Inflatable paramotor bags: how they work and how to install them

Photos: what it looks like mounted on the engine guard

Official LOBOO photos of the bag and its installation on the BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure. Tap a photo to enlarge it.

• The pair: left and right bags
• The rear: buckle and straps on the 25 mm tube
• Mounted on the engine guard of a BMW R 1250 GS
• Side view: the space between the bar and the side panel
• The pair on a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure
• Front view of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure
• Installation on a BMW R 1250 GS

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The pair: left and right bags

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The rear: buckle and straps on the 25 mm tube

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Mounted on the engine guard of a BMW R 1250 GS

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Side view: the space between the bar and the side panel

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The pair on a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

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Front view of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

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Installation on a BMW R 1250 GS

What is an inflatable engine guard bag?

An irregularly shaped empty space remains between the engine guards and the motorcycle's fairing. A hard case does not fit in it, while a traditional soft bag does but sags and shifts. The inflatable bag solves the problem with air: when inflated, it stretches against the tube and fills the space without play.

Engine guards, crash bars, and protective bars refer to the same component: steel tubes surrounding the engine and fuel tank to protect them in the event of a fall. The bag rests on and attaches to those tubes, never to the bodywork. That is why there is no list of compatible motorcycles: there is a requirement concerning the tube, which we will see later.

The bag does two jobs at once. The first is storage: 6 liters per side, waterproof and accessible while standing beside the motorcycle, without opening the cases or taking off your helmet. The second is passive protection: when inflated, it forms an air volume between the bar and the ground.

LOBOO calls it the Inflatable Crash Bar Bag and places it in the Wanderer series, alongside the non-inflatable BHGB11T version. On Endurrad, you can find it on the page for the LOBOO Wanderer BHGB05T inflatable motorcycle crash bar bags.

How to inflate it and how long it stays inflated

You do not need a pump or a compressor. The bag has a one-way valve—that is, a valve that lets air in but does not let it out until you open it—and a built-in hand pump to squeeze.

The manual's procedure

1. Open the valve by pressing its switch with one finger.
2. Repeatedly squeeze the hand pump until the bag is full.
3. Close the valve by pressing the switch again.

The manual warns that actions other than these will damage the valve: no pressure pumps and no objects inserted into the switch.

How long an inflation lasts

LOBOO states that a single inflation guarantees the protective function for at least 6 hours. This is a minimum value, not the maximum duration. In practice: if you set off in the morning, feel the bag at your midday stop and, if it feels soft, a few squeezes of the hand pump are enough.

The shape without air

When deflated, the bag remains semi-rigid and fills out while standing on its own. In LOBOO's comparison table, the BHGB05T's structure relies on the inflation system: under load, the air gives it its shape. The rigid plastic panel, on the other hand, is the solution used by its non-inflatable sibling, the BHGB11T, which we discuss in the comparison.

What it protects in a fall, and what it does not

The most frequently cited figure is also the most misunderstood. LOBOO states that, when inflated, the bag withstands a load-bearing force of at least 300 kg in the event of a sudden accident. It is worth reading it for what it says.

What “300 kg” means

It is the force the inflated bag can withstand without giving way. The figure does not specify the fall speed, the type of surface, or the number of impacts: it is the manufacturer's reference for the air chamber's robustness, not the result of a standardized impact test.

What LOBOO says about how it works in a fall

On its website, the manufacturer explains that in stationary or low-speed falls, the bag touches the ground before the bar, changes the angle at which the motorcycle comes to rest, and makes it easier to lift. This is the manufacturer's description, consistent with the bag's position: it protrudes outward from the bar.

What it is not

• It is not an approved safety device: the manufacturer does not claim any certifications for this accessory.
• It does not protect the rider: for that, you need a helmet, riding gear and certified protective equipment.
• It does not replace the engine guard: the engine guard supports the motorcycle; the bag works on top of it.

A practical tip. In a slide, the bag's contents end up between the bar and the ground. Hard objects such as keys, spray cans or tools should preferably be wrapped in the rain cover or a cloth.

Compatibility: the 25 mm tube matters, not the motorcycle model

The LOBOO manual has only one requirement: a round-section engine guard with a diameter of 25 mm. The mounting system then adapts to irregular, quadrangular or triangular engine guards. The motorcycle model matters only because it determines which engine guard you have installed.

