Big (60L) rucksack on motorbike?

[JustinW]

Am I missing something, or is there an obvious reason why I couldn't wear a big 60L rucksack on the bike to go for an evening or two camping?
I'm a tall chap, and on sitting on bike with a big rucksack, it seems that I could have it strapped to me normally with the weight gently supported on the seat behind me.
I can get small tent and sleeping bag into it plus a few essentials.
Yes it'll be slightly top heavy but a lot less than a pillion.
Seems like a lot less faff and expense than top boxes, panniers etc, if it's literally the odd night away. Thanks.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I always thought of it as a safety thing, because if you fall off and you've got bulky, hard and or / sharp objects in there, there's more potential for injurious shenanigans. That said, I do it All The Time. Because I do a lot of shopping - bike is usually transport for me. I've never had a top case on any bike, so it's always been a large ruck sack. Even with booze, food tins and other heavy-ish, bulky items, riding is fine. However, this is only for a half hour, tops. I wouldn't want to be riding all day with a backpack on. I have done it, mind you - and camped riding a bike a handful of times. It's doable - but eh. Not ideal, unless you travel quite light - and that's difficult if you're taking food, tent, cooking stuff and some sort of bedding and sleeping mat.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

I’ve done it years ago and you're right, it sits on the seat behind you and takes the weight off. If you come off it has serious potential to hurt your back and neck though. I’m still a rucksack user but I stick to 25L and try to pack lightly with mostly soft items. I bungee stuff-sacks to the tail for trips away.

Another consideration with rucksacks on a bike is if the bag protrudes above the upper shoulder strap fixing point it can keep nudging the back of your head, which gets annoying.

[Pete.]

I use a Halfar rucksack and mostly it's quite empty but sometimes stuffed full. I don't worry about potential back injuries because the way I see it having a chunk of something protecting your spine can be as beneficial as having a chunk of something bending it can be risky. You never know the mechanism of injury until after it happens.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[wr6133]

It works badly, I applied the same thoughts a few years ago when I had to go on a course (used a shortback Army bergen). Leaning forward to get the wind blast off me at speed the wind would pull the rucksack back. Wiggling about on the seat would alter its balance on the pillion pad causing straps to slip and then the wind would catch the rucksack and try and pull me off the bike. I ended up pulling all the straps as tight as I could and riding chin down, arse up, which with the weight in the pack was pretty unpleasant after about 20 minutes. 3 hour journey ended up taking over 4 hours and my back was in rag order on arrival.

TLDR - luggage or tie the pack to the seat

[JustinW]

Think I'm going to have to try a test run. I'm pretty upright all the time on my CB500x so perhaps I'll get away with it. But if not, yeah, I'll lash it to the back.

[martin734]

Why not just strap the rucksack to the seat behind you?
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Current bike: ST1100 "Big Red"

[raak]

[JustinW]

I can't honestly think I can strap it on as it's pretty unwieldy. Perhaps a 60l drysack without all the straps and crap of a rucksack would be a good compromise. I have seen in the states a sack which is a bit like a pair of stuffed jeans which 'sits' on the seat behind, but what with import duties etc... I take the point that the primary concern is safety in an off. Makes sense.

[jeffyjeff]

The biggest lesson I learned from my first excursion cross country was to learn how to pack lightly. Most of the stuff I brought was an unnecessary burden. I shipped a large box of it back home, lightened my load considerably, and enjoyed the rest of my ride. 60 litres is overkill, even if you are camping. Lighten up.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[Nobby the Bastard]

[wr6133]

[jeffyjeff]

[jeffyjeff]

[Tdibs]

Buy any large waterproof holdall (20-30£) and bungee cord to the backseat. Wear a empty backpack to carry any extra when you need it.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[WATP]

https://www.motea.com/en/motorcycle-tail-bag-bagtecs-wp35-rear-seat-bag-volume-35-liters-orange-251333-0
I had something similar to this in the link my mate had it off me when I stopped riding for a while. Think mine was 60 litres though. There's also the soft panniers that go over the seat , then strap the rest to your seat

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

I’ve got a couple of Mountain Warehouse bags which I secure with a cargo net and/or bungee straps. If required I partition stuff inside with cheap draw-string bags. Who needs pockets? Protect the bodywork with duck tape or something like the Oxford Motorcycle Bike Blanket.

[JustinW]

Some great ideas here, thanks.

[to v or not to v]

get a car if you want to carry things.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Nobby the Bastard]

I went past Fretgrinder on the M4 on my way to BBQ with the FZ750 loaded up with all the camping gear and 18 cans of stella. He was pissing himself.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[Ste]

[jeffyjeff]