Author |
Message |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 10:51 am: |
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I'm looking for a more riding-friendly backpack. Doesn't need to be waterproof or anything. It looks like I can pick up one of the Buell promo sling bags on eBay for not too much cash - anyone have one of these and use it? Do you like it? Comfortable to wear? Can I fit my laptop and maybe a textbook or two in there? |
Kdan
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 11:08 am: |
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Ask your Buell dealer. I've gotten a couple. |
Wolfridgerider
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 05:12 pm: |
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I think it works great. I use it when I ride my Bolt and don't even know its on my back. I think you should be able to get 2 or 3 text books or a laptop in it with no problem. |
Damnut
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 05:12 pm: |
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I have one but I can't fit my Dell 8600 laptop in it. |
Bueaddicted
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 05:15 pm: |
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I use mine all the time and I love it. The zippers are not the strongest, but you can carry a laptop if its not one of those "monstrosities" they now sell... I would say a 15" will fit with no problems. Paul |
Eboos
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 05:15 pm: |
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I was doing some pretty hard looking when I looked for my backpack. I wanted one that was constructed of heavy material that wouldn't blow apart while riding, that would strap down tight and wouldn't shift, that was fairly small, but expandable, and had several external pockets of small items. After all of the searching, the best one that I found was a Harley bag that I saw at a local dealership. It was also cheaper then the other packs that I considered. It was a sling bag with a cross strap, and it sold for $75.00. If you are going to carry things like books and a laptop, make sure that it won't shift on you. |
Typeone
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 05:17 pm: |
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its a cool bag, but make sure you test the stitching well before you head off with a laptop and books in there. my first one just fell apart after i had some weight in it. luckily it would have hung on by the waist strap but the shoulder strap stitching was wasted from a slight tug. actually, the replacement did the same thing but didn't come apart fully, so i use it for light stuff now and then. |
Xgecko
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 05:56 pm: |
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It's not bad but I wouldn't trust my laptop to it. I use a Timbuk2 messenger bag and have for 8 years (with this bag 7 more on the bag before it) No reason to go half a$$ed with a wannabe courier bag get a real bag like Timbuk2 or Chrome and you can pretty much guarantee that your stuff will get where you are going (Message edited by Xgecko on January 16, 2007) |
Maddiemsu
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 06:04 pm: |
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My buell bag also ripped at the seam on the shoulder strap. Hook the waist up if you get one, just in case |
Glitch
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 07:18 pm: |
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People actually pay money for Buell sling bags? Try your local dealership and see if they have any left over. They'll probably have some more this spring. We usually give them out at March Badness. |
Rasmonis
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 07:22 pm: |
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I don't leave my house with out it when I ride. |
Reepicheep
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 07:22 pm: |
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Works great with some light fishing tackle and a collapsible rod from Bass Pro shops. Take the 9sx out to the fishing hole, via the long twisty route, fish a while, and ride some more. Great fun. |
Alchemy
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 07:25 pm: |
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I carry my Thinkpad home on weekends in the sling bag. It is not padded so I put some thin "stuff" under the laptop. I like the phone pouch on the sling. I don't use the waist strap but hearing the other comments I may give it a try. I keep the sling closed all the time and throw it over my head to get it on. Slingbag first and helmet second<grin>. |
Slaughter
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 07:44 pm: |
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Make sure you get a bag with the waist belt - or it'll be moving downward on you. The later ones came with waist belts, earlier ones did not. |
Hammeroid
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 07:59 pm: |
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It sucks! I have the one with the waist belt and it keeps moving to one side. I feel like I am riding on an angle. Distracting. And it sucks even more if you have the little tail bag on the seat. I'm glad it was free. |
Metalstorm
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 08:36 pm: |
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I used to wear mine all the time until the stitching came undone on the small straps that hold the actual sling strap on. It's down to just two straps left, one too short & one too long I need to see about getting it repaired & reinforced because it was a perfect bag for me. Just the right size & I liked how it looked. |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 09:39 pm: |
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My dealer didn't participate in the promo, so they don't have any. Maybe I'll see what goes on in the spring...? |
Wardan123
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 09:54 pm: |
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Mike, Free comes at a price... by this I mean it is an inferior bag (I still use one sometimes 'cause it was free) but if I were carying a laptop - I'd buy a better bag. I like the aerostich courier bag. |
M2me
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 09:57 pm: |
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I really enjoyed my Buell sling bag. It was very handy and I barely noticed that I had it on while riding. I used it everyday during the riding season for almost two years. I carried a lot of stuff in it but I wouldn't trust it with a laptop. The bag bit the dust last summer when the whole zipper area came apart and it became useless. I didn't pay anything for it so I didn't think it was worth fixing but I do miss it. |
Tbolt_pilot
| Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 11:52 pm: |
