Available to an extremely wide breadth of models, non-sportbikes included, the Ventura system is specially made to fit each bike, and I don't mean by way of universal parts that demand hammer and channel-lock-tweaking to fit correctly. The mounting hardware's shaped and sized to your specific bike ensuring ease of instalment, a proper fit and damage-free travel.

The spartan assemblage of parts consists of two L-Brackets, two subframe brackets, necessary nuts & bolts, Pack-Rack and Aero bags. Initial installation differs from model to model, but should only consume up to two hours of time with succeeding installations requiring only 15-30 minutes.

Our T595 Triumph Daytona test-mule necessitated the removal of the rear tail section and a minor portion of the inner fender to be cut away. The subframe brackets slid into the appropriate ends on either side, after which the bodywork was reinstalled. L-Brackets are then attached to passenger footpegs and the subframe brackets, creating a rigid mounting system. Next is placing the Pack-Rack onto the ends of the L-Brackets. Leaving all nuts & bolts loose at this point will allow the Pack-Rack to slide into place easier. Once the Pack-Rack is in place tighten the locking bolts with the supplied key, not doing so will allow the bolt to vibrate loose.

Aero packs are available in 34-liter Delta and 45-liter Spada sizes and are usable in singular or tandem fashion. Slide an Aero-Pack over the tall, sissy-bar-like appendage of the Pack-Rack then secure it by means of straps and buckles located on the rear of the pack. If using both packs, simply zip the second to the first while also attaching it to the rack with supplied straps. Besides packing your gear, you're done. The packs come with optional shoulder straps in order to morph them into backpacks for an afternoon at the racetrack. Since their time in service they haven't lost a stitch, busted a zipper or allowed any rain to dampen their inside.

After using the system on numerous occasions covering thousands of miles it deserves two-thumbs-up, four stars or high marks from whichever system of ranking you prefer. The Triumph is as scratch-free now as it was at this time last year. The machine may look top-heavy with both bags in use, but their combined weight is far less than that of the average passenger. Once in motion, and due to a complete lack of load shifting, there's a tendency to forget the system is even attached.

A basic kit, including all mounting hardware, Pack-Rack, Sport-Rack and Spada Pack, retails for around $300 and all materials and workmanship are covered under a one-year limited warranty. To see more you can access their website at www.ventura-bike.com or by calling 800-688-6439.

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