I thought other branches (not Navy) joined the marines in the reflective/bright issue? My concern with the LL bean pack would be the waist strap scratching the tank or just being in the way.
All the Mil Spec stuff is seems to be mainly left to interpretation anyways. Who defines "bright colors" and what is enough reflective material?

Well I am a commuter, and I use a simple Ogio politan bag. I don't need it to hold or protect a laptop, although the padded back is always comfortable. I just needed a bag big enough to hold a pair of boots and riding pants while I am at work and small enough to fit in a file drawer with that stuff inside it. I think the new Dakar bag is the most similar one that ogio has in the new line.

Quote from: Scotzman on January 26, 2011, 09:54:15 AM
I thought other branches (not Navy) joined the marines in the reflective/bright issue? My concern with the LL bean pack would be the waist strap scratching the tank or just being in the way.
All the Mil Spec stuff is seems to be mainly left to interpretation anyways. Who defines "bright colors" and what is enough reflective material?

The command in charge determines what is a bright color and how much reflective material, just like how the commander cam authorize the low cut Oakley combat boots.  I have an air force base and a nave base which I commute to weekly. Navy requires only reflective stripes, and airforce requires the fluorescent orange and yellow, which is reflective.

Quote from: 671M900 on January 26, 2011, 08:18:09 PM
The command in charge determines what is a bright color and how much reflective material, just like how the commander cam authorize the low cut Oakley combat boots.  I have an air force base and a nave base which I commute to weekly. Navy requires only reflective stripes, and airforce requires the fluorescent orange and yellow, which is reflective.

Not to stray to far of from the OP, but show me anything (besides the Naval base in Ingleside) that's defined the colors in black and white. For example Navy Region Southwest which covers up to Lemoore and Yuma has nothing in any of their instructions defining "bright colors" and their Safety Manager says they don't plan on defining it because there's too many variables.

Back to backpacks.

Big Marine Corps came out a year or so ago and said "These rules are stupid, and they don't save lives. If people can't see a headlight, they're not going to see a silly-looking vest that our people resent having to wear."

Bright colors are encouraged, but not required.

Reflective materials are encouraged, but not required.

Long sleeves, gloves, DOT helmet, long pants are required. Sturdy "over the ankle" boots are recommended, but not required. Yes, you can ride to work in Corframs. Anyone else who rides and sees you doing so will openly ridicule you for it, but it's not a punishable offense.

Oh, and Big Marine Corps also came out and said "These are the rules. No, local commanders cannot change them. We're tired of seeing cases of people getting in trouble because they work on Base A and get busted for not obeying an LCP on Base B."

The emphasis is now on rider training. ERC/MSRC are now required <120 days after you do your BRC. We try to do a Rider Track Day once a month during the riding season. For those, we close one end of a runway and lay out a "road course" designed in conjunction with the California Superbike School. It counts as an MSRC refresher. It's also a ridiculously good time.

Quote from: Scotzman on January 26, 2011, 08:27:35 PM
Not to stray to far of from the OP, but show me anything (besides the Naval base in Ingleside) that's defined the colors in black and white. For example Navy Region Southwest which covers up to Lemoore and Yuma has nothing in any of their instructions defining "bright colors" and their Safety Manager says they don't plan on defining it because there's too many variables.

Back to backpacks.

A high-visibility upper garment is required by day and a retro-reflective garment is required at night IAW DODI 6055.4 para E3.2.7.1.5. and Army Regulation 385-55, Appendix B-3,e.

From the Army Motorcycle Guide

So, for the day time, High visibility, which is most often bright orange or yellow (like the ones for construction workers) The minimum is the PT belt, which comes in.... bright yellow or orange, not "subtle" as you like.

http://www.warren.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123046699
http://www.motorcycleppe.com/army.htm

and if you need the AR from the army itself: http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r385_10.pdf

It may be different where you are, and what service you are in, but when Icon terms their military gear mil-spec, it's to cover all services. It's not navy spec, marine spec, it's military spec. It may be different because I'm in the Army and your in the Marines (I assume), but that's my point.

With that said, I agree. If they can't see a headlight and my LED running lights, they won't see my vest. And yes, I also have a Bigelow.

I'm a commuter with a Kreiga r-25. As a designer, borrow and improve from that platform and you'll get a lot of attention. They're great bags - durable, large capacity and easy to wear. I use mine even when I'm not riding to carry books to work.

Again, "high-visibility", to one person that could be one thing and something different to another. The key phrase you used was, "which is most often...", but not precise. Still left to interpretation.

