Viking Moto Motorcycle Backpack Review

Let’s all agree that the biggest problem with our bikes being daily transportation is the lack of hauling capacity.

So, just as in our scholastic days, backpacks to the rescue! But not just any backpack will do. We’re out in the elements, we’re hauling heavier stuff than a few books, and of course, we don’t want to look like a vagabond. That’s where awesome designs like the Viking Bag’s Motorcycle Backpack shine.

This isn’t your high school backpack, oh no. This Cordura backpack features a modern classic look with leather trim and an understated aesthetic that will match your jacket and your bike, no matter what type of bike you like to ride.

Let’s take a closer look at this awesome bag, and how it can make your daily rides so much cooler.

Shot and Edited by Shaun Maddox
https://shaunmaddox.com/
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Construction

As I said, this backpack is made of Cordura, a modern marvel of material sciences that fits comfortably on your body, while not being a floppy, frail backpack. With dimensions of 18.5”x12.5”x5”, you can carry groceries, personal items, or personal items with ease and comfort no other bag can offer.

Need more organization, or to haul some electronics with you? Well, Viking’s completely onboard with 21st-century life, including a laptop sleeve and stretchy, sewn in pockets for organizing your styluses, connection cords, your phone, and anything else delicate and vital you may need to carry.

That’s not even the coolest thing this bag can do. We all know how important our helmet is for safety, but when we get off our bike, it becomes a cumbersome nuisance to carry around or somehow safely secure to our bike. With this Viking bag, that’s not an issue, thanks to the stretchy helmet lining which can hold pretty much any helmet of any size no problem.

Gone are any excuses, whatsoever, to forego your helmet. You know who you are!

The Feel

I took one of these out for a day ride, that is about 6 hours round trip, to go shopping in another area (I usually wouldn’t, but it’s a good field test for gear like this). By the time I reached my destination, I almost forgot this bag was even attached to me, and that was with a heavy laptop and backup battery in my bag.

I did, however, notice that as I took the bag off when going into a restaurant, that my shirt was a bit damp, as I’d sweat from where it blocked air flow to an extent. However, having had other bags leave the back of my shirt completely soaked through, I’d call this a considerable improvement in that department. Given this bag is weatherized, it kind of can’t have the airflow of something mesh, and I’d rather sweat a tiny bit while having my stuff protected from the elements.

What really caught my attention was the lack of soreness or discomfort across my shoulders, neck and upper back. I’m a broad-shouldered fellow, which means most backpacks with any weight, tend to tug on muscles and leave me sore or even numb – the broad design of the straps both across the shoulders and waist, didn’t cause that problem at all.

Pros and Cons

Pros

This is an attractive bag that doesn’t scream “hobo” or “kid”, with a professional yet casual aesthetic that matches any jacket well enough.
It’s weatherized, and will protect everything with gusto.
It’s very comfortable, and the strap designs don’t cause soreness, discomfort or circulation problems.
I can carry my electronics in an organized fashion – this modern thinking is lost on a lot of biking gear companies.
The helmet lining does the biking community two great services by making our helmets no longer a nuisance, and eliminating any excuses for anyone to foolishly leave their helmets behind.

Cons

Being weatherized, you will sweat a little bit, it can’t be helped.
While attractive, the black may not be everyone’s taste.
I know a few hefty guys who might find the fit of this bag, adjustable as it is, to be a bit precarious.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Heavy duty Cardura Construction.
Reflective piping for additional night time visibility.
Built in helmet hood.
Fits most 15″ laptops in padded compartment.
Detailed organizer for your keys, wallet and other small items.
Protective eyewear pocket.
Duraflex® buckles throughout for added strength.
Audio Ready.
Height and width adjustable sternum strap.
Aerodynamic molded body.

Conclusion

I like this bag. It’s not perfect, and I can see some room for improvement in variety of color schemes as well as a bit more adjustability in the straps for bigger people. I’d also like to see another model that’s stretchier, for if I have more stuff to haul back.

