Flying with motorcycling gear

2/10/2019 10:14:55 PM

Every airport is different. I carried mine on the plane through Gatwick going to ride in Cuba – no problem , but at Havana Airport on the way back they took it off me. Didn’t have time to take it back to check in, so they had it. It was a £350 Schuberth so I wasn’t very happy

3/16/2016 1:32:28 PM

There’s a great guide on how to fly with motorcycle gear psoted on Ride Apart, which goes through all the questions you asked point by point. Starting with the type of luggage, it suggests a duffel bag, small enough to be considered a carry-on, and large enough to fit all your gear. You don’t have to buy this exact bag, but you might want to find a similar configuration.

Regarding the helmet, you can carry it on a plane as your personal hand-luggage item. Place it in a padded helmet bag, haul it over your shoulder and you’re good to go. As an added precaution, make sure that your ticket fare allows you one personal hand-luggage item (European low-cost carriers sometimes don’t so check this). Quoting from the linked site:

So how do you get it on a plane? You carry it with you as your personal item. Just throw it in a helmet bag (Bell makes the best ones, they come with any new helmet purchase) and tell anyone who asks that it’s your murse. Airport security apparently isn’t aware that these things make excellent blunt impact weapons; I’ve only been hassled once, in Heathrow, immediately following a terrorist attack in that country. It’s never once raised an eyebrow elsewhere and even makes a great conversation starter if you happen to sit next to a pretty girl…or guy. Just keep in mind that it likely won’t fit under your seat and needs to go in the overhead.

The rest of the gear can safely go in the duffel bag. The leather suit, armour, boots, and gloves are unlikely to be considered as dangerous/prohibited items. The only issue you might have is if your gear contains metal padding/plates. These are becoming more and more common on both gloves and leathers, and might raise an eyebrow or two.

A final tip: if you have a two-piece leather suit, wear the jacket on the flight, and pack the bottoms in the bag. Just remember to remove your back protector since it’ll be uncomfortable during the flight.

3/15/2016 2:00:31 AM

You can use a soft duffel bag, that can be folded up and strapped on top of your gear when riding the motorcycle. They are usually more durable than a cardboard box and avoid the shipping hassles of a hard sided suitcase.

You can pack your helmet in the middle surrounded by other pieces of your riding clothes. Stuff some street clothes or tshirts, etc inside the helmet, then wrap it with your riding jacket and place it with other clothing on top and below in the middle of the duffel. I’ve carried bottles of wine wrapped thusly in my duffels and had them survive just fine.

When picking a duffel to use, layout your gear to get an idea of volume then buy a duffel that size, not larger. A duffel that is completely full is fairly rigid, but if there is empty space is gets quit floppy. If it isn’t quite rigid enough when you are packed or you are still a bit concerned about damage, you can always cut some pieces of cardboard that are the same length and width of the duffel, then slide them in around the outside.

3/14/2016 10:54:09 PM

You can pack your gear in a cardboard shipping carton and check that. Call the airport to see if there are any special requirements for checking such packages.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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