Guten abend (morgen?) AW, yes I have followed and enjoyed this thread with a smile, you are doing what many of us would if we had time and money (and all those handy chinese mates about).

My girlfriend is too lazy and scared to ride herself but has a fatalistic trust in me. As soon as I get a full license we will head off for a few kilometers into the bush, not fast as my present bike is only 200cc.

My thoughts (not criticism) are that personally I would move the carriers back just six inches or so further than you and angle them in line with the narrowing shape of the bike, thus giving leg room for a passenger and also allowing a lower angle through long curves (which after all is the thrill the lasses want from us and an excuse for them to hold on tight ...). Mind you, I found out a few days ago it isn't all that easy to lean fast with knobbies if you don't have a berm to guide you, had to straighten up in the middle of a bend and take to the grass!

What is next? Long-range tank and sat nav?