New Ideas In Gear
NEW IDEAS IN GEAR
TOURING
DRAG SPECIALTIES LUGGAGE RACK
Luggage racks in the past have been as famous for their problems as for their utility, in large part because owners tended to expect more than the rack delivered or the manufacturer delivered less than the buyers expected or perhans both.
The idea, though, is super. A luggage rack is a framework which one bolts to the bike's frame. It has a flat surface and lots of places to attach rope or straps or bungee cords. It can include a backrest, as an extra. but even the plain rack is a far better platform for bedrolls, boxes, camping equipment and such than is the fender or seat which we'd use if there were no racks.
There is an inherent problem, or a p0tential problem. in that having large amounts of weight high and to the rear of the bike's wheelbase can hamper handling and control. Because of this, it's come to pass that many luggage racks, especially the kind one finds in the discount stores, are built with a low weight limit and are built to less than railroad bridge standards. Weight limits can be understood. Rattles and broken welds and poor plating are less excusable.
In this case, a man from Drag Spe cialties, an aftermarket company just get ting into the touring equipment business, came to our office to show us his latest catalog. Our luggage rack, he said, is the best on the market. Won't break, rattle or rust. Uhuh. we said.
We are also visited by a touring enthusi ast with an inside track. He works for a chain of Honda dealerships and he uses his Gold Wing as a rolling test bed for various items. The day after the DS man came by, so did the tourist. In the course of the conversation he said he'd sure like to find a luggage rack that would hold up under the loads he carries.
Elementary. We arranged for the DS man to loan our friend a rack. The friend installed the rack in our driveway. Not exactly a bolt-on job, as the rear signal stalks and upper shock mount bolts and rear seat mount bolts have to come off, but once the hardware was removed. every thing went back together properly. The holes and slots had all been drilled in the correct locations, which shouldn't be news but is.
This rack was supplied with options, a backrest that adjusts for fore-and-aft and with mahogany strips that attach to the top of the rack with counter-sunk screws. Use ful, if not mandatory.
Away the test rider went. He was gone for weeks and he returned with nothing but praise for the DS rack.
It carried everything he could lash aboard, he said, right up to the rack's limit of 100 lb.. (we'd interpret that to mean h&d probably gone over the limit and didn't want us to know). The chrome was in fine shape, despite the ocean air, and there were no rattles, Great piece of equip ment. He figured he'd recommend the rack to the dealers on his mute. who were also impressed except for the price. At $114.90 complete. the DS rack sells for almost twice the price of the discount racks. (The plain rack is $69.95. the rack and rest sell for $99.95 and the wood strips are $14.95.)
Conclusion: You can buy a good rack. designed to carry everything you can lash atop it, and a good rack is gonna cost.
Drag Specialties prefers to sell through dealerships. although if you can't find one in your neighborhood. they'll sell direct. The address is 6868 Washington Ave. S.. Eden Prairie. Minn. 55343.
TOUR & TRAIL TOTE BOX
T ouring riders who don't want to lash all manner of loose and bundled stuff atop a luggage rack can still get use from a rack, as well as a more secure feeling, with a tote box.
The box shown comes from Tour & Trail. one of the larger retail firms spe cializing in motorcycle equipment. It's de signed for use with a rack and attaches via a network of straps. looped through the bars and struts. This allows the box to fit virtually any size and brand of rack.
The box is nicely finished in black, with reflective stripes in orange and red. The bottom and sides and top are shaped by some manner of board-like material, so the box keeps its shape while being willing to bend a bit if you must cram things inside.
The lid. also flexible, is held down by plain snaps. The box carries a complete set of foul weather gear, or a shaving kit and change of casual clothes, or cameras and lenses and film and gadgets. depending on who's using it.
The tote box has been in daily use f~r several months and has held up well. It doesn~t shake loose or pop open and seems almost weather proof.
If there is a flaw to this gear, it's unavoid able. The lid doesn't lock. It doesn't lock because if it was locked, a determined thief could quickly undo the straps and make off with box and contents. And if it fastened permanently to the rack, it would lose its appeal as a semi-portable suitcase. In short, it's another reason not to park your bike where you can't keep an eye on it.
Price is $24.95, from Tour & Trail. 7529 Salisbury Rd., RO. Box 5245. Jacksonville, Fla. 33207.
