Ventura Luggage/Rack Kit

First topic message reminder :

There are a lot of options for luggage out there and because some of us like to travel with more than a spare pair of jocks stuffed into a jacket pocket, I was looking for some temporary soft luggage that can be easily removed and stored for the rare occasion that I will need it. The salesman offered me the Ventura system probably because it was all he had at the time. I liked it so I have gradually collected the set.

The initial part of the set up is the rack. I have the smaller sports rack as well but for travelling the full rack is required.

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It doesn't look too bad and replaces the grab bar. The luggage itself is very versatile and can be easily tasked to suit your requirements.

The small bag is the Aero Delta. I am unsure why it zips flat. When flat it hold nearly nothing but with added shoulder straps is backpack size If I was going on a shopping trip with the misses and needed expandable luggage I wouldn't be taking the bandi.

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The larger bag is the Aero Spada. This is large enough to hold a helmet but I find it too large for casual use.

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The Aero Delta and Spada can zip together and sit on the same rack. This provides quite a large volume of luggage space but really is weight limited. I have searched the net for a weight capacity of the rack and all I could fine was vague suggestions of 9 kilo. The combined set up keeps the mass directly along the bikes spine and is completely unnoticeable when riding.

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My next purchase was the monza panniers set. I did this late one night when I was bored and tired at work. Only later did I realise that it might have been a mistake as I hadn't counted on the bags coming into contact with the exhaust. As you can see the staintune pipe is well away from the bag. The standard pipe may be an issue. I am really impressed with the panniers. They also expand but this time I understand why. By themselves they would carry enough for any weekend trip and not be weight limited like the rack bags.

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So when completely packed with the addition of the Thruxton magnetic tank bag the bandit looks like this.

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This is more than enough luggage space for me. Apparently if you flip the Spada/Delta bags around there is room for the pillion but only really if they are small and aren't too fussy about space.

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From behind you see that the bags don't interfere with the indicators or number plate also you can see that there is plenty of clearance from the pipe.

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To sum up I am very happy with my luggage. It is versatile and easily tasked to individual situations. However, there are limitations. And I am not talking about the obvious one regarding the complete lack of security. Yes there are locking zips but thats it so don't take your eye off it for long. Firstly, it is expensive for soft luggage. I have seen that the oxford and the dririder bags are cheaper. Also, only the thruxton tank bag came with a storm cover. They are available for all the others but at a cost. The tank bag is of the magnetic type so I wouldn't put cameras, phones, pads, etc in there. Which brings to mind what I will put in there as these are the things you want immediately available? I am not confident with the zips that join the Aero Spada and Delta. Yes there are two but it only take one to break and the system is useless. Other than that, I am now able to take more gear than I could possibly need in a clean and safe way. Bulk high, weight low. I can see I will be transporting other peoples stuff to the moto gp next time.

Cheers Mark

gus wrote:Boy, you really want one .I'll find out Saturday .I know they have some just not sure how much they want .($)
I'll offer them $10 again but if they say $25 what should i say .Its old stock they want to clear .

I see your nsw so i'll have to post it . $20 max i'll offer as there will be postage .

$25 is fine mate if you have to go that high. Thanks for doing this for me.

Lets see if i have this right .
You want the base the bag sits on , you are going to cut the loop off like i did ?

Does the rack have to fit a Bandit or can the posts be any distance apart .

gus wrote:Lets see if i have this right .
You want the base the bag sits on , you are going to cut the loop off like i did ?

Does the rack have to fit a Bandit or can the posts be any distance apart .

I want to fit a top box to the rack bit. So I need to cut the loop off so the top box lid will open. The rack does have to fit the current mounting brackets that are fitted to my 12.

I want 2 racks. One for the top box. One with the loop that takes the ventura bag (which is fitted at present).

Failing this maybe I can cut the loop off my current one and then when I want the loop back on I just have some tubing that fits up into the loop and in to the rack so I can refit the loop. Does anyone know what the inside diameter of the tubing is that is used on the ventura rack?

I just thought of this.

No you can't bush the rack to retake the loop. The loop has a bend that is very close to the rack. Back to needing 2 racks.

No good then ,they had loads of racks but none that will fit the Bandit .The locating posts were all further apart .

gus wrote:No good then ,they had loads of racks but none that will fit the Bandit .The locating posts were all further apart .

Cheers for finding out for me mate. Appreciate it.

Ross are you a good welder ?

gus wrote:Ross are you a good welder ?

30 years ago with tig when I made aircraft exhaust system I was. Why?

Ross. wrote:

gus wrote:Ross are you a good welder ?

30 years ago with tig when I made aircraft exhaust system I was. Why?

on my last bandit ,I used an aluminum plate and I used small stainless bolts to hold that onto the cut down ventura rack ( I mounted the top box base plate to this as I thought it would be stronger ) Also welded a couple of braces under the bottom corners for added support . After a while stress cracks appeared where I had mounted the plate to the rack .Just try to figure out a better way to fit the mounting plate to the rack with out drilling any holes in it & it may then be strong enough . Hope you can make sense of my gibberish Ross.

Could you use a rack that is wider and move the posts to the size to suit a bandit.?
If the answer is yes i can get you one .

gus wrote: Could you use a rack that is wider and move the posts to the size to suit a bandit.?
If the answer is yes i can get you one .

Sorry for late reply am at work. Yes i could do that so if you could get me a rack please.

paul wrote:

Ross. wrote:

gus wrote:Ross are you a good welder ?

30 years ago with tig when I made aircraft exhaust system I was. Why?

on my last bandit ,I used an aluminum plate and I used small stainless bolts to hold that onto the cut down ventura rack ( I mounted the top box base plate to this as I thought it would be stronger ) Also welded a couple of braces under the bottom corners for added support . After a while stress cracks appeared where I had mounted the plate to the rack .Just try to figure out a better way to fit the mounting plate to the rack with out drilling any holes in it & it may then be strong enough . Hope you can make sense of my gibberish Ross.

Makes sense mate. Half my problem is that I have limited tools. I have the ability just wish I had a workshop full of tube benders, tig welders, lathes and mills.