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Let's talk about racks.

Started by romulux, July 22, 2010, 07:00:10 AM

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romulux

Because who doesn't love racks?


There are a few options out there and I thought I would collect them all together since I'm trying to figure out which one I will buy.  I don't know how to weld nor do I have equipment or I would build my own.

It turns out that many options are from Europe where the little GS500 is more popular.




SW-Motech has some options.  You may find a distributor in the US.  Twistedthrottle.com may be able to get you whatever you want?
I'm guessing it would be around $200 for a basic setup.  There is no vertical component like that found on the Ventura system.  You basically buy the base rack and then an adapter plate.  Then you buy a top box and secure it to the adapter.

GS500E
GS500F




Hepco & Becker offer a full rack system.  You can set your GS500 to be a serious mini sport tourer with big-name hard cases like Givis.  One of the forum members here has or had a setup like this on a GS500F -- very cool.  You can also use only the tail rack portion -- the system is flexible and allows you to remove the side rack component without removing the tail.  It's very difficult to find in the US.  Your best bet will probably be contacting a store like Twistedthrottle.com and seeing if they can get one in for you.  I don't know the cost.





Ventura has what looks like a nice system.  There is a vertical bar you can use to secure stuff on the passenger seat as well as the horizontal rack part that extends over the back of the bike.  They really push the combination of their rack with their packs.  Looks like it would be $230 or so?  Expensive but one of the best options.


K1-K4 E models
Other Suzuki bikes (lots of 500 models listed)




Renntec is another UK manufacturer.  They offer two styles, both for about EU 70.  This is actually available in the US for $130.  Click the second link.  The web page is heinous, but you should be able to find GS500 listed there.

http://www.renntec.co.uk/iqs/cpti.501/suzuki_gs500_accessories.html
http://www.revsperformance.com/renntec/sports_racks.htm




Five Stars is another European manufacturer.  Again, a little hard to find stateside.  This looks very similar to the Hepco & Becker.  Price looks relatively low (for a rack system) at EU 110.

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/core/media/media.nl;jsessionid=0a0104451f43042b3cca52c44274bd4ad56e62d21e89.e3eSbNmQaheLe3qNbi0?id=2362&c=731612&h=248a8e2fc7fa0e64e341



Suzuki had an OEM rack that is now obsolete.  It was available for 01-02 model years.  You may be able to find one on ebay.  It was around $85 new.





I'll continue updating this later.  Please chime in with what racks you have used and how well they have worked out.
GS500K1

I don't know anything about anything.  Follow suggestions found on the internet at your own risk.

gsJack

TwistedThrottle sells the SW-Motech racks and also the Givi racks both of which are available for later model GSs but have dropped the ones for the older models.  The also handle the expensive Five Star racks but they must be special ordered. I've never seen the SW-Motech rack on a GS500 but saw one on a Bandit 1200, I think that would be my choice if I were to buy another rack, I like a Givi case mounted as low and as far forward as possible.  My son has a Ventura rack with a small Givi case mounted on his 97 GS and it looks solid.

I made my own rack for my former 97 GS mounted only to the passanger grab handle and it held up for years carrying only soft luggage.  I bought the no longer made Suzuki rack for my 02 GS and had to add braces to support it when I mounted a Givi E33 case on it, it's been on there for 6 yrs and 70k miles so far.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/gsrackpics.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GiviRackPics.jpg

Rather than buy another rack however I'd probably make something to hold the Givi monolock base plate for the same $10-15 that I spent on the 97 GS rack.   :thumb:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500_givi_rack.jpg

I recall at least one gstwin member getting the Shad cases and racks from Binetto:

http://www.binetto.com/SHAD-Motorcases/
407,400 miles in 30 years for 13,580 miles/year average.  Started riding 7/21/84 and hung up helmet 8/31/14.

mister

#2
I've got the Ventura Rack and "luv it Jerry".

On longer trips where I need more Stuff, I take the Ventura bag - which can be zipped together with another such bag for Double the storage. Otherwise, just a normal sport bag with my Stuff and hockey strapped to the rack  :thumb:

The rack has a sticker which says Not To Be Used As A Backrest. But I figure, if it can hold the Ventura bag full of gear a smaller passenger can use it as a last resort to lean against  :icon_mrgreen:







Michael
GS Picture Game - Lists of Completed Challenges & Current Challenge http://tinyurl.com/GS500PictureGame and http://tinyurl.com/GS500PictureGameList2

GS500 Round Aust Relay http://tinyurl.com/GS500RoundAustRelay

romulux

Updated with photos & more info.
GS500K1

I don't know anything about anything.  Follow suggestions found on the internet at your own risk.

Anaconda

thanks a lot romulux, great info! :thumb:

simon79

I'll throw a couple pics of my Givi Monorack supports + top plate which I bought a month ago.




It's a topcase-oriented setup which can occasionally double as a luggage rack if needed.
Maximum load capacity: 5 kg (11 lb).

For those interested, supports are Givi 526F (specific for Suzuki GS500-GS500F; pre-'00 GS500E's must get 524F) and the plate is Givi MM (Monolock topcase system; M2 or M3 plates can also be fitted but they take Monokey system topcases).

'06 Yamaha FZ6N - Ex bike: Suzuki GS500 K1

Aedin

ive got the ventura rack, i love it.

romulux

I just bought and installed the Ventura rack.  It's expensive and installation is a pain in the ass.  It's not hard to install, just very tedious.

