Update: Kriega R25 Rucksack

So after a year and half of riding (over 30,000 miles) how is the Kriega R25 holding up?

Well first of all, it doesn’t matter where I go or what I am doing, whether it be a mega rider or a jaunt to the shops, I take my R25. I have taken it to France, where I used it as quick storage and a camel back. I have used it every single day since I bought it for commuting to work and have used it many times when I am off the bike as well.

Looks a bit weathered, but still performs with ease.

Throughout 4 seasons riding and 2 accidents, the R25 is still physically perfect. The zippers are all still there, the buckles and fixings are all still perfect and the materials still intact. Visually the rucksack looks like it has done 30,000 miles and been dragged through a hedge backwards, but that doesn’t matter to me.

The R25 is still as comfortable to wear as ever, and even with mega weight in it, it doesn’t lead to any fatigue at all. There are however a few niggles.

The first is that the R25 isn’t waterproof. You would think that a company that designs a dedicated motorcycle rucksack would think to put some sort of waterproofing in it, but no. I have had some days where the bag is a portable swimming pool, but I usually get around this with some carrier bags. It’s not 100% waterproof but it’s a quick fix.

The second is the buckles that allow for adjustment on the bag sit pretty near the top of my shoulders. Because they are metal and stick out, I find that I am always rubbing the bottom of my helmet off them when I am doing a shoulder check. Also sometimes the toggle that you use to adjust the buckles flap in the wind and hit off my helmet to the point that it’s like having a woodpecker attached. Quite annoying.

The Kriega Quadlock system, you don’t even know it’s there.

Anyway, the 2 niggles in no way detract from the underlying truth, that the Kriega R25 is one of the best bits of kit I own and has never let me down.

I can see it lasting a good few more years still, and for £80 or whatever it was, it’s worth the investment.

It does however get really dirty and lead to a musty smell, which can be rectified with hot soapy water and a cloth, but I can’t be bothered…I like the weathered look.

 

Gordon