Traveling on a plane with motorcycle gear

[Trinity765]

I'm looking at a 5-day trip to Transylvania* where I'll be hiring a Svartpilen 401. I need to take my gear. It looks like I'll be leaving from Luton but Heathrow is also an option.

The idea is to ride to Luton as it has free motorcycle parking - has anyone used it? Is that safe? Alternatively, I could go from Heathrow as I have a few friends in the area but then I will be involving other people and potentially putting them out.

How about taking a lid? I'm happy to jump on a plane with just my passport, phone and lid but then what about my luggage - has anyone traveled on a plane with all their gear - what works best?

If this thread is encouraging I will book it tomorrow.

*Here https://www.thesaxonhouse.com/

[Yorick]

Wear the lid and say you suffer from anxiety. Take a forged note from doctor.

[Trinity765]

Can you carry a lid and hand luggage?

[Yorick]

Can you carry a lid and hand luggage?

I saw Steve Plater do it. I was there. But was 15 years ago.

Yes, I'll just wander over there and shut up.

[Yorick]

I've had 2 likes so far. So won't put up any silly ones.

I'll just enjoy the likes while I finish this beer by the pool

[Rockburner]

Lid as hand luggage, but use a bag to keep it from getting scratched. You might be able to declare it before the flight? Not sure if a lid will fit in the current desired dimensions?


Wear the rest.

(Caveat: I've never done it, bit certainly would like to know how well it goes! )

If you'd like to borrow a helmet bag I'm sure i have one or two. (Proper cordura ones with handles, not just a cotton drawstring bag)

[MrLongbeard]

Have you got an airbag jacket, I wonder how that'd go down at check in / security?

[Noggin]

Have you got an airbag jacket, I wonder how that'd go down at check in / security?

I'd guess they'd be like avalanche gear for skiing - in which case there are issues and I can't remember the solution. It's because of the 'setting off' of the air to inflate the bag - sorry I don't know more, but definitely worth a google if anyone plans to do air travel with that kit

(I'll go look on the snowsports forum and see if I can find the answer!)

[MrLongbeard]

Have you got an airbag jacket, I wonder how that'd go down at check in / security?

I'd guess they'd be like avalanche gear for skiing - in which case there are issues and I can't remember the solution. It's because of the 'setting off' of the air to inflate the bag - sorry I don't know more, but definitely worth a google if anyone plans to do air travel with that kit

(I'll go look on the snowsports forum and see if I can find the answer!)

I had a look around, nowt in depth, avalanche gear is OK on some carriers, lifejackets are OK according to the CAA, and lets be honest there's a CO2 lifejacket under every seat anyway, but pennies to pounds some Karen will have an issue with them in non specially named kit.

[Noggin]

Ok - this is for avalanche bags - no idea how different they are to bike airbag set ups. These are from earlier this year, but various tales of major issues at check in or security, even being called back by security when putting them through the hold luggage!!

Best check with the airline if you do have airbag kit!

Had a nightmare at Gatwick flying British Airways to France today. They confiscated my ortovox airbag cartridge!
Never flying with them again.

I was negotiating for over an hour - security cleared the cartridge but they rang up BA. The BA staff then rang up Heathrow and said that the BA rules are a cartridge can be 50ml volume max (ortovox is 250ml).

I think BA misinterpreted the IATA rules and that the 50ml rule is for sailing life jackets etc. How can anyone bring an avalanche bag with BA if this is how BA interpret the rules!!!

Has anyone had any problems with security ringing up the airlines recently? I’m going to buy another and risk flying it home Eh oh!

