A couple of buddies and I are planning a 4,000 mile trip for next summer. �I have a tank bag and oem hard bags for my 02 but was thinking of purchasing a small luggage rack. �I see that Ventura sells one but earlier posts mentioned that it was weak and it bent back when any significant load was placed on it. �If anyone is using a Ventura rack on an 02+ bike let me know how it works. �I am just looking at the lower style of rack without any ventura bag. �Has Ventura done anything to strengthen their design? �What other options are out there? �Any help would be appreciated! ??? �???
I purchased a complete luggage system for my '03 VFR from Ventura. I can not imagine the rack being easily bent. It is very sturdy tubular steel and should hold anything you would want to carry with you on your bike. The Sport Rack is a small luggage rack and might be just what you are looking for. Two of my riding buddies also use the Ventura products, and are quite satisfied with them.
I was the original poster that said the Ventura racks were weak. My rack (one of the first versions from Ventura) would bend down with a 10kg bag on it, and the only thing stopping it from going further was the indicators.
In my case, I had a pal weld an extra piece of plate steel on top of the original bit and it is now so strong I can lift the bike with it. I'm more likely to break the bike's subframe itself first.
I've just checked on the 'net and it seems that Ventura may have changed their design, or people aren't putting more than 9kg on their racks (there is a 9kg weight limit stated by Ventura) .
I *did* send a rather abusive E-mail to Ventura way back in 2002 saying that their attitude to my bent rack (I recall it being "you didn't use an original Ventura bag therefore your warranty is null") sucked and that they needed to strengthen the flat steel part of the bracket.
The most recent post I can find saying their rack bent was in '03. Maybe the design has changed, maybe it hasn't; either way it's not hard to weld some extra steel plate onto the existing bits. Any welding shop can do it.
I installed a Renntec rack on my '98 this summer. Fit is very good, it attaches to the grab-handle mounts and seems quite sturdy. I've used it every weekend and on one short tour. The extra carrying capacity will be appreciated on my annual Spring tour from GA to Utah.
I've got the Venture on my '02. Works great for me. I don't cary really heavy loads like 50 lbs. Also, I have mine pointed forward so the load is being carried over the pillion. I like it. Tom
man im disappointed.....i thought this post was going to be about someone mounting the luggage rack from a 1984 chrysler mini van on their bike and carrying snow skis... :shake: .
Everybody - thanks for the advice on a rack! I'm looking at three choices it seems, Ventura, Thurn, and Renntec. I read on some post where the Ventura will fit on an 6th gen. VFR that also has the OEM sidebags. Does anyone know if the Thurn and Renntec racks will install when you also have the OEM hard sidebags?
I've had Ventura now for 8 years with no probs what so ever!!!
If you read their instructions it says to mount the bag so that it faces forwards sitting on the pillion seat.
In this configeration I have carried up to a measured 20 ish KG with no probs at all at speeds up to and including 240kph and extended periods of 160 - 180kph.
If you are carrying a pillion then the most I've carried woulg be a guess at 8 - 10 KG but at least you have the pillion breaking the wind for the bag...
The huge advantage also is that if you buy a second bag (as I have done) they zip together really nicely providing you with a beautiful aerodynamic shape.