Luggage Loops are a rugged, tactical solution for strapping gear to the outside of your K9 Moto Cockpit.
Storage is in short supply on a motorcycle.
Although your copilot is the ideal minimalist, their Cockpit occupies the passenger seat and luggage rack area where most riders store their travel gear.
Luggage Loops allows motorcycle travelers to strap luggage to the outside of their Cockpitโs roll bars more securely and without damaging the fine craftsman upholstery.
Design
Luggage Loops uses a webbing technique that is commonly referred to as MOLLE and is used by the military.
The actual attachment technique is actually called PALS โ thatโs Pouch Attachment Ladder System โ and consists of a row of heavy-duty nylon webbing.
Stitching the webbing at fixed intervals create daisy chains or loops through which straps can pass to attach gear or bags.
The technique allows for enormous flexibility in how and where luggage can be stored to the Cockpit exterior.
Itโs also better than strapping bags directly to the roll bars because it can weaken the padding and maul the Cockpitโs exquisite craftsman upholstery.
Construction
Luggage Loops are so durable over long hard miles because itโs more than a tactical exterior.
Each horizontal loop has a corresponding vertical ring.
These vertical webbing rings, which are hidden beneath the upholstery, reinforce each loop to distribute the carrying load more widely.
This creates a robust skeleton that is far stronger and more resilient than the webbing loops would be on their own.
The reinforced structure carries the load so that the upholstery remains resilient and unblemished over many miles.
Storage
Luggage Loops are best used for securing large and bulky items.
Strapping items like tent, sleeping bag, mattress, and clothing bags frees up valuable space inside the pannier or saddlebags for heavier items.
Riderโs often find that they can reliably secure luggage totally 10lb | 5kg to the loops on either side of the Cockpit.
It is essential to always secure items to multiple loops to distribute the load widely.
As a rule of thumb, 2L and 4L bags should secure to at least four loops โ two top and two bottom โ while 6L-12L bags should secure to no fewer than six loops.
This reduces the likelihood of failure and also minimizes sliding and vibration, which degrades the textiles.
With Side Cases
Strapping gear to the exterior of your Cockpit can obstruct access to some types of motorcycle luggage, depending on how widely they are set.
The Mini and Intermediate Cockpits are narrow enough to strap common items without obstructing most aluminum pannier lids.
For Standard and Jumbo Cockpits, running soft bags is the best way to avoid obstructing lid access.
Luggage Loops are integrated directly into the Cockpit upholstery, which means they must be selected as an add-on when your Cockpit is being built.
Alternatively, you can add Luggage Loops later on with an Upholstery Refresh.