How to measure the tube in two minutes

1. With calipers: measure the tube's outside diameter at the point where you want to mount the bag.
2. Without calipers: wrap a tape measure around the tube, read the circumference and divide it by 3.14.
3. Check the space: a 23 × 33 × 10 cm bag must fit around the selected point, away from the exhaust and cylinder heads.
4. Check the movement: turn the handlebars fully to both sides, place your legs in the riding position, and make sure the gear lever and brake pedal are unobstructed.

LOBOO engine guards on Endurrad: which ones have a 25 mm tube

The diameter below is the one reported in the specifications for each crash bar. For other engine guards in the catalog, and for original manufacturer or third-party ones, use the measurement taken on your motorcycle.

Do you have a BMW R 1300 GS Adventure? In addition to the BHGB05T on the upper CHG151 crash bar, the catalog also includes a dedicated 5-litre crash bar bag with a rigid shell. If you do not yet have a crash bar, start with the crash bar collection.

Crash bar installation: four steps and a 4 mm Allen key

The manual describes the installation in four steps. The crash bar must already be mounted on the motorcycle: this is the structure to which the bag attaches.

1. Choose the buckle position

   The fastening buckle can be mounted in five different positions on the back of the bag and rotates on its own axis. Choose the position that best follows the angle of your crash bar.

2. Tighten the buckle onto the tube

   Attach the buckle to the crash bar tube with the M6×10 screw and 4 mm Allen key, tightening it to 12 N·m. A drop of medium-strength threadlocker on the screw is recommended.

3. Pass the straps around the tube

   Wrap the fastening straps around the bar, following its shape, and attach the buckles.

4. Pull the straps in sequence

   Tighten the straps one after another and adjust their length until all slack is removed. Then inflate the bag.

Checks after installation

• Turn the handlebars fully to both sides: the inflated bag must not touch the fork, radiator, or fairings.
• Make sure it does not touch the exhaust or cylinder heads: the manufacturer does not state a maximum operating temperature for the fabric.
• Sit in the riding position: your legs, gear lever, and brake pedal must remain unobstructed.
• Recheck the screws and straps after the first few dozen kilometers.

The LOBOO user manual can be downloaded here: BHGB05T manual in eight languages (PDF). The QR code on the cover links to the manufacturer’s installation video.

IPX7 waterproofing: what it means and how to maintain it

IPX7 is a designation in the IP code, defined by the international IEC 60529 standard. The first digit concerns dust, the second water; the X indicates that dust protection has not been classified.

• IPX6: resistance to powerful water jets from every direction.
• IPX7: resistance to temporary immersion, up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes according to the standard.

For the BHGB05T, the IPX7 rating is stated by the manufacturer for the complete bag. It achieves this through two elements: TPU composite fabric (thermoplastic polyurethane, a flexible, waterproof plastic layer bonded to the nylon weave) and the airtight waterproof zipper, a zipper with sealed teeth like those on dry bags.

Beware of confusing product sheets. Some retailers attribute the roll-top closure and IPX6 rating to the inflatable version. These are features of the BHGB11T, the non-inflatable version. The BHGB05T closes with a waterproof zipper and is rated IPX7.

Waterproof zipper rules

The zipper is the component on which the bag’s lifespan depends. The manual gives two rules.

• Pressure: the zipper works properly when the pressure inside the compartment is equal to the pressure outside. If there is excess pressure inside, the closure will be seriously damaged and will last less.
• Grip: pinch the slider between your index and middle fingers and pull it along the guide. Holding it differently makes it slide poorly.

A silicone lubricant for waterproof zippers, applied occasionally to the teeth, keeps the closure running smoothly.

Key-operated anti-theft protection: how it works and how far it goes

Each bag has a nylon-coated stainless-steel cable and a key lock. With a single pass, it secures two things: the zipper opening and the bag's detachment from the crash bar.

1. Pass the cable through the hole in the waterproof zipper slider.
2. Pass it through the eyelet provided on the strap.
3. Insert the terminal into the socket in the fastening buckle and lock it with the key.

The manufacturer calls it primary anti-theft protection and specifies that it cannot be used as the main anti-theft device. In other words, it deters someone who opens it out of curiosity in a parking lot, not someone arriving with bolt cutters. Keep your documents and wallet with you.

One key for everything. According to LOBOO's technical information, the key can be matched to the key for LOBOO aluminum cases by providing the key number. If this interests you, write to us before ordering: we will check with the distributor whether matching is possible for your order.

