Table of contents

• Ten large travel bags for motorcyclists in the product test When the driver’s equipment has to be carried in the luggage…
• Weight is often underestimated
• What happens to the luggage before departure??
• measured, weighed, driving on the course
• Master key opens everything
• FLM Hightech Travel Team case
• Hero Race Bag
• KTM OGIO Trucker 8800
• Moose Racing Roller Bag
• Moto-detail travel bag
• Scorpion trolley
• Scott Gear Duffle
• Streetline trolley bag
• Suzuki Ogio 9800 SLED trolley
• Yamaha Racing Gear Bag

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44 pictures

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Small processing weakness: telescopic handle with defective fuse.

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Not a high-flyer, but a hard-working point collector in almost all categories. The ample space and the good equipment are on the plus side. The driving behavior can, however, be improved.

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4/44
There are handles on every nook and cranny, even on the solid base plate.

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5/44
Can travel bag rolls be made even more practical? Hardly likely.

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Heavy, rock solid and also very well made space miracle for frequent travelers. Costs a lot – and is worth every penny because it is made to last. Not a Suzuki? Available in a similar form without branding directly from Ogio.

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7/44
Plastic handle with rustic fastening.

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8/44
Lockable zipper secured with a press stud, but only of mediocre quality.

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9/44
Can quickly become a bit too small for motorcycle riders with leather upholstery. The price is tempting, but frequent travelers should spend more money. Once a year with a textile outfit to “Malle”? Completely okay for that.

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… and practice at Frankfurt Airport.

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11/44
The function of the third, slightly higher mounted roller is a real mystery

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Hubert Grunewald (left) and Uwe Muller, baggage professionals in the ground handling services at Frankfurt Airport.

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theory …

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23/44
A pull-out carpet makes it easier to change shoes without shoes in the wild.

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24/44
Very robust, optimally protected and good damping rollers.

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25/44
A little too generous ventilation via the mesh insert on the main compartment.

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26/44
Perfect for the motocrosser who carts his equipment to the event in the Sprinter and doesn’t want to worry about space-saving packing. Not quite as suitable for air travel despite its low weight.

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27/44
Telescopic handle unsecured, but at least covered by a textile flap with zip.

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28/44
Shoulder strap with plastic hooks that are prone to breakage.

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29/44
A lot of space, but also some weaknesses in detail, especially in driving behavior. In terms of price, settled in the no man’s land between discount and high-end offers, without being noticeably superior to the cheaper bags.

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30/44
Practical separation of the two main compartments and a practical inner pocket made of mesh lining.

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31/44
Stable shoulder strap with solid metal hooks.

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32/44
The (obviously misplaced) sewer reveals: “Max. 3 kg, 130 km / h “. It can be a little more weight, but you should take it slower. Completely okay for little travelers with only medium-sized luggage. Not more.

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33/44
Can be rented out as a one-room apartment when not in use – the part is huge and correspondingly bulky. But if you have space, you are guaranteed to be happy with this travel container. No real weaknesses.

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34/44
Wide track, therefore impeccable driving behavior, but wheels also unprotected.

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35/44
External, but extremely robust and easily exchangeable rollers.

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The bag shows the rich experience of the Scott troop as a sports equipment supplier. Even the smallest details are right here, only when opening the main compartment one probably did not think of motorcyclists. But even so: a great part!

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37/44
The compression belts only do their job to a limited extent.

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38/44
The hard plastic rollers, which have little damping properties, protrude and are prone to breakage.

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39/44
Not a really bad bag, but not a really good one either – and 178 euros is a lot of money for that. It offers plenty of space, but many details are not really well thought out. The workmanship is okay, however.

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40/44
Rails instead of feet would be a better choice.

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41/44
The zipper connecting strap is guaranteed to be misused as a handle at the first opportunity.

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42/44
Decent space, acceptable workmanship, good equipment – but significant weaknesses in handling and driving behavior. A typical bag for the infrequent traveler who only needs more storage space from time to time.

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43/44
stable, but somewhat stiff quick-release fasteners with the risk of pinching.

44/44

accesories

Luggage

Product test motorcycle travel bags

Ten large travel bags for motorcyclists in the product test
When the driver’s equipment has to be carried in the luggage…

If you have to take a complete set of motorcycle riding equipment with you on the plane, you need a large travel bag – ideally with a helmet compartment. We tested ten such bags.

