Review GNAT Handlebar Bag from MOSKO MOTO
I’m assuming that you have already made up your mind about adding a handlebar bag to your motorcycle. If however you are still not sure, then take a look at this video to help you decide:
With the purpose of a handlebar bag clear, let’s dive into the details of the GNAT handlebar bag from MOSKO MOTO to find out if it is a good option for you.
Dimensions and Fitting
As the name implies, the bag should be mounted to your handlebar. While not mandatory, I find that handlebars with a crossbar, such as the OEM handlebar of the CRF300L, work better. You’ve got to use a little bit of your imagination and visualise how it is going to look and fit on your motorcycle. Sit on your motorcycle then visualise a rectangle being attached to the centre part of your handlebar.
You also need enough clearance (height) between the handlebar and your fuel tank. Special attention if your motorcycle has a steering damper as it could get on the way.
The dimensions of the GNAT handlebar bag are: 25,4cm in length x 6,3cm in width x 10cm in height.
The mounting is extremely simple and efficient as we come to expect from Mosko Moto. The handlebar bag comes with 2 Voile Straps, which is nothing else then a rubber strap with a fast locking mechanism, and the back of the bag has attachment points at different positions making it easy to adapt to your handlebar.
A handlebar bag should be as compact as possible but still allow you to carry stuff, such as: wallet, phone, multitool, keys, earplugs, pressure gauge, sunglasses, passport…. All of the items I’ve listed fit inside this handlebar bag.
I have crashed a few times with my CRF300L and the GNAT handlebar bag never came loose. It’s a solid mounting system.
Here is a BONUS. The bag can be compressed using 2 compression straps located on each side. This is GREAT! If you are not carrying much stuff in its main compartment you can compress it to have a tight fit and secure your items in place.
Overall I find the dimensions and fitting to be very good.
Accessibility
The opening mechanism of a handlebar bag has to be easy for you to truly appreciate its convenience.
In practice this has been implemented on the GNAT handlebar bag via an easy to grab flap that shuts close using velcro and 2 main pockets that use zippers. The zipper pullers are an “OK size” and I only see an issue to grab the zipper pullers if you are using thick winter gloves.
Overall the Mosko Moto Gnat handlebar bag makes accessing its contents fast and easy. No complaints in here.
Organisation
The simplest form of a handlebar bag would contain one large single pocket. Now, if you know Mosko Mosko, then you know that’s not going to be the case. I can only guess that the product designers at Mosko Moto have some level of OCD and things must be organised properly… and I love it! Despite its small volume capacity of only 1 litre, this bag offers the following organisational pockets:
- 1 thin fleece-lined pocket so your sunglasses won’t get scratched. I usually don’t carry sunglasses therefore that is my favourite pocked to carry my mobile phone.
- The main pocket has 3 separators on the inside: The main compartment and 2 mesh pockets for thin items that are ideal for documents or small loose items such as earplugs.
- There is also key-clip inside the main pocket. Nice touch.
Here is BONUS 1. The bottom left corner of the Gnat handlebar bag has a passage that can be shut close with velcro. I love this little feature! I have a USB cable connected to my CRF300L battery that I’ve routed all the way inside the bag! This allows me to charge my devices inside the bag or pull a cable out to charge my navigation device while riding.
Here is BONUS 2. The inner side of the flap has 2 elastic loops. When I first looked at them it reminded me of these school pencil case (to fixated pencils). I suppose some people carry pens while riding, but I don’t. You could also use them to attached a pencil tire pressure gauge, but that’s also not my case. I’m using it to neatly route a power supply cable to the navigation device that is attached to my handlebar. Be creative and adapt to your needs.
The Negative
Straight forward. It is not water/rain resistant. It’s really a pity that Mosko Moto didn’t make the Gnat handlebar bag water resistant. I rode in rainy days with it and the material will absorb water and eventually make its contents wet. That’s a no go for your passport. Do you remember one of these mesh pockets that are inside the main compartment? Well, I always carry a Ziploc bag exactly for that. Once it starts raining I pack water sensitive items inside the Ziplock bag.
If it wasn’t for this “small” detail I would give the Gnat Handlebar bag a 10 out of 10. I still prefer to have it with me than not, but this was a miss from Mosko Moto in my opinion.
The Opportunity
Since the next iteration of the Gnat Handlebar Bag will need to be upgraded to water-resistant material, why not make a wish list?
I would love to see a phone pocket on top of the flap that closes the bag. I’m definitely sharing this review with Mosko Moto and hoping that they can consider it for the future. If you think that’s a good idea, please share this article with Mosko Moto as well! they are great at listening to their customers and if enough riders want this feature, we might just get it!
Link for the Mosko Moto Gnat Handlebar bag.