luggage rack for r1100GS-two up?

[CANADIANGS]

Can anyone help me? I'm looking for suggestions for a luggage rack or extention to my 1100gs. I'm heading to the rally two-up this year, and do not want to us a trunk. I want to store my tent, sleeping bags etc. After-market or home fabricated ideas or photos to keep everything in order and secure back there would be much appreciated.

 

[im4xru]

kind of depends on the type of panniers you are using. If using the system cases then I suggest a "Top of Line rack". I believe they are available from A&S Cycles. Well made and plenty of place to attach straps or bungees. Tends to be a bit wide to use with Touratech or Jesse Bags. Really liked mine until I lost it in Africa as a result of improper installation after unloading bike from shipping container. Presently have a Jesse rack attached to one of his small top boxes. Not particular impressed with it, but it works.
Just bought a second GS and intend to make my on out of 1/8 alum. or diamond plate. will make it about 20" wide and about 12 or 13" deep. drill several several small holes around the edges and mill a couple of 1" by 3/16" holes for straps. The top of line rack has a 1/2 hole in each corner which is handly (I drill similar holes in the Jesse). suggest making it wide enough to set under you grab rail for extra support (the top of line had this feature, the jesse does not.

Hope to see you in Vermont.

Gary

 

[RiverRat280]

I have the "Top of the Line" rack but since I have Jesse's I had to notch out the corner of it so I could open the bags, no bigge just the front corners. I went out and bought the Cabella's Large Boundry Waters Duffle bag and straped it down to the rack. The duffle is waterproof so everything is safe and dry, I loop a cable and lock through it to make it a bit more difficult to steal. I fit my tent both sleeping bags and both bag liners and sleeping pads all in compression sacks into that one duffle. Seems to work well otherwise its hard to fit everything two-up.

 

[PacWestGS]

BestRest, I think makes the best cargo shelf. I'm not sponsored by them or anything. I have two of them and they work with the Jesse Odessy bags like a pair of gloves.

The model 'T' is the big one that I'll be using on my trip to the rally. I use a model 'C' for daily commuting and other local trips.

BestRest Products

David peterson is good people he will back up anything you get from him.

The model 'T' took a good hit from the Jesse bag on a minor crash and although bent up, it was and is still usable. The bag popped off and slammed upward into the shelf. I pounded it back out straight after removing it from the bike. (That is why I now use the model 'C' for local stuff.)

Give you an idea how far back things will go:

Just a note BMW says you are not supposed to carry more than 12# back there. I keep em' under 25# so watch the wheelie factor...

Doc

 

[im4xru]

Agree with doc, that Best Rest makes a nice rear rack. My caution is that the T-rack extends so far back, one tends to over load it. As he mentioned CG can get out of whack. While riding in Africa my riding buddy used a Best Rest T-rack with a Back rest much like in Doc's photo. He was riding Two-up and had a pretty good load on the T-rack. The weight and vibration cause the whole load including back rest to break off. It broke the silver cast aluminum frame which supports the seats and tool box. Again my caution is if you go this route use discretion on how much you put back there. A good solution to distribute this weight is to use tank panniers and to strap tent and other luggage to the tops of the saddle bags if using after market bags.

I tried to attacha couple of photos of different loads I have carried using both the Top of Line and the Jesse system, but the site is not allowing me at this time. will try later.
Gary

 

[RiverRat280]

If your going to load it heavy then you might want to get something like the Wunderlich brace, it'll brace the weak bmw rack so it doesn't break on a trip.

 

[CANADIANGS]

Thanks

Some great suggestions and links. The Best Rest looks very roomy. A tent, a couple of sleeping bags and small chair is what I had in mind. I have system cases which aren't, I don't believe, easy to secure tents and bags to. Unless someone has a solution to that also. Thanks everybody, and Gary I'd love to see thoughs pictures if you figure out how to post them.

 

[PacWestGS]

I don't believe, easy to secure tents and bags to. Unless someone has a solution to that also.

"Bungy Buddies" Little plastic coated eye-bolts. You can see two of them in the crunch picture posted above. Available at your dealer or through Aerostich catalog.

 

[im4xru]

Not sure why I can't send attachments, it worked fine on the first post.
When I click the upload button, I get the standard windows screen telling me the page cannot be displayed because of website problems or brower problems.

Will keep trying.
Gary

 

[im4xru]

think I got this figured out. Problem was the first pic was a bit map which may not be kosher on this forum.

this photo taken in Alaska. Not two-up but with a fair load. I try to keep my crap forward and low. Compression bags help a lot. anything that will compress, ie clothes, sleeping bags; put in a compression bag.

Gary

 

[im4xru]

this one was taken at beginning of Darien Gap Panama. Early on with ownership, before Jesses bags but with top of line rack. and also before benefit of compression bags and light weight clothing.

Gary