What Racks do people have?

[AndyL]

I'd like to add at least a top box and possibly panniers to my bike. My old 125 has a rentec rack and a givi monolock case. It's only rated to 3kg though so was planning to go for something a bit stronger.
 
I doubt I'll be able to get a wingrack unless someone has a source for making a fitting kit but it seems easy enough to get the Givi top box kit. Other then Rentec rack & my current box is there anything I should look at?
 
 

[dcurzon]

I got my givi rack and plate from an eBay shop in Italy, much cheaper than in the uk!

[Punkstig]

There's krouser and shad pannier racks on ebay atm, but then you'd need shad or krouser boxes!
I have a homemade top box rack with a givi plate mounted which will fit both givi and kappa boxes!

[griff86]

I'm interested in this as I'd like to have a set of side panniers(hard)but without a top box, I'd like to have something that when the panniers aren't on there isn't a massive rack hanging there.

[AndyL]

I doubt I'd often want to use panniers and top box so had though about getting two boxes to be used as either. I think I may be staying with the previous method of topbox, tankbag and strapping extra stuff to the pillion seat.

[Arbie]

Givi stuff is nice quality and pretty sturdy. I went for the monorack with the monokey plate which ive also got on me Blackbird so I can just use the one topbox.

[unfazed]

Full Nonfango kit, rack, side rails, top box and panniers.
Bought them years ago, because when the panniers are fitted they are still less the width of the mirrors.
Makes it easier to filter and get through tight spaces without have to think if the panniers will get through.
Like a cats whiskers if the mirrors get through the panniers will. 

[AndyL]

It's a givi monolock E45 I've got at the moment. It's been good but it's only rated at 3kg so thought about upgrading to the monokey stuff. 

[Fuzzy]

I have a givi wingrack 2 with a E52 Maxia topbox and either E21 or B36N, both allow the back end to be narrower than the front of the bike. Almost always using the topbox but panniers are only for Euro tours or other long trips.

Wingracks are easy to come by, as you say it's the fitting kit that is getting rare...

[AndyL]

Can you confirm what's in the fitting kit?


I've seen these at a couple of places and wondered if it would work.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121259550603?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


I don't have a car so the bike is used for everything. I think the most common time I ran out of space on the other bike was doing first aid cover at events. As well as carrying uniform plus kit to the event storing motorbike gear away from the bike was a problem.

[Fuzzy]

Same boat here, I sometimes do the shopping with this set-up and you can get a full trolley's worth of shopping in!

Anyway, I've just taken a few photos for you, will upload later today when I have more time.

I believe the fitting kit consists of a new pillion grab handle, a bracket attached to the pillion pegs on either side and a bar to brace at the back by the number plate. Will make more sense with pics I'm sure. The trickiest to replicate will be the grab handle I reckon. Many people have had good luck with the Givi universal kits, although I have not heard of anybody with a FZS600 who's done it.

[Fuzzy]

Here we go

[AndyL]

Thanks,


I guess the tricky part of making something will be the grab bar section. It doesn't look impossible though.
I think when I was last looking I did find the part number for the fitting kit.

[Fuzzy]

Yes - the earlier pre 2000 models have a similar tubular grab rail so you might be able to get a couple of fixtures clamped onto it. Might not need to weld anything up in that case (as long as it's solid enough) and it'll mean you can adjust it easily to get it right.

If you're in London you're welcome to come have a look in person.

[stevierst]

Yes - the earlier pre 2000 models have a similar tubular grab rail so you might be able to get a couple of fixtures clamped onto it. Might not need to weld anything up in that case (as long as it's solid enough) and it'll mean you can adjust it easily to get it right.

As far as I can remember, the tubular grab rail is aluminium, so you can't weld steel to it!

I made my own rack out of box section steel, and knocked a few out for FOC-u members a while back. It replaced the grab rail, and used the original bolts too. I carried a hell of a lot of kit to work on that bike!!

[AndyL]

It was you that made me think of getting something welded up!  Do you think you could make a fitting kit if I got a wingrack?

[stevierst]

Probably. Where are you in the UK?

[AndyL]

Nottingham

[stevierst]

Aah, I'm in Blackpool. A bit too far away really.

[AndyL]

I've sourced a wingrack & fitting kit. I know it's not going to look great but it's a working bike and this should help me a lot. I was thinking of going V46 + E41 panniers but am concerned this may be a bit much.  In overall volume 88 litres would be enough but I like the idea of being able to fit bulky items in all the boxes. I will be transporting bulky coats and then storing all my bike gear on the bike.
 
I know the big panniers will make filtering difficult/unlikely but I don't expect to be doing that with the panniers on anyway.
 

[stevierst]

With regards to the space and the size if the cases, I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

[Fuzzy]

Personally I would go with the biggest topbox you can get, I have a Maxia E52, there is the E55 too.

I much prefer smaller panniers, or slimmer to be more precise. Filtering and parking is soooo much nicer. I have E21s which are great and B35Ns which are just as slim, but I use these less. The toploading nature of the E21s is useful.

I have a pair of E36s for sale if you're interested though - I found them much too large for my needs.

[Mattsplat]

SW Motech Blaze saddlebags for me 

I hate racks on a bike...