Hi all, I just got myself my first bike, and was looking around for luggage options so I can take it on longer trips and commute to work.  I just picked up some leather saddlebags for cheap from craig's list ($30. worth the try) and as I'm sure you all know that failed miserably- cruiser saddlebags put weight on the plastic tailpieces.  Dur.  
    So anyway, has anyone found a metal rack that bolts well to the pillion bar, or some other good luggage option that won't cost me a fortune (I'm declaring a fortune to be over $100 right now, as I've gone and blown all my money on the motorcycle, work on the forks, and gear.  Ideally I'd like some flat surface to strap a cargo net around in back, but haven't found any that explcitly claim to fit.  Any anecdotes of attemps would be appreciated.
Ooh, sweet smiley; I don't  think we'll see this on BeginnerBikers i :nana:

Peace,
                              -Dan

in 02 they listed a factory one in the accessory manual, you'll probably end up harrassing suzuki though cause I don't know if they still list it.   I made one for my bike, it looks ok, and will hold well over 200 lbs.  last I remember though Kerry had the pics of it, you'll have to harrass him for more info.  GSJack has a homemade one and the factory one (that has to be braced) I almost forgot, if you see one of Kerry's posts click on the link at the bottom for his site, there is a whole lot of info about the gs, and there is a page on the givi rack system.  costly but if your looking for hard luggage it's the way to go.   and welcome to the site.

search for a thread with 'Cortech Sport' in the title - Roadstergal just picked up some soft saddlebags for her 05.

I have a small tank bag that takes care of my commuting duties.  You can find a tailpack (there's one that matches Roadstergal's bags, actually) for a little over $100.

I have sport bags and a tail bag from Joe Rocket. Thay work great for me.
I also have a tank bag for day trips.

There are lots of options about, GSJack wrote some informative stuff with pictures some while back about both his Suzuki and home-made racks. Kerry, I think may have five-star (or 5 star). I use a Renntec (same as my engine bars) to mount my Givi box on. i think they are all pretty similar, it just depends a lot on availability wherever you are.

Hello Remy_Marathe,

As mentioned by others Givi and Renntec make luggage racks but they are for top cases only for the GS500.  The 5 Star luggage racks are available in both top and side versions as special order items from http://www.twistedthrottle.com// .  

Also check out                                                                          http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16314&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= .

For your budget if you want hard luggage racks you are going to have to build them your self because the other options are expensive. (see the above link for ideas)

Good luck.


Bob

Quote from: un1261I have sport bags and a tail bag from Joe Rocket. Thay work great for me.
I also have a tank bag for day trips.

+1

I have the same stuff but from Nelson-Rigg. No issues and easy to deal with.  

I ended up going the semi-expensive route and getting some Tourmaster cortech sport saddlebags.  No complaints so far, and between those and the milk crate/cargo net combination, I can carry a lot of stuff.
    The milk crate would've lasted me, if I hadn't decided to blow the $100 on saddlebags.  Two tough orange bungees, a $4 crate, a cargo net to cover it, and a jolly-roger sticker and you've got a cheap touring machine!

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20291

is gonna cost you a buck  

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16314&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
for previous discussions on making your own rack....

I don't know if you can still get it but Suzuki had an official Tail Rack accessory for the 2001-2002 GS500:



Cut this pic out of the PDF I saved three years ago.  I was thinking strongly of ordering it, but alas, that was just a feable thought.  Still, if you're serious, perhaps give a dealer a call and see if they can order the part number shown above.

Nelson-Rigg sport saddle bags and tail bag. Commute every day with dress shoes, pants and tie stuffed neatly inside. Also get my java fix in a DD thermos and stuff it in as well. Life is good :mrgreen: