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Thursday, September 6, 2012

KRIEGA PRESENTS: MOTO ADVENTURES

Kriega USA is pleased to announce the start of a new partnership with up-and-coming motorcycle video production company, MotoGeo.

Run by another great British import, former 250GP World Championship and Isle of Man TT rider, Jamie Robinson, MotoGeo's mission statement is to bring a smile of recognition to the face of like-minded riders, and inspire other motorcyclists by showing that it doesn't matter what kind of bike you own, what level of experience you have, or what your budget is. With just a few pieces of well-chosen gear and the right attitude, adventure lies over every hill and around each corner. 


This is just a sneak preview of the kind of thing you can expect from Kriega and MotoGeo in the future. We'll also be posting this up on the Kriega USA Facebook page and would appreciate your feedback and ideas for the upcoming series. 

Here's what Jamie had to say about this season teaser, documenting a real life visit from his good friend Alex:

"When you’ve just had enough of it all and desperately need a break, what better way to clear your mind than a good old road trip with a friend. Even better if your friend has a spare motorbike and just happens to live in California!

"Here two good friends meet up at a moments notice, pack their bags and camping gear as they set off on a motorcycle road trip to some of California’s most epic landscapes, enjoying life on the road for a week as they get-away from it all.

"Just think of a destination – pack your bags and set off – a dream ride awaits…"

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

MCN, S1000RR, Nurburgring & Kriega

The moment I realised I’d made the right choice borrowing the BMW S1000RR instead of my regular BMW R1200RT arrived as the S1000RR hit an indicated 181mph down the main straight at the Nurburgring. I was left giggling like a little boy before realising I was going to have to lose some speed into Antonibusche, shut the throttle and sat up.
The BMW S1000RR isn’t my long term test bike as I am running an R1200RT but a training course at the Nurburgring was far more suited to the class-leading superbike rather than a brilliant tourer. 
Swopping bikes with S1000RR keeper Trevor Franklin on a Friday meant I had a day and a bit to get ready for the trip. First up was a change of tyres as Franklin’s choice of Pirelli Diable Supercorsa BSB were going to be a horror show if it was wet on the way or back. Or more worryingly, while I was there.
A set of Metzler M5 Interacts were put on instead. BMW were kind enough to send in one of the very clever moulded tailpacks for the bike. Unfortunately, Franklin’s choice of full Akrapovic exhaust meant there are no pillion footrests and it wouldn’t fit. Instead I used my new Kriega R30 waterproof rucksack which was rammed with clothes, cameras, notebook and waterproofs. Despite a number of soakings it was perfect and was as comfortable as any rucksack could have been.
You can read more of Andy's S1000RR and Nurburgring experience here.

MCN - Motorcycle News - Andy Downes, Staff Writer

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Hell for Leather Labrador Trip and Product Reviews

Hell for Leather web based magazine, used Kriega products on another trip to Labrador.  The following is their independent review on from their website Hell for Leather






Kriega makes some of the most cleverly designed and high quality motorcycle luggage and accessories on the market. For the Labrador trip, we equipped both bikes with front haul loops and I made up for the F800GS’s lack of a top box with a US-30 tail pack. How’d they work?



Kriega Front Haul Loop
Taking a couple of huge, heavy motorcycles into the wilderness was a bit daunting. Not because we were worried about mechanical problems, but rather failures of the human kind. What if we got the 500lbs (before luggage) R1200GS stuck in the mud? What if I crashed one of the bikes into a swamp? How would we get it out with no other help on hand? We fitted these haul loops in case we had to manhandle the bikes through any problems.
Intended for Enduro racing, where you often have to coax your bike out of trouble or over obstacles using manpower, the Kriga Haul Loops are extremely strong, semi-rigid straps that fit onto any motorycles forks. The rigidity makes them stand proud of the forks, making it easy to grasp without needing to look for them, while materials like Hypalon and Toughtek fabrics along with big stainless steel buckles mean they’ll support the weight of even these enormous bikes.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to test the strength of the haul loops as the bike stayed on road during my crash and we managed to stay out of trouble otherwise. To supplement the loops, we also packed four ratchet straps that we needed for the ferry crossings anyways, but could have done double duty as tow straps or a jerry-rigged winch in an emergency. At $35 and adding virtually no weight, these are a no brainer for anyone that might ever need to haul a bike around.
Kriega US Liner