Klaus Herder

09/26/2013

The colleagues of the British TV cult car magazine “Top Gear” have “The Stig”; After all, “Der Sticker” works for MOTORRAD – the super cool, hardcore test driver who can hardly be disturbed by anything. While “The Stig” romps to country music or audio books about the local racetrack, “Der Sticker” usually has to get on the plane first to get to the relevant meeting points of the motorcycle test shop. Always with you: a complete set of driver equipment. 

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Ten large travel bags for motorcyclists in the product test
When the driver’s equipment has to be carried in the luggage…

6 pages) as PDF

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Which brings us to the problem that “Der Sticker” has in common with many normal motorcyclists: How do you transport your belongings to race training or just to the southern vacation home with a rental motorcycle without having to rent a whole sea container? Normal luggage already reaches its space limits when stowing a standard leather suit, and the fact that most airlines only carry one piece of luggage at no extra charge does not make things any easier. The problem has of course been known for a while, and travel bags specially tailored to the needs of motorcyclists have been on the market for some time. MOTORRAD took a closer look at ten of them and gave them a “sample load”.

Weight is often underestimated

How do you transport your belongings to race training or even to the southern vacation home blessed with a rental motorcycle without having to rent a whole sea container?

First realization of this campaign: Oops, that’s a lot of weight. And since the weight limit for (surcharge-free) baggage on most airlines for normal Otto flyers is somewhere between 20 and 25 kilograms (Lufthansa, for example, 23 kilograms in the economy class), it may be of interest how much weight the empty travel bag already carries brings the scales. The MOTORRAD sample load shows how heavy the contents can weigh (all data in grams): Two-piece leather suit (4390), full-face helmet (1590), sports boots (1750), gloves (237), back protector (988), rain jacket and pants ( 1313), two jeans (2180), denim jacket (1875), casual boots (788), four underwear sets (1268) – together it makes exactly 16,379 grams. And that doesn’t even include civilizational achievements like the legendary “toiletry bag”.

With the said load, the ten test participants went on the really big test round. Admittedly: There was no flight, but – which should be even more interesting – what happens to luggage before departure and what can happen after arrival, MOTORRAD was able to manage with the help of the BVD staff at Frankfurt Airport (see box on on this page) in a very practical way. Whereby in Frankfurt there is an extremely bag-friendly handling, which certainly cannot be generalized: In individual tubs (standard dimensions 80 x 60 x 45 cm [length x width x height]) it goes over part of the 81 kilometer long, mostly underground transport network, without the need for dramatic falls or rough handling. 

What happens to the luggage before departure??

fact

No airport employee in the world has the time to think twice about which handle or strap is particularly suitable for moving over 20 kilograms.

Most of the luggage ends up in containers and only needs to be touched manually once. Even with pure hand loading, which can occur, for example, with very short transfer times, the item of luggage is only touched twice. But no matter whether once, twice or more: no airport employee in the world has the time to think twice about which handle or strap is particularly suitable for moving over 20 kilograms. And there are certainly airports – also in Germany – where 1.50 meters of free fall are part of normal baggage handling
be able. In the ideal case, however, all points of attack on the item of luggage can withstand the full loading program. And the best candidates in this test also prove quite impressively that a corresponding construction does not have to be rocket science – but it also has its price.

Which piece of luggage you choose now depends – which surprise – very much on the conditions of use. If you really only go on (European) tours two or three times a year, you don’t necessarily have to invest more than 200 euros to find a suitable travel bag. Frequent travelers should, however, prefer to orientate themselves towards the upper price regions, and anyone who has ever been able to try out in direct comparison what distinguishes a discount offer from the top models will probably also grab the more expensive bag as a casual traveler. Like “The Sticker”.

measured, weighed, driving on the course

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Practice at Frankfurt Airport.

Where can you find the ultimate luggage professionals? Clear announcement: at Frankfurt am Main Airport, Germany’s largest airport (and the third largest in Europe after London and Paris). The employees of the ground handling services there (in short: BVD, a company of the operating company Fraport AG) deal with 57 million passengers per year and can sort up to 20,000 pieces of baggage per hour and get them on the right path. The two senior BVD employees Hubert Grunewald (49, left in the picture) and Uwe Muller (51, right) examined all test samples in detail together with two MOTORRAD editors and assessed their suitability for the system (automatic transport or bulky luggage?) And their handling qualities ( sufficient handles; securing rollers, zippers and handles; material quality etc.). 

