Hey!

I'm an industrial designer working on a Ducati Monster backpack. Do you think these examples speak at all to the Ducati Monster world?

What are you Monster Riders looking for in a bag?

[Ducati Tumi Collaboration]
http://theawesomer.com/photos/2008/08/081608_moto_1.jpg
http://theawesomer.com/photos/2008/08/081608_moto_4.jpg

[Orgio Flight Vest]
http://theawesomer.com/photos/2009/03/030909_ogio_1.jpg

[Boblbee]
http://www.boblbee.com/rw/artiklar/Artikelfullpost.asp?id=227&acc=true&flik=2

For long rides with some weight in the pack, the Kriega backpacks have the advantage of their strap system which unloads the shoulders. The Ogio vest you link to follows that idea + it's always nice to have storage in front, but not as low as on the Ogio (will rub the tank?)

For shorter rides - anything goes. Chest strap is a positive.

I've never understood the use for a helmet net on a backpack, but that's just my opinion.

Red and/or white colors are cool - both for style and visibility. Add reflecting details perhaps.

Waterproof is nice, but often tend to make a pack harder to get stuff in and out of. Kappa make a nice white ~30L, but it's very deep and has a narrow opening.

Every time back packs are discussed, laptop space and protection are brought up.

If you're able to design a pack that is easier to take off and get on than regular packs - that would make it popular(Kriega is easy that way) My experience is that if the straps are tight enough to make the pack stable, it's very difficult to get off and on.

Hope this helps - good luck - keep us posted

Agree with ^ for the most part. ICON has a military back pack that is awesome.

http://www.cyclesector.com/ICON_SQUAD_II_PACK_BACKPACK_MILITARY_SPEC_p/icon-luggage-squadii.htm

Has amazing padding, laptop compartment, compartment for extra visor, holds helmet, etc etc. Can't even tell you're wearing it and after getting hit by a truck and landing on my back, it showed little to no wear. 

Take a look at the stuff Kriega makes. Their stuff is hands down the best in the business.

There is nothing that I need to carry that would justify wearing that thing. Ever.

As for the stuff the OP has linked:

I like the Tumi bag. Simple, straight forward. Classic colors, classic lines. Looks like capacity is a bit limited, especially when carrying a helmet, but it looks comfy with wide, padded straps and a waist belt.

The vest looks... interesting. As Lars mentioned, storage in the front is cool, but not at the cost of scratching paint. A couple of pockets up high - chest/shoulder level - are cool, but the big lower pockets look like they'd cause issues. Also looks an awful lot like it's trying to be a SWAT vest. Meh.

I really like the cargo net attachment ability on the boblbee, but I don't know that I'd ever wear a hard pack like that. The shape makes me think of turning it upside down and using it as a toboggan. It also makes me think that anything small I put in the pack is going to work its way all the way down to the bottom and be impossible to retrieve without dumping out the whole bag. If you could adapt that attachment system to, say, a larger version of the Tumi, I'd probably take a pretty serious look. 

My own $.02. 

i dont' think the tumi bag for me does it,

the last pack with the aero shell and the netting on the outside that seems practical and about right,

what i'm looking for is something along the lines of a chrome backpack, soething that you have a cheststrap and maybe a waist belt so taht when its on it really on and no moving ever.  then the chrome part i would like is a quickrelease for the straps so that you dont have to get your arms out but that the straps release easy when you need it.  but mostly something that is aero and stays put, the axio cases seem to be not that big and that is why i dont' like them and also the hard shell is a bit limiting, so aero and not hardshell, tough combo but hey that is what makes it interesting.

Quote from: Buckethead on January 24, 2011, 05:43:18 PM


There is nothing that I need to carry that would justify wearing that thing. Ever.

As for the stuff the OP has linked:

I like the Tumi bag. Simple, straight forward. Classic colors, classic lines. Looks like capacity is a bit limited, especially when carrying a helmet, but it looks comfy with wide, padded straps and a waist belt.

The vest looks... interesting. As Lars mentioned, storage in the front is cool, but not at the cost of scratching paint. A couple of pockets up high - chest/shoulder level - are cool, but the big lower pockets look like they'd cause issues. Also looks an awful lot like it's trying to be a SWAT vest. Meh.

