Luggage Rack

[dubsider]

I just got a HondaLine Luggage Rack.. The load limit is 6.6 pounds.. really? 6.6 pounds? is this CYA. I really need to carry LUGGAGE.

[PhredValk]

The entire trunk is only rated for 20lbs, same with the saddlebags, how much are you loading? I've carried considerably more than 20lbs in the bags with no ill effects. It will probably take more, but don't try to complain to them if it cracks the trunk's lid.

It's CYA, but I'm sure folks will chime in with their experiences.
Fred.

[X Ring]

Which luggage rack, the one for a Standard/Tourer or the one for an I/S trunk?

Marty

[BF]

They'll take alot.  I've had a case of diet cokes and two cases of bottled water strapped on it and rode to work with 'em. 

[dubsider]

Which luggage rack, the one for a Standard/Tourer or the one for an I/S trunk?

Marty

Standard.. Like the one in BF's picture just above.  I want to pack for a trip of 3-4 days .. case of cokes and waters should be good comparison.

[X Ring]

I exceed that weight limit every time I ride my Valk to school.

Marty

[NITRO]

I had up to three bags totally loaded down with luggage along with my cycle cover multiple times, once for a 3,000 mile round trip and had no problems.

[tank_post142]

what are you doing for 3-4 days that you need more that 10Lbs of crap to take along? 

[bigguy]

Observation from a redneck engineer.

Link to trunk project


My trunk is a flea-bay third party affair, and the rack started life as a $5.47 wine glass rack at Lowes. So I don't know how much of my experience would apply to an OEM system. However, my concern about the weight limit of the rack was how much the trunk lid could sustain. And here, the problem gets a little less obvious. Every time I put a load on it, the glass trunk lid takes stress. Enough repeated stress will eventually cause it to crack. I may get by with 25 lbs for several trips, but that doesn't mean I haven't seriously weakened the lid.
My advice for ,what it's worth, is the stay with the manufacturers recommended limits unless or until you reinforce what ever the rack is mounted to.
If the OEM rack simply mount to the OEM trunk lid, you might consider reinforcing the lid with metal. I haven't done that yet to mine, but plan to. If anybody beats me to the punch, I'd appreciate some pics and advice.
I'm going to paint it sedona red pearl and cream when I get through dinking with it to match the bike.

[dubsider]

what are you doing for 3-4 days that you need more that 10Lbs of crap to take along?  

for me .. maybe an extra pair of shorts... MY WIFE on the otherhand...   OMG.. and a laptop for sure so I can keep up with this Virtual community..  

[X Ring]

Observation from a redneck engineer.

Link to trunk project


My trunk is a flea-bay third party affair, and the rack started life as a $5.47 wine glass rack at Lowes. So I don't know how much of my experience would apply to an OEM system. However, my concern about the weight limit of the rack was how much the trunk lid could sustain. And here, the problem gets a little less obvious. Every time I put a load on it, the glass trunk lid takes stress. Enough repeated stress will eventually cause it to crack. I may get by with 25 lbs for several trips, but that doesn't mean I haven't seriously weakened the lid.
My advice for ,what it's worth, is the stay with the manufacturers recommended limits unless or until you reinforce what ever the rack is mounted to.
If the OEM rack simply mount to the OEM trunk lid, you might consider reinforcing the lid with metal. I haven't done that yet to mine, but plan to. If anybody beats me to the punch, I'd appreciate some pics and advice.
I'm going to paint it sedona red pearl and cream when I get through dinking with it to match the bike.

Obviously you chose to ignore dubsider's answer to my question.  He was asking about a Standard/Tourer rack that bolts to the passenger backrest NOT an Interstate trunk lid rack.

Marty

[donaldcc]

  I am curious about this also as taking a two week trip in a couple of months.  I have the Tourer.  A few months ago I brought home a car battery tied on to it.  How much do those weigh, 40 lbs??

  has anyone ever had a problem or failure from too much weight?  ???

[bigguy]

Obviously you chose to ignore dubsider's answer to my question.  He was asking about a Standard/Tourer rack that bolts to the passenger backrest NOT an Interstate trunk lid rack.

