Topic: Luggage Rack for my R1200 GS

[eigenvector]

One of the things that has always bothered me about my BMW is that it has a rather mediocre cargo system.  You can buy their luggage (or some third party luggage) for a LOT of money.  I think the tail pack is 1000 bucks.  But aside from that there isn't a good system to strap luggage to the bike by itself.  The rack on the back is weirdly shaped and has plastic inserts that are easily damaged.

So, I cooked up my own system for long trips.  While I don't have the final design just yet - just a prototype, it's close.  What I'm missing is a good mounting system and an estimate of how tall the back should be.  Currently it's only about 12", I'm thinking it should be closer to 24"

I'd like some thoughts here.

Yeah I know - the attachment is rinky-dink.  Best I could come up with until I figure out just how it's going to work/look.  I still think a pipe clamp would be the best option.

[754]

Are not sissy bars illegal on BMW motorcycles ?

[eigenvector]

No self-respecting BMW rider does anything but install BMW equipment - and only if the dealer installs it!  What kind of knuckle dragger do you take me for?

It's not like my KLR where I took a drill to the deck and bolted a Fred Meyer's plastic toolbox to it.  It may have only cost me 20 bucks - but it lasted forever and it held 4 bags of groceries and kept everything dry even in the worst rain.

The way I figure this rack - I make it tall enough so that I can mount my climbing pack to the back, my day pack and sleeping bag to the front and the rest can be stashed in the panniers.

How tall are sissy bars usually?

[754]

I could see a nice milled piece across the back of yours holding the tubes and some nice machined clamps up front, then bend the hoop out of one piece of stainless tubing.
 Most sissy bars are about shoulder height of a passenger or lower..
There was a time where 3 feet above the seat was not uncommon..

[eigenvector]

Well I have a solution - not finished, I messed up the bend.  1/2 EMT conduit.  I have the bender already, 1/2 is cheaper than dirt, and there are plenty of fittings available that can be used to secure it.

It's reasonably strong, corrosion resistant, smooth (no cuts), lightweight, and if I wanted to I could even run a wire through it and hook up a high mounted taillight.

I'll post up when I have a finished product.

[eigenvector]

There, maybe some tweaking here and there, but all done.


The whole thing was 10 bucks (less actually, but I'll round up).


What I'll probably improve on is add a deck over the conduit to secure it more firmly and also to allow for an extension out the back to support my pack from slipping down.
The shoulder straps are secured with Velcro straps.

[754]

Could use some bracing if you put any weight on it.

[eigenvector]

Yeah, undoubtedly.  When I take off this summer I'll probably switch the large pack to the front and the light pack to the back to reduce the tendency to bend.  But yeah - have to figure that out.  Work in progress.