Things to Consider Before Buying a Motorcycle Backpack

A motorcycle is one of the most common modes of transportation in the world and is becoming more popular over time. People use motorcycles to go to work, university, and for daily commutes. However, still, the most popular use of motorcycles is for recreational activities. Motorcycle touring is becoming a worldwide popular trend among motorcycle enthusiasts. To use motorcycles for touring, they are made touring-oriented by installing them with multiple luggage bags. One of the most versatile and easy-to-carry luggage bags is the motorcycle backpack. There are different types of motorcycle backpacks with varying qualities and usefulness. You must ensure that you are buying the right one that suits your needs and offers a good value for the money. Read this article to learn about things to consider before buying a motorcycle backpack.

If you are considering buying a motorcycle backpack, the first thing you should know is the difference between a normal backpack and a motorcycle backpack. A normal backpack is one designed for casual use to carry only essentials. Meanwhile, a motorcycle backpack is specially designed for riders who love to travel long miles on their motorcycles.

A motorcycle backpack has several distinctive features and is highly versatile. You can either carry it on your shoulders or you can also mount it on your motorcycle’s sissy bar or luggage rack.

Before buying a motorcycle backpack consider its comfort-enhancing features. A motorcycle backpack must be soft and light on your shoulders and back, particularly the area that is in touch with your back must be soft and comfortable to avoid irritation.

Some modern motorcycle backpacks are available with front paddings, stitched to the shoulders and front straps to make them more comfortable to carry. The front paddings help to reduce the pressure on your chest and abdomen even if the bag is stuffed to its maximum capacity.

An ideal motorcycle backpack is lightweight and does not feel heavy when you are carrying it on your shoulders. A motorcycle backpack is designed to carry essential items and to ensure better accessibility to riders. You should only pack things in your backpack you need more frequently to keep it light. Therefore, a motorcycle backpack must have a reasonable size and width. It should not be too big and heavy to carry.

The quality has to be top-notch if you are buying a motorcycle back to make sure it lasts longer. To check a motorcycle backpack's quality, ensure it is well-stitched and does not show any signs of wear and tear. A good-quality motorcycle backpack retains its shape even after prolonged use and is comfortable and soft. To make sure you buy the best-quality motorcycle backpack, watch reviews and customer feedback to get a proper idea of the quality of the bag.

Most motorcyclists are very considerate about their stylish looks. If you want to improve your cool looks as a motorcyclist, carrying a stylish motorcycle backpack is important. Consider buying a motorcycle that is smart, elegant, and has attractive designs with unique custom art on it.

The material of the motorcycle backpack is another important consideration before buying it. The material of the motorcycle backpack must be soft and should withstand heavy-duty use, high temperatures, and all weather conditions. Check both the interior and exterior material of the backpack. A reinforced material, including polycarbonate and ballistic nylon, provides an unmatched strength to the motorcycle backpack.

Apart from good-quality stitching and reinforced material, a motorcycle backpack must also be waterproof. Having a waterproof motorcycle backpack ensures several benefits. You can carry your laptop, electronics, documents, clothes, and food without the fear of them getting wet. If you love to go on a motorcycle tour, you are more likely to ride in the rain several times. Therefore, a waterproof backpack can help protect your essential items from getting wet.

Besides being stylish, a motorcycle backpack should have either reflective paint, a sticker, or a stitched logo to reflect light. It can improve your visibility and safety on the road while riding in the dark.

A good-quality motorcycle backpack may not look huge but always has ample storage space, allowing you to pack the essential items for a comfortable camping or touring experience.

The more qualities and features a motorcycle backpack has, the costlier it will be. While considering all the good qualities of the backpack, you must also consider its cost. A good-quality motorcycle backpack can cost you between $100 to $300. Based on your requirements, It is up to you how much you want to spend on a backpack.

A motorcycle backpack with several pockets and partitions is more useful for motorcyclists as it keeps the different essential items separate from each other and prevents the stuff from becoming a mess. With more pockets in a motorcycle backpack, you need not shuffle everything up while looking for a particular item. It makes a bag more accessible as you only reach for one pocket and take out the item you are looking for.

The comfort of a motorcycle backpack mostly depends on its straps. The straps must be soft, flexible, and comfortable as most of the backpack’s weight is centered on your back and shoulders. Most good-quality motorcycle backpacks are now available with a front strap/belt to join the shoulder straps from your waist. It also helps to mount the backpack securely.

An ideal motorcycle backpack is more versatile than a normal backpack. It is designed for heavy-duty use, carrying a lot of essential items to help you throughout the motorcycle trip. You can use a motorcycle backpack as a trunk or tail bag if you mount it to the luggage rack. It can also be used as a sissy bar bag if you mount it to the sissy bars with the help of a bungee cord or a strap. Most specialized motorcycle backpacks have removable and separate sissy bar straps and a mounting system installed on the bag to mount the backpack securely in place.

Most high-end motorcycle backpacks are fitted with stock flexible water containers with sip tubes installed near the shoulder straps, so the riders can keep themselves hydrated even while riding. The separate liquid container is made up of reinforced material to avoid leakage.

Another good feature to consider while buying a motorcycle backpack is its ability to carry a helmet. Some of the motorcycle backpacks come with a separate mounting option to securely carry a helmet at the back. It also keeps the helmet covered and safe from scratches.

Some of the modern motorcycle backpacks also come with a separate hard pocket/storage space for sunglasses and goggles to keep them safe from scratches and damage.

Some motorcycle backpacks also have a hidden pocket to keep your important documents, including the vehicle registration and national identity card safe.

If you are a student and use a motorcycle for transportation, your motorcycle backpack must have a separate and reliable compartment to carry a laptop safely. The laptop case must have strong built-in impact resistance to avoid any damage to the screen or internal machine.

If you are a regular motorcycle rider and use it for daily commutes, buying a motorcycle backpack is a good investment. It helps you carry a lot of essential items safely without damaging them. However, not all backpacks available in the market offer the same quality, comfort, and durability. There are several things to consider if you are looking to buy a motorcycle backpack that suits your needs. Firstly, you must know the difference between a normal and a motorcycle backpack. If you are looking for a backpack that is more versatile and handy, then go with the motorcycle backpack. The other things to consider before buying a motorcycle backpack are the usage, storage space requirement, and your budget. However, if you want good value for the money, make sure to consider the comfort, quality, material, durability, style, space, and cost of the motorcycle backpack before buying. If you are looking for a high-end motorcycle backpack and have a budget of around $250-$320, you can get one with waterproofing, separated hard pockets for sunglasses and a laptop, a drinking water container, a hidden pocket, a helmet mounting option, and expandable space.

If you are a fan of motorcycle touring, you should consider improving your motorcycle storage space by installing saddlebags, motorcycle trunk bags, and tank bags available at Viking Bags. In addition, if you want a more comfortable riding experience, Viking Bags also offer several touring parts to make your motorcycle ideal for long-haul rides, including fairings, sissy bars, crash bars, and backrests.