Almost forgot about this one. We got these to use with our Kriega R35 rucksacks that we didn't end up taking along on this trip, but we did take these waterproof bags. It’s essentially just a 25-liter dry sack that seals by rolling the top down over itself and buckling the ends together. I kept my clothes inside this in my panniers until a taco’d them, then I strapped this sack to the 800’s luggage rack for the rest of the trip. Even during torrential rain, it kept all my clothes completely dry. Versatile, effective, cheap ($45).
Kriega US-30 Tail Pack
Composed of two separate bags — the US-20 and US-10 — the US-30 tail pack gives you 30 liters of totally waterproof storage that straps easily to the pillion seat of any bike. Two straps pass under that seat and buckle onto the US-20, which then connects to the US-10 in a similar manner. You can run either pack by itself as well. Both packs are made from rip-stop nylon with tough rubberized reinforcements on the top and bottom to prevent them from sliding and to protect against abrasion. Like the US Liner, they’re waterproof dry sacks that roll closed, but these feature and additional buckle to keep that roll totally secure and the compression straps you connect them with allow you to compress them very tightly. There’s external water resistant zipper compartments on the tops of both.
I used the US-10 to hold all my various layers of foul weather riding gear: three pairs of spare gloves, thermals, seal socks, Gore-Tex jacket liner, fleece, balaclava, neck roll, etc. The US-25 served as a compressible, waterproof stuff sack for my down sleeping bag. Down looses its thermal properties if it gets wet, so it’s crucial you keep sleeping bags made from it dry, the US-25 did that. I kept my passport and all the bike documentation in the top zipper compartment of the US-10. It’s not claimed to be 100 percent waterproof, but made from waterproof material and equipped with a rubberized, shielded zipper it kept everything dry even in some really nasty storms.
To say these packs are overbuilt would be an understatement. They stood up to every weather condition we experienced along the way including days of torrential rain and even more days of ridiculous heat. They remained completely stable and secure even at speeds far in excess of 100mph and only shifted slightly, as you can see, when I cartwheeled the 800 down a gravel road at 50 or 60mph. They stood up to all that abuse and served as my pillow ever night for two weeks.
An ingenious touch are the removable, washable, white liners. Dark out? You can still find what’s in the bags.
Since these will work on essentially any bike and are so incredibly versatile, I plan to use them for every bike trip I take in the future and expect them to last for years and years. A lifetime luggage solution that’ll work anywhere, anytime for $178? It’s almost too good to be true.
You’re probably detecting that I really love Kriega gear by now and it’s true, I do. Of course it helps that the company offers such solid customer support and really believes in its product. They gave us these bags for the Labrador trip and I deal directly with the customer’s owners, but judging by evidence I’ve seen on some of the forums I participate in, regular customers get the same kind of treatment I do as a journalist. I even witnessed Dom, the guy behind Kriega, talk himself out of a dead certain sale to a guy that wanted to use one of his bags for adventure racing. Dom simply didn’t believe that his were the best possible products for that guy and told him so. Awesome stuff.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

USA BMW GS Trophy Team Training in California

The USA BMW GS Trophy Team, consisting of Bill Dragoo, Iain Glynn and Shannon Markle trained with Jon Beck and the 2008 USA Team.    1300 miles of off road adventure training to be prepared for the Africa event in November.


A lot of training went into riding in the sand dunes.   Shannon had a great dismount in the video below.  Score 8.5 for the hand stand, half twist.  Full 10 if had landed on both feet!




You can also follow Bill Dragoo's blog about the challenge here.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Howlin' at The Moon Rally - Prescott Arizona

The Arizona Trail Riders are proud to be hosting the 'Howlin at the Moon' Dual Sport and Adventure Rally as part of the 2010 AMA KTM National Dual Sport Trail Riding and 2010 AMA BMW National Adventure Riding Series.  This year the 2-Day event will take place in Prescott Valley, Arizona on October 23-24, 2010 at the Prescott Valley Elks Lodge.  Kriega.us will be one of the returning sponsors!

Kriega Sponsors BMW / KTM Riding Series Event - Tri County Sportsmen MC



Kriega and Matrix Motosports, llc is proud to be one of the sponsors for The Tri County Sportsmen Motorcycle Club, Inc. - 2010 AMA KTM National 2 Day Dual Sport Trail Riding Series and AMA BMW National 2 Day Adventure Riding Series. The event will be 11/6 & 11/7/2010
You can click the above title to go to the website.
The flyer is below (click to enlarge)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Australia's Carryology Review of the Kriega R25 | Specialist Carry



Our first specialist carry post revolved around riding your bike with a chainsaw. This time we introduce you to a potentially better way to carry when you’re halfway through your mid life crisis doing 40 clicks an hour on a Harley you paid too much for – Enter the Kriega R25.

The UK based Kreiga produces some of the worlds best motorbike packs. The funny thing is, that in designing for such specific use, they’ve stumbled upon a design that most other active daypacks really need to learn from*

The harness design for the Kreiga follows the shape of your ribcage, but we aren’t sure how far the harness stretches. And honestly, if you’re too big for the harness to fit, you might need a different solution anyway.

This design hugs the pack to your body, without then locking it to your hips. You can still bend and twist, and the pack will remain stable with your upper body. Flexibility is key here, you don’t want to be the tin man while riding right?

The packs themselves have quite a few other kinda cool details. Chest pockets (for ready access stuff like phones), bomber compression, streamlined shapes, and good weather proofing all backed by a nutsa 10 year warranty.

While not relevant for most of our community (all the non-bikers), we’re hoping that some other brands will understand just what a breakthrough this strap system is. Imagine a mountain pack that let you do backcountry rodeos with all your avvy gear held tight to your back?! The possibilities are endless…




*OK, we need to step back for a second and understand the general backpack market to grok why these packs are so unique. In semi-rigid trekking packs, the waist-belt takes some of the load from your shoulders and rests it on your hips. In smaller days packs, when designers wanted to stop the pack swinging about during activity, they borrowed this waist-belt idea as a way to stabilise the pack. But it has never really worked properly.

In activity, your back usually wants to bend (picture a skier or cyclist bending forwards against the wind). Add some twisting, and you can understand how much your shoulders keep changing their alignment with your hips. The problem with waist-straps is that if there is anything at all rigid in your pack, the waist-belt stops you bending or twisting – instead tying you to the straight shape of your pack.

Now you can see why we like the Kriega so much.

Thanks Carryology!