Ventura rack

[DUCMONROB]

Hi all looking at purchasing a ventura rack for my S2r1000.

My question is how does the rack fit on the SR bikes?

Pictures would be great!


Rob

[Jukie]

there are two L shape brackets that fit along of the frame, the short bracket is for the exhaust side. Then they connect across the frame infront of the brake light. then the rack goes in ontop of the L brackets. Sorry no pics Rob

[mattyvas]

Hey Rob,

  Here's a few for you to look at, this was on Vince's bike on the PI trip earlier in the year.







Hope that helps you. 

[dragonworld.]

Where is the kitchen sink? 

[monstermick58]

Where is the kitchen sink? 

You not looking hard enough. 




                                            Mmick

[DUCMONROB]

You not looking hard enough. 
                                            Mmick

Well kitted!

Thanks for the pics so far but I would loke to some detailed pics especially on the S2R/4R bikes!

Thinking of modifiing a different set of brackets of another type of bike.

Rob

[mattyvas]

Sorry nothing of detail.
I am just about to fit the rack back up so I can do some then if you like.

[ellingly]

I absolutely love my Ventura rack . I have had them on my last 3 bikes - in fact, I lived out of 2x45L bags for 6 weeks when I moved up to Canberra at the end of 2004.

Fits on pretty nicely - has different length L arms. The non-exhaust side is long, the exhaust side is short. I can't remember exactly but I think it is able to be run with a tail chop (I also have the S*R soft side pannier which can't).

Bags are very handy... they are technically waterproof but in the pissing rain on the way up to Bathurst on Wednesday a little water seeped in. I wrap all my clothes up in plastic bags, so they don't get damp, but it's a consideration you have to have.





Other handy things - you can get a grab rail for it if you don't want to run the rack all the time; you can also run a small rack and a 15L bag.

I have 2x45L bags + a 35L bag. For weight distribution (laptop + camera + lenses + clothing for 6 days + other assorted work documents) I ran 1x45L+1x35L bags on the way up here, but each half full to keep the weight a bit lower.

A warning is that you're not meant to run more than about 9 kg in the bags. That's complete bollocks but you do want to put the bag on over the pillion seat first, and keep most of the weight that way rather than hanging out the back. They also can be a prick to zip together when on the bike: I zip them together then put them on the bike. It also helps to pack them when they are on the bike, that way you don't end up with bulges so they don't want to get on the bike

EDIT: I will do more detailed pics once back in the Berra on Monday evening. Any specific shots or info you want? TBH I'd get the proper kit rather than trying to modify one from another bike. It runs a brackety thing down from the seat latch, and the two different length L arms. One mounts waaaay down near the pillion peg hangers, the other mounts kinda on the subframe rail behind the right-hand pillion hand grip thingamajigga.

EDIT2: Found the pics! Sort of.




That pic does indicate you could do it with a full tail chop - the pannier mount bar is on the front of the two rows of bolts that are part of the beer tray mounting stuff, and it is further forward than those bolts... Hope that makes sense to anyone reading this . As per below...

[mattyvas]

I think the only issue with the chop is that the indicators end up behind the rack.
Depending on your indicators they may get blocked to a certain extent.

[heatherp]

I'm a ventura convert too.  The first Monster on Matty's last photo is mine.  I use 2 x 35L bags on big trips - yes a bugger to zip together. Thanks for the tips Ellingly. Re: waterproofness.  You can buy lightweight waterproof covers.  I have a single one to cover one 35L pack and a double to cover the 2 zipped together.  They are probably available for the 45L duo as well.

I acquired a 45L bag too but I find it gets in the way if I have it on the pillion seat (and I am not a big person).  That's why I have the 2 x 35L combo.

I also have the short rack and 15L bag. When I ride my bike to work it fits the bike cover in perfectly.  Or on a day run down the GOR it's somewhere to stash sunscreen (in Vic - ha ha) maps, jumper, camera & wet weather gear.  Or I have been told it will take a 6 pack perfectly.

I agree with getting one to suit your bike instead of modifying.  No point taking pics of mine as I have the dual swingarm model so I think my brackets would be different.

[ellingly]

RE: tail chop, Matty is right, I just couldn't remember. The S*R pannier is a no-no with a full chop, but the Ventura rack is possible.

Heather: I just find it easier to wrap shit inside the bags . It's how I deal with it when doing bike hikes etc. Point taken on the waterproof bag thingo. One would want to make sure it covers the bottom, too - as that was where some of the water was coming in on Wed. It was less of a problem on my previous bike (2003 GSXR750) as the pillion seat was flatter: water couldn't sneak up the curved sides so much as the uncovered Monster seat lets it.

[heatherp]

Yeah the waterproof covers don't completely cover the base they're a bit like a fitted sheet on a bed so having a tail chop and/or riding in heavy rain in traffic means your stuff will probably get wet.  As most of my riding is done on highways out in the country, I don't have this problem.

[Betty]

One other note (just remember I don't have a mechanical bone in my body, so I am sure it can be made to work).

The last photo of Ellingly's shows where the 'cross brace' is. If you have the carbonworld beer tray it may create a problem. The tray fixes onto a chunky aluminium bracket which holds the brake light this takes up vital space (you can see how tight it is). So the cross brace may not fit.

Like I said someone smarter than I can probably make it work but just keep it in mind if you have a non standard rear end.

[Dannog]

The problem with these racks is they look shit when your not using them. I'd consider getting one for touring if they are easy to install on and off. Matty how long does it take to fit them?

[Betty]

Oh yeah, just thought of one more thing:

you may need to trim the inside of your side panels (if you still have them) where the long rail fixes onto the frame ... or you could take them off when you use the rack.