[Guest]

I don't care to add luggage or furnature to my bike, but I do tend to use a backpack to carry a laptop and tools, or a weekend's worth of gear for longer trips.

After my last backpack had a shoulder strap fail on the interstate - an interesting experience - I decided to search for a well designed unit that would hold up for years of riding use and abuse. I narrowed down the possibilities to Kreiga's line of rucksacks after reading several magazine and forum articles on these products.

http://www.kriega.com/ product DESIGNED for use by cycle riders.

I ordered the smaller R25 rucksack, the US10 add on pack, and the Kube Pocket from http://www.aerostitch.com/ . I also ordered the Wolftrax tool roll from them as well. The items arrived a few days later.

I was immediately impressed with the quality of materials and stitching. I carried a ruck for the US Army for 10 years while playing Rambo. I only wished that the equipment we used was nearly this good and well designed. The HEAVY cordura and rip-stop nylon is backed with a water resistant coating, and the miriad of straps are designed to secure everything to your back well.

The shoulder and waste straps meet in a center pad that is very well designed and constructed. the straps adjust quickly and easily due to the smart engineering that also keeps the ruck centered high and secure on your back.

After using the ruck for a few trips, I can give this product a big thumbs up. it is so much superior to packs I have used in the past, I cannot believe more riders do not know about the Kriega line of products. This is something I wish I had know about many years ago.

I have also seen a few reviews where the Kriega products are called Krug.
I hope this helps.

Something to look into!

 

[Tight TL]

Devious,
Nice review. I have been looking for just such a backpack. Right now I'm using a Jansport, I think. It's probably great for school books but just alright for carrying stuff on the S3.
Fred

 

[Guest]

Fred,
Read the reviews on the Kriega site - very informative.

I like the fact I can still ride fairly hard with the pack on my back.

-Wayne

 

[premier]

I've been thinking of these hard covered backpacks, but I guess this is an option too. I like the heavy duty harnesses.

 

[Guest]

When I was looking at available products, I found several companies that made packs with hard plastic shells. I even found one locally to try on.

I would suggest you look at all options and decide what works best for you and how you use the pack. There are a lot of reviews from packing and bike magazines and websites - as well as forums.

As a side note, I decided on the R25 with an add on 10L pack over the R35 because I wanted to be able to use the pack off the bike as much as on it. The larger R35 looked a bit bulky for my needs.

 

[timoteusmunk]

I purchased the R35 from Aerostitch about a year ago. But I ended up returning it because I felt that if was too big (6-0 tall).
But I was amazed at the craftsmanship and fit. How about going parachuting. It looks good, too. But like I said, it was too much backpack for my body size, and too motorcycle specific.
I am curious about the R25. I might try that model.
Did any of you find the US 10 or the US 5 waterproof acessory useful as an add-on to the tank or the passanger seat?

 

[Devious2xs]

That is exactly why I ordered the R25 and not the R35.
I have the US 10 and Kube Pocket as well.

I use the Pocket mounted on one of the straps, and only mount the R10 to the main pack when needed.

I have found that the R25 is handy for lots of other uses than riding, and I get questions on it frequently. GREAT quality.

 

[Martin_R]

I have the R35/normal. No probs with size being too big as the S3 does not have a passenger hump like many sportier rides.

The R35 comes in two variations, the Large and normal. The L version has longer straps and might ride a bit too low if you are not into sumo wrestling. I first went with the Large as I am quite tall, but the strap length was ridiculous, so had to exchange for the normal size.

Good piece of kit. Haven't used it in a while though as I now have a tank+tailbag and they have plenty of storage space.

 

[J-Pip]

Just ordered from Aerostich, let the shipping countdown begin. ;D

 

[Devious2xs]

Just ordered from Aerostich, let the shipping countdown begin. ;D

ONE.
One day, ha, ha ha.


Let me know what you think when it arrives.

 

[J-Pip]

R-35 and US-10 came today. Wow, It's big. It'll tackle weekend trips no problem. I'll write my review after a trip through yellowstone and to St. George. It looks tough, probably reminds Dev of all those jumps in the Army. Aerostich was great to work with.

 

[Devious2xs]

The R-35 is big. But you will love it.

I have been very happy with the R-25 with US-10 add on, and Kube pocket. I use it on and OFF the bike. It is built extremely well, and looks like a freefall chute - even nicer than my freefall chute.

 

[J-Pip]

Nice is an understatement. I got the Us 10 to use as a tail pack mostly for tools. I fits on the rear seat perfectly. I'm very impressed with the quality and innovation, and I havn't even used it yet.

 

[J-Pip]

I finally used this back pack. I took it to the AMA race at miller. There were times I forgot it was on. I packed all my crap around ain it at the track too.

 

[J-Pip]

If you don't like luggage, this is the solution for you! Wow, I rode 750 miles most of them I didn't know the pack was on, till I got a drink from my camel back that I kept in it. Nice piece of gear.

 

[anilm2]

Would a laptop fit into the US-10 add-on pack?

I've been thinking of ordering the same setup. Since, I'll use it to commute with my laptop, I need absolute water protection.

Been using the aerostich messenger bag for the last few years (which is waterproof), but it puts way too much weight on one shoulder. Great for short trips; but, an hour with a full bag is a bit painful.

 

[prizontatt]

can any of you post some pictures of your bags? The pictures on the site are all b&w and don't show the bags on people's backs... thanks

 

[BillT]

It's just too hot down here to carry a backpack. As it is, the back protector in my mesh jacket starts to make me sweat in traffic. I prefer a tailbag.

 

[cwb4tx]

I ALMOST bought this same set up, but due to female (indirect) intervention i went with the Deuter Trans Alpine 30 Hydration Backpack. I saw a few reviews of the pack being too loose on some smaller GUYS and my first trip will be 900 miles one way with a girl wearing the pack.

Also the dueter has a 100oz drink bladder in it - might be nice to have a drink during extended rides without stopping... I'll post a seperate thread on HER review of it when we get back

 

[J-Pip]

There's mine, I highly recommend this bag. The Us-10 wont fit a laptop the R-25 and R-35 will. I don't think the US-20 will fit one wither as its the same dimensions as the 10 but taller.