Kriega’s collab with Roland Sands Designs made our designers think differently about materials and even new product lines. We caught up with Roland Sands to discuss the ROAM Collection
In a perfect example of synergy, both companies had been thinking about the other, and came to the conclusion they’d be an ideal partner to create a new range of luggage. The result is the Kriega x RSD ROAM Collection.
Roland Sands Designs (RSD) are the reigning monarchs of the custom motorcycle world, having built show-stopping customs and concept bikes for major manufacturers including BMW, Buell, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Indian, Royal Enfield and Yamaha.
They customise bikes for clients including rock and film stars, top sports and extreme sportspeople. The core of RSD’s multi-faceted business is the design and manufacture of a massive range of bolt-on custom parts and apparel, and they also have a long-running partnership with Bell Helmets.
Roland is a former AMA US National champion road racer and his company also organise large-scale custom and race events. If that wasn’t enough, RSD worked with Indian to launch hooligan flat track racing as a national series before taking the same heavyweight twin-cylinder hooligans to race on America’s most famous road racing circuits. When this super-influential company wanted a new luggage range, they chose Kriega to design and make it.
‘Kriega make really high-quality product, they've got a good name in the industry, and they're very design focussed,’ says Roland Sands from the company’s Long Beach, CA, headquarters. ‘It was really easy to communicate with Kriega about what we wanted to do, and they were psyched on doing it. We had a good blend between the two brands, we're both very design-forward, and I think it was a good match from the kick off.’
The collection includes a 34-litre expandable ROAM 34 backpack, Handlebar Bag, Tool Roll and Harness Pocket. All items except the Harness Pocket are available in two colours, and all but the Harness Pocket use waxed cotton, a first for Kriega.
‘We wanted to take a more historical look at the aesthetic and apply that to a technical product. That's a win for us every time,’ says Roland.
The heavy-duty waxed cotton, available in Black and ‘Ranger’. combines with Kriega’s tried and trusted 1000D Cordura and Hypalon to offer luggage with classic looks but 21st century performance. The ROAM 34 backpack has a 100% waterproof compartment big enough to protect a 15in laptop and other electronics. The backpack also has Kriega’s well-loved QUADLOC-Lite harness, something Roland himself appreciates.
‘If you're riding your bike hard and you have a backpack on, it's more than just a backpack. This thing carries all your important stuff, but it has to work well. It mustn’t get in the way of your riding. Sometimes a backpack can be shitty on a motorcycle. If you're taking a long trip and you have shitty gear, it's terrible. It makes your experience not what it should be. The ROAM 34 is a backpack you put on and you don't even know it's there. Which is the hallmark of a good piece of design.’
One product idea RSD brought to the design meetings was a handlebar bag, something Kriega had never considered before. The ROAM Handlebar Bag is suited to cruiser bikes with drag bar or T-bars with high risers. It’s a style of bike that is far more rooted in RSD’s home country than Kriega’s, but the design has been a multi-purpose winner with riders of that style of bike.
‘Kriega’s designers are ultra-talented, they live and breathe design and bag design, so it was really easy for us to talk about what we wanted and for them to execute it from a design perspective, bringing our aesthetic, with some design cues and materials, with a high-quality execution.’
Roland has ridden and raced all over the world, so we took the opportunity to ask him what would be his next ride if he could drop everything and go tomorrow, and what he’d pack in his ROAM 34.
‘I’d ride in the Heber Valley, Utah, with my buddies Andy Bell and Todd Romano, on my Husqvarna FE501. Beyond taking some light tools, in the Tool Roll, first aid stuff and water [the ROAM 34 is hydration pack compatible), I’d just take some food. I’m going high end, with some smoked salmon and aged cheddar. And a can of beer too.’
The ROAM collection ranges in price from £35 to £235 (at time of publishing).
SHOP: ROAM 34 Backpack, ROAM Handlebar Bag, ROAM Tool Roll and ROAM Harness Pocket
The Kriega x Roland Sands Designs ROAM Collection is available from Kriega stockists around the world, and also from RSD’s flagship store in Long Beach, CA.
Head to your local dealer for a closer look
Kriega UK dealer network
Kriega Worldwide importers