Back in Stuttgart, the travel bags were measured, weighed and sent on a test drive in and around the editorial office with a “sample baggage” weighing just under 17 kilos (see scrolling text for a compilation): smooth marble, nasty cobblestones, steep stairs, narrow corridor curves – everything included. But that’s not all: Afterwards it was “water march!”. A fine spray jet simulated the brief stay on the open luggage trolley in the apron drizzle or dripping
Condensation in the luggage compartment of an aircraft. Finally, points were awarded in six categories: loading (stowing and securing the sample luggage), handling (including loading the packed bag), driving behavior, equipment, workmanship and price-performance ratio. In contrast to many other product tests, MOTORRAD did not give a “buy tip” this time because none of the top bags is particularly cheap.

Master key opens everything

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Hubert Grunewald (left) and Uwe Muller, baggage professionals in the ground handling services at Frankfurt Airport.

The luggage professionals Grunewald and Muller give the most important tip right at the beginning of the appointment with MOTORRAD: “Before packing the suitcase with the respective airline, find out what and how much can be packed.” in is assumed, not the airport operator. The DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) stipulates what can be carried in luggage. Among other things, lighters, gas cartridges (airbag combos!) And spray cans are taboo and are discovered when the luggage is x-rayed. Then the baggage is opened without consultation, which is why the “wrapping” offered at airports (wrapping in foil, in Frankfurt, for example, 8.50 euros per bag) can be counterproductive. If you use a TSA lock (TSA = Transportation Security Administration), you can assume that your luggage can be opened and locked again by the inspecting officers using a master key.

Very important: Do not attach any visible tags with a full address to your luggage – otherwise bad guys thank you for the Sturmfrei-Bude tip. If at all, only give freely accessible names and flight numbers. Straps and loops should be secured, carrying straps should be removed so that there are no problems (and therefore no delays) in the transport system. The maximum baggage width at the 464 check-in counters at Frankfurt Airport is 45 centimeters. Larger baggage is treated manually and, if necessary, as bulky baggage. This works in Frankfurt without any further effort and without any delay, but that is not the case everywhere.

The conclusion to each individual travel bag can be found in our photo show as a caption.

The following are the candidates:

FLM Hightech Travel Team case

Providers: Polo Motorrad und Sportswear GmbH, 41363 Juchen, Tel. 0 21 65/8 44 03 00, www.polo-motorrad.de
Price: 99.95 euros
Material: 1600D nylon (100% polyamide)
Capacity: approx. 110 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 84 x 43 x 40 cm, 4430 g
Country of Manufacture: China
Furnishing: 2 main compartments with mesh subdivision, 1 inside pocket, 3 outside pockets (one of which has a removable laundry bag), detachable shoulder strap with metal hooks, 1 handle, 2 compression straps, telescopic handle without securing (but under a zipper cover), 2 plastic rails, 2 rollers, address tag

plus: Very easy loading, good separation of the two main compartments; Main zip well covered and lockable; stable shoulder strap with metal hook; system-compatible dimensions; price

minus: Limited space, requires very precise packing; Compression straps a little too short; only stands very wobbly; too few handles; Telescopic handle twists under heavy loads; fully loaded very unstable, unsatisfactory driving behavior, only limited cornering ability

Hero Race Bag

Providers: hero GmbH, 87545 Burgberg / Allgau, Tel. 0 83 21/6 64 60, www.held.de
Price: 119.95 euros
Material: PVC fabric (100% polyester)
Capacity: 120 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 75 x 36 x 45 + 9 cm, 4360 g
Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
Furnishing: 1 main compartment plus reinforced bottom compartment for boots, 4 inside pockets, 2 outside pockets with ventilation, detachable shoulder strap with plastic hooks, 2 handles, telescopic handle without securing (but under zipper cover), 2 plastic rails, 2 rollers, address tag with elastic

plus: Very easy loading, practical boot compartment in the reinforced bottom part; stands stable; dimensions that are still suitable for the system

minus: Missing compression straps; too few handles; Telescopic handle wobbly, twists under heavy loads; Outside pockets not completely splash-proof; Slide rails sit too high; Workmanship is a bit rustic in parts, the piping rubs off quickly; Carrying strap only with plastic hooks that are in danger of breaking; fully loaded very wobbly driving behavior, even when walking straight ahead unsteady (on cobblestones)