I really like the cargo net attachment ability on the boblbee, but I don't know that I'd ever wear a hard pack like that. The shape makes me think of turning it upside down and using it as a toboggan. It also makes me think that anything small I put in the pack is going to work its way all the way down to the bottom and be impossible to retrieve without dumping out the whole bag. If you could adapt that attachment system to, say, a larger version of the Tumi, I'd probably take a pretty serious look. 

My own $.02. 

Everything you described you'd want is in that ICON bag. The gay arm things come off and it comes in black, so...

Quote from: Scotzman on January 24, 2011, 07:28:47 PM
Everything you described you'd want is in that ICON bag.

I'm sure it's comfy, but it still has no front storage, can't carry an extra helmet while on the bike, and the fact that it's even offered with the arm bands offends my delicate sensibilities.

As for being "mil-spec," my L. L. Bean Bigelow meets all the same requirements with significantly more subtlety, and has a CamelBak pocket to boot.

I've seen that Icon bag in person...it's a bit much...and not in a good way.

Quote from: Buckethead on January 24, 2011, 10:09:29 PM
I'm sure it's comfy, but it still has no front storage, can't carry an extra helmet while on the bike, and the fact that it's even offered with the arm bands offends my delicate sensibilities.

As for being "mil-spec," my L. L. Bean Bigelow meets all the same requirements with significantly more subtlety, and has a CamelBak pocket to boot.

It does have front storage, but you have to undo the clips. There's a pocket on each side of the front portion and it has compartment that unzips to hold a helmet, it sits low, but might be able to ride with it (haven't tried). There's a water proof section that could be used to hold a bladder, but no hole to run a tube--got me there.

I agree about the arm bands though-taken off in the car after purchase.

Quote from: Monster Dave on January 25, 2011, 10:04:49 AM
I've seen that Icon bag in person...it's a bit much...and not in a good way.

The orange and yellow, I would most agree and would never purchase.

OP: some thoughts:

Who, SPECIFICALLY, are you trying to appeal to?

I am a Duc rider, but when I ride with a backpack, it's usually on a 2+ day trip. I have a pretty "set" packing list, and it does not include my laptop. My pack sees use 5-6 times a year.

If you're looking for someone who commutes on their Duc, then the priorities/design parameters are going to shift. Laptop storage will be more important than a CamelBak pocket. Easy accessibility might be on par with how much it moves while you're riding.

Lots of Kreiga info on this very site
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=34411.0

A so as far as function, they are tops. OF course, they give up some form for that function, but they aren't bad looking.

But I guess what's the intent of the design? Are you going for more form, or for more function?

What I look for personally. Comfort, Utility, Robust Construction and reflective materials. Utility covers a lot, but includes ease of use - fitting, buckles etc and smartness of the packs layout. Easy access small cargo pockets, key clips etc.

Quote from: Buckethead on January 24, 2011, 10:09:29 PM
I'm sure it's comfy, but it still has no front storage, can't carry an extra helmet while on the bike, and the fact that it's even offered with the arm bands offends my delicate sensibilities.

As for being "mil-spec," my L. L. Bean Bigelow meets all the same requirements with significantly more subtlety, and has a CamelBak pocket to boot.

The term "Mil-spec" for motorcycle gear is not necessarily for sturdiness or strength, but the reflective material, which is required to ride on post.

Quote from: 671M900 on January 26, 2011, 05:58:22 AM
The term "Mil-spec" for motorcycle gear is not necessarily for sturdiness or strength, but the reflective material, which is required to ride on post.

I'm aware. And as I stated, my L. L. Bean Bigelow, which looks exactly like this one:



meets all the same requirements with a bit more "restraint." There's reflective piping on the back by the black vertical strips, and on the black bands on the shoulder straps. In the event of inclement weather it has a BRIGHT YELLOW rain fly that covers the whole thing and has a reflective L. L. Bean logo.

Of course, if you happen to be stationed on a Marine base, brightly colored/reflective gear is not required to ride on base. Ever.