Motorcyclists carrying a bass

[rkatapt]

So how many of you are riders?

A question I wanted to ask. I've been riding my bike to practice and sometimes I have to drag a bass back and forth. Has anyone ridden their bike with a bass strapped on your back? It would be the SX I'd carry. I don't think I want to chance having a rick or wick strapped to my back while doing 70 to 80mph.

Wondering how the aerodynamics will come to play with it wrapped around using just your strap. I thought about getting a gig bag backpack style but it seems like it would have more drag and want to rip you off the bike.

BTW yep I have straplocks.

[jady]

I did this when I was in college with an Epiphone. The wind drag isn't an issue really but if you drop your bike with it on your back (which I did) it will not be pretty.

Oh and use a gigbag for pete's sake!!!!! Crap flys up off the road and can take out some chunks.

[Pilgrim]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. One wind gust at the wrong time and you could be on the pavement with you AND the bass in pieces. There's just too much wind resistance to an object the size of a bass.

[rkatapt]

Hrmmn I was thinking the only part exposed to the wind would be 3/4 of the neck. I may have to try it with a gig bag but I just think it will add to the drag.

This is my SX we are talking about I drag it with me sans case, I could care less if it gets dented, damaged, actaully it could use that it needs some character.

[scottice]

Character is one thing... but constantly having to tune and adjust intonation would be a pain in the arse if you carry it around all over without a case.
Do yourself a favor and use a gig bag. They even have straps on them like a backpack.

[Pilgrim]

Maybe if you put the bass in a gig bag and press it to your back, then had a friend wrap duct tape around the bass and your torso a dozen times or so to prevent it from shifting. all that would be exposed would be the neck - and you'd be amazed how hard it would pull on you. 70 to 80 MPH is out - completely out. That would be outsize stupid.

Just seems like asking for a quick trip to the emergency room. I don't care about the bass, I care about your getting badly hurt. If you could tie it onto the bike low and alongside, then keep your speed to 30 MPH......MAYBE.

[Marcus Johnson]

I used to do it with my old Steinberger XL25A, a little GK Combo, and some bungee cords. No sweat.

[rkatapt]

Hrrrmmn anyone make a gigbag backpack style with a chest strap maybe even a waist strap? Like the backpacks you get for bicycle riding.

I think I have an idea.

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I used to do it with my old Steinberger XL25A, a little GK Combo, and some bungee cords. No sweat.

That reminds of the time we had my bass, a 2x10 combo, a full drum set, me, and the drummer in his Miata.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by rkatapt

Hrrrmmn anyone make a gigbag backpack style with a strap the locks across your chest?

I think I have an idea.



That reminds of the time we had my bass, a 2x10 combo, a full drum set, me, and the drummer in his Miata.

find an old knapsack with a metal frame and fashion some straps and the across the chest strap so as not to damage the instrument.....a little trial and error .the local shoemaker can sew it up cheap if you do the fitting/cutting

[Phalex]

I used to play with a guitard that would ride his bike to gigs. He looked pretty damn cool tooling down the highway with a gig bag strapped to his back. (His bag had 2 shoulder straps so the neck pointed straight up)

[RED5]

You really want to keep the bass longitudinal. That is, lengthwise to the bike. This has go to to be impossible on any Sportbike currently made. Any part of the instrument protruding into the wind will want to rip it off of you or the bike. I used to pack my P-bass on my 77 K3 Goldwing. I lashed the body to the rear section of the seat, and the neck to the cargo rack that was in liine behind it. Always nervous about the few inches that stuck off the end but never had a problem otherwise. If you can keep it out of the slipstream? you can do it. BTW? it was packed in a heavy duty gig bag.

[Jimi Cleek]

I did it for a short while. I was just to uncomfortable all the way around. I didn't even think about getting on the freeway. In the gig bag there was just a bit to much wind resistance. I never felt like I was in real danger but I was very uncomfortable with a big sail on my back. I ride a cruiser so the bass stuck up a lot higher above my head than it would when I just slung it on my back in the bag.

In a pinch I would do it again. Just be really careful. Avoid the highway and don't go over 40-45.

Jimi

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I would be worried about it acting like a sail, but Im not a rider, so I dont know

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Jimi Cleek

Just be really careful. Avoid the highway and don't go over 40-45.

Jimi

Words to live by.

[rkatapt]

Dammit, hrrmn I have to get on the hwy.

Maybe a side car.

[tplyons]

If you have to get on the highway, stay in the right lane and go slow. If you don't want to go slow, get a car.

[MoD_Scotty]

^^^ LMAO! I was gonna suggest a sidecar!

What about just taping up the neck/headstock portion of the gigbag (the part acting as a sail) so that it has a more aerodynamic shape? The thinner you can make that profile, the less drag it'll make. Maybe use a velcro strap (so you don't have to tape the crap outta your case), or even some bungee cord.

I'd also use a case that's very well built. You don't want the backpack straps to rip off the moment you hit 60mph!

Regardless, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to safely do it. Also, maybe look into a taller fairing for your bike. A tall enough fairing might take care of the problem by itself.

[ThunderLizard]

rka-
If you've got a backrest (sissy bar), you can strap it to that. I use to strap my bass to that when I went a short distance to rehearsal.
But please do not ride a motorcycle with a bass strapped to YOUR back. You need all your balance and motorskills on a motorcycle. Having that much weight that high on your back can effect your center of balance and could cause an accident.
Leave a cheapo bass at rehearsal and then ride to practice.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I remember once seeing a photo of Tony Levin riding a motorcycle near his home, with a bass on his back.

[bradjonesbass]

That was a photo shoot for BassPlayer... I'm guessing it was a VERY controlled environment.