Nonetheless, this is a nice bag, and if you ride your bike for daily things like I do in decent weather, you owe it to yourself to give a bag like this a try!

SportBike

How Often Do I Need To Change Motorcycle Engine Oil?

By RunThaCity — 3 years ago

Changing engine oil is essential to maintaining the life of your beloved motorcycle. If you don’t consistently check the oil level and change the oil when it gets old or dirty, the lifespan of the motor is severely shortened.

Let’s get started.

How Often You Need To Change Motorcycle Oil

Most riders will ask the question, “How often do I need to change the motorcycle engine oil?” at least once. The answer depends on the make/model of your bike (we’ll be discussed a Yamaha YZF-R6), the type of oil you used, and how often you ride.

If you used a mineral-based engine oil (the simplest, cheapest kind), then you should change the engine every 2,000 miles if you’re riding frequently. If you don’t ride regularly, you can change your oil at least twice a year.

When using a semi-synthetic engine oil, change the oil once every 5,000-6,000 miles.

Lastly, if you use a fully-synthetic engine oil, change the oil after 7,000-10,000 miles.

Semi- and fully-synthetic motor oils are more expensive than mineral-based engine oil, but the plus side is that they last much longer. The only time when you might have to change before the recommended mileage, regardless of the motor oil type, is if you are riding your bike every single day or you commute a great distance frequently.

Yamaha YZF-R6 Oil Change Instructions
You can find the following information in the owner’s manual of your Yamaha YZF-R6. If you don’t have this specific Yamaha model, it’s recommended you find the specific instructions for your make and model, as the steps could be different.
Checking the engine oil level:
Put the motorcycle on a level surface and hold it in an upright position, as straight as possible. Slight tilts could result in a false read.
Start the engine. Let the oil warm up for several minutes.
Turn the motorcycle off again.
Wait for the oil to settle. This may take a few minutes.
Remove the engine oil dipstick. Wipe it clean with a cloth then insert the stick back into the fuel reservoir. Take a moment to look at the maximum and minimum oil level lines before testing if you’re not familiar with it. Don’t screw the stick in. Remove it again to get your reading.
If the engine oil level is at or below the minimum level, remove the engine filler cap and add a sufficient amount of oil to get the level to the recommended spot.
Insert then tighten the engine oil dipstick. Afterwards, install and tighten the oil filler cap.
During this stage of your oil check, you might find that you need to change the oil completely.

How To Tell If You Need An Oil Change
The normal color of oil is transparent, brownish, maybe even slightly black. When oil is “clean,” it works best for protecting and keeping the engine clean.
Now, “dirty” oil is when the water consistency is lost. It feels slightly gritty when rubbed between your fingers. The color will be darker, if not completely black, and it will have lost it’s transparency.
You might also notice that the engine is making bizarre noises when the oil is dirty. All these signs point to needing an oil change.
How to change engine oil on a Yamaha YZF-R6:
Put the motorcycle on a level surface.
Removing the cowling.
Start the engine for several minutes. Once warmed, turn the bike off.
Place an oil pan under the engine to collect used oil.
Remove the engine oil filler cap, the engine oil drain bolt, and lastly the gasket to drain the oil from the crankcase.
Once the oil is drained completely, replace the gasket and bolt, fill the tank to the recommended level, and then replace the engine oil filler cap.

When To Change The Oil Filter
Change the filter every time you change the oil or once every 2,000 to 3,000 miles if you’re using synthetic motor oil. You don’t want to ride around with a dirty, old oil filter because it traps any dirt, dust, debris, metal, and sludge that would otherwise harm your engine.

Not a frequent rider? Again, change your oil at least twice a year and pair that with a filter change.
Conclusion
To wrap everything up, frequent riders will need to change their oil more often than those who ride once in a while. The quality of the motor oil changes the mileage for oil changes, and synthetic oils will have the longest life. Make sure to check the oil level and consistency often so you can protect the engine and preserve the life of your ride.

