comfort? I don't have any problem if you want to wear a backpack (I wear a little one myself from time to time if it's expedient), but surely there would need to be better reasons than this to wear one all day, day after day.....? On long journeys (three months, six months, more) I carry a lot of gear; no way it's all going on my back.

Or perhaps this was your point after all?

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 15 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
Posts: 103
markharf I'm not suggesting those are the reasons that I wear a backpack, they are merely two extra benefits of the particular backpack I own.

I use a backpack because I've found it a perfectly satisfactory way of carrying my gear.

As I said before there are lots of variables, but I'm a tall guy on a big bike and I travel light so comfort and handling are not compromised.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 5 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 5 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What do you pack everything in? Alexlebrit 4 wheel Overland Travel 13 26 Apr 2007 17:15
Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and back - next spring? spakur North Africa 13 7 Dec 2006 12:29
Driving back or flying back from India to NL? peerke Route Planning 4 2 Oct 2003 00:49
Germany - Senegal and back with the motorbike Bloody North Africa 2 29 Jan 2002 19:24
Burkina Faso back to Morocco Andy Hunt North Africa 0 24 Jul 2001 16:44

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:30.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top