Travel Question (DR Editors please feel free to chime in)

This Thursday will be a first for me.  I will be flying with my moto gear.  Most everything will fit in my suitcase, but what do I do with my helmet?  Is it small enough to be in a carry on bag? Do I find some way to squeeze it in my suitcase?  

I'm sure the editors have had plenty of experience with this, but if anyone else has too please let me know how you traveled with it and how that worked out for you.  

Bill H.
Temperance, Mi
2000 CR250R
1991 YZ125

Bill, I have a Ogio gear bag..threw all my gear in there and went to AZ...plan on doing the same on the way out to Cali...  

If mine doesn't fit into my suitcase I'm gonna wear it on the plane and tell them it's a toque.  
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WAFNIA!

BC
01 YZ 125
02 RM 85
99 KX 80
87 DR 200

Spider I dare you to wear it on the plane and take some pictures too. hahahaha

Pin did you use the ogio as a carry on bag, or did you check it in with your luggage?  

Bill H.
Temperance, Mi
2000 CR250R
1991 YZ125

Definitely was far to big for carry on, I checked it in. I am flying Southwest so I am aloud 2 free checked bags...makes things extremely simple. Many airlines catch you by adding on fees for checked luggage.

Just make sure if you pack your bags you plan on checking in extremely full to weight them. There is a 50 lb weight limit, if you exceed that, you have to pay like 60 bucks. I had mine at 49.5 on the way down to AZ.  

Ok thanks.  I'll be sure to weigh mine and look into how many bags I'm allowed.  

Bill H.
Temperance, Mi
2000 CR250R
1991 YZ125

Mine was over 50 on the way to cali and my bag check was 25 bucks. I also have the OGIO gear bag and I will say that if you cannot get one or fit your helmet in your suit case, you CAN bring it on as a carry on.  
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____________________
MIKE
Phoenix, az
(07 yz250)
(99 yz125)


Every bush has its day (sanders, 2009)
Lack of enthusiasm is for the weak and timid. (alex, a.k.a. yz250 forever)

"I know much about nothing at all"(Maple, 2009)

spiderdad:
If mine doesn't fit into my suitcase I'm gonna wear it on the plane and tell them it's a toque.

if they ask why you're wearing the helmet just tell them you overheard a conversation in the terminal about...  
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NW Montana
Where the pavement ends and the fun begins  
2005 KTM300exc

I have a Fox racing bags and as Brandon said, it was too heavy and bulky for carryon, but I had no problems with checkin.  It's real easy to see the bag when it's on the luggage turnstile too because of the Fox logo.  
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Hudson Valley NY
KTM XC-W 250

"If you don't have a dream, how can it come true?"

spiderdad:
If mine doesn't fit into my suitcase I'm gonna wear it on the plane and tell them it's a toque.

PaulB14:
if they ask why you're wearing the helmet just tell them you overheard a conversation in the terminal about...

I want to spend my weekend in LA...not jail!  
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WAFNIA!

BC
01 YZ 125
02 RM 85
99 KX 80
87 DR 200

I can get two sets of gear, one pair of boots, one helmet, a few sets of goggles, a chest protector, drink system (empty of course), riding jacket and two sets of riding socks/shorts into any large gearbag and have it under the weight limit. It will be about 45 pounds, but it's under.

An ogio 9800 works well but I've traveled with the Fox Transport and the new Yamaha bag by Axio and they all work fine. Any gearbag with wheels is usually big enough. A suitcase with everything but the helmet should be well under 50 lbs since gearbags are heavy by themselves.

I usually carry my clothes on in a small roller bag since our trips to ride are mostly short and I only need a couple sets of "civilian" clothes. I also have to pack a camera/computer backpack.

So, two carry-ons and one checked bag is my standard program.

I have carried a helmet on before as well. It works, you just have to store it under your seat or in an overhead bin which can be tricky depending on the size of the plane. Wearing it on isn't recommended. Mostly because you have to listen to people cracking, "I don't think that's going to help" jokes.  
JZ

Invite your friends to the dirtrider.com forums and win free advice from Jesse (worth every penny).

Jesse your last sentence sounds like it comes from experience. hahaha

I don't have a Moto gear bag.  I do have plenty of hockey bags that can hold lots of gear.  These things are big enough to smuggle Mexicans over the border in them. LOL My big worry using one is there is not much protection for the abuse my helmet would take getting tossed around with checked luggage.  I guess it would be fine if I took off the visor so it wouldn't get snapped off.  

Now my next big challenge will be getting my suitcase back from my ex. hahaha  

Bill H.
Temperance, Mi
2000 CR250R
1991 YZ125

I've used hockey bags as well Bill...my problem with them was packing so much crap in them that they weighed 85lbs!!

It doesn't matter how well you pack it...you know it's going to get tossed around.  Baggage handlers is an oxymoron.  
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WAFNIA!

BC
01 YZ 125
02 RM 85
99 KX 80
87 DR 200

I would use the hockey bag bill.  
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____________________
MIKE
Phoenix, az
(07 yz250)
(99 yz125)


Every bush has its day (sanders, 2009)
Lack of enthusiasm is for the weak and timid. (alex, a.k.a. yz250 forever)

"I know much about nothing at all"(Maple, 2009)

Hockey bag is good but you're right about protecting your helmet. Take the visor off and stick it inside the eyeport of your helmet. That should work. Don't fill it all the way or you'll be overweight and they'll charge you for it.

Speaking of experience I have a funny story about some practical jokesters stuffing half-burned firewood in someone's (not mine, thank goodness) gearbag at a Husky intro in New York. Ticket agents look at you funny when you're pulling smelly logs out of your luggage in an attempt to make weight.  
JZ

Invite your friends to the dirtrider.com forums and win free advice from Jesse (worth every penny).