KTM OGIO Trucker 8800

Providers: KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH, 92289 Ursensollen, Tel. 0 96 28/9 21 10, www.ktm.com
Price: 147.76 euros
Material: 60% nylon, 40% polyester
Capacity: approx. 149 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 81 x 46 x 38 cm, 4100 g
Country of Manufacture: China
Furnishing: 1 main compartment with ventilation, 5 inside pockets, 2 outside pockets, removable shoulder strap with metal hooks, 5 handles, telescopic handle with safety device, 2 plastic rails, 2 rollers

plus: Extremely easy loading, lots of space; very easy to use, many handles; stable shoulder strap with metal hook; very stable castors with good damping properties; good driving behavior, only tips over in fast corners, practical slide rails, stable even on stairs

minus: Missing compression straps; Telescopic handle a bit wobbly, twists under heavy loads; Ventilation via mesh lining too generous (water entry, unobstructed view of the interior); Dimensions as flight luggage borderline, extremely wide when loaded

Moose Racing Roller Bag

Providers: Parts Europe GmbH, 54332 Wasserliesch, Tel. 0 65 01/9 69 50, www.partseurope.eu
Price: 207.33 euros
Material: PVC (600D textile)
Capacity: approx. 160 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 84 x 41 x 48 cm, 6850 g
Country of Manufacture: China
Furnishing: 1 main compartment with helmet compartment and adjustable room divider, 3 inside pockets, 5 outside pockets, 4 carrying handles, 4 safety belts, two-stage telescopic handle with safety device, 2 plastic rails plus 2 plastic feet, 2 rollers, address compartment outside

plus: Main compartment extremely easy to load; a lot of space, large lid compartments take a bit of getting used to (inside / outside loading), but the bottom line is quite practical; many handles; stands bombproof, very stable telescopic handle; many handles; practical slide rails; excellent driving behavior that is stable under all conditions; good to very good workmanship; strikingly clean zippers

minus: High curb weight, huge pack size, can only be stowed with difficulty even when unloaded; Quick-release fasteners stiff and with a slight risk of pinching fingers; Roll unprotected

Moto-detail travel bag

Providers: Detlev Louis Motorrad-vertriebsges. mbH, 21027 Hamburg, Tel. 0 40/73 41 93 60, www.louis.de
Price: 99.95 euros
Material: water-repellent coated textile material (95% polyamide)
Capacity: approx. 125 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 80 x 34 x 47 + 11 cm, 5640 g
Country of Manufacture: China
Furnishing: 1 main compartment with integrated helmet pocket plus reinforced boot compartment, 2 inside pockets, 5 outside pockets, removable shoulder strap with metal hooks, 1 handle, 2 compression straps, telescopic handle with safety device, 8 plastic feet, 2 wheels, bag with address tag

plus: Single loading; small pack size; very easy running and easy to grip zippers; very good splash-proof; Roles well protected; degree still suitable for the system; price

minus: Too few handles, therefore somewhat tedious handling; is not written; Compression straps with a fiddly guide; Zipper straps endangered; very unstable driving behavior, already overturns in slow corners; Feet can easily get stuck on stairs and tear off if necessary

Scorpion trolley

Providers: Scorpion Sports Europe, F-67300 Strasbourg / Schiltigheim, Tel. 08 00/18 30 89 96, www.scorpionsports.eu
Price: 178.00 euros
Material: “Textile fiber” (no further details available)
Capacity: not specified
Height Weight: 87 x 44 x 44 cm, 5100 g
Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
Furnishing: 2 main compartments with textile subdivision and 8 adjustable room dividers, 3 inside pockets, 1 outside pocket, 3 carrying handles, 4 compression straps, telescopic handle without safety device, 2 plastic rails, 2 rollers

plus: Very easy to load, very good space, compartmentalization with numerous room dividers very easy; good splash protection; good straight-line stability

minus: Missing boot or dirty laundry compartment; Compression straps and handles not attached in a practical manner; Telescopic handle not secured, twists easily under heavy loads; laterally protruding rolls very likely to break; wobbly in slightly tighter curves and on stairs; not suitable for the system, it is bulky baggage in any case