Marty

Yeah, that.   OR maybe I just missed that post.
Take a flippen chill pill!

[Tropic traveler]

I made this rack extender from some diamond plate aluminum & stainless hardware.


The Valkyrie rack is capable of carrying well in excess of the recommended 6.6 lbs. Lawyerspeak must be behind the silly weight limits Honda sets. 
I had to make the rack extender because the big Harley bag flops over the rack & obscures the tail lamp without it. Kim packs that bag with about 35 lbs. of stuff. 


BTW, the Harley travel bag was a gift. You didn't think I would spend the $$ for one did ya??! Has a loop that fits perfectly over the Ultimate seat passenger backrest, I don't need to strap it down at all. 

[dubsider]

Hey Tropic T .. I am digging that mod you have there; very clever.

[Tropic traveler]

Hey Tropic T .. I am digging that mod you have there; very clever.

Thanks!
It is easy to install/remove, no tools uses wing nuts. Fits in the saddlebag if you don't want it on after you unload.


Makes a good pizza carrier too! 

[bigguy]

I saw this rack mod at the 2010 Hot Springs Rally.

Eddie, yours looks at lot better.

[fudgie]

I just make a L shaped rack support outta plywood. Fits the cooler perfect. Works with my roller luggage to.

The rack can take a load. We haul 12 days worth of clothes, which is not much, leather coats, and helmets, all on the rear rack.

[fudgie]

I saw this rack mod at the 2010 Hot Springs Rally.

Eddie, yours looks at lot better.

My HD bud has one similar. His is about 2' sq grille type rack. He then had a heavy canvas tarp made to cover it.

[RP#62]

I don't know if its the case here, but sometimes when you see a ridiculously low load limit its because they are calculating the max static load it can support when you hit a 3 or 4 g bump.  If you always ride smooth roads, you may never have a problem.  One day you hit a big bump and the 20 lbs you have on the rack suddenly goes to 80 to 100 lbs and the rack fails. 
-RP

[scoot]

You could most likely carry a Sh*& load of bricks on the luggage rack if you could strap it done good. However, I would think they may be thinking of the adverse affect the added weight may have on the way the bike will handle. Loading 40-50 lbs above the further most top of the rear tire IMHO will have some affect on the traction of the front tire. It would also have some affect on raising the center of gravity as well.

[Tropic traveler]

You could most likely carry a Sh*& load of bricks on the luggage rack if you could strap it done good. However, I would think they may be thinking of the adverse affect the added weight may have on the way the bike will handle. Loading 40-50 lbs above the further most top of the rear tire IMHO will have some affect on the traction of the front tire. It would also have some affect on raising the center of gravity as well.

Pretty true. It doesn't pull the front tire up any, the Valk has too much total weight for that to happen. But you can feel the center of gravity change. Cross winds hit you a bit more too.
You get used to the changes fairly quick. 

[sheets]

Made my rack modification about eight years ago. Holds the T-bag level and square.
The square tubing the OEM rack is constructed with is hollow.
It will break just past the end of the side gusset.   







Notches cut in the plate are to allow access for the straps and buckles.
I've hauled 20-25 pounds no problem.

[hueco]

I just got a HondaLine Luggage Rack.. The load limit is 6.6 pounds.. really? 6.6 pounds? is this CYA. I really need to carry LUGGAGE.

In answer to your question. The rack will hold exactly 54.4 lbs. more than it is rated for. .1 lb. more and it will fall off the rear of your Valk and self destruct.

[Willow]

You could most likely carry a Sh*& load of bricks on the luggage rack if you could strap it done good. However, I would think they may be thinking of the adverse affect the added weight may have on the way the bike will handle. Loading 40-50 lbs above the further most top of the rear tire IMHO will have some affect on the traction of the front tire. It would also have some affect on raising the center of gravity as well.

Pretty true. It doesn't pull the front tire up any, the Valk has too much total weight for that to happen. But you can feel the center of gravity change.

I would strongly disagree with that.  I know of an instance in which overloading the luggage rack resulted in diminishing the Valkyrie's front traction resulting in a loss of control. 

It was, I should mention, a great deal more than 6 pounds, but a load of bricks would get you there.