Loving the detail here, @disqus_mHKdz3PzIY:disqus. Thanks a bunch of sharing. Let us know when you find ‘the one’!

As a bit of a gear nerd with a bag fetish, I’ve got a somewhat unwieldy collection of bags. My regular rotation currently includes a Crumpler messenger (considerable embarrassment) or Dry Red backpack (first gen) for work when taking the car, or travelling interstate to meetings. Weekend hikes or bicycle commutes usually call for an Osprey pack, I’ve got a ‘tactical’ style backpack for my camping and 4wding adventures and my go-to daypack for travel and holidays is the Boundary Supply Prima system. I’m not a photographer, just the modular nature of the pack suits my needs and I love it.

But as a motorcycle commuter, none of these really stack up. Even loads of bags that are marketed as motorcycle specific fall short, because often these things are designed or marketed by people who don’t actually use them for their intended purpose.
For context, I’m a big guy. Bit over 195cm tall and pushing 120kg – that’s about 6’5” and 265lbs for those of you insisting on freedom units – depending on my beer and burger intake (vs gym and sporting output) for the week. Broad shoulders and a chest is the enemy of nearly every backpack in the world. In fact I nearly returned my Boundary Supply bag because the straps are just too short, but I liked the pack was headed to Europe so I lived with it.

When geared up in motorcycle layers and leathers, it becomes more problematic. Slipping your arm through an already tight fitting strap is a nightmare in sport cut leather and if it’s got armour, it quickly becomes a very frustrating exercise (or really fun to watch for passers-by as you attempt to dance like Peter Garett to get in to, or out of your backpack).

I’ve used a couple of motorcycle specific backpacks. I had a Kriega R35 and it was great. Absolutely spot on for motorcycle commuting – shape and length of the shoulder straps are perfect for any size rider, securing across the chest and providing quick access pockets for things like phone (although good luck fitting an iPhone Plus in chest pocket), wallet, keys. Fitted loads of gear – work clothes, gym clothes, lunch, laptop, shoes, and never felt unstable. As easy to use as a pair of pants and comes in the tried and tested aesthetically pleasing black, featuring some small reflective details. When I sold my first bike, I sold it too, because it looks a little silly as an everyday backpack when you’re not on the bike.

Fast forward to my current bike commute and I went for the Ogio Mach 5. Looks so cool online, and the few people I’ve seen with them, and fits my naked street fighter bike aesthetic perfectly. Lots of great bike specific features (helmet carry strap, visor pouch) but honestly, after about six months of use, this bag and I are not friends. The straps are too short. The cam-buckle adjuster sits basically in my armpit in leathers. Even the chest strap cinch doesn’t help; it just creates another tight point. In the length department, even on someone as tall as me, the bag rests on the pillion seat when I’m not leaning forward over the tank (so, when commuting). The shape of the hard shell with it’s rear access also makes it a bit of a pain to pack – you can’t really lay it down on a table or bench. But most importantly, I find the bag doesn’t actually carry that much. It’s ‘fine’ with some work pants and lunch for the day, but the few times I’ve had to load it up, it’s massively uncomfortable. The rigid shell means the external facing part doesn’t budge, so if it’s full, your back is the bit that needs to conform. Throw a couple of folders in there for a business meeting and you’re in for a few speeding fines because you couldn’t wait to get to your destination and get the pack off.

(Okay I’m sounding like a bit of a sook – it’s still a pretty nice pack to look at, just definitely not for me)

These issues are pretty specific to me being a bit of a unit, but they’ve made me really consider what to look for in a pack. My next motorcycle pack will need to tick all of these boxes:
• Adjustable length shoulder straps (or different sized harnesses available) to accommodate different sized riders
• Curve of the straps to meet across the chest, and not cut under the armpits
• Shape of the bottom of the pack (or overall length of the pack) to suit the type of bike owned or ridden regularly – having it rest on or knock against the pillion seat sucks
• Position of external pockets to allow for quick access items (security pass to access the carpark at work, wallet to pay for fuel… smartwatches that have pay functions are amazing here…), and whether they’re obstructed by the bag’s other compression straps, or accessible while still wearing the pack

The Velomacchi Speedway 40L is going to get some serious consideration from me (although I am worried about strap length), or maybe I go back to a trusty Kriega, like the R20 above.

As for tail bags instead… well, I’ve used them, and I’ve now got a spreadsheet going on pros and cons of some options that fit my bike, but for now, I’m a backpack guy…

Hope some of my ramblings helped someone out there!

Ride safe, folks!

Thanks for the insight, @disqus_uIkGuYhiCb:disqus. It’s certainly worth considering when deciding how to carry on a bike. And some brands have thought of that, as you’ll see, the Point 65 pack does have level 2 spine protection.

You’re better off with a top case or, if they ruin the look of your bike, the Kriega US20 or US30, which are easily strapped to the back of your bike and can be carried as a shoulder bag when you reach your destination.