In keeping with plans to use the ES700 as a lightweight adventure tourer , Editor Ben fits a bolt-on rack solution to Big Reg .
LONG TERM TEST
WORDS & PHOTOS : Ben Wilkins
luggage pt . 1
In keeping with plans to use the ES700 as a lightweight adventure tourer , Editor Ben fits a bolt-on rack solution to Big Reg .
Trying to figure out how I ’ m going to kit out my bike for the trips I ’ m planning on taking is one of the joys of motorcycling for me . I ’ m not just a get on the bike and ride kinda guy . I like tinkering in the shed with my bike , you know , improving it or trying out alternative ways of doing things . That could be suspension , tyres , handlebars or footpegs . It ’ s the same with luggage . On my old BMW R80GS I ’ ve got some Mosko Moto Backcountry panniers which are great on that bike , but the bags and mounting brackets come in at 9kg before they ’ ve even got anything in them . And that ’ s before fitting any frames to fit them to . As I want the ES700 to be a lightweight adventure machine , capable of four wheel drive tracks and trails , rather than just gravel roads , I figured the Mosko panniers would be too heavy .
LUGGAGE RACK So , first things first , I was after a rack on the back that would give somewhere to strap gear , but could also be used as hand holds when manhandling the bike in trickier terrain . This rack is from GasGas ’ own selection of kit for the