flying with motor gear
 

anyone have experience with taking motorcycle gear (helmets, jackets etc.) on a plane? How to pack. Checked or carry on.

I always buy a sturdy plastic shipping box - the type of thing you can get for about $20 to $25 at any large home supply store - and put all the clothing, helmets, etc. inside that, then check it as baggage.

It's a PITA to bring helmets and protective clothing into the cabin of the aircraft - the helmet is going to get scuffed up no matter what you do, and by its nature, protective clothing is bulky.

We have woollen lined helmet bags & take them as carry on, with papers/passports, mp3 etc inside the helmet - OR, just buy helmets at our destination.
We then leave them with the rental company at the end.
Jackets & pants - just pull out the armour & pack it all flat in checked baggage :thumbup1:

I've only done short-hall this way but to save excess baggage charges on Sleazy-Jet, I wore all my riding gear including boots. I carried my lid in the draw-string bag it came in with goggles, gloves and all my documents inside. I figured that if my luggage got lost, I'd still be able to ride.

I have taken a helmet on a plane before, most of the time they are happy that it is carried on in hand luggage!

I only ever have problems with survival / camping kit, scuba gear and electronic gizmos.

possession of these seems to put me in suspect terrorist category, and I now expect to be harassed / faffed about for wanting to take these with me on a plane!

being prepared if you are traveling away from civilization seems to cause a lot of problems. :-/

explaining that you want to be able to take care of you self and possibly family too does not not fall upon sympathetic ears...

I suppose it depends on what sort of bike gear you wear. Kevlar Jeans and Leather Jacket and short boots means you look human and is fine to wear, a full Cordura two piece riding suit and adventure boots means you look a wally, will be hot and uncomfortable and is not something I would want to sit on a plane in for several hours. in fact I wouldn't want to sit on a bike in such a suit either! Helmet goes in the the little carry bag it came with, over the shoulder with gloves, sat nav, and anything else I don't want to send with the bike inside the helmet. The helmet has never been classed as part of the hand baggage allowance. I wouldn't want to put a helmet in checked luggage as its too precious and you have no idea how your bag will be treated by baggage handlers.