MXA TEAM TESTED: PRO CIRCUIT RECON GEAR BAG

WHAT IS IT? A mid-sized gear bag that is big enough to carry what you need for race day but still small enough to use as luggage at the airport.

WHAT’S IT COST? $209.95.

CONTACT? www.procircuit.com or (951) 738-8050.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Pro Circuit Recon gear bag.

(1) Product line. The Recon is not the largest gear bag in Pro Circuit’s six-pack of gear bags, backpacks and helmet cases. The Traveler II is considerably larger and capable of carrying everything you would ever need to a racetrack. The Recon is smaller than the Traveler II but still big enough to be used as a race-day gear bag. The Recon is 30 x 17.5 x 16.5 inches and weighs 8.6 pounds. The Traveler II is 4 inches longer, 5 pounds heavier and $90 more expensive.

(2) Technology. Pro Circuit’s gear bags are made especially for them by Ogio. The most significant feature of the Recon is its plastic tub. The tub functions as a mounting location for the two roller wheels and the telescoping handle. It is designed to hold boots and knee braces separate from the compartment above it. There is a removable waterproof floor on the upper compartment that can be unzipped and rolled up (there are actually clips to hold the rolled-up floor out of the way). When you roll up the floor, the upper compartment and the tub become one large compartment.

(3) Pockets. As it comes off the showroom floor, the Recon is set up with a boot compartment and upper compartment, which can be divided into two spaces with a Velcro-in wall (that can also be used to stand on when changing clothes). The only other compartment is a padded goggle pocket that is big enough to hold four sets of goggles, tearoffs and lenses (it has three small mesh pockets for anti-fog clothes or Roll-Off reels). Inside the bag, and on the underside of the zippered compartment, there are several mesh pockets that can hold socks and gloves.

(4) Size. Most MXA test riders prefer the largest gear bag that they are strong enough to hoist into the back of a truck. For some unknown reason, test riders carry two of everything. Thus, when they were asked to transfer their old gear bags’ contents into the mid-size Recon, they were sure that everything wouldn’t fit. And it didn’t. There were not enough pockets to hold all of the ancillary paraphernalia of a motocross racer: horse liniment, Chinese herb patches, Advil, Ace bandages, tape and a left-over protein bar from 2013. Although a helmet can fit in the Recon, it is a stretch. But, since they were forced to make the change to the Recon, the MXA gang soon discovered that they could live without three pairs of gloves, four sets of socks, tearoffs for goggle brands they haven’t worn in years and a random Honda brake lever.

(5) Performance. As a gear bag, it is passable. It fits in tight spaces, doesn’t weigh a ton (because it doesn’t carry a ton) and, with thoughtful planning, you will have no trouble getting your race gear to the track. Where it really shines, though, is when you have to spend Thanksgiving at Aunt Jean’s house. Although it is too big to be used as a carry-on bag, it is the perfect size for traveling.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? We can’t complain that it’s not big enough, because Pro Circuit makes a bigger bag.