Scott Gear Duffle

Providers: Scott Sports AG, 85748 Garching-Hochbruck, Tel. 0 89/89 87 83 60, www.scott-sports.com
Price: 199.00 euros
Material: 840D polyester, 210D polyester, 420D polyester
Capacity: 130 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 86 x 40 x 45 cm, 4120 g
Country of Manufacture: China
Furnishing: 1 main compartment plus two large helmet and shoe compartments with ventilation, 1 outside pocket, 4 handles, two-stage telescopic handle with safety device, plastic base, 2 interchangeable rollers, pull-out “carpet”

plus: Very easy to load and practically dimensioned minor subjects, sensible division; small pack size and still a surprising amount of space; many handles, easy handling; stable telescopic handle with only minimal twisting under strong

Load; Rollers run extremely quietly and are well damped; very good handling in all conditions; excellent workmanship

minus: Main compartment opening a bit too small, especially for bulky leather clothing; does not stand alone; not splash-proof everywhere (ventilation openings); missing shoulder strap

Streetline trolley bag

Providers: Hein Gericke Deutschland GmbH, 40589 Dusseldorf, Tel. 02 11/9 89 88 88, www.hein-gericke.de
Price: 89.95 euros
Material: 1640D oxford nylon
Capacity: approx. 92 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 76 x 35 x 36 cm, 4580 g
Country of Manufacture: China
Furnishing: 2 main compartments with mesh subdivision, 2 outside pockets, 3 carrying handles, 2 compression straps, telescopic handle without securing, 2 plastic rails, 2 rollers

plus: Very easy loading (upper part even from two sides); many handles, easy handling; stands upright; good splash protection; stable (but unsecured) telescopic handle; system-compatible dimensions; price

minus: Space for motorcyclists’ needs is marginal, requires very precise packing; Compression straps a little too short; sometimes somewhat casual workmanship (zip on the main compartment); unstable driving behavior, especially in curves and on stairs very wobbly

Suzuki Ogio 9800 SLED trolley

Providers: Suzuki International Europe GmbH, 64625 Bensheim, Tel. 0 62 51/5 70 00, www.suzuki.de
Price: 209.95 euros
Material: 600D polyester
Capacity: 123 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 86 x 42 x 39 cm, 6240 g
Country of Manufacture: China
Furnishing: 1 main compartment with padded helmet compartment plus large lid compartment, 2 inside pockets, 1 outside pocket, 4 carrying handles, 2 compression straps, telescopic handle with safety device, 2 plastic rails, 2 interchangeable rollers

plus: Very easy to load, lots of space; practical division, good separation between high main compartment and flat lid compartment; many handles, very easy handling; very stable telescopic handle; lockable zipper; relatively quiet running, very solid and well-protected roles; very good handling in all conditions; excellent workmanship

minus: High curb weight; a bit too long for system suitability; Zips not covered and possibly minimally splashed

Yamaha Racing Gear Bag

Providers: Yamaha Motor Deutschland GmbH, 41468 Neuss, Tel. 0 21 31/2 01 30, www.yamaha-motor.de
Price: 163.00 euros
Material: 600D polyester
Capacity: approx. 150 liters (manufacturer information)
Height Weight: 86 x 45 x 49 cm, 6300 g
Country of Manufacture: China
Furnishing: 1 main compartment with two adjustable partitions plus padded bottom part for boots, 4 inside pockets, 4 outside pockets, removable shoulder strap with plastic hooks, 2 handles, 2 compression straps, telescopic handle with safety device, 2 plastic rails, 3 rollers, pull-out “carpet”, laundry bag, mobile phone pocket, key ring

plus: Extremely easy to load; very good subdivision, very easy to customize with room dividers; practical handles, relatively easy handling; stands by itself; lavish furnishings

minus: High curb weight; slight processing weaknesses (telescopic handle); Shoulder strap attachment prone to breakage; lower compartment not splash-proof due to ventilation openings; Slide rails mounted too high; loud roles; Driving behavior still satisfactory, but wobbly in fast corners; not suitable for the system, as it is much too high

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