Why aren't luggage racks a standard option on sportsbikes?
Discussion
gwm said:
Every gram counts on track don't you know... 
It can't be an engineering decision really, as the majority of sports bikes can still carry a pillion - that would be far more weight than you would ever have in a top box.
Yes but you could end up with people carrying a pillion and luggage. Unless you have to remove the rear seat to fit the luggage or something but then that's restrictive too.It can't be an engineering decision really, as the majority of sports bikes can still carry a pillion - that would be far more weight than you would ever have in a top box.
I'd imagine it's a case of whether the manufacturers deem it worthwhile (read worth investing the cost to develop, validate and market against income).
I'm sure that it they thought the could make money from it, they'd be doing it
gwm said:
Dog Star said:
First thing I do is fit heated grips; I fail to see why you wouldn't fit them to a Sportbike. Obviously I don't fit those minging 
Oxford things with that cheap, huge control panel.
I fit these....
Tell me those aren't cool.
Where did you get them? Oxford things with that cheap, huge control panel.I fit these....
Tell me those aren't cool.
It only seems to be Oxford or cheap ones available on popular bike sites, and they are super U.G.L.Y.
)I need to get a replacement set for my F4, just been looking this morning as it happens. France would appear to be the only place.
Agreed about the Oxford things - like most of their stuff they're nasty. I'd rather have cold hands.
dern said:
The more time passes the more I miss the do anything and everything brilliantly nature of the old bus...
...and the less I remember about the times it dumped me on the side of the road with electrical issues and when it spat a spark plug...
Mark
That's not how you change a spark plug. ...and the less I remember about the times it dumped me on the side of the road with electrical issues and when it spat a spark plug...
Mark
To add to the OP - Now that screens are becoming full colour manufactures should also fit sat nav into them.
I had a top box on the CBF, was very convenient esp when raining. You could also leave your pants and helmet in it, secured.
These days I strap a back pack on the pillion (carrying it for too long gives me neck pains
). Not that convenient but looks a lot better, plus the official Honda luggage costs a fortune, you could get a nice bike for the money!
These days I strap a back pack on the pillion (carrying it for too long gives me neck pains
). Not that convenient but looks a lot better, plus the official Honda luggage costs a fortune, you could get a nice bike for the money!Esceptico said:
I would hazard a guess that 95% of road-registered sportsbikes spend at least 95% of their time on the road and not the track so having an option of making them more practical would be appreciated by some potential buyers. People do fit top boxes to sportsbikes but you to rely on after market solutions.
I am not an engineer so don't know the difficulties of designing it but given how successful they are in creating monster performance, amazing handling and brakes and great reliability I have faith they could do so if they wanted. But perhaps you are right that there is not a big enough market.
My real beef is less with full-on sportsbikes but rather naked bikes like the S 1000 R that are supposed to be a bit less focused and more usable.
Just because you've buessed at 95% of sports bikes not going near a track or being hooned on everywhere, doesn't mean that those 95% want luggage racks fitting. If you want a bike with a luggage option as a permanent fixture than get a bike that has that available. Most of the Ports turners will have this alomg with performance / handling to possibly destroy, or at least match any sportsbike that's more than 5 years older than it. I am not an engineer so don't know the difficulties of designing it but given how successful they are in creating monster performance, amazing handling and brakes and great reliability I have faith they could do so if they wanted. But perhaps you are right that there is not a big enough market.
My real beef is less with full-on sportsbikes but rather naked bikes like the S 1000 R that are supposed to be a bit less focused and more usable.
Dog Star said:
Graham said:
can you get them in the uk,
No. However I don't buy anything at all online from the UK, I've found German and French places to be cheaper and just as quick for delivery. http://www.tecnoglobe.be/en/heated-equipments/1010...
and here:
http://www.nc700shop.com/en/content/3-terms-and-co...
LoonR1 said:
Just because you've buessed at 95% of sports bikes not going near a track or being hooned on everywhere, doesn't mean that those 95% want luggage racks fitting. If you want a bike with a luggage option as a permanent fixture than get a bike that has that available. Most of the Ports turners will have this alomg with performance / handling to possibly destroy, or at least match any sportsbike that's more than 5 years older than it.
As per my post above my complaint is aimed much more at super nakeds than full on sportsbikes. At least with a sportsbike the manufacturer can claim they are race focused but it is annoying that something like the S 1000 R (which is in reality a sportsbike with less fairing and high bars) is touted by BMW in their own brochures to be an all rounder and fine for touring yet the luggage options are restricted to strap on bags. I think it would be interesting to do a poll to see how many performance bike riders (fully faired superbikes but also super nakeds) would like the option of being able to carry luggage - by that I mean a factory supported modification that is optional and doesn't impact how the base bike looks. Judging from the responses to this thread there are some that would be interested.
Personally I never use the pillion seat and carrying another person seems like a much bigger drag on the performance and handling of a bike (there isn't any two-up racing or track days). I wouldn't criticise people that do carry pillions on their superbikes though (nor support deletion of the pillion seat as standard).
Having done a bit of research it seems that top boxes can be added to almost anything,
which means it is probably easier to add luggage to a bike you want than make a bike with a luggage rack into one you do want by tweaking the handling and power.
Esceptico said:
As per my post above my complaint is aimed much more at super nakeds than full on sportsbikes. At least with a sportsbike the manufacturer can claim they are race focused but it is annoying that something like the S 1000 R (which is in reality a sportsbike with less fairing and high bars) is touted by BMW in their own brochures to be an all rounder and fine for touring yet the luggage options are restricted to strap on bags.
What's wrong with this? The Ventura luggage system for the S1000RR also fits the S1000R.Mr2Mike said:
What's wrong with this? The Ventura luggage system for the S1000RR also fits the S1000R.
I did see that but I read it was only suitable for soft luggage and shouldn't be used for a top box. Currently thinking that if I get the S 1000 R I could get the strap on bag available from BMW plus a helmet lock and bag so can leave the helmet with the bike. As eloquently suggested by MTB will invest in a better rucksack too.
Personally I'd welcome more easy luggage options for sports bikes. I've done a fair bit of sports bike long trips/tours over the years and sports tourers just don't do it for me. Unfortunately, if manufacturers follow the new R1 and 1299, the options become even more limited
I've experimented with tail packs and throwovers etc, but Rentec racks seem to be the best option for a sports bike in my view. I can then fit a big long, easily removed dry bag or fit a top box. I don't like touring with big rucksacks as they seem to significantly increase my fatigue. Very large tank bags affect your riding, so although I like tank bags, they have to be small enough to allow unimpeded movement on the bike.
Rack will be going on my new blade for touring duties - here's the old R1 with one fitted.
I've experimented with tail packs and throwovers etc, but Rentec racks seem to be the best option for a sports bike in my view. I can then fit a big long, easily removed dry bag or fit a top box. I don't like touring with big rucksacks as they seem to significantly increase my fatigue. Very large tank bags affect your riding, so although I like tank bags, they have to be small enough to allow unimpeded movement on the bike.
Rack will be going on my new blade for touring duties - here's the old R1 with one fitted.
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