“In” Style: Manpurse Over-the-shoulder Bag?
08. Nov, 2009 
8 Comments
Over the years I’ve seen a lot of fads come and go in the sport of motorcycling. Here’s one fad that I hope doesn’t catch on because if this is the “In” style, well I’m glad I’m out of style. This guy was sitting on his imitation softail at a light when I stopped behind him. I felt like pulling up next to him and asking “Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon in that stylish leather over-the-shoulder bag?” But I figured he might not speak English. After following him for a couple miles I really felt like telling him to trade that fancy bag for some riding lessons. He had his bike all over the place. I’ve seen guys that were trashed keep their bikes in a straight line better than he did.
Meh. I’ve carried a manpurse for years. It’s the most convenient way to carry a medium format camera everywhere I go. It’s the Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack (or the Fatboy Versipack for when I’m carrying the DSLR instead).
I really don’t give a wet fart whether anyone approves of it or not.
I totally agree Magnus. I’ve used on—currently looking for a new one. When you’re toting camera gear and/or a laptop around they work great. Some folks just can’t get past the idea of it. In my opinion it’s not a matter of fashion, but function.
Well guys it just shows you that I’m old guard and not avant-garde.
I’m not touching this one.
Except to say…those big bags DO GET FRICKEN HEAVY…. when your going a distance or two…been there, done that…
I now strap most everything I don’t want vibrated to death around my waist through my belt (camera)…tri-pod and the rest of the stuff that’s not delicate can ride the fender.
only problem with the belt system…is when your in a hurry to get through the bathroom door at a gas station…you are wider than you think…and it can be a comedy to watch me bounce off the door jambs as I try to enter the bathroom door or the stall doors!
Lol – I admit it, I am a “murse-r” from way back.
Sad but true.
When you have gear to carry and no real means of managing it, the murse is critical!
But hey, Sam, lets disentangle these topics, eh?
Riding poorly is one thing, carrying a murse is something else, entirely..
Well, that’s my story and I am sticking to it….
When I’m running without my saddlebags on the bike, which I do occasionally, and I need to carry some shit, I use a Nelson-Rigg courier bag. If somebody insulted me about it I’d just laugh at them.
I have been working on designing a rounder duffle bag/toolbag/lunch bag that rides like the messenger bags to carry my tools and lunch to work in. Something along the lines of the weapon bag that was in “I am Legend”. My backpack carries the weight so low it makes it uncomfortable when I am sliding sideways on the short cut down a gravel road to work.
Hey Flynch – let me know if you get that design sorted out.
I’d be interested in making one.
a “manly murse”!!