Rear rack overview

I've been pondering over the racks/misc.luggage thread:
https://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/oh-those-sweet-mods-f5/tail-racks-saddlebags-tank-bags-misc-luggage-t55.htm?highlight=rear+racks+++luggage+racks

I've never hankered for a rear rack on other bikes, just grabbed a bungee net and started strapping across the seat and tail. But I'm going to have to holler uncle on the WR, I can't find much of anyplace to tie anything down. I need a rear rack of some sort, new or used, ASAP. For those of you with racks, could I hear your opinions on what you have, and whether or not you'd buy it again? I like the smaller racks, anything too big and I'll knock the crap out of my knee everytime I swing my leg over. I don't like the Turbo City rack Doug (husband) has on his XT because of that reason. Thanks for any opinions you might offer.

Sarah

I have the E-Bay (seller: sr8dirt) rack and like it. I used it on a 4 day, 1200 mile dual sport trip and it held up well. One bolt did vibrate loose, but that was hardly the rack's fault.

It is a smaller rack, and held my sleeping pad and bag, and some clothes quite well.

I'm extremely happy with the rear rack that emerson.bigguns over on ADVRider made.



Dunno if he still has any, but get it if he does. Easily the lowest profile rack for the bike, pretty inexpensive, and install is a snap. Works great with my wolfman enduro tail bag+camp pad, also gives me able space to strap a medium sized REI duffel for going to the store.

MeefZah wrote:

I have the E-Bay (seller: sr8dirt) rack and like it. I used it on a 4 day, 1200 mile dual sport trip and it held up well. One bolt did vibrate loose, but that was hardly the rack's fault.

It is a smaller rack, and held my sleeping pad and bag, and some clothes quite well.

+1. I have had no problems using it for commuting and the like. Carried a pizza on it with just a bungee net no problem.

Nelson Rigg's smaller tailbag fits on the rack perfectly.

I had to run & do a job today, so i strapped a small tool bag on the back. I'm definitely putting a rack on, though.



I took my old rack off my drz, & it looks like it might fit. It's nylon/plastic, but has many miles of stuff strapped to it. If i can beef up a bracket to bolt it to the fender, it should be fine. Maybe next week i can get to it.. when i change tires & put on the skidplate..

scotty

Got an e.b. rack on the way. Thanks again, everybody!

Sarah

I think you'll like the EB rack. I've got the oem tail rack and sometimes wish it was a little bigger.

Thanks, Krabill. Take care and heal up quick.

Sarah

This rack business is proving a bit of a problem.
a) the GYTR is too narrow at the back
b) EB doesn't use the forward fixing points (seat/helmet lock etc) which must limit the weight you can put on it
c) the turbo city borrido is too heavy and unnecessarily complicated in my mind
d) a rack needs to either: play well with dirtbagz racks or, have it's own pannier simple 'bars'
c) not be as heavy and overengineered as the happy trails ones

The ebay rack with the single curved support tubes feels close to a good starting point but may be heavy and needs better subframe fixing points but at least I could weld on any additional features I need. Raising a rack by an 1-2" means you could move the weight over the back of the seat slightly but still get the seat off.

Context - Andystrapz panniers, ortlieb top bag and 4 tyres need to be carried (2fronts on the top bag and rears around the andy strapz).

I hear you. I strongly considered rigging a cutting board to make do while I studied a while longer. But my little projects always cost more than I expect, and since I'm not very handy they always turn out dog-ugly, so for $70 total on the e.b. rack I jumped.

Sarah

edteamslr wrote:

b) EB doesn't use the forward fixing points (seat/helmet lock etc) which must limit the weight you can put on it

I was worried about this too, and is why I went with the Yammy rack, but have since put my hands on a few other bikes with racks that mount with the same 4 bolts that EB uses and they are surprisingly strong.

Where can a guy get his hands on one of thoes "EB" racks?