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SportBike

How To Push Start A Motorcycle

By RunThaCity — 3 years ago

Any serious motorcyclist will know the essentials, like wearing appropriate safety gear, proper riding position, turning mechanisms, and how to do a push start. Wait, you don’t know how to clutch start a motorcycle? What happens if you can’t start the motor with the switch? Good thing you’re here. In just a few steps, you can learn how to effectively push start a motorcycle and get riding in no time.

Before You Push Start

There are a few things to keep in mind if you plan on push starting (also called bump starting and clutch starting) your bike. First, push starting isn’t the ideal method, and it sometimes doesn’t work.
Next, if your motorcycle isn’t starting, check some things that sometimes prevent a motorcycle from starting:
Ignition kill switch – make sure the kill switch is set to the STOP position.
Fuel level – your fuel gauge could be faulty, so pop the cap and check to make sure you’re not running on E.
Fuel petcock – if you have a non-EFI bike, make sure the fuel tap petcock is OFF.
Kickstand – some bikes have an added safety feature that prevents it from starting if the kickstand is down.
Gear set in neutral – if the gear is engaged, the bike will refuse to start. Do a double-check.
If none of these apply to your situation, then it’s time to push start your bike.

How To Push Start
Follow these steps in the order listed.
Find A Hill
While you could get a few friends to push your motorcycle, you’re not always going to be traveling in a group. When that happens, you need to find yourself a hill. Steep slopes help you get to the proper speed to bypass the start system.
On a flat road? Don’t despair. If you can push the bike at a reasonable speed then jump on and release the clutch, you can still do a push start.
Engage 2nd or 3rd Gear
A lesser known trick to a successful push start is to avoid 1st gear and go straight to 2nd or 3rd gear. Avoid 1st gear entirely if your bike as a high compression engine.
The reason why skipping 1st gear is important is because you could potentially lock the rear tire, which would result in a crash.
Clutch, Release, and Start
Start moving down the hill to get speed while holding the clutch. As you start to gain momentum, release the clutch and press the start button in a seamless motion. Quickly apply some throttle, and the motorcycle should start. As soon as the bike is roaring, engage the clutch.
It’s important to stay in full control of the motorcycle. Please do this as far from traffic as possible, just in case you end up swerving.
If this doesn’t work on the first try, don’t give up. Stop. Reset yourself, and repeat the first three steps again.
Rev That Engine
This is the final step—the most integral. If you don’t immediately rev the engine, the motorcycle will die again. Stay focused.
Depress the clutch slightly and moderately rev the engine. Don’t let it scream. Keep the revving slightly high so the motor doesn’t choke down. The worse case scenario if you don’t rev the motor is that the bike will die, and you don’t want that—especially since you’ll still be rolling down a hill.
Optionally, once you have the engine running, you can switch to neutral and apply the brakes while revving the engine. This will help you stay focused on keeping the engine from choking. This works best if the motorcycle is cold.
Get Riding
Once the engine has warmed up, do a quick ride to make sure everything is working as it should. Remember that your safety is the most important thing when push starting a motorcycle. Be sure to practice the push starting methods a few times before attempting it for real out on the road. You should be wearing protective gear and be away from traffic. If not, you could seriously hurt yourself and others.
That wraps up how to push start a motorcycle. Just follow the steps that have been outlined, commit to safety, and you will soon be push starting like the pros!
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Mastering the Ride: How to Prevent and Treat Common Sportbike Injuries

By RunThaCity — 1 year ago

The exhilarating rush of leaning into a corner, the wind whipping through your hair, and the undeniable thrill of commanding a powerful machine – these are just a few of the reasons why sportbikes hold such a special place in the hearts of many riders. However, with the incredible performance and sharp handling of these motorcycles comes a heightened degree of risk for injuries.

This article delves into the world of sportbike injuries, equipping you with the knowledge and practical steps to navigate the journey safely. We’ll explore the most common injuries associated with sportbike riding, delve into preventative strategies, and shed light on treatment options. By understanding the risks and taking necessary precautions, you can continue to enjoy the thrill of the ride while minimizing the chances of encountering these injuries.

