Racks for the Bird ?

[lrm74]

Hi - just joined and said Hi in the Coffee Shop forum - but basically I am looking for a 'Bird to replace my ZZR1400 - and have a question on rack options....

I had a bird several years ago - had a Givi rack fitted and will be looking to do the same again this time around.... HOWEVER ... I hate the look of the standard Givi rack on the Bird it looks tacky, what with the black arms running alongside the rear cowel, and the way the plate sits up so high ?
I also hate the Givi Wingrack with a vengance ... what a horrible ugly piece of kit when the boxes are not fitted !!

So basically I was wondering is you experienced guys know of any other better options out there ? My old VFR had a rack that was bolted straight on to where the pillion grab rail was fitted - very neat ! I have throw-overs so I am happy to just fit a top box - but would appreciate ideas .. ?

@tu*

 

[ascar]

ventura or sw motec are other options

 

[ramo]

rack

or krauser

 

[DEG5Y]

what with the black arms running alongside the rear cowel,

I've seen these painted to match the bike, blends in well.

I also hate the Givi Wingrack with a vengance ... what a horrible ugly piece of kit when the boxes are not fitted !

for a quick detachable system then needs must. even the Motec relies on the plate.

My old VFR had a rack that was bolted straight on to where the pillion grab rail was fitted - very neat !

I didn't like the scaffolding that came as part of the wing rack so copied the vfr one you mention and made my own. Does look a lot neater. fits well with the pannier mounts as well.

 

[ScottyUK]

or krauser

I wasn't a fan of mine (it was on when I bought the bike) but I've grown accustomed to it now. I had a couple of people at the Bash say they liked it. It's very stable with no flex like some of the others.

Anyway here it is :

 

[lrm74]

I wasn't a fan of mine (it was on when I bought the bike) but I've grown accustomed to it now. I had a couple of people at the Bash say they liked it. It's very stable with no flex like some of the others.

Anyway here it is :

That actually looks quite neat. I notice the rack is tilted up quite a bit ? I have the same on my ZZR SW rack and it means the topbox is tilted forwards giving less room for the missus to lean back against ?

 

[ScottyUK]

I've never noticed it not being level to be honest. Maybe it being on the centre stand changes it a little.

This pic was taken at the bash. I guess it's a tiny bit inclined when I'm on it.

These two shots seem the best I've got of how it is but again it's on the centre stand.

 

[Oldbull]

some more options that mite give you a few ideas...
my silver motec top bracket is now powder coated black like the rest..
Im with Scotty, adapt one to suit your needs

http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=30327&highlight=Bulltech

 

[ascar]

a neat solution but where the rack attaches to the indicators looks like it would flex since it is plastic at the under tail, this might cause stress fractures after time if the weight carried in the top box is too much.

 

[lrm74]

a neat solution but where the rack attaches to the indicators looks like it would flex since it is plastic at the under tail, this might cause stress fractures after time if the weight carried in the top box is too much.

Yes I was just about to raise the same point. With a heavy topbox onboard there would be a lot of weight transferred down those "legs" ?

 

[Wolfie]

front bolt on the top bracket is taking most of the weight, off the legs by the looks of it.

looks like the legs and indicators are just hanging there really.

 

[Oldbull]

there will be a shaped steel bracket behind mudgaurd i would have thought @tu*

 

[ScottyUK]

some more options that mite give you a few ideas...
my silver motec top bracket is now powder coated black like the rest..
Im with Scotty, adapt one to suit your needs

It's totally stock.

The fitment....

It uses both grap rail bolts and then it bolts on where the indicators normally bolt on. They are then moved outwards an inch on to the rack. There's a metal bar between the lower legs but that is on the outside - you can see it along the top of the number plate.

If you compare this to some others that only use the grab rail bolts then all the Krasuer one really does is add a bit of stability. It is into the undertray which is of course just plastic but it's at the top where it's very rigid. I've no concerns with it causing any issues and there's no signs of any problems. It's been on the bike for most of it's life. I'm also a bit of a sucker for trusting in the Germans and their design abilities.

p.s. You can see the fitment easier here : http://www.krauser.de/Montageanleitungen/Honda/cbr1100xx_gepaeckbr.pdf

 

[lrm74]

Well in the end I went up and bought "RAMOs" Blackbird which was up for sale. Came with the standard Givi rack - and this is fine because the black Givi rack on a black-Blackbird actually looks ok and doesn't stand out like it does on other coloured Birds.

One question guys - on a Givi rack - there are round/triangular alloy sections under the plate which attach it to the arms. Can you adjust the angle of the plate at all ? I thought you could on some givi racks (as on my old VFR) but not sure on this version ? I like to tilt the plate slightly down at the back as it gives SWMBO more room.....

 

[lazybee]

I've never noticed it not being level to be honest. Maybe it being on the centre stand changes it a little.

This pic was taken at the bash. I guess it's a tiny bit inclined when I'm on it.

Check out the red bird with the galvanised wheelie bin on the wingrack8rfl@8rfl@8rfl@