We realise Kriega is at the premium end of the motorcycle luggage market, and if you have found yourself wondering why, then let us explain
The motorcycle luggage market has changed beyond all recognition since Kriega was first established 26 years ago. The backpacks that helped build our globally trusted reputation were like nothing else available at the time, and we remain leaders in the market. What has changed is the number of companies offering motorcycle luggage, some of it that looks very similar to ours. See and feel, or better still use a Kriega bag for years, and the difference becomes clear.
FUNCTION NOT FASHION
Like it or not, motorcycling is closer to the fashion industry than a lot of hardcore bikers would care to admit. It’s clear that motorcycles are regularly updated, given more power and complications than most riders want or need, but what’s less obvious is motorcycle clothing and accessory companies change colours and styles every year. These are usually simple cosmetic changes, very rarely are they technical improvements. Some companies could even be compared to high street fast fashion firms. The big motorcycle trade shows all come at the end of the riding season to promote the new colours and designs for the following season. This is exactly like the fashion world keeps its profits rolling in.
Instead, Kriega designs with function as the primary concern. It just so happens the things we make that work really well, look really good too. Once a product is introduced, it’s a long time before it is updated.
We’d much rather buyers use our luggage on every ride for ten years or more, and tell their friends about Kriega, than something go wrong with it because we made a compromise, or its looks have become dated because we tried to make a product that was ‘on trend’ for a year or two.
THE PRICE COMES LAST
Kriega doesn’t design to a predetermined price point. We come up with a product to serve a need, then design a technical spec to do the job. Once we know how much it will cost to make, we set the price.
If you’re thinking, ‘That makes sense,’ it’s worth explaining that the other, more common way of creating a new product is to do the market research, find a gap on the market, then set the manufacturing specification to meet that price point while undercutting the competition. Using the latter method always leads to compromises.
NEVER COMPROMISE ON QUALITY
Let’s be clear, design is always a compromise. We make luggage light enough to be usable, but tough enough to last for years and years (some of our first backpacks are still in regular use over 20 years later).
The one thing we don’t compromise on is quality. If there’s a risk of an area being vulnerable, we reinforce it to the point of overkill.
Because we’re not working to annual deadlines, Kriega’s new products are released when they’re ready for market, after they have been prototyped several times and properly tested.
MATERIALS
Trying to compare features of different manufacturers’ bags and luggage can be confusing. We use genuine heavyweight CORDURA, and incorporate the best quality genuine YKK zips. A manufacturer can choose different quality, ranging from entry level to the highest specification. Kriega chooses the best.
It’s the same when it comes to our aluminium hooks. Ours are made from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade alloy, just about as good as it gets.
10-YEAR GUARANTEE
If anything breaks, fails or degrades, Kriega luggage is covered by our 10-year guarantee. It doesn’t cover damage caused by fire or crashing, but covers just about everything else. See the terms here.
We also comply to all the latest PFAS (Forever Chemicals) and REACH regulations.
A BAG FOR LIFE
It all leads to the conclusion that Kriega is a bag for life. If all you need is something cheap to last one trip, there are products on the market for that. If you want motorcycle-specific luggage to survive everything the environment can throw at it, not become landfill in a year or two, but last for as long as your love of motorcycles is going to endure, then choose Kriega.
See the range of luggage at Kriega.com. To try one on, head to your local dealer for a closer look.
Kriega UK dealer network
Kriega Worldwide importers