Key Takeaways:

Common sportbike injuries include wrist/hand, shoulder, neck/back, and leg/foot injuries.
Prevent injuries through proper gear, ergonomic bike setup, strengthening exercises, and safe riding practices.
Seek immediate medical attention for any suspected injury.
Treatment options include rest, pain management, physical therapy, and surgery (if needed).
Prioritize safety by learning continuously, maintaining your bike, and riding with responsible individuals.

Comparison Table: Common Sportbike Injuries vs. Preventative Measures

Injury	Preventative Measures
Wrist and Hand Sprains/Fractures	Wear protective gloves, maintain proper grip on handlebars, avoid over-torquing controls.
Shoulder Strains/Dislocations	Strengthen core and shoulders, maintain upright posture, avoid locking elbows.
Neck and Back Pain/Herniated Discs	Maintain neutral posture, avoid hunching, strengthen core muscles, take regular breaks on long rides.
Leg and Foot Sprains/Fractures	Wear sturdy motorcycle boots, maintain proper footpeg placement, avoid excessive shifting or braking.

Comparison Table: Common Sportbike Injuries vs. Preventative Measures

The Landscape of Sportbike Injuries: Understanding Common Risks

The unique design and riding style of sportbikes expose riders to specific physical demands and potential hazards. Let’s delve into the most prevalent forms of injuries encountered by sportbike enthusiasts:

1. Upper Body Injuries:

Wrist and Hand: The aggressive riding position, coupled with the potential for falls, makes these areas particularly vulnerable. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by repetitive strain on the nerves and tendons.
Shoulder: Similar to wrist and hand injuries, the shoulders bear the brunt of the forward-leaning posture and potential impact in a fall. Dislocations, strains, and rotator cuff injuries are common occurrences.
Neck and Back: Long rides with a hunched posture can put immense strain on these areas, leading to pain, stiffness, and even herniated discs. Improper core engagement further exacerbates the situation.

2. Lower Body Injuries:

Leg and Foot: While less frequent than upper body injuries, leg and foot injuries can happen in accidents or due to repetitive motions while shifting and braking. These can include ankle sprains, fractures, and nerve damage, causing pain and limiting mobility.

3. Additional Injuries:

Head Injuries: Although mitigated by wearing a helmet, head injuries can still occur in severe accidents, highlighting the importance of choosing and using a DOT-approved helmet consistently.

4. Psychological Trauma:

Accidents, even minor ones, can cause emotional distress and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some individuals. Seeking professional help is crucial if you experience emotional difficulties after an accident.

Safeguarding the Ride: Proven Strategies for Injury Prevention

Knowing the risks is essential, but the true power lies in taking proactive steps to prevent them. Here are some key strategies you can implement:

1. Gear Up for Protection:

Helmet: Invest in a high-quality, DOT-approved helmet that fits snugly but comfortably. Replace it every five years or after any significant impact.
Protective Clothing: Opt for abrasion-resistant leather or heavy textile gear that covers your entire body. Leather offers superior protection but can be warmer in hot weather.
Footwear: Wear sturdy motorcycle boots that provide ankle support and good grip on the footpegs.

2. Ergonomics Matter:

Bike Fit: Ensure your bike is adjusted to your specific body measurements. This includes proper handlebar height, seat position, and footpeg placement. An ergonomically correct setup reduces strain on your body and allows for better control.
Maintaining Posture: Maintain a neutral, upright posture while riding. Avoid hunching your back or locking your elbows, as this can lead to fatigue and increase the risk of injury.

3. Strengthen Your Body:

Targeted Exercises: Regularly strengthening your core, back, and shoulders improves your riding posture and endurance. This enhances control and reduces the risk of fatigue-induced errors.
Stretching: Don’t underestimate the power of stretching. Regularly stretching improves flexibility and range of motion, reducing the risk of strains and muscle fatigue.

