Looking for a cargo rack for the back end of my GS500F. Not really interested in a hard case, just a luggage rack to tie things down. I saw TwistedThrottle has one by Five Star and one by Givi, but no illustrations.

Who has added a rack to the back of a GS500F and what does anyone suggest? Any photos of what you've put on your GS500F?

You could check out these guys;

http://www.hepco-becker.de/_eng/traeger.html#

Check out this "Let's Talk About Racks" thread http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53281.0

Michael

I've just posted some details about my Givi setup in the thread linked above.
I have a naked GS but the tail section is same as your F.

I know most members are in the States, but for those in Eorupe (and UK specifically), I've had good experiences with this site: http://www.motorbikesandparts.co.uk - they've got good selection of racks and luggage boxes and decent prices.  You put your make and model in - and it'll show you what you can get for your specific bike.

As my GS already came with the box, I didn't have to do anything , but I got the setup for my previous Yamaha from them - rack, plate and box all for about £90.  And three different dealers told me that nobody made boxes for that Yamaha model.  What a load of b..l!

Thanks for the info. I was out of the country when the other thread started and given the abundance of threads always starting, I missed it.
Did see some nice bikes in Berlin - even a pre 2002 mint GS500, a couple Bandits and a GSX1400!
Kawasaki and BMW were most popular in Berlin.

SW-MOTECH Alu-Rack Toprack: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/238/78/
plus
SW-MOTECH Alu-Rack Topcase Adapter Plate: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/5417/533/

The Rentec is what I was thinking of so I ordered it and the pack for it. Couldn't find it in the US so ordered it from the UK. Price was lower but add on shipping and just about the same price as in the US if it was available here (i.e. in stock somewhere or back ordered with some idea of when they would ship it to me).

Thanks again to all for your suggestions and links.

Got it and installed it today. It looks nice.


However, I will need to cut out a section of the mounting to allow access to the tool storage area. Otherwise it is really nice and simple to install.
Gray area will be removed.


Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions.
Where would I be without this message board?

Sorry for dredging one up from the past....what was the verdict on the Rentec rear mount? Thinking about this an an alternative to the SW-Motech and Givi. What box, if any did you put on it and how much load? Any bouncing?

Thanks,
Jon.

It is very sturdy. I sold it to another member locally - bluesmudge I think - and he bolted a box to it.
It is a plain, generic rack not designed for any box. More designed for a bag of stuff held on with bungee cords.

The Givi Monolock cases come with a mounting plate designed to clamp onto a tubular luggage rack like that Renntec.  I had a Suzuki rack on my 02 that I clamped the enclosed base plate for a E33 Monolock to all quick and easy.  A couple weeks later a friend riding behind told me the case was bouncing up and down and I had to add some braces to it.  The Suzuki rack mounted to the 2 bolts that held the passenger grab handle to a light weight frame member that was not sturdy enough to hold the case and was starting to crack.  Suzuki didn't make that rack very long and that was probably the reason.  That looks like a new design Renntec rack that has a 4 point mounting design in Addy's pics and may be OK now, maybe bluesmudge will reply. I do recall some complaints about the earlier design Renntec racks but don't recall the details.

My E33 has been on my 02 GS now for approx. 9 years and 90k miles and has been solid as a rock since I braced it carrying considerably more than you (gti5notrkt) are talking about.  On a typical 400 mile high speed Interstate trip to the mountains I had it stuffed with clothes for a week and the lightweight Monolock and clothes weighed 30-35# together and I'd never know it was back there as far as handling goes.  Carried 2 gallons of milk and a half gallon of ice cream home in it one day and a couple gallons of oil other times. 

I had a homemade luggage rack I bolted to the grab handle only on my 97 GS and used it for years with soft luggage only but never had a Give box on it:



Suzuki rack:

I just got a Renntec this last x-mas.  I've only used it a few times but I really like it.  It's very sturdy.  I did have to move my tool pouch into a saddle bag though.

Rack mounting + stress on sub-frame. The most forward mount of the Ventura j-bar uses the bolts up and under the rear fender. Provides a fulcrum effect where stresses on the subframe are down at the rack rear mount and up at the forward mount.
Just a bit of useless info!

Hey guys,

I am looking for a box for the back of my GS500F to store two helmets because I often have an extra passenger.

Would I have to get the luggage rack from twisted throttle in addition to a case like the one below :

http://www.amazon.com/Saddlemen-HC2900-Hard-Case-Trunks/dp/B001UJH9JU

Let me know ..

Thanks!