Why aren't luggage racks a standard option on sportsbikes?
Discussion
Maybe I am in a minority but I want the option of having a topbox on my bike so that I can ride it into town and get some shopping or just leave my helmet and gloves with the bike. My current Givi is great as it only takes a second to lock or unlock it from the bike.
Because I use the bike all year around and for all purposes,
does that mean I shouldn't have a sportsbike or super naked? Just a bit irritated (nothing unusual with that!). Rode the S 1000 R yesterday and it blew me away. There are much more sensible options and it looks like BMW are helping the Angels as there is no factory fit luggage rack attachment (like there is with the R 1200 R). How hard can it be to make this an option when you design a bike?
Yes top boxes are a bit ugly and spoil the look of sportsbikes but I'd rather have the bike I like riding and put up with an aesthetic compromise than have to buy a touring bike just because it is easy to fit luggage.
Because I use the bike all year around and for all purposes,
does that mean I shouldn't have a sportsbike or super naked? Just a bit irritated (nothing unusual with that!). Rode the S 1000 R yesterday and it blew me away. There are much more sensible options and it looks like BMW are helping the Angels as there is no factory fit luggage rack attachment (like there is with the R 1200 R). How hard can it be to make this an option when you design a bike?
Yes top boxes are a bit ugly and spoil the look of sportsbikes but I'd rather have the bike I like riding and put up with an aesthetic compromise than have to buy a touring bike just because it is easy to fit luggage.
I think it all comes down to what the bikes intended purpose is.
You could argue that sports bikes are intended for track work and being used as the basis for race bikes.
To design, manufacture and fit luggage capability on a sports bike will just add cost, that the majority of buyers / owners won't want or need.
Just my opinion, for what it's worth...
You could argue that sports bikes are intended for track work and being used as the basis for race bikes.
To design, manufacture and fit luggage capability on a sports bike will just add cost, that the majority of buyers / owners won't want or need.
Just my opinion, for what it's worth...
I'm with you on this one; however you'll get a load of frothing now from people raging about topboxes. It sends some people mental.
I've fitted Renntec sportsracks to 3 R1s and a Fireblade and then clamped a Givi plate to it. If you're on a big trip or going camping or whatever then it's bloody convenient, it's secure and nobody is telling me that it's uglier than a load of bags lashed all over the place.
Once the box is off they look ok. But, as they say, haterz gonna hate!
(I will admit that even I couldn't commit sacrilege and put a rack on my F4; I bought a Kriega rucksack).
I've fitted Renntec sportsracks to 3 R1s and a Fireblade and then clamped a Givi plate to it. If you're on a big trip or going camping or whatever then it's bloody convenient, it's secure and nobody is telling me that it's uglier than a load of bags lashed all over the place.
Once the box is off they look ok. But, as they say, haterz gonna hate!
(I will admit that even I couldn't commit sacrilege and put a rack on my F4; I bought a Kriega rucksack).
It's an option on many bikes, but not on sports bikes. The way modern sports bikes are going, the subframes are becoming so minimal they may not handle the load properly (directional stresses etc)
I think it's not too much of a stretch to have heated grips installed though. Even top-end supercars can keep the driver warm on a chilly morning
I think it's not too much of a stretch to have heated grips installed though. Even top-end supercars can keep the driver warm on a chilly morning
thatdude said:
I think it's not too much of a stretch to have heated grips installed though. Even top-end supercars can keep the driver warm on a chilly morning
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.
This is a bit like buying a elise, mp4 or an f550 and complaining you can't fit a chest of drawers you just bought from ikea in the boot.
Whilst I understand the frustration, actually no I don't.
It's a sports bike. It's designed for a thrill a minute ride. Handling, braking, acceleration these are all the goals of it. Carrying a half loaf and a pint of milk back from asda doesn't matter.
Whilst I understand the frustration, actually no I don't.
