Touratech - The Ultimate in Equipment and Accessories for All Things Adventure Touring
"Some say opportunity knocks only once, That is not true. Opportunity knocks all the time, but you have to be ready for it. If the chance comes, you must have the equipment to take advantage of it." - Louis L'Amour quotes (American writer, author, 1908-1988)
"He's the type who makes mountains out of molehills and then sells climbing equipment." - Anonymous
"It matters little how much equipment we use; it matters much that we be masters of all we do use." - Sam Abell
"The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment." - Warren G. Bennis
Yes, it's true that the first travelers left their dwellings equipped with little more than a spear or knife, some dried meat and an animal skin wrapped around their torso. But where is the fun in that? Today's modern adventure-touring motorcycle is the perfect traveling conveyance. It allows the rider to cover great distances in a relatively short amount of time, with only a small expenditure for fuel, and minimal impact on the environment. It allows you to not only see, but also feel, hear, taste and smell your surroundings. Unlike the "don't touch" isolation imposed by a car, the rider is vulnerable and exposed, meaning that he or she is approachable, and this results in genuine communion with the people inhabiting the lands the adventurer is journeying through.
Touratech is the world's finest provider of hardware and software for moto-adventuring. Their amazing range of products include accessories for the motorcycle itself, along with navigation systems and software, camping gear, rider wear, and travel documentaries on DVD. The bulk of their product line is designed and engineered in-house. A good portion of the products are also manufactured in-house using state-of-the-art CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machining, bending and laser-cutting equipment.
One of our favorite Touratech products are the Touratech/ZEGA panniers. We've tried different pannier systems over the years, and our riders continually test new and different systems on every tour. The Touratech products go the distance for a number of reasons:
- The wide variety of model-specific frame mounts are fabricated on a numerically-controlled, automated tube-bending machine, insuring consistent and precise fit every time.
- The panniers themselves have generously radiused corners, with a single seam-weld on the inside/center of the pannier wall. This makes for a far stronger case than one with edge welds and square corners. A square corner is a stress concentrator, and seam welds vary in consistency along their entire length.
- The custom extrusion used along the case/lid interface creates a precise fit between the pannier and its lid. A full perimeter silicon seal makes the case virtually watertight. In fact, the construction is so tight, if you descend in altitude since the last time the panniers were opened, you may have put some extra effort into removing the lid, as the increase in external air pressure can result in a partial vacuum inside the pannier!
- Properly used, the pannier latching system is very secure, and won't spring open after kilometers of ruts, potholes and washboard.
- The lids are removable, and make perfect trays for meals, or for holding parts and tools off the ground during maintenance and repair procedures in the field. If you're concerned about losing a panniers underway, detachable straps are available.
- Touratech has importers around the world should spare parts be needed, and they are generally available.
- The rectangular shape is the most efficient for tight packing.
Touratech has been wildly successful in its chosen field, as evidenced by their 2008 full-color catalog (which is also produced in-house!). The English edition is a hefty 836 pages thick.
Even more remarkable than the quality materials and fanatical engineering inherent in the products are the people who manage and run the company. Founders Herbert Schwarz and Jochen Schanz have been hugely successful by any measure, yet they remain humble, live a modest lifestyle, and pour their profits and resources back into the company and product line. Almost every employee rides, and they participate in rallies and expeditions to test their equipment in the field. Every year, they host a multi-day riding/rally/campout for their customers, riders like you and me. Over 3,000 attended this year.
We're lucky to have North American distributor Touratech-USA right here in Seattle. Founder Tom Myers and his crew are also adventure touring and off-road fanatics. They too host an annual event for their customers, the infamous GPS Ride. Tom is also founder of CycoActive, specializing in both mountain bike and motorcycle accessories.
Truly, we're honored to have the sponsorship, support, and friendship of Touratech AG and Touratech-USA. In the course of our long-haul tours, we put the products to the test everyday - they work, it's as simple as that!
For more information on Touratech products, the company, importers, and to order items online, please click on the Touratech logo below. Although Touratech is a sponsor of GlobeRiders, we do not receive any commission from purchases that you may make:
