Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => General Discussion => Topic started by: DC on June 28, 2013, 07:07:01 AM

Title: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: DC on June 28, 2013, 07:07:01 AM
I'm going to start taking the Drifter in to work here and there.  The thing is I have to haul my work laptop with me back and forth.  I'll try to put it in my trunk if it fits.  I'm wondering though is it too much vibration for the laptop, with just normal roads, heaving bumps, potholes, and expansion joints?
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: Lurch on June 28, 2013, 07:10:48 AM
Ive carried both laptop and camera gear, inside a padded bag, on the bike for years without problem.
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: chief on June 28, 2013, 09:35:59 AM
As long as its not bouncing around inside of something hard... should be fine. I carried mine in the trunk on the GW when we were doing the western USA ... 5000 miles... 112 degrees. It stayed cool and no problem.  FYI we were gone 17 days and no way I could be away from the business stuff that long!!
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: CDNRatMan on June 28, 2013, 09:55:35 AM
  I got slammed for all the great I took to Ride for Dad...lol.....

Dc the red pack is my camera, laptop, and computer "stuff" also my daily meds (diabetic) test kit and such. so the use of 2 packs is the way to go for me... I have never had an issue with my laptop, the pack is Swiss Army and padded and really well made. I just wrap the stuff in it in plastic bags in case of rain. On this trip I also had my raingear in that pack because it was easy to get to there
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: Troll on June 28, 2013, 10:55:39 AM
Can't leave the house without a laptop. I've even carried desk top cpus on a bike. I put my .45 inside a gallon size freezer bag inside it's case, just in case it might get wet......
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: John Hopkins on June 28, 2013, 13:09:16 PM
If you are concerned use some bubble wrap..

John.
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: DC on June 28, 2013, 14:10:46 PM
Good idea!  I can use that and some foam maybe.
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: David Baker on June 28, 2013, 17:03:26 PM
DC... Why not a leather courier bag for your laptop? Just a thought.
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: Washbrook on June 28, 2013, 17:41:32 PM
If you are worried check out these: http://www.pelican-case.com/laptop-cases.html . You could then place it in your saddlebag. I use something similar (different brand) for my camera gear when travelling off road in my 4WD (Simpson Desert, Canning Stock Route etc) and never had an issue. The back of a bike would be smooth riding by comparison.
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: Drifter1500 on June 28, 2013, 19:00:40 PM
Aback pack laptop bag would be a good option as well. And it would be with you should you have to dismount and leave your bike.
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: DC on July 01, 2013, 06:59:48 AM
Quote from: Bake on June 28, 2013, 17:03:26 PM
DC... Why not a leather courier bag for your laptop? Just a thought.

I have the standard laptop bag that holds all the accessories.  There's a little bit of padding there.  So the other day, I tried to see how it would fit in the trunk.  It ends up it has to lay at a 45 degree angle and can't sit flat on the bottom.  So getting a bag any bigger and it won't fit in the trunk at all, but good idea nonetheless.  Thx.
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: DC on July 01, 2013, 07:02:11 AM
Quote from: Washbrook on June 28, 2013, 17:41:32 PM
If you are worried check out these: http://www.pelican-case.com/laptop-cases.html . You could then place it in your saddlebag. I use something similar (different brand) for my camera gear when travelling off road in my 4WD (Simpson Desert, Canning Stock Route etc) and never had an issue. The back of a bike would be smooth riding by comparison.

They look good, but I end up with the size issue and it not fitting in the trunk.  That would leave me with the strap-on option.  The case.  Strapping on the case to something.
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: DC on July 01, 2013, 07:06:49 AM
Quote from: Drifter1500 on June 28, 2013, 19:00:40 PM
Aback pack laptop bag would be a good option as well. And it would be with you should you have to dismount and leave your bike.

A lot of guys at work use the backpacks for their laptop.  It would make me look 15 years younger at least.   ;)

I'm thinking about that as an option.  I just have to consider how it will raise my center of gravity and how that affects stability. 

On the other hand, the extra weight on me might help keep me in the seat, as the bike tries to eject me when going over bumps.   ;)
Title: Re: Laptop on Drifter?
Post by: CDNRatMan on July 01, 2013, 09:29:35 AM
 DC my laptop has made at least 5 trips to Kingston and back in a backpack on the back of the sissy bar and it was just hanging there, now with the luggage rack at least it will be supported by the rack, and end of the month it is going back down there and back here over a long weekend. Raingear also fits in there and any thing I might need during the ride, because it is easy to find in that backpack.