Commuting with gear

[Davenaylor]

I have a Knox k pack that I use to carry my laptop, lunch and clothes for the day.
I'm finding carrying this bag very uncomfortable when it gets on the heavy side.
I have it quite high up my back and I'm wondering if this is restricting the reach on my arms.
Does anyone else commute with a laptop. if so, what do you carry it in? I don't want panniers but I might try a bag strapped to my seat.

What do others do?

[G]

I strapped my laptop bag to the base of a tank bag (which it conveniently fits very well) and found it worked excellently.

[Kradmelder]

i strap it on the back of my bike with a cargo net.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[Frog]

I've got an Ogio low drag, and I keep the straps loose. The weight sits on the seat when I'm on the bike and on my hips when I'm not.

Works fine for short hops, but most people who do any sort of distance seem to advise tank bags, or ocassionally tail packs.
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CBT 23/09/10 - Theory 19/03/11 - Mod1 19/04/11 - Mod2 06/05/11
Bikes: CBF125 (sold 30/10/10-25/09/12) - CB400 24/06/11 (broken) - ER6-f 25/09/2012

[Ingah]

Top box ftw. Seriously.
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-- Ingah

[G]

Yes, should add I'd always have a top box on a commuting bike.
Can then leave helmet in it when you take your stuff out, saving hassle. May have to get a biggish one for the laptop too - I used to have a topbox with gym stuff in, then tank bag with work stuff.

[Davenaylor]

For those with top boxes. Are they easy to take of? I know I'm only buying a bandit but I'd still like to take it off if I go out a the weekend.

[Muscle Bike Rider]

Top box every time, easy to take off, usualy just one quick release button when unlocked and its off. 5 secs and your good to go.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[J.M.]

2 laptops, a 1000 page maths book, 2 notepads and a selection of tools... all in my rucksack.

Today have just done 180 miles with 2 laptops, spare clothes, chargers, tools, spare chain, tools to change chain and sprockets at roadside, 1l of fuel, spare gloves and uni notes all in my rucksack.

You get used to it. I barely noticed it and my laptop is about 3 Kg on its own.

I also do my weekly shop on the bike using a gym bag.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Davenaylor]

[Davenaylor]

[Tomzo47]

got a top box, but when I'm not using it or its full, I have a rucksack thats tight enough to not move but loose enough to rest on the pillion seat, and put the chest and waist straps on, hardly feel it then
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Ybr 125 > Bandit 650SA > GSXR 600 > Triumph Sprint St1050 > CB1300 > Z1000SX + FJ1200 (written off) > VFR750 >FJ1200

[neil.]

Top box ftw. Givi ones (and others) detach easily with a one button push clip thing. On mine I had the option of installing an additional brake light in the lid. Pretty neat.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[c_dug]

Another plus 1 for the top box, I never would have considered one before I had used one, but the divvy came with one and its very useful.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[G]

I added my own indicator LED strips to the brake light in my Givi too.
Wanted to make a contact-plate connector too, but never got around to that (I was thinking with the hooks that hold it in.)

[Seb]

Just incase you're not fancying the top box route (I can't stand them personally).

https://imageshack.us/a/img46/2936/img0013bj.jpg

2 XPS M1730s, massive and heavy, two 10 inch netbooks and all four power supplies, all in my R25. It was a rather restrictive amount of weight but I could have done London and back with it on with zero discomfort due to the way these packs hold the weight. Also note I've had that pack for 4 years now and it gets abused like that pretty much 5 days a week, no rips, no tears although I think I've managed to stretch it a little

Kriega stuff is expensive, but nothing short of a Timbuk2 bag will hold as much stuff in comfort on a bike.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[J.M.]

I wouldn't really describe mine as a very sensible one really, it's just a bog standard one that you buy from any sports shop.

I just make sure that it's fully tightened up so as high up on my back as possible.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Serendipity]

I use a top box.

They can be expensive if bought new, offer questionable looks and can mess with the bike’s handling if overloaded.

However, no matter how wet it gets your shit stays dry. You can leave stuff in relative safety on the bike. Most top box locks could be broken open in about one second, but out of sight, out of mind and all that. It’s also great to not have to carry a heavy bag, partly for comfort reasons, but also for the safety aspect.

My daily commute has varied in length over the years. When it was about 10 minutes I just used a rucksack. I’m currently on the bike for about an hour in each direction which is long enough for heavy rain to penetrate even decent rucksacks. That was my principal motivation to get hard luggage. I also feel lighter and more able to move around the bike without wearing the bag.

I have a laptop rucksack which I sling in the box and go. At work I leave my helmet and waterproofs (if dry) in the box and walk away. If I have loads to carry I can fill the box and still wear the rucksack.

Having said all that, a mate at work uses a Kriega tail pack and says it’s great. Worth considering if you don’t have too much stuff.
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2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[ttr]

For the work laptop I use a normal laptop bag, but with two straps. I chuck a second one round my middle and clip it in so it's like a laptop baldric. Works very well to stop it flapping about in the wind.
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GS125-> NT400->VFR400->CRM250->Z750 + GS125->NTV650 rat + VMX1200->GSF600 + GPz550

[Bendy]

Kriega US20 tailpack. Fits all the stuff I need to take to the office and most importantly keeps it dry. I don't like to be riding along in the pissing rain worrying that my Macbook is getting drenched.

[Killer Rat]

I would keep my laptop in a rucksack.

No way am i going to let it bounce around in a top box on my roads.
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No! No more talk! We go in! We kill! Kill! We kill 'em! They kill us, we kill them! Kill 'em! Kill 'em! Kill! Kill!
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cbf125 09', cbt passed 4/6/2010 - 28k miles - 1 major breakdown (stator)

[Val]

[RichieZX6R]

I carry my laptop in one of these https://www.just4laptops.co.uk/images/thumbs/395/0001100_300_154-more4you-backpack-toshiba.jpeg

But i found carrying a larger lenovo laptop around was tiresome and switched it with a 12 inch screen'ed X220. Its surprising how much weight it takes off your shoulders!
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Current: Kawazaki ZX6R 51
Past: Kawazaki ZX6R 96 - Honda CBR 600F4 05 - Dragstar 125 02 - Honda CB 400 SF 94 - Honda NSR 125 51 - Gilera Runner XV125 04

[fozzym]

If you are serious about commuting then a top box is a very good investement.

Many people use a backpack but fail to take into account the safety issue of having something strapped to your back that is a potential hazzard during an accident. I would carry anything other than soft items in a backpack.

[Davenaylor]

im liking the look of the kriega's but bugger me they are pricey!