Kriega’s innovative harness designs are a huge part of what makes their backpacks the best in the business. But why?
Put simply Kriega is built on the success of its original two products, the R35 and R25 backpacks. They were the first company in the world to take motorcycle-specific backpack design seriously. The early adopters of those first packs knew they were onto something new and good. Positive word of mouth and glowing magazine reviews meant the fledgling company hit the ground running.
The fundamental design element of those pioneering packs was crucial then and remains so now – the harness design. Riders who have never used Kriega might be confused, some simply look at the buckle fastening, and dismiss that as Quadloc, but they’d be wrong to. The clip fastening is just part of the system. Quadloc and Quadloc-Lite is a whole harness design, one that has been trusted by riders all over the world for over 25 years.
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LOAD DISTRIBUTION
Many backpacks, whether they’re aimed at hikers or bikers, have some way of attaching the two straps together over the chest. But that isn’t what spreads the weight across the torso leading to what we often reference as ‘all-day riding comfort’. The whole shape and construction of both of our Quadloc harnesses, including how and where they meet the body of the pack, is what creates the unique load-distributing effect.
The design ensures the rider’s torso takes the weight not the shoulders, and guarantees that the loaded backpack’s straps don’t begin to cut into the rider’s shoulders and target the pressure points within them. Regular backpack strap design causes fatigue, which leads to a loss of concentration and ultimately ruins the ride. Quadloc and Quadloc-Lite avoid that.
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MANOEUVRABILITY
Many backpacks cause a feeling of being constricted when worn on a motorcycle. The straps feel awkward, and end up right under the wearer’s armpits. That makes reaching for the bars harder than it needs to be and causes fatigue and discomfort. With traditional backpack design, the weight often sits low, both hanging off the shoulders and pressing hard into the lower back, or just bounces around in a distracting way. That’s a recipe for long-ride misery. If that’s all a rider has ever used, that’s what they expect, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
The Quadloc’s broad, curving harness straps avoid these issues. The design of both the Quadloc and Quadloc-Lite harness straps ensure they remain clear of the armpit and the wearer retains freedom of movement, while the whole, clever design means the load is shared, not focussed on one or two areas. The fit is snug and confidence inspiring, yet neither restrictive or too loose.
ADJUSTABILITY
The top of the broad, padded Quadloc and Quadloc-Lite harness straps are not stitched to the body of the backpack. The webbing on top of the padded straps is the harness’s anchor point, and also offers the exact length adjustment. This set-up allows the padded harness strap to move in and out of the body of the pack to the rider’s requirement.
The Quadloc harness (used on the larger capacity packs: R30, R25) has padded lower ‘side wings’ that grip the torso to further stabilise and spread the load across the torso, not focussing it on the back. There isn’t a better moto backpack design for carrying heavy weights over distance.
The Quadloc-Lite system has similar broad upper harness straps connected to lighter, lower webbing straps, with integrated clips to ensure there are no flapping loose ends. Kriega backpacks using the Quadloc-Lite harness are also fitted with waist straps, but these are only ever needed for rough, off-road riding.
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HARNESS FASTENING
One clip or two, it’s easy to fasten and unfasten a Kriega rider pack, even with cold, gloved hands. The harness design is also a ‘set and forget’ design. Once you’ve adjusted the pack to suit the length of your back (using the embroidered dots to help set the length) that’s it – clip in and clip out, no need to adjust. The cut of the harness makes it easy to get in and out of, even when wearing bulky, armoured leathers or waterproofs.
COMFORT, FIT, ADAPTABILITY
The Quadloc harness’s wide window of adjustability means it fits the vast majority of body shapes and sizes. Its ability to spread the pack’s weight, the cushioning of the harness straps, and the deeply padded, and ventilated back panels all guarantee supreme comfort.
Both harnesses accept our range of Harness Pockets (see ACCESSORIES) and every backpack or Hydration Pack with a Quadloc-Lite harness can be fitted with Trail Pockets.
Kriega’s Quadloc harnesses have been tweaked and improved over the past 25 years, but the core principle remains – all-day comfort for bike-riding backpack aficionados.
See the range of backpack at Kriega.com
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Who are Kriega
Kriega is a highly regarded UK-based company, founded in 2000, that designs and manufactures premium, function-driven motorcycle luggage and accessories, known for their exceptional durability, innovative designs like the Quadloc™ harness, and a strong focus on quality materials, backed by a 10-year guarantee, making them a top choice for serious riders. They specialize in adventure, commuting, and high-performance packs, prioritising rider needs over fleeting fashion trends.
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Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