I think it was about $250 shipped for the L-bracket and the pack rack.  They really try to push you into buying one of their rack packs (really just a nylon bag), but they're ridiculously overpriced, so I just bought the rack.

On the upside, it's quite secure feeling.  It has a max weight rating of 110 lbs. which is a lot more than most anything else I've seen.

On the downside, the actual "gear rack" portion of the system is very short.  It should extend about twice as far to the rear as it does.  It would probably be worth taking it to a welder and having them extend it a bit.

I'll have a better idea of how well I like it after I take a trip loaded with camping gear.
GS500K1

I don't know anything about anything.  Follow suggestions found on the internet at your own risk.

tykho

Lets talk about the other kind of racks :P
2007 Honda CBR600RR - Sold
2007 Suzuki GS500F - Totalled
2000 Yamaha YZF-R6
2003 Honda CBR954RR: PCIII, Micron Full System, ASV Levers, K&N Intake, Renthal Sprockets

trip01

Thanks for info on packs & Racks.

I have decided to purchase the Ventura Touring Pack....

L brackets S092/B
Pack Rack PF14/B
Bike Pack AeroSpanda VII (51Ltr) has shoulder straps & can join 2 together.

Total package quoted was $459.00 from local bike shop.


Kind Rgds
Dave
GS500F 4/2011  :thumb:
Kind Rgds
Dave

Falcon01

I bought the Shad top rack ($103) for my k9, and the Shad SH-40 to go on top.  Been using it for about a year and love it.  The rack was easy to install.


http://www.cycleluggage.com/shad_s0gs51st.html

Cerberus73

I have 2 of the rentec racks on my bikes, one is currently fitted to my main hack ride. and i have one i recently purchased for my other project GS. Im gonna try and get the rack adapted to take side panniers as well. as i can't find a rack at a reasonable price that will take side boxes on a GS500E so the only option is to adapt and modify.

Toner

Here's one I haven't seen mentioned

Krauser do a rack and side carrier for the gs500
http://www.krauser.de/bike.php?language=2
You have to select gs500 to see the products.

You can attach the these soft sidebags to the side carrier: 
http://www.krauser.de/produkte/skyline_bison.php?language=2
or these hard ones: 
http://www.krauser.de/produkte/k4.php?language=2

The rack needs a plate to attach krauser top boxes but it can also take a hepco and Becker plate to take those top boxes.
Both companies belong to the same business so the plates are just slightly different meaning a krauser rack will not take a hepco and becker top box and vice versa though you think they might because they look so similar.
hepco alurack plate: http://www.moto24.co.uk/hepco-becker-universal-alu-rack-37854.html 
krauser alurack plate: http://www.moto24.co.uk/krauser-universal-alurack.html

I've bolted on a givi topbox using some flat brackets I bought and haven't bothered getting either plate. I do want to get a h&b plate so I can get one of these hepco and becker "junior" topboxes. They have a few different sizes: 
http://www.moto24.co.uk/hepco-becker-topcase-junior-tc-40.html

Here's some pictures of the rack on my bike.
The way it attaches is the strongest rack I came across. I think they said it could take 10kg. The weight rests on a bar that pushes onto the the area above the license plate.

http://imgur.com/a/qBDIA

I have the grab bar left on in these pics but you have to take it off so a topbox fits. The bars on the rack provide a good hold for pinion riders anyway.
The krauser rack is attached in some pics but this has been take off to attach my givi topbox with just some flat brackets I bought in a hardware store.

Before someone asks, on the saddle is a net cover I imported from Thailand (I think). It was originally on my honda anf saddle but fitted the gs500 saddle too. The idea is that rain falls through the netting so you never have a wet seat.

H&B also do a complete carrier set. It's like the Krauser one but slightly different: 
https://www.louis.de/en/artikel/h_b-complete-carrier/10024432?list=14231189 
I think this guy as it on his bike: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgm4dwy0TJ4

First post! :cheers: 
Figured I'd give something before I start hassling you all with questions eventually  :D

[attachment deleted by admin]

lexiyntax

I like the Ventura pack racks (have one on my GS500F and another on my CBR250R), but I'm not a big fan of their bags. They lack of d-rings on the outside for securing additional items for one thing, which I make use of regularly.



I use a Rapid Transit Battalion for my daily commute, and a Division for longer trips. They both work very well on the Ventura racks. Only downside with the Battalion is plastic connectors for the backpack straps, ended up using some wire to reinforce them. Division uses metal at those points; particularly important due to how much one can stuff into it.

Tekime

#14
Not a rack system but in a pinch I picked up a Cortech Super 2.0 24L Tail Bag. It also has a saddle bag set that snaps on. Generic fit on the bike with straps so no serious load, but for day trips this thing is excellent. Comes with a quick release, nice rubberized carrying handle and a shoulder strap that clips on quickly, plus the inside is nice red felt with several pockets, pencil holder (I love my pencils), and the pack also expands and has reflective striping. Pretty happy with it for $115 (bought local, can get online a bit cheaper)

On my bike:



Manu shot w/ saddlebags:

2005 Suzuki GS500F • 1990 Suzuki DR350 • 1989 Yamaha FJ1200
tekime.com - motorcycles & stuff

noworries

Ventura zips, particularly on pannier bags, don't stand up to heavy use...speaking from experience.  Be careful too with second hand Ventura luggage racks...they aren't all the same size, there are a number of models.  And what about all the Ventura crap of having to return bits of your bag labels to get  new l-bars. Funny stuff, that.

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