Factory tail rack

Guth_imp

Road warrior
Thread starter
I must admit, the factory tail rack looks pretty nice. How do those of you who own them like them? Are they as sturdy as they look?
 
Gunth,

I have one on order. The dealer is going to install it and thats why I haven't taken deliveryof the bike yet. I'll let you know what I think when it comes in.

It pricy though, but I consider things like that a one time purchase and don't sweat it. Ordered a service manual too. I did get 10% off for buying a new bike. That helped.

I am not a big fan of the way the tail light assm. looks, so am hoping it helps with that. Plus, coming from a scooter, I want a place to put my bag, which is actually a Cannondale bicycle cooler bag (nylon with plastic insert sitting in a foam surround) Not big, but is perfect for what I use it for.

I am interested in maybe getting some sort of saddlebags. I saw some cool ones on ADV, but am not in a hurry.
 
Guth,

I got tired of waiting for the rack to come in, and with bad weather on the way I took delivery of my bike yesterday. That thing is sweet.

And the rack came in today so I picked it up and installed it a short while ago. There are no instructions, but I did what the guy on the UK board did. A ball end allen wrench makes it easier by the turn signals.

The rack is a quality made product, heavy chrome plated tube steel. I forgot to weigh it, but its hefty. It fits perfectly and tightly. Once the 4 screws are tightened down it becomes one with the machine. Its rated for 17 pounds, but I could almost lift the rear end of bike with it. I didn't as I didn't want it fall off the center stand.

It has 4 predrilled tabs for mounting a top box. I could do without them, but they do make for some interesting options. In my case you cannot see them as I put my Cannondale bicycle "cooler" bag/box, on it. It doesn't look bad and like when on the scooter, is perfect for what I use it for. Maybe I'll find something better in the future.

Next may be a windscreen, or, when the mount is available, a set of Hepco and Becker Junior side cases. The distributor in Va. said about 30 days for the mount. I did order the "clock covers" as those Brits call them. I'm not doing the headlight case.

I'll have to make sure the H&B mount will fit with the Honda rack on there in case the use some of the same mount points.
 
Lord Popgun_imp said:
Guth,

I got tired of waiting for the rack to come in, and with bad weather on the way I took delivery of my bike yesterday. That thing is sweet.

And the rack came in today so I picked it up and installed it a short while ago. There are no instructions, but I did what the guy on the UK board did. A ball end allen wrench makes it easier by the turn signals.

The rack is a quality made product, heavy chrome plated tube steel. I forgot to weigh it, but its hefty. It fits perfectly and tightly. Once the 4 screws are tightened down it becomes one with the machine. Its rated for 17 pounds, but I could almost lift the rear end of bike with it. I didn't as I didn't want it fall off the center stand.

It has 4 predrilled tabs for mounting a top box. I could do without them, but they do make for some interesting options. In my case you cannot see them as I put my Cannondale bicycle "cooler" bag/box, on it. It doesn't look bad and like when on the scooter, is perfect for what I use it for. Maybe I'll find something better in the future.

Next may be a windscreen, or, when the mount is available, a set of Hepco and Becker Junior side cases. The distributor in Va. said about 30 days for the mount. I did order the "clock covers" as those Brits call them. I'm not doing the headlight case.

I'll have to make sure the H&B mount will fit with the Honda rack on there in case the use some of the same mount points.
Hi Popgun,

Who did you order your rack from?

Thanks,
Jwayne
 
The Honda dealer.

Description: RR Carrier Rack

P/N 08L70-MGC-A20

SRP: $274.95

I got 10% off for being a new bike customer. YMMV
 
I also had my dealer install my Honda rack. It does look sturdy.
Had Hard luggage on the last 6 or 7 bikes so looking at soft tail bags this
time.
I had Givi on most. I have a Shad box on my XT and like it a lot.
 
CA,

Did the dealer give you the original 4 screws back? If not, get them. If you ever remove the rack you will need them.
 
popgun, yup the dealer left the stock bolts and the stock grips and the black bar ends in the "tool box"under the seat.
 
I'll try later, but I got it maybe 15 years ago so I don't know if they still have that model. I never used it until 2010 so its still in fine shape.
 
I got mine of ebay 252 with free shipping. Installation was easy and looks great. The quality is what you would expect from honda. The only problem i had was the original bolts look like stainless and the bolts that came with the carrier are plated. For 252 the hardware could have been nicer.
 
The originals stuck to a magnet when I tried...

They are elegant though, don't you think?
 
Str8six_imp said:
Popgun, any chance you can post a pick of the cannondale cooler bag of which you speak?
I don't have a photo hosting account and don't feel like messing with learning that tonight. I tried to post them as thumbnails and had some kind of error.

Any chance you could just email me or supply an address? I'll send the bag pics to you and you can post them or not.

everett.mclendon@earthlink.net
 
Hi Popgun. I sent you an e-mail. Thanks for your efforts. I posted pics once so should be able to figure it out again if anybody else wants to see them?

regards,

Len B
 
Guth_imp said:
I must admit, the factory tail rack looks pretty nice. How do those of you who own them like them? Are they as sturdy as they look?
Mine came in yesterday. Not too hard to install, but the advice to attach the front (loosely) first is a good one. The rear ones take some fiddling to get set up with the spacers -- and watch out for the metal plates that hold the turn signal wires. One side stayed in place but the other slipped out and I did not notice it until I had snugged all the bolts. Cost me an additional 15 minutes or so.

Looks lovely! Fits the bike design well, mounted very solidly, and looks to be bullet-proof. Now for a top box, or maybe a bag. There are four mounting points for a top box on the rack. I don't know whether there is some standard arrangement for mounting adaptors. There are four pegs underneath the rack for bungee cords, which I think is a nice touch.
 
tjohns14_imp said:
I got mine of ebay 252 with free shipping. Installation was easy and looks great. The quality is what you would expect from honda. The only problem i had was the original bolts look like stainless and the bolts that came with the carrier are plated. For 252 the hardware could have been nicer.
Agreed, those bolts are the only quality compromise, and should be ss. Still, I suppose they are OK, as they more closely match the rack itself.
 
CA200_imp said:
popgun, yup the dealer left the stock bolts and the stock grips and the black bar ends in the "tool box"under the seat.
Did i miss something? What grips? And why did you remove the bar ends?
 
Thread starter
C'mon ferret, with the highest post count, you're pretty much obligated to be in the know about everything going on here. Try to keep up. We're counting on you. :cool:
 
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