The winner takes it all: MCN's best motorbike kit bags

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There will be times when you need to travel in a car or van or even, by train or air and need to carry your gear with you; you might be heading to a track day in the van, you may be heading off on a riding holiday in a faraway land or you may simply be going to collect a new bike to ride it home – what you need is a good motorbike kit bag.

As we have seen in the past when we looked at helmet bags, looking after your kit and keeping it safe is vitally important. It will be no good to you if it has become damaged in transit and could leave you stranded in this case.

Related: Best motorcycle roll bags

So you need to transport it properly. This selection of kit bags will help you to do that, keeping all your gear well organised and in one handy location that you can look after so that it can look after you.

Rrp: £49.99

Price: £41.99

This bag from BikeIt is massive, a huge 128 litres of storage capacity within its rectangular profile, 80cm long x 40cm tall x 40cm wide. The main compartment is designed for helmets, clothing and armour, for example while it also has two end pockets and one on the side for a variety of kit and accessories.


It’s made in heavyweight nylon and is available in four colours, including this camouflage, orange, blue and green.

Pros

  • Good value
  • Huge capacity
  • Useful compartments

Cons

  • May not be waterproof

This officially-licensed MotoGP-branded holdall may not have the biggest capacity but it is still a very serious piece of luggage. Twin rollers make lugging it around easy while twin plastic runners on the bottom help protect the contents when parked.


It is designed to house a helmet and clothing and has a couple of handy extra compartments as well as the main one and a shoulder strap in case you are feeling strong. It also has a really handy roll-out change mat to stand on, in case the ground is grubby.

Pros

  • Roll-out change mat
  • Designed for helmet and kit
  • Rolling wheels

Cons

  • 90 litres may not be enough

Another large bag remarkably similar to the BikeIt version, with a 120-litre capacity and made from durable Cordura with a polyester lining. It too has a main zipped section with a large square pocket at each end and another that runs along the side. It has twin straps that join over the top as well as an adjustable shoulder strap.

Pros

  • Polyester-lined Cordura
  • Large capacity
  • Basic but functional

Cons

  • Unknown longevity and durability

This traditional sports-style holdall from Alpinestars has a large main compartment to house a helmet or various parts of your riding kit but also has a handy waterproof end pocket for boots, so they don't get the rest of your gear dirty after a ride.


At the other end, there is a flat pocket that is ideal for documentation while there are deep straps to cope with heavy contents. There are also end-straps for lifting in case the 128-litre capacity ends up full.

Pros

  • Comes from great name
  • Large capacity
  • Separate boot section

Cons

  • Not cheap

Price: £239.99

It's not cheap (like, really not cheap) but it gets great reviews online and seems to be a very serious bit of luggage. Its huge 123-litre capacity will house a vast array of gear including a padded section to keep a helmet safe.


The entire framework is also padded and backed with a structural base and twin wheels as well as an extending handle for ease of transport. It splits in two and has a top access pocket with two grab handles on the lid.

Pros

  • Great reviews online
  • Rigid base with rolling wheels
  • Padded exterior and helmet section

Cons

  • Very expensive

Price: £239.99

This 130-litre bag from motocross and enduro expert O'Neal is a straightforward design but should be a great way to transport your gear. It has a single, main compartment to house all your gear and two end pockets for boots for example to prevent them getting your kit dirty and a handy side pocket for paperwork.


It has twin carry straps and a single handle as well as an adjustable shoulder strap. It also has plastic skids on the bottom for protection.

Pros

  • Simple but effective design
  • Separate boot sections
  • Handles and should straps

Cons

  • Could become cumbersome when loaded

This sturdy-looking roll bag comes in a range of sizes and capacities and this, the largest, is 30in long and offers 85 litres of carrying capacity. It has an extending handle to make transport easy and also has a pair of top handles, as well as carry or lifting handles at each end.


The bag splits in two hinged compartment and though not specifically designed for motorcyclists, could offer a good option for smaller amounts of kit.

Pros

  • Wheels, extending handle and base skids
  • Split main sections
  • End pocket

Cons

  • Capacity may be too small for some

Another bag from Alpinestars, this time a wheeled example with an enormous 150-litre capacity to house all your kit and more. It's made from PVC tarpaulin material, like waterproof bike luggage, combined with polyester so should keep your kit dry though vents to allow wet kit to breathe may let water in.


It comes with a removable roll-out change mat and a separate waterproof boot bag to keep wet and dry clothing apart.

Pros

  • Enormous capacity
  • Wheels to help transport
  • Top quality

Cons

  • Expensive

About the author: After qualifying as a mechanical engineer, Jim Blackstock began working on magazines in the early 1990s. He remains passionate about product testing to ensure readers know what products offer good value and why. He relishes torrential rain to see if riding kit keeps water out and an hour or two to tinker on a project bike in his workshop.

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