5 Star Luggage Rack Alternatives?

[Chilly Willy]

Hi all,

I was researching prices on 5 Star racks for top and side Givi cases.  Each set of racks (top and side) cost $400.  Add the cost of the cases themselves and I will have spent more on luggage than on the bike itself.

Sooooo I'm wondering if there are any alternative rack brands?  I've read up on the home-made rack by GSJack and Kerry's soft-luggage links.  What I'm wanting is 5 Star type racks without the 5 Star prices.

Chilly

[Lukewarm Wilson]

Have a look at Ventura for the soft luggage bag and rack its the best, just surprised more people in the states don't use them every second bike in Australia has one the other half don't have luggage

http://www.ventura-bike.com/english/products/pack_system/index.html

[bubba zanetti]

Have a look at Ventura for the soft luggage bag and rack its the best, just surprised more people in the states don't use them every second bike in Australia has one the other half don't have luggage

http://www.ventura-bike.com/english/products/pack_system/index.html

+1, I've just put one on & they're brilliant. Plus you can fit a lot of crap in the bags. 

[Chilly Willy]

Which one did you use?  I checked the fitment guide but couldn't find anything for my 94 GS500e.

Chilly

[Toledo Jim]

Chilly, they are there, just way down the fitment page.

[Kansas GS]

dont see any prices on the website. Any idea how much?

[Chilly Willy]

Chilly, they are there, just way down the fitment page.

Oh yeah,  way down there on the page.  Oops.

Cool!  I just got a link to the nearest distributer (Lynwood).

Chilly

[Toledo Jim]

Let us know pricing.

[bubba zanetti]

I just paid $370 AUD for mine, so maybe you could use that as a guide. ATM one Australian dollar is buying about 75 US cents, I'll let you clever guys work the rest out. 

[Chilly Willy]

Does that price include the mounting equipment and pack, or just the pack?  Also, how sturdy is it all?

Chilly

[bubba zanetti]

That price is the whole kit & caboodle, rack, bag & mounting brackets specifically for the bike.

The rack is rock solid as its bolted to the subframe.

When I get my computer back at home I'll take some pics & post them. Probably in the next day or so.

[Lukewarm Wilson]

Includes bag and rack and they are rock solid, the only problem and Bubba can probably confirm this it takes a bit of effot to fit, the bolt holes for mine were about 2mm out with a bit of leverage with a screwdriver it lined up and fitted and I have never looked back and there a hell of lot better the the hard top boxes as they are easy to carry and store and they stand up well to punishment my friend crashed with his on fully loaded with only a slight grazing to the bag it did not split or tear and everything inside survived did we also mention the bags expand to hold more.
I wouldn't bother to use any other system

[bubba zanetti]

Includes bag and rack and they are rock solid, the only problem and Bubba can probably confirm this it takes a bit of effot to fit, the bolt holes for mine were about 2mm out with a bit of leverage with a screwdriver it lined up and fitted and I have never looked back and there a hell of lot better the the hard top boxes as they are easy to carry and store and they stand up well to punishment my friend crashed with his on fully loaded with only a slight grazing to the bag it did not split or tear and everything inside survived did we also mention the bags expand to hold more.
I wouldn't bother to use any other system

As LW stated they are a PITA to fit but thats the only problem I found with them.

[bubba zanetti]

Heres some pics

[gsJack]

All the pics, Bubba's and those on the Ventura's site, show the bag mounted over the passenger seat.  Can the bag be mounted behind the vertical frame leaving the passenger seat free for 2 up or allowing room for an old man to get on?   



I can find no mention of waterproofing, are the Ventura bags totally waterproof like the hard bags are?  I struggled with soft luggage for years and most leaked even with so called rain covers at higher speeds in heavy rain.  I found the Givi bag to be totally waterproof in monsoon like rains. 

[Grainbelt]

Heres some pics

LMAO at your dog - just like every beagle I've ever seen, nose on the ground, tail in the air. Cute dogs, we had one when I was a kid. Nice bike as well.

Yes, you can mount the bag on the rack behind the bike. Thats why the little rack is there.

[Chilly Willy]

Here's a link with pricing info for WA:

http://www.cycleventure.com/products/pack_system/index.htm

Chilly

[bubba zanetti]

The reason for having the bag at the front of the rack is just have the weight more centred while riding one up. Two up riding the bag goes on the rack.

You can get storm covers for the bags, but I don't know how well they work. They're something you have to buy seperate.

I've only been using the setup for a few days & I'm pretty happy with it so far.


I'm sure that dog spends most of his time with his nose on the ground. He's a fairly good dog, specially since he's starting to lose his puppy habits. Taking him for walks can be a challenge at times when he gets that nose of his going.