It's a sports bike. It's designed for a thrill a minute ride. Handling, braking, acceleration these are all the goals of it. Carrying a half loaf and a pint of milk back from asda doesn't matter.
moanthebairns said:
Carrying a half loaf and a pint of milk back from asda doesn't matter.
It does when you want a pint of milk and a half loaf of bread.The thing is that I, and I daresay the majority of sportsbike riders, don't ride our bikes exclusively on tracks, or go hooning around with our knees on the deck. We do other things such as go on weekends away, maybe go camping (take my pic of the OHs red R1 above, that was February in Snowdonia on a bike rally) or mundane stuff like going to the shops / going to work. I ride a sportsbike because I like them - I'd rather drive or get the bus than ride a naked or commuter bike (Fazer, SV, Bandit etc) that is the conventional luggage carrier option. I don't need a ZZR1400 or whatever because I can carry all I need on my sportsbike by the simple addition of a small rack (which can be easily unbolted I might add).
moanthebairns said:
This is a bit like buying a elise, mp4 or an f550 and complaining you can't fit a chest of drawers you just bought from ikea in the boot.
No, it's like buying an Elise and complaining you can't fit any luggage at all, even a briefcase. In fact it's more of a consideration on the bike because the protective clothing you need to ride it often isn't appropriate at your destination. You can lock the helmet to the bike but you need somewhere for boots and gloves and preferably a jacket and waterproof trousers.Dog Star said:
moanthebairns said:
Carrying a half loaf and a pint of milk back from asda doesn't matter.
It does when you want a pint of milk and a half loaf of bread.The thing is that I, and I daresay the majority of sportsbike riders, don't ride our bikes exclusively on tracks, or go hooning around with our knees on the deck. We do other things such as go on weekends away, maybe go camping (take my pic of the OHs red R1 above, that was February in Snowdonia on a bike rally) or mundane stuff like going to the shops / going to work. I ride a sportsbike because I like them - I'd rather drive or get the bus than ride a naked or commuter bike (Fazer, SV, Bandit etc) that is the conventional luggage carrier option. I don't need a ZZR1400 or whatever because I can carry all I need on my sportsbike by the simple addition of a small rack (which can be easily unbolted I might add).
king awful to ride. Oh and my gsxf and technically my street. Right what I'm trying to say is, buy a fking rucksack. I can fit enough shopping for a few days in one when I nip to asda on the way home from work. when I go out a run, its a case of, keys, fags, wallet and phone. You don't need anymore
I've ridden to track days and managed to cram this in my bag. You don't need a top box for everyday items, if you do, get a car.
terry tibbs said:
there are some bmw soft luggage options, i was shown one the other week on an s1000r - £235 tail pack holds a helmet fastens near the rear foot pegs and around the tail, waterproof
I've seen that option but don't think it locks to the bike so wouldn't be able to leave anything on the bike without worrying it would be stolen.
I like the luggage rack on my bike, makes it much easier to carry stuff. Especially when my girlfriend is pillion taking up the space you would normally use for luggage.
Plus you get to annoy those people who hate luggage on sportsbikes with pictures like this;
I do regularly get asked why I leave it on. I don't understand why I would go to the effort of taking off if it makes no difference.
Plus you get to annoy those people who hate luggage on sportsbikes with pictures like this;
I do regularly get asked why I leave it on. I don't understand why I would go to the effort of taking off if it makes no difference.
roboxm3 said:
I think it all comes down to what the bikes intended purpose is.
You could argue that sports bikes are intended for track work and being used as the basis for race bikes.
To design, manufacture and fit luggage capability on a sports bike will just add cost, that the majority of buyers / owners won't want or need.
Just my opinion, for what it's worth...
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.You could argue that sports bikes are intended for track work and being used as the basis for race bikes.
To design, manufacture and fit luggage capability on a sports bike will just add cost, that the majority of buyers / owners won't want or need.
Just my opinion, for what it's worth...
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.
SAS Tom said:
I do regularly get asked why I leave it on. I don't understand why I would go to the effort of taking off if it makes no difference.
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.
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.
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