04 rear luggage rack: which one is best?

Hey gang-
My buddy with an 04 VFR800 is looking for a rear luggage rack. I recently bought him the OEM hard bags (he's in Iraq so I get tasked with buying all his farkling while he's out of the country), and he's now asking about rear racks (see photo).

Only catch is that he wants one that keeps the rear grab handles on the bike. Anyone know/have first hand use of any that keep the handles?

 

Glad you asked the question....I just bought an '08 and need a way to carry my laptop backpack back and forth to work. I like the look of the seat cowl on the bike so I'm looking for one that will allow for this as well.

I'll be interested as well.

 

I believe the 5 stars rack (Five Stars Delock Topcaseträger - motoin.de) and Hepco & Becker rack (Part Number: 650.928 01 01) both retain the grab handles. I've used the Hepco & Becker rack on another bike and it's a solid unit.

 

I checked out the 5 Stars Rack, and downloaded the PDF mounting instructions, and it looks like it mounts in the holes for the grab handles just like the one I show:

Five Stars Delock Topcaseträger - motoin.de

Click on TECHNICAL INFOS & scroll down to the VFR800 PDF, 3rd from the bottom.

Anyone know of any more, maybe made (or at least sold) in the US?

 

I have a Five Star and it mounts on top of the grab handles, comes with longer bolts. I have a GIVI Mono-Key box I use with it. If you plan to use a Mono-Key Box, you also have to buy the "GIVI Bits Pack", which is about $8 (plus shipping). The rack was only $95 with shipping (to USA), while if you buy this rack from Twisted Throttle, you'll pay about $225 + Shipping.

 

The Givi 166FZ installs without removing the grab rails.

Givi Website LINK

I'm purchasing this set up this year so i can use a top box with a back rest for my wife. the picture shows the top rack AND the side guards for the saddle bags. From what I understand you only get the top rack and not the "D" shaped guards when you order the 166FZ.

Take note of this also when ordering this rack...

Update LINK

 

The Givi rack does work with the grab handles in place but I believe it is not compatible if you have the OEM side case racks.

 

Uh oh. Under the Givi 166FZ, it states:

"It is not compatible with the factory sidecase holder", which I take to mean "not compatible with OEM hard bags. Or "not compatible with OEM bag bracketry".

Both of which he has. Damn. Soooo close.....

 

Only $95 for the Five Star to the States? You order it right from their site? That might be the best I'm gonna do...

 

Man, I'd pay your VFRWorld.com yearly subscription fee if I could get a few good fotos of that rack mounted with the grab handles too.

 

Look here:
Five Stars Top Rack & Kappa K35NT - VFR Discussion
It's the set-up I'm thinking of adding.

 

I must be stupid but cant you just mount that rack (in pics) on top of the grab handles with washers and longer bolts?
You dont have to always be stuck to what the aftermarket stuff gives you... they usually just throw some nuts, bolts and washers in their special bags and custom label them!

 

Here is a pic of my Five Star Rack (setup for GIVI Monokey box):



it came with the longer bolts, but I added 3 washers under the rear and 1 under the front (each side), to raise the rack a little so it would not seat directly against the handles.

I bought my rack here: Click Here
It was $95 shipped. If you want the "GIVI Bits", to mount a Monokey box, its about $9 more.

 

In the last pic, I see that it only attaches at 2 points (actually 4 if you count the individual grab rail bolts). Is this rack study and secure enough to hold the topcase and the weigth of a passenger leaning against it? Looks like a really good alternative to the GIVI and HONDALINE products, but I would like more feedback about its durability (and safety).
Thanks.

 

eurojuce,
I am currently using a 40 ltr. GIVI 360 Case on this Five Star rack, which I load with about 10 pounds of stuff. Doesn't seem to phase the rack at all, but I've never rode 2up with the case on, so I can't speak on how well it would stand up to that. For less than $100 shipped, it was a no-brainer for me...I was just looking for way to give me options on toting some daily things.

 

I've never ridden 2-up with a box on either....holds a LARGE Givi topbox real sturdy though.

 

Try Ventura racks. do a google search