DSC Club Member
Ducati Meccanica
Bikes: '01 Ducati 748R and '04 Mille RSVR
Posts: 2,665
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Nr Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire
Mood: Awaiting the arrival of the sun and the disappearance of the rain
I know you've said you don't want "to go for the expense of the full Ventura", but I have to say it deffo isn't false economy. It's worth it on a Duke.
The system is bulletproof, easy to fit, easy to remove/put back on, and is super stable ( I was doing knee-down antics in Germany with a full pack like in Antonye's pic) and never felt as tho there was anything on the back of the bike let alone 20-25kg of clothes and camera gear.
You can get 2nd hand kit if you look and are lucky.
As for the 748 as a tourer. As Ray says. It'll eat the miles and pay you back with smiles.