Why are backpacks dangerous on motorcycles? We'll also explain why they're considered tiring and unfashionable.

Why Carrying a Backpack on a Motorcycle is Considered Dangerous

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While you occasionally see people riding motorcycles with backpacks, for motorcycles that have limited storage space, backpacks are convenient items that allow you to carry more luggage.

However, there are concerns that riding a motorcycle with a backpack is dangerous, and there are mainly three reasons cited for this:

Reason 1: The backpack can get caught on surroundings.

When riding through narrow alleys or areas with many obstacles, your backpack might get caught on signs or other structures, potentially leading to a fall.

To prevent this, it's necessary to exercise extreme caution, such as riding very carefully when navigating narrow alleys with a large backpack.

Reason 2: The backpack can cause your body to shift.

When cornering or changing your posture to turn, the backpack might slide inward and fall off.

If you're carrying heavy items, the added weight of the backpack can throw you off balance, and attempting to adjust a shifted backpack can distract you from operating the motorcycle or looking ahead, leading to risks.

Reason 3: The contents of the backpack can become a weapon.

If you fall while carrying hard objects in your backpack, those items can get between your body and the ground, causing severe impact to your back.

In a fall, the backpack can act as a weight, slamming your back into the ground and potentially damaging your spine.

Spinal injuries can lead to paralysis and disrupt daily life, so there's a risk that the contents of your backpack could become a weapon.

Precautions When Wearing a Backpack on a Motorcycle

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Riding a motorcycle with a backpack can be dangerous depending on how it's used, so please keep the following in mind:

1. Don't overpack
2. Don't put hard objects in the back part
3. Put soft, cushioning items in the back part

Let's go through each point.

1. Don't overpack

Overpacking your backpack makes it easier to lose balance when hit by wind or during cornering. Furthermore, in the event of a fall, the luggage can act as a weight, increasing the likelihood of contact between your back and the ground.

Since falling on your back can lead to spinal injury, when using a backpack, prioritize safety by carrying as little luggage as possible.

2. Don't put hard objects in the back part

If you put hard objects in your backpack, in the event of a fall, these hard objects can become weapons and cause damage to your body.

Try to avoid putting hard, weapon-like items such as metal objects in your backpack.

3. Put soft, cushioning items in the back part

If you have a lot of items in your backpack or are carrying hard objects, you can reduce the risk by adding soft, cushioning items to your backpack.

To absorb impact, try folding a thick towel several times and placing it against your back, or using foam made of polyethylene or similar material as a cushion.

Reasons Why Carrying a Backpack on a Motorcycle is Said to Be Tiring and Unfashionable

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When using a backpack while riding a motorcycle, you might hear comments like "it gets tiring easily" or "it's unfashionable." What are the reasons behind this?

Mainly for the following reasons, riding a motorcycle with a backpack is said to be tiring and unfashionable:

1. Not suitable for long rides like touring
2. Sweating on shoulders and back is uncomfortable
3. Difficult to access luggage
4. Requires carrying all luggage with you
5. Whether it's unfashionable is subjective

1. Not suitable for long rides like touring

When riding a motorcycle with a backpack, it's not suitable for long-distance rides like touring.

Because you are constantly riding with a backpack, the weight of the luggage concentrates on your shoulders, making them prone to stiffness, and the wind resistance can easily lead to accumulated fatigue.

Especially on naked bikes with bar handlebars, where the riding position is close to upright and natural, the weight of the backpack is more noticeable.

2. Sweating on shoulders and back is uncomfortable

The shoulders, where the backpack straps (shoulder harness) are, and the back, which is in contact with the backpack, have poor ventilation and are prone to sweating, which can lead to increased discomfort.

Especially on hot days, like in summer, the amount of sweat on your shoulders and back increases, which heightens discomfort.

3. Difficult to access luggage

To retrieve items from your backpack, you need to take it off your back first, which makes it difficult and dangerous to access items while riding.

With a tank bag, you always have your bag in front of you, so you can quickly get items even during a brief stop. In contrast, with a backpack, even taking out a camera can be a hassle.

4. Requires carrying all luggage with you

Some side bags are highly secure, allowing you to leave your motorcycle with the bags still attached, but with a backpack, you always have to carry it with you.

Whether you're riding your motorcycle or stopping at a destination, you always need to carry your backpack, which can make it difficult to explore freely.

5. Whether it's unfashionable is subjective

While some people say that riding a motorcycle with a backpack is unfashionable, whether it's considered unfashionable or not depends on the individual.

Some people prioritize fashion over practicality and don't wear backpacks, while others want to keep their hands free by wearing a backpack, so it varies depending on personal circumstances.

If you need a backpack, it's fine to use one, and if you think it's unfashionable, you simply don't have to use it. You should decide whether to use it based on your own convenience.

Advantages of Backpacks for Motorcycles

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While riding a motorcycle with a backpack can be seen as dangerous or unfashionable, there are also advantages to it, such as:

1. It's actually easier for short rides like commuting to work or school.
2. Just putting it on reduces the hassle of loading luggage.
3. Some backpacks can act as protectors.

Let's go through each point.

It's actually easier for short rides like commuting to work or school.

Riding a motorcycle with a backpack is easier for relatively short rides, such as commuting to work or school, or local travel.

You always have both hands free, and unlike bags attached to the motorcycle, you don't need to attach and detach it every time you get on or off, saving you hassle.

