Suzuki V-strom 650 XT
£8039 + 645cc V-twin + 70bhp + 216kg + 20-litre tank + 835mm + Miles so far: 1113
I’M A BIG fan of Ventura luggage systems, but it felt like I should try something a bit more suited to the V-strom’s adventure style. So I fitted a set of Sw-motech’s soft Dakar panniers. They’re sleek, waterproof and expandable, and mount to the bike using a bolt-on rail system that takes about half an hour to fit. Most of the panniers’ weight is taken by the Velcro panels running across the pillion seat – the rails are mainly there to support the bags from the side.
I was hoping to use an Swmotech topbox too, but the supplier sent the fitting kit for the old V-strom. Not wanting to lose, I rode to the office using a ratchet strap to
“I roped in the services of an old tankbag”
hold the box on to the standard rack – though I definitely wouldn’t have wanted to go much further… This setback meant I decided to rope in the services of a fantastic old magnetic Held tankbag I’ve had for 25 years, and an Oxford Aqua T-30 rollbag.
If it wasn’t for the topbox issue I probably wouldn’t have bothered with either of them for the water-bottle challenge, but as it turns out (and fearing I may be disqualified, dare I say, very unfairly) they both came in very handy. The panniers and topbox would take enough stuff for my upcoming two-up, week-long trip, but the tankbag would be a great addition. GARETH ASHMAN