Bumbags on bikes dangerous??!

Hi All

I had a run-in with a car in May, writing off my old ZX6R. I walked away
with bruises, and the dozy cow who pulled out of the junction has opted
for a 'driver improvement course' instead of prosecution (what a
flippin' surprise)...but I digress....

Chatting to the paramedic who picked me up and dusted me off, he claimed
that wearing a bumbag on a bike was a Very Bad Thing, and that he had
seen them cause spinal injuries.

So does anyone have an opinion on this? OK, let me rephrase that...does
anyone have an *informed* opinion on this?

Cheers.

Chris

 

I'll give you a couple of scenarios.

1) Biker throws himself along the road and ends up flat on his back
and is pissed off about it

2) Biker throws himself along the road and ends up on his back
crushing the contents of his rucksack.

I think common sense should give you your answer. Personally, I wear
a back protector and use a tank bag to store crap in. I'd rather my
spine land on a flat surface than land on a coke can.

Like everything that involves motorcycles, it's all personal
preference.

 

[Snipped Text]

I agree, I have a top box for my lunch box and stuff, I learnt not to
carry stuff on my back when I used to cycle a lot many years ago.
Falling off and landing on stuff isn't good.

 

Not an opinion but an observation. Many of the "real" enduro
riders that whiz past me on the trail use bumbags. Anything
from a small one for a wallet to two week survival kits by the
look of it. These riders fall a lot and some of them still stand
relatively straight and walk around without too much trouble.

This does not say that a bumbag can't cause injuries, just that
people who should be aware of any risk don't seem too worried.

 

I should think, depending on what's in it, it gives the lower spine
something to roll over arching the back at a very specific point, bit
like a head rest that's to low and breaks the neck rather then helps
stop the head being thrown back
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BGN wrote

Heed this man's advice (in this matter) he has more experience falling
off than most of us put together. In fact, when he has been riding for
a few years, I fully expect he will be chasing Veggie Dave for the his
position at the top.

 

I was knocked off my bike years ago, and at the time I had a rucksack
on with a cable lock, can of pepsi and some folders in it (was on my
way to college). The cable lock was undamaged, the can was fairly
mangled (but unpunctured). I didn't break anything, but aquired some
neck and shoulder injuries for my troubles, but they didn't say that
they were down to the rucksack/contents of.

I can see why it would seem to be better to not have a bumbag on, but
it would depend what you put in it. If you stuck a great big spike in
it it'll probably hurt, whereas a wallet would be negligable. It
depends if you're going to ride with the idea of falling off in mind
(and preparing for every eventuality) or not falling off (take sensible
precautions, but not going overboard). Only you will know what risks
you're willing to take. At anything above about 40mph I would think
that bumbag or no will be the least of your worries.

FWIW I now wear a back protector when out on the bike.

 

[snip]

Have you ever asked a question then from the replies suddenly realise
what a daft question it was?

Thanks to everyone for their opinions and comments. For the record, I
haven't used my bumbag since the accident even though all I used to
carry in it was the wallet, phone and keys. And yes, the old tankbag has
been dusted off.

Chris

 

Wallet = Pocket
Phone = Pocket
Keys = Pocket (ask Christofire for pocket key storage tips)

 

Ah...you make one fatal assumption.

No pockets in my leathers.....(something I won't fall for again. It's a
real PITA).

Chris

 

Stick 'em down yours pants and impress the ladies.

 

How is having his leathers down his pants going to impress the ladies?

 

It would certainly impress me.

 

Oi, Christofire. What are these tips then?
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Doubt it. It's only a small phone ;-)

 

[Snipped Text]

oo-er missus!

Nor me, but I did talk to people that had to remove bits from their back
after a fall - cameras and such like.

 

Fanny bag.

 

BGN said...

That's a bit harsh, I've always found Beav to be quite personable.

 

[Snipped Text]

Indeed, everything goes in the top box.

 

I crashed Snorky and landed on a tea mug I was carrying in my satchel. I
couldn't walk for a week. "Mug of Doom".

I crashed another MZ into a car with a Moto Guzzi gearbox in a rucksack
on my back, I was fine. So was the gearbox, fortunately.