Being in the Navy on a Marine base I'm actually pretty familiar with both having to follow the stricter of whatever branch
So we have to wear over the ankle footwear. The Marines did a pretty extensive test following motorcycle incidents, which showed that too high of a percentage of the accidents tracked, a safety vest would not have prevented it.

It's too bad the other branches did not/have not followed suit.

Quote from: Scotzman on January 27, 2011, 07:46:56 PM
Again, "high-visibility", to one person that could be one thing and something different to another. The key phrase you used was, "which is most often...", but not precise. Still left to interpretation.

Being in the Navy on a Marine base I'm actually pretty familiar with both having to follow the stricter of whatever branch
So we have to wear over the ankle footwear. The Marines did a pretty extensive test following motorcycle incidents, which showed that too high of a percentage of the accidents tracked, a safety vest would not have prevented it.

It's too bad the other branches did not/have not followed suit.

Yes, I realize it, but does the  dark blue ll bean fall under "high visibility"? Which is my point. Remember, the AR calls for BOTH reflective and high visibility colors, which blue is not. How often have you seen blue construction vests, vlue street lights, blue taillights?

I would honestly say that LL bean backpack is bright and Buckethead said it had reflective piping, so...

Police bikes have blue tail lights and I can see them a mile away.

Quote from: Scotzman on January 27, 2011, 08:18:05 PM
I would honestly say that LL bean backpack is bright and Buckethead said it had reflective piping, so...

Police bikes have blue tail lights and I can see them a mile away.

Hmm, true, but that's because it looks white due to the strobe effect. but that may be the only time I've seen it. I don't have the blue bigelow, I have a red one, which is really bright, so if the blue bigelow is indeed the same brightness then I concede. It's hard to say with just the digital picture.

hey so back on topic...


For me the biggest thing I wish more moto packs had were compression straps so i can tailor the pack to fit my load, not have to have different packs for different loads.

Second, those/all straps need to be contained somehow.  My commuter packs is an old camelback and the loose straps whip the hell out of me on the highway.  The best solution I found was those velcro like wire straps sewn to the end of the straps.

Third, I need pockets or zippers I can manage with gloves on.  If I'm just getting gas, I don't like to take my gloves off so I can manage the zippers on my pack to get my wallet.

Lastly, weight management.  I like how Kreiga solved the problem and as soon as I can afford one, I'll probably get one of their packs.  As said above also, easy on/off is critical.  I don't know how many times I've gotten stuck in that chicken wing pose when my jacket sleeve gets caught on the backpack strap and I've had to have someone else rescue me.

One problem I've found even with my agv sport backpack (which is moto designed, I guess) is that the padded portions of the straps are just barely long enough to clear my arm pits.  the padded portion of the strap needs to be longer to clear back pad and shoulder armor, otherwise the buckles are in my arm pits = not comfortable.

Another problem is the width.  It's so wide I can feel the wind pushing it around.  but with no compression straps I can't cinch it down and decrease it's profile.

That Ogio vest you showed is pretty cool, and I considered getting one, but like other said the pockets low in the front are a problem.  I think that vest was designed for dual sport and off road riders who would tend to have a more upright/standing riding position.

I like the helmet holder on mine.  It's great when I go to shows that don't have gear check.

i was pretty torn btwn a kriega r25 vs a ogio no drag (both are comparable in price)... and eventually got the ogio.  the main reason behind it is because of the helmet holder... i dont like the idea of leaving anything that will soon be pressed against my face open to the public and i always bring my helmet along with me.  having somewhere to put it while freeing my hands was a must for any bag that i got...

that being said, the ogio is working out great, and dont let the pics fool you... it's a lot bigger than it looks.  i was pretty suprised when i pulled it out as i was a bit worried it was going to be too small.

comfy on your back, and due to the semi rigid shape, you dont get any flapping in the wind from it.

i dont think you can go wrong with either bag, but like i said... the helmet holder won me over.

FWIW, I've had 4 motorcycle-specific backpacks and the only one I use to this day is the orange ICON Mil-Spec II pack (with the arm straps REMOVED).  It looks much better in real life, has a very thoughtful design (I kept finding new pockets and features months after purchase) and is amazingly comfortable.  Worth every cent.

having experienced some rather long rides with a backpack... what i'm looking for a in a backpack... is not wearing one.
if it's a short ride? small, light and waterproof. chest strap is a must, unless it's a sling style... which i hate.