During installation, check that, in the position chosen for the buckle, the cable reaches its socket comfortably.

Materials and laboratory testing

What it is made of

• Fabric: 70% TPU and 30% nylon composite, 840D weave, 0.6 mm thick. The designation 840D refers to denier, the unit used to measure thread thickness: the higher the number, the thicker and more durable the yarn.
• Closure: airtight waterproof zipper with auxiliary zipper pull.
• Buckles: Duraflex, a brand of technical plastic buckles widely used in outdoor equipment.
• Valve: nylon and silicone.
• Anti-theft protection: nylon-coated stainless-steel cable.
• Visibility: high-visibility reflective inserts on the sides, that is, on the part of the motorcycle most exposed laterally.

The TTTS-WF24001497 test report

In March 2024, the Shenzhen company that manufactures LOBOO had two BHGB05TBK bags analyzed by an external laboratory according to the Chinese standard QB/T 1333-2018, the industry standard for bags and backpacks. The overall outcome is compliant. These are the tests and results.

What it covers and what it does not. This is a voluntary test commissioned by the manufacturer on the samples provided: it applies to those samples and is neither type approval nor European certification. It does not concern the IPX7 rating or the 300 kg load capacity, which remain manufacturer claims. The report is in Chinese and we can send it on request.

Dimensions and capacity: 23 × 33 × 10 cm, 6 liters per side

The LOBOO dimensioned drawing gives 230 × 100 × 330 mm per bag, including the valve: 23 cm wide, 10 cm deep, and 33 cm high. The manufacturer warns that the measurements are taken by hand and may have tolerances.

The weight is not stated by the manufacturer, and we do not publish an estimate.

What fits in 6 liters

Six liters per side is the compartment for the things you want within reach without opening the panniers:

• puncture repair kit and mini compressor;
• rain gear and spare gloves;
• documents protected from water;
• a headlamp;
• a half-liter water bottle with something around it.

It is not the main luggage: it is the external pocket that adventure motorcycles lack. For real capacity, you need panniers or side bags.

Inflatable, roll-top, or hard case: which one to choose

The LOBOO Wanderer series includes two engine-guard bags with the same fabric and capacity, but a different design. Neither replaces the panniers.

Those who want inflatable technology for their main luggage will find the 23- or 30-liter Alps inflatable motorcycle panniers in the same family. They mount on side racks rather than on the crash bars. Compatible racks, spacers, and load per side are explained in the guide to inflatable motorcycle panniers. Crash-bar bags and panniers are not mutually exclusive: the former keep what you need during the day's ride within easy reach, while the latter hold the rest.

All crash-bar bags available on Endurrad are collected in the crash-bar bags collection; those with an air chamber are in the motorcycle inflatable bags collection.

What is and is not included in the package

• Free shipping in Italy on orders over €100
• Free shipping in Europe on orders over €250
• Returns within 14 days of receipt
• 24-month statutory warranty of conformity for consumers

Maintenance and usage limits

Technical terms glossary

Engine guard or crash bar

Tubular steel bars surrounding the engine and fuel tank to protect them in a fall. They are the structure to which the bag is attached.

Air chamber

The airtight chamber that gives the bag its shape when inflated and cushions contact with the ground.

One-way valve

Valve that lets air in and prevents it from escaping until opened.

TPU

Thermoplastic polyurethane: a flexible, waterproof plastic layer bonded to the fabric.

840D

Denier rating: indicates a thick nylon yarn that is resistant to abrasion.

IPX6 and IPX7

Water-resistance ratings under IEC 60529: powerful water jets for the first, temporary immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes for the second.

Waterproof zipper

Zipper with sealed teeth that keeps out air and water, like the one on dry bags.

Roll-top

Roll-top closure: the edge of the bag is rolled over several times and secured with buckles.

PP

Polypropylene, a rigid plastic used for the inner panel of the BHGB11T.

M6×10

Metric screw with a 6 mm diameter thread and a length of 10 mm.

N·m

Newton-metre, a torque unit: indicates how tightly a screw should be tightened.

Threadlocker

Liquid applied to a thread to prevent the screw from loosening due to vibration.

Duraflex

Brand of technical plastic buckles widely used on backpacks and outdoor equipment.

QB/T 1333-2018

Chinese industry standard for bags and backpacks, used as a reference in the test report.