While long-distance riding can cause shoulder stiffness due to the weight of the backpack, for short distances, there's hardly any fatigue, making it easy to use.

Just putting it on reduces the hassle of loading luggage.

With a backpack, you simply put your belongings inside and wear it, eliminating the hassle of loading luggage onto your motorcycle.

When loading luggage into the limited space of a motorcycle, you might encounter situations where you couldn't fit everything due to space constraints and had to take the excess luggage with you.

With a backpack, your items are already inside from the start, so there's no need to transport or carry luggage back and forth.

Some backpacks can act as protectors.

Some backpacks can serve as protectors, absorbing impact.

There are designs that protect the spine from impact, and others with built-in hard shells that disperse impact, absorbing and dispersing external shocks. If you want high safety, you might consider these types of backpacks.

【Stylish】Recommended Backpacks for Motorcycle Riders

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Here are some stylish backpacks that you can wear while riding a motorcycle.

While wearing a backpack on a motorcycle has its dangers, it also offers benefits such as having your hands free and not needing to attach/detach it every time you get on or off the bike. Therefore, it's good to use it according to the situation.

1. ROUGH&ROAD AQA DRY Rough Daypack

Source: https://www.bikeman.jp/

The ROUGH&ROAD "AQA DRY Rough Daypack" features a large opening that acts as a lid and is lightly waterproof, protecting your belongings for a short time even in sudden rain.

In addition to chest straps, it also has a waist belt, which helps alleviate the weight burden typically concentrated on the shoulders and provides high stability when worn.

• Capacity (L): 20
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥6,260

2. DAYTONA GIVI Waterproof Backpack

Source: https://www.bikeman.jp/

GIVI is a brand that manufactures motorcycle accessories, founded in Italy in 1978, with DAYTONA acting as its distributor in Japan.

This backpack has a capacity of 18L, ideal for commuting to work or school, and its waterproof specification provides peace of mind in sudden rain or during wet weather riding.

• Capacity (L): 18
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥12,678

3. CAPTAIN STAG FEEL BOSCO Daypack

Source: https://www.bikeman.jp/

The CAPTAIN STAG "FEEL BOSCO Daypack" is recommended for those looking for a backpack suitable for daily use, such as commuting to work or school.

It has a capacity of 18L, with mesh pockets on both sides and a convenient pocket on the internal back for storing smartphones and other items, allowing for organized storage of belongings.

• Capacity (L): 18
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥5,042

4. Alpinestars Time Zone Backpack

Source: https://www.bikeman.jp/

The Alpinestars "Time Zone Backpack" is recommended for those seeking a lightweight fabric backpack.

It uses durable 600D polyester, and the shoulder straps are made with mesh fabric, resulting in a lightweight and breathable backpack.

• Capacity (L): 20
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥9,152

5. CAPTAIN STAG EFFORT Border Daypack

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/pal-up2530

The CAPTAIN STAG "EFFORT Border Daypack" is recommended for those looking for a stylish backpack that can also be used for everyday activities.

It features an eye-catching, poppy striped design, a storage pocket that can fit a 15-inch laptop, and a small, easily accessible pocket for a smartphone.

• Capacity (L): 20
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥6,592

Alternatives to Backpacks: Tank Bags and Side Bags

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Next, we will introduce tank bags and side bags, which are recommended for those who want to secure storage space without using a backpack.

While you'll need to remove these bags when leaving your motorcycle, not having to carry luggage on your back can reduce shoulder stiffness and fatigue.

1. TANAX Light Sport Tank Bag

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/tn-mfk-259

The TANAX "Light Sport Tank Bag" is recommended for first-time tank bag users or those looking for a small, magnetic tank bag.

It features a transparent storage compartment for valuables in an easily accessible location, and a breathable mesh smartphone storage space. With a separately sold rain cover, it can also be used in rainy weather.

• Capacity (L): 2.3
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥5,839

2. ROUGH&ROAD Dual Riding Tank Bag F.C.

Source: https://www.bikeman.jp/
The ROUGH&ROAD "Dual Riding Tank Bag F.C." is recommended for those looking for a tank bag to use for touring.

It has a capacity of 10L (12L including pockets), and its clear top and adjustable side pockets are ideal for storing maps and smartphones.

• Capacity (L): 10–12
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥13,200

3. GIVI Waterproof Tank Bag PTB01

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/d-92278

The GIVI "Waterproof Tank Bag PTB01" is recommended for those looking for a magnetic waterproof tank bag.

It has a capacity of 16L with a tablet holder, and can be secured with magnets or, if magnets cannot be used on the tank, with the included belt.

• Capacity (L): 15
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥13,115

4. XROSS SADDLE SINGLE Saddlebag

Source: https://www.bikeman.jp/

The XROSS "SADDLE SINGLE Saddlebag" is recommended for those who want a stylish side bag (saddlebag) with high-quality design.

Made from high-quality synthetic leather, it features an impressive buckle and two straps on the front, offering a simple yet timeless design.

• Capacity (L): 13
• Suggested Retail Price (incl. tax): ¥16,498

Summary

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We've discussed why wearing a backpack on a motorcycle is considered dangerous and unfashionable.

While backpacks allow you to have both hands free and eliminate the need to detach them like tank bags when getting on and off the bike, making luggage transport easy, their use can be dangerous depending on how they are used.

We've also explained methods to avoid danger, so if you ride a motorcycle with a backpack, please refer to this article to help ensure safer riding.