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I like mine. But watch the stitching! The first one they gave me at the dealer had ripped stitching where the velcro loopy thingy hooks around the little strips. I used it on our honeymoon in Alaska and dragged it around every step of the way for 2 weeks. It was really handy and I really like it. I jammed cameras, snacks, maps, books, water, and whatever else. Found it handy to put a caribiner on the grab handle for my hat and stuff. I even ran my sweatshirt thru the grab handle instead of putting it inside. I like it because it hangs on my back really well and I can just swivel it around and get into it without taking it off. Best promo freebie I ever got. I'm not sure I would put a laptop in it, but it does great for everything else. If the strap loops rip, I might just sew it together permanent. (I have access to a heavy duty sewing machine.) Pick up a bag if it's cheap and undamaged. Just don't carry any bricks in it. |
Nguzzi
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 10:23 am: |
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Wait until spring and you can get a free one. |
Maddiemsu
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 10:35 am: |
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I have an Oakley sling bag it is perfect, little more pricey than free though. There's one on ebay right now if you search oakley sling, the one I have is black (Message edited by maddiemsu on January 17, 2007) |
Rasmonis
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 10:59 am: |
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It's a sling bag not a laptop case/bag. For riding it's perfect, here's what I keep in mine: #1 Extra toolkit (includes a spare shifter and linkage) #2 Zooke with extra towels for cleaning my visor #3 Extra pair of gloves (winter or summer depending on the season) #4 First aid kit (never leave home without it) #5 Cigars #6 EZ Pass #7 Reflective vest #8 Keys #9 Extra sweater/facemask for winter riding. #10 Lock #11 Net/bungi cords It's part of my gear, never ride without it. When I commute to work, I use the Dell Backpack for my laptop and I transfer the "must haves" (tool kit & first aid kit) to it. |
Djkaplan
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 11:21 am: |
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I got all 3 of mine free. I got exactly what I paid for, so no complaints here. I wouldn't spend more than $20 on one though. |
Daves
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 11:24 am: |
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I just use a regular backpack. Kandie got it for me like 4 years ago. Works great! |
Nutsnbolt
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 11:41 am: |
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Yeah or a Nelson Rigg Tank bag. The one that expands like 8 or ten inches. It's trick. Only like 60 some bucks. It's the way to go, if you ask me. Plus the piping comes in different colors and they are unconditional warranties. You break it, they fix it. Awesome. It's bigger than you think, but not too big. More up than out, when you need it. Mark |
Glitch
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 01:25 pm: |
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Tank Bag? I've got the Buell one. Not the one offered now, but the one that came out a few years ago. I love it, it expands up as well. Big to bigger, holds everything I need pretty much. |
Rasmonis
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 03:27 pm: |
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Hey I went ahead and got a Givi tank bag that attaches with suction cups. Great bag, but Buells were definitely not on the compatibility list when they where designing the receiver. I have to remove it every time I top off which is a bummer. In order for the suction cups to work the airbox has to be clean (no polish). I'll bring it to MBIV for 'yall to check out. |
Xl1200r
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 04:14 pm: |
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No tank bags for me... at least not until I absolutely need one, which I don't see happening. I already have saddlebags and a tail bag. Thanks to a very kind forum member, I have a Buell sling bag on it's way to me. I'm sure it will be everything I'm looking for it to be. I do have a very good quality Kelty backpack that I'll use for the laptop if I feel the Buell bag isn't up to the task. Also, in my searches I came across some very cool sling bags. Jansport now has a line of backpacks that feature "LiveWire". Essentially, there's a pocket where you can plug in your iPod, and then there is a headphone jack and audio controls on the shoulder strap. If the buell bag ends up being lackluster, I'll probably get one of those. |
Smitty808
| Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 07:48 pm: |
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What's all this talk of bad stitching, and inferior bag??? I carried a 65lb(maybe more) Suzuki Samurai differential center section to work and back in mine! No problems! I still use it all the time 2 yrs later! A word of advice though, with that much weight in it....DON'T WHEELIE!! It's hard to get it to come back down!(plus you get a sweet bruise on your back!!) |
Rick_a
| Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 05:24 pm: |
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Mine always starting tearing at the lower strap...and they flop about a bit if you're carrying a bit and cornering hard. They are cool, though. |
Maxbuell
| Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 06:30 pm: |
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Go to Walmart they have several sling bags pack backs etc all under $20 sure you will find one you like |
Black_sunshine
| Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 07:42 pm: |
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I love my sling bag. I use it everyday on and off the bike. Work, Gym, overnight bag, perfect size. |
Light_keeper
| Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 08:43 pm: |
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I use my sling bag all of the time. Great conversation piece. carries most all that I need it to. works great on the bike as well. Also have a back pack but I tend to stuff too much it it.
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Ghostrider
| Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 10:40 pm: |
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Jansport now has a line of backpacks that feature "LiveWire". Essentially, there's a pocket where you can plug in your iPod, and then there is a headphone jack and audio controls on the shoulder strap. Hmm... that sounds sorta cool. I just got an Airclick for my iPod. I strapped the remote to my handlebar and I can change the song, volume, or pause whenever I like wirelessly. It's not water proof though, so cover it up or take it off in the rain. |
Typeone
| Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 11:29 am: |
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old topic but FYI, just got a note from Aerostich that they have put the Ortlieb Messenger Pack on sale for $67 from $97 http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?productid=171 55&utm_source=sl20070125&utm_medium=email |