Krabill wrote:

edteamslr wrote:

b) EB doesn't use the forward fixing points (seat/helmet lock etc) which must limit the weight you can put on it

I was worried about this too, and is why I went with the Yammy rack, but have since put my hands on a few other bikes with racks that mount with the same 4 bolts that EB uses and they are surprisingly strong.

1) Strong in the ultimate yielding point kinda way
2) Strong in the 'you'll get away with heavy loads for 95% of rough roads'
3) Strong in the sense that 'it's a matter of when it breaks, not if'

?

edteamslr wrote:

Krabill wrote:

edteamslr wrote:

b) EB doesn't use the forward fixing points (seat/helmet lock etc) which must limit the weight you can put on it

I was worried about this too, and is why I went with the Yammy rack, but have since put my hands on a few other bikes with racks that mount with the same 4 bolts that EB uses and they are surprisingly strong.

1) Strong in the ultimate yielding point kinda way
2) Strong in the 'you'll get away with heavy loads for 95% of rough roads'
3) Strong in the sense that 'it's a matter of when it breaks, not if'

?

1) strong in the sense that if I grab it and shake, that sucker isn't moving at all.
2) strong in the sense that one of my friends who has one just did an entire Colorado mountain trail trip with a fully loaded tail bag strapped to his w/o issue.

4) Uk to Siberia strong ?

I like the GYTR rack, especially the work you guys did testing it with the dirtbagz racks.

SpaGuru wrote:

Where can a guy get his hands on one of thoes "EB" racks?

Email John mailto:jecottrell@comcast.net

Sarah

edteamslr wrote:

4) Uk to Siberia strong ?

I like the GYTR rack, especially the work you guys did testing it with the dirtbagz racks.

I'd say so. If you manage to bend it, you've bent the subframe and you're likely in a world of hurt that a bent tail rack will be the least of your worries. I've had 40+ pounds strapped to it before (1gal Rotopax plus my tail bag loaded up with all the crap I took on my TAT+ trip but with twice as many tools. I dropped it loaded like that too. Its bomb proof imo.

Of course, if you're approaching the weight limit of the subframe it might be time to start looking at all the crap your taking instead of how to make the bike heavier...

You're absolutely right on the max loading. Yamaha state 185kg (408lb) which after a 72kg rider (me) + riding gear and a load of fuel still leaves a fair amount.
From experience the problem isn't the max load, it's the fatigue on mounting points, flexing of pannier rack 'wings' (dirtbagz etc) and the possibly of the coming loose of key bolts that can then cause failures, all magnified by driving along rough tracks for hours/days/weeks on end (which is what I'll be doing).

This is a fairly theoretical discussion - rack design is best practised by focusing on the distance of loads from mouting points, cross section of tubing, quality of welds and, absolutely especially, good attention to how stress is handled at the end of tubes where they attach to mounting points (metal mule - I'm looking at you).

I had to unbolt the EB rack a little to get the dirtbagz racks off when I sold them, all were still torqued down as tight as I had left them. Because the rack is bolted down directly to and is centered on the subframe, there's very little moment on the mounting bolts to cause failure. (again, unless you're using it for an anchor point to hang the kitchen sink or something else really heavy off the back of the bike like a carrot in front of a horse).

I do somewhat agree with your sentiment on the dirtbags, but thats part of why the racks are there ONLY to keep the bags off the swingarm/exhaust, all of the support is from the straps crossing over the seat. You could always go with a Giant Loop bag, the guy who made the rack had a nice long ride through the Grand Canyon with it with no issues.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471500

As my father often said to me when I was a kid (and hell, last week), "You're thinking too much". ;)

Being an engineer I was worried about the cross-member at the back of the metal mule pannier rack and sure enough it broke.

However, you're right. The loads are smaller on this bike, the member struts are pretty short and the weight of the bike itself tiny compared to what I used my mules for.

I will try 'reasonable/adequate thought and no more'..

Just ordered a rack from John, (the Triangle EB Rack) for $70 with hardware, shipped... It's the smaller, fender shaped rack. I Don't need a large rack with all those bag options as we have a Gold Wing instead!