4. Master Your Skills:

Safety Courses: Enroll in a motorcycle safety course to learn proper braking, cornering, and maneuvering techniques. These courses hone your skills and equip you with the knowledge to handle challenging situations safely.
Practice Makes Perfect: Regularly practicing in a controlled environment builds confidence and refines your skills, allowing you to react calmly and effectively in real-world situations.

5. Listen to Your Body and the Road:

Fatigue Factor: Avoid riding when you’re tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Fatigue impairs judgment and reflexes, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Stay Alert: Be mindful of your surroundings and anticipate potential hazards. Watch out for other vehicles, road conditions, and weather changes.
Take Breaks: Schedule regular breaks on long rides. Get off the bike, stretch your legs, and rehydrate to prevent fatigue and maintain focus.

Navigating Recovery: Treatment Options for Sportbike Injuries

Despite taking all necessary precautions, accidents can still occur. If you sustain an injury while riding, immediate medical attention is crucial. A qualified healthcare professional can accurately diagnose the severity of the injury and recommend the most appropriate treatment course.

Here’s a glimpse into some common treatment options for sportbike injuries:

1. Rest and Immobilization:

Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, the doctor might recommend rest and immobilization. This allows your body time to heal and prevents further damage. Immobilization may involve casts, splints, or slings.

2. Pain Management:

Managing pain is essential for promoting healing and comfort. This may involve medication like pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or muscle relaxants. Topical pain relief options like creams and gels may also be used.

3. Physical Therapy:

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in regaining strength, flexibility, and range of motion after an injury. A physical therapist will create a personalized rehabilitation program that includes exercises and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation to facilitate healing and recovery.

4. Surgery:

In some cases, surgery might be necessary to repair fractures, torn ligaments, or other damage that cannot heal on its own. This is a complex decision, and the doctor will discuss the risks and benefits thoroughly with you before proceeding.

5. Emotional Support:

Don’t underestimate the impact of emotional trauma after an accident. Consider seeking professional help from a therapist to address any anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that you might be experiencing.

Beyond the Finish Line: Embracing a Culture of Safety

The exhilarating world of sportbike riding demands a commitment to safety. By adopting the strategies outlined above, you minimize the risks associated with this exhilarating activity. Remember, the thrill of the ride is amplified when coupled with responsible and informed practices.

Here are some additional points to consider:

Community Connection: Surround yourself with responsible riders who prioritize safety. Sharing experiences and learning from others can reinforce safe riding practices.
Continuous Learning: Continuously educate yourself on safety advancements, proper riding techniques, and hazard avoidance strategies.
Regular Maintenance: Ensure your bike is in proper working order. Regular maintenance checks and addressing any potential issues before hitting the road are crucial for safety.

Riding a sportbike is an activity that requires a balance of skill, awareness, and responsibility. By understanding the potential risks, implementing preventive measures, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can maximize your enjoyment on two wheels while prioritizing the most important aspect – your safety. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, and safe riding practices ensure that you can continue to enjoy the thrill of riding for years to come.

6 FAQs: Gearing Up for Safe Sportbike Riding

What type of helmet should I wear?
- Always wear a DOT-approved helmet that fits snugly but comfortably. Replace it every five years or after any significant impact.
Is leather gear always necessary?
- While leather offers superior abrasion resistance, heavy textiles can also provide adequate protection. Choose gear that fits well and offers sufficient coverage.
How often should I stretch before and after riding?
- Perform dynamic stretches before riding to warm up your muscles and static stretches after riding to improve flexibility and prevent stiffness.
Can I skip safety courses if I’m an experienced rider?
- Safety courses are valuable for all riders, regardless of experience level. They can help you refine your skills, learn new techniques, and refresh your knowledge on safe riding practices.
How long should I rest after a minor injury?
- Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding rest and activity limitations. Ignoring this advice can hinder healing and increase the risk of complications.
When should I seek professional help for emotional trauma after an accident?
- If you experience any emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or difficulty coping after an accident, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist.

Viking Moto Motorcycle Backpack Review