How to carry my laptop

[Arcusx]

So, I bought my NC today to attack my 51 mile each way commute. How would you recommend I carry my laptop to work? Top box? And if so, which one? Backpack?

I'm ready to learn from the pros!

= John

 

[Chris]

If it's a smaller size it should fit in the frunk

 

[Old Can Ride]

I have mine in my backpack. My backpack is waterproof and has a hydration unit in it. This is when I am traveling, because I can take the backpack with me everywhere I go. When camping I have found that I do not have to attached it to the bike for charging until first thing in the morning. Usually let my interphone helmet modular charge overnight in my frunk, and come morning charge my laptop while I take a shower. Most times keep the iphone attached to the 12 volt adapter while riding, this keeps it charged at all times, and while I am using it. If just going back an forth to work, it could go every where from water proof rear seat pack, to saddlebag, trunk, or backpack. Have never had the problem of any thing running the battery down.

 

[maxou723]

I have mine in the frunk. Mind you it's a 12.1 inch screen size.

 

[Xamper]

I've been commuting 62 miles round trip on a bike many years with a laptop. My favorite place is the backpack or messenger bag. Many laptops still have moving parts, like hard drive. (though some uses flash storage now). Vibration on laptop can be, therefore, deadly. That's why I like to carry it on me, because my body observes a lot of vibration.

I've thought about tank bag, but with strong magnets, I'm not sure if it is good for the computer.

I've carried it on my top case many times without any problem. BUT still, for me, "on my body" is the best way to carry.

 

[anglachel]

I have mine in a backpack... backpack has a rain cover in the event of rain, it's large enough to carry rain gear etc. as well. I do find that I need to have the chest strap done on the backpack for comfortable riding, otherwise the shoulder armor and straps pull my shoulders back particularly at higher speeds when the wind is helping them.

mind you my commute is only 5 miles, and my back does get warm from the back armor + laptop, so if you have back armor you might want to pull it out, or look for a backpack with adequate back ventilation.

My bag has no back ventilation, but it was only a few buck from an army surplus store.

 

[kjang]

I carry mine on my backpack. Use the frunk and top box for groceries. Xamper is right, you don't want to jiggle that laptop too much just in case. Last thing you want is a messed up the hard drive.

Ken

 

[NJ_Dan]

I really don't like riding with a heavy backpack, so I got this Cortech tail bag for just that purpose:

Cortech :: Luggage :: Super 2.0 24L Tail Bag

My 15" laptop in a padded sleeve fits perfectly with the sides expanded.

 

[happy]

PLease NO backpack. Laptop and contents are heavy, they will only compress your lumbar discs (they did mine even back when I was 25 years old). It is very bad for daily commute.
You can use a laptopbag and then strap it to the rear seat. That's way better.
Trust me, I have been to traction therapy etc for years.

 

[Arcusx]

Is there any advantage of a tail bag vs. a top box? Guessing the box is more secure and a fixed solution?

 

[shadowsmurf]

There are pro's and cons to both. Tail bag is more affordable and most can easily be detached, but weather proofing would be an issue depending on the weather conditions. The top box is more expensive, but would be better for poor weather conditions and more rugged. If you live in an area with mild weather or you only drive in fair weather conditions then I would go the tail bag route. If you drive in all weather conditions, than I would say the top box would be your best bet.

 

[bamamate]

I used a backpack until I got a topbox. Now the backpack goes in the topbox unless I need to carry other stuff in the topbox.

 

[turbodieseli4i6]

PLease NO backpack. Laptop and contents are heavy, they will only compress your lumbar discs (they did mine even back when I was 25 years old). It is very bad for daily commute.
You can use a laptopbag and then strap it to the rear seat. That's way better.
Trust me, I have been to traction therapy etc for years.

You should go around to all the schools and tell them your story! They have theses kids packing 20+ pounds in their backpacks to and from school.

 

[AdamW]

I really don't like riding with a heavy backpack, so I got this Cortech tail bag for just that purpose:

Cortech :: Luggage :: Super 2.0 24L Tail Bag

My 15" laptop in a padded sleeve fits perfectly with the sides expanded.

I like the look of that bag, Dan. How do you attach it to our pillion seat? Pictures?

 

[MZ5]

I carry my laptop (a Dell; think it's a 15" screen, but maybe larger, wide-format) in the frunk, the Honda saddlebags, or the Honda top box. It fits just fine in any of them. The saddlebags make you think for just a moment about how to get it in there, but it fits easily. On a previous bike, I did carry this laptop in a backpack. I dislike wearing a backpack on a bike.

 

[Josh H]

PLease NO backpack. Laptop and contents are heavy, they will only compress your lumbar discs

I carry my 15in MacBook Pro in a laptop sleeve in my backpack. While in normal riding position, the backpack rests nicely on the rear seat, taking most of the weight off my shoulders and back. The backpack also makes me feel a little safer while riding. I think it's because it feels like wearing a seat belt...not sure if that's a good or bad thing!

 

[Arcusx]

I carry my laptop (a Dell; think it's a 15" screen, but maybe larger, wide-format) in the frunk, the Honda saddlebags, or the Honda top box. It fits just fine in any of them. The saddlebags make you think for just a moment about how to get it in there, but it fits easily. On a previous bike, I did carry this laptop in a backpack. I dislike wearing a backpack on a bike.

Did you look into the Givi boxes at all, or just go strait with the Honda?

 

[NJ_Dan]

I like the look of that bag, Dan. How do you attach it to our pillion seat? Pictures?

I'm away on business for a few days so can't get to pictures, but basically I have the two rear straps crossed under the fender and looped behind the tail light. The two front straps are straight down to the passenger foot peg mounts. Very secure, but still working through a couple of things. I don't really like mounting to the tail light section. I may just wrap them around to the grab handles on opposite sides. The front mounts to the peg mounts are taking the real force, but require disconnecting to refuel. Still have to play with it a little.

 

[MZ5]

Did you look into the Givi boxes at all, or just go strait with the Honda?

I looked at Givi and others for my CBR, shortly before I bought the NCX. The dealer had the Honda saddlebags on this bike on the showroom floor. They offered to take them off if I really didn't want them, but they're super-handy, integrate with the bike best, and I thought the whole package was a really great deal.

 

[happy]

You should go around to all the schools and tell them your story! They have theses kids packing 20+ pounds in their backpacks to and from school.

In the army I used to backpack 30-45kg on a mission.

That's training.
I would not do my back a disservice DAILY.