HOT STUFF
YAMAHA
Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré Ventura Bike Pack System
Expect to pay £259.96 for L-brackets, Pack Rack and Spada Pack (as illustrated)
Yamaha’s new XT1200Z Super Ténéré is pricey, but if you’re lucky enough to own one of these dual-road mile-munchers you may be looking for a way to carry more than can fit in those factory panniers. With the potential to add a further 102 litres of carrying capability to the Super Ténéré, the Ventura system is substantially lighter, less complex and cheaper than traditional hard luggage. Combining the best features of soft and hard luggage, Ventura’s bike-specific rack mounting system is easy to fit and doesn’t add width to the machine. It also keeps the load stable and secure, and ensures it won’t shift, even when riding rough, off-road routes.
Ventura’s unique ‘slide on/ride off ’ fitment means you’re not naffing about with bungees and the associated tape to stop them scratching your pride and joy, and it’s quick and simple to detach when you’re parked up. Packs come in a variety of styles and sizes, from a 35-litre weekend bag to a massive 56-litre rally pack, and some models may be zipped together to deliver 102-litre capacity. You also can fit an extra pillion Grab Handle or a Sport Rack depending on what you need from your bike and the system. For further details and a full list of fitments and pack options, call Ventura UK on 01256 704909 or visit www.venturabike.co.uk
ZARD
ZARD Exhausts
£406 (BMW R 1200 GS) £466 (Triumph Tiger 1050)
ZARD was formed back in 2003 by a group of specialists who wanted to forge their own company in the cut-throat business of aftermarket exhausts. They now do an ever-widening range which is brought into the UK via Speedycom. The good thing is that ZARD has embraced the adventure bike market and does a number of exhausts for tourers and adventure machines, including a raft of BMWs, Ducati’s Multistrada family, Triumph’s Tiger 1050 and Moto Guzzi Stelvio. Check out the website for fitment and costs for your make and model of machine. www.speedycom.co.uk
RST
RST Paragon II suit
£159.99 (jacket) £129.99 (trousers)
At the other end of the price scale from last edition’s Rukka Armadillo suit, RST offers good, solid products which are more than affordable. The Paragon II has a 600D Polyester ‘Maxtex’ and 1680D Ballistic Nylon outer shell (er, pardon?); a Texland ‘Humax Z’ waterproof, breathable membrane (ditto); a detachable ‘Contour’ plus CE-approved armour and a back protector as part of the package. The thermal linings in both the trousers and jacket are removable and there’s also a face-mask which can be zipped off the collar of the jacket. A storm flap and waterproof zip keeps the rain at bay; in summer you’ll need to use the zip intake and exhaust vents, while adjustable waistband and arm adjusters stop you flapping in the wind. The trousers come with comfort-stretch panels and calf-zips. Plenty of pockets in the jacket too, and it comes in sizes 40-50 with colours being black/gunmetal, black/fluorescent yellow and a smart rally-raid sand colour. ABR contributor Bertie Simmonds has been using his Paragon II for the past couple of months and is impressed, although the waist fastening is simply Velcro with a plastic loop and has a tendency to pop open under stress; metal poppers would be better here. Also, the face-mask needs to be done up full, otherwise the exposed Velcro fastening on the back of the collar sticks to the rear of your helmet, meaning you can’t move your noggin! www.rstmoto.com