Think I got unlucky that Gatwick security chose to investigate in a lot of detail… I have had no issues on 10+ flights

https://www.britishairways.com/content/ ... strictions

Easyjet now state:
"Avalanche rescue backpack easyJet gives automatic ‘operator approval’ for each passenger to carry one avalanche rescue pack containing cartridges of compressed gas (Division 2.2; non-flammable, non-toxic gas) subject to the following:
The airbags within the backpacks must be fitted with pressure relief valves
They may be equipped with a pyrotechnic trigger mechanism containing no more that 200mg net explosive in accordance with Division 1.4S (no significant hazard)
Spare cartridges are NOT permitted
You must ensure it is packed to prevent inadvertent activation"

So they're effectively saying no issue. I'm still going to drop them an email anyway, plus leave a copy of the IATA regs printed out in the bag. Not going to try taking it through as cabin baggage though, it's hard anough convincing airline staff what their own rules are, let alone adding rando security into the mix too.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I've taken crash helmets as hand luggage a few times with no problems, including one I bought in the USA and avoided import taxes.

[Sunny]

Can't help with the luggage question, but the tour looks fab - report back please (We're off to Bucharest in July, and hoping to get out and explore the Transfagarasan at least )

<Edit> - FYI - the Transfagarasan is closed till the 1st July

[gremlin]

I bought an Oxford (IIRC) helmet bag. It has side pockets and stuff, so plenty of places to stick your passport, ear buds, etc. Cavity in the helmet is capacious enough for a few days worth of undercrackers too.

Something like this: https://www.oxfordproducts.com/motorcyc ... _lidstash/

[Nobby]

Wear the rest.

My Dad in the mid 70s went on a trip to Cyprus with the local Bsac. It was organised by the local posh school to give the kids a go. There was a military connection with the School so all the diving equipment flew out via the Army and all personnel took schedules flights.
A weeks diving done and the kit was taken back to the Base to be flown back to the UK........
...... nobody had booked the return trip. Not a problem as long as there wasn't a rush. Except some of the divers needed their kit for the following weekend, my Dad included .The Bottles, flippers, gloves and knives went in as excess baggage. The wetsuit and weight belt* were worn under shirts and trousers. I do believe they were all rather warm on the way home

*Obviously a few kilos of lead were allowed before the age of the shoe bomber.

[gremlin]

*Here https://www.thesaxonhouse.com/

That ^ looks bloody good, as it happens.

The only issue I would have with it is the website quotes 'Two riders sharing a room'. The people on here I Have met IRL would make me fearful of sharing a room with.

[MyLittleStudPony]

Back in the day I used to do it an awful lot. I started by putting everything in the hold except my lid which I'd take as hand luggage. I took to putting it in all in the hold as it was easier. I had no problems with either approach. That was about 20 years ago though.

[Hot_Air]

Have you got an airbag jacket, I wonder how that'd go down at check in / security?

It will go down a bomb

[Noggin]

*Here https://www.thesaxonhouse.com/

This does look awesome. I'd be seriously tempted to make a couple of weeks of it and ride there and back Hope you have a fab time

[Trinity765]

Can't help with the luggage question, but the tour looks fab - report back please (We're off to Bucharest in July, and hoping to get out and explore the Transfagarasan at least )

<Edit> - FYI - the Transfagarasan is closed till the 1st July

My host wrote "Transfagarasan - when the snow will be removed and the roads open. Normally it happens around mid-June (the entire roads, otherwise only some sections will be open. Since we have an early summer, probably the authorities will open those roads earlier since they are already working on removing the snow on the high-altitude passes)".

[Noggin]

Can't help with the luggage question, but the tour looks fab - report back please (We're off to Bucharest in July, and hoping to get out and explore the Transfagarasan at least )

<Edit> - FYI - the Transfagarasan is closed till the 1st July

My host wrote "Transfagarasan - when the snow will be removed and the roads open. Normally it happens around mid-June (the entire roads, otherwise only some sections will be open. Since we have an early summer, probably the authorities will open those roads earlier since they are already working on removing the snow on the high-altitude passes)".

If it's anything like the passes here, they won't commit to a date until fairly near the date they won't commit to. They kinda can't really!