I also use Kriga US packs. Not cheap but really good. A rucksack pulls on your back and can restrict movement. I personally wouldn't use one.
Wouldn’t choose to use a rucksack ... riding a bike is supposed to be fun and on a longish trip anything affecting your comfort will detract from being 100% focussed on the road. The weight on your back will cause some aches & stiffness as you’re stuck in one riding position as well as any side or quarter wind potentially upsetting your balance. For me the fun is the whole ride .., not the getting to the destination to then need the same amount of time recovering in a hot bath
Yep, me too. A waterproof compression bag on the passenger’s seat is handy for heavy stuff and spare jeans. Shoes are big and light so they go in the Kriega. I’ve toured for over a week with that setup, no problem.
@Flay: I used a rucksack in the same way like you described it in the past. @DanielB: If you use a backpack, it should definitely have an additional chest strap. So you can fix it better and get even at high speeds no problem. You should also think about the weather resistance! Many backpacks have an integrated rain cover, but you can forget about it on the bike, because it "blows away". As described by "Flay" is the "sitting" of the backpack on the seat a method to relieve your shoulders. You just have to be careful that the whole thing is not unstable. I myself used to ride with about 10 kg of luggage in an 80 liter backpack for up to 3 hours at a time. Highway mixed with country road. This is possible, but with a strapped bag it is much more pleasant to drive. But be careful: even if you have a luggage system or use a strapped-on bag, the handling of your bike will change at high speeds (> 190 km/h), as the air resistance or lift may then relieve the load on your rear wheel. The "catching" of the machine is then no longer fun!
Yes, I've watched guys putting the gal's Bergen into the lorry for them cause they can't physically lift them. I obviously didn't offer to help. I still like the '37 small pack on the bike. I sort of use it like a handbag with the long strap. I probably should re-think that..
Rucksacks fine for a few small items when going out for a ride. For a weekends worth of gear I'd suggest a rollbag on the back seat is best...
Here's another angle on the rucksack for touring question. If you stop for lunch don't leave it on the seat next to you then ride off only to realise 16 miles later that you're no longer wearing it.
A lightweight Kruga rucksack with back protector works well for short journeys and my Spring/Summer commute. For touring I use a Givi roll bag and top box.
I have a 20/30/40 litre Kriega bags, bloody brilliant, I've had them for about 10 years, can use them singly or stacked and they'll fit on any style bike. I have a 30 litre 6pack bike rucksack and I never use it on the bike because it was too tempting to stuff it full and it ends up killing my shoulders/back and neck. The only rucksack I use is a little 10 litre job anything more goes in the Kriegas or my monster top box. Same bags, very different bikes.
Problems solved ! And there's plenty of room for a pillion in a million ! My SWMBO in photo ! She often carries a small back pack (settles back against backrest). We have done many long rides like this , return trips of of 10/11 thousand kilometres ! With the odd 800/1,000 km days , usually to avoid bad weather (Australia is huge) or to Catch Up to our schedule ! (Australia is +±+) . We do plan our travel , daily targets and places to get to ... !
I used a large rucksack going to Scotland no problem and it was well loaded. I just adjusted the straps so it was snug on my back and rested on the seat behind me. Other bits i put in my Saddlebags. Joe
Full luggage set for me panniers and top box. I cannot be bothered with having to take off a tank bag to fill up, to go for coffee, to go to the toilet.its too much mucking about. Soft luggage for me is far too insecure. Very easy for thieves to access. I want to be able to stop, get off and just walk away without the the worry of someone stealing my things.
