Frame/Rack/Pannier weight limit?

5311 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Xtyling, Jul 1, 2015

Tonymoulls

Discussion Starter · Jun 28, 2015

I'm going away next year to Italy, through France, Germany, Switzerland, Swiss mountains to Italy!

The idea is to have a rear rack on the bike along with panniers.
As most of you know, you can't fit the rack and panniers at the same time. Not only that but I'm not sure the Ducati frame will withstand the weight? Another thing is my personal opinion of the Ducati panniers... They are crap! Why the hell would you have different sizes? And why so small!!

Because of that I was going to get a rack/pannier frame made up that simply bolts to the rear frame of the Ducati and then use my own panniers.

Main question is though... How? And will the scrambler frame hold the weight of panniers and a luggage rack?

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Doc59

· #2 · Jun 28, 2015

Thats the question we wont know until someone actually breaks the rear subframe by overloading it. Custom built, I'm pretty sure you could fit a rack and pannier mounts to the same 4 x 8mm bolts. Need guinea pigs to see what breaks first. Personally I would prefer a rack or pannier mount to break before a subframe.

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TC3

· #3 · Jun 28, 2015

I think I will wait for SW Motech to release the Blaze panniers for the Scrambler next year as they would be ideal with a Kriega us bag on back of seat. I pack light and unless you are camping I do not see why you need so much space?

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Xtyling

· #4 · Jun 28, 2015

If done properly, side rack/pannier frames should not add any stress onto the sub-frame because st minimum they will attach onto the frame at three important points. 1) at the pillion rider's foot pegs using two M6 screws (1 inch apart). 2) pillion rider's seat. But this has 2 available points (5 inches apart) using M8 screws.

I recently had side Givi E21N hard side cases installed using SB2000 side brackets that were custom bent and shaped to fit my Icon. I posted pictures on a different ducatiscramblerforum.com under the thread Givi E21N... We used 4 mounting points.. A bit overkill in my opinion but the machine shop said to do it just in case. The fourt mounting point we used was the M8 screws for the Extended Rear Fender of the Classic.

Without the side cases installed, i believe my rack can even serve as a crash bars. They will keep my rear tail lights safe for sure.

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Joe Bar

· #5 · Jun 29, 2015

Tonymoulls said:
I'm going away next year to Italy, through France, Germany, Switzerland, Swiss mountains to Italy!

A lot depends on how you pack, but I did a very similar trip a few years back on my BMW HP2 down to Lake Garda, with just a tank bag and tail bag.

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Ogre

· #6 · Jun 29, 2015

Just get this...click below

Giant Loop Great Basin Saddlebag System - Motorcycle Superstore

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nuttynick

· #7 · Jun 29, 2015

I have the stock bags and love them! I'm off to the South of France using them and a dry sack on the pillion seat. As for weight, if you can load more on the back than the weight of a pillion I'd be impressed!

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Tonymoulls

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 29, 2015

Nice one guys thanks for all the great advice!!

I doubt I'll need all the space, your right! But I would like it anyway just so I have the space if needed.

I'm planning on my trip taking two weeks with camping as it's cheaper and much more fun than a hotel. So I need space for clothes, camping gear, cooking etc..

Also it gives me the space for more gear when I go even further away

I didn't think of having the pannier frame attach onto the pillion pegs, now I know what the bolt holes are for

I'd like to make something myself, that way it's different! I'd also like to make a bracket to hold my 2x 2L fuel bottles... I'm good at running out of fuel!

I'll have a look, see what's available and how I can modify etc... If I'm not happy with what's there I shall make something

Again, thanks!

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Xtyling

· #9 · Jun 29, 2015 (Edited)

Just remembered the sub frame was designed to carry the weight pillion rider.. That should be strong enough to carry your camping gear.. Unless you bring the kitchen sink.

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Joe Bar

· #10 · Jun 30, 2015

Xtyling said:
Just remembered the sub frame was designed to carry the weight pillion rider...

That is true, the subframe will support the weight of another person, but the weight of luggage that can be carried is not dictated by the subframe, but the strength of the luggage mountings.

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ladyeclectic

· #11 · Jun 30, 2015

Joe Bar said:
That is true, the subframe will support the weight of another person, but the weight of luggage that can be carried is not dictated by the subframe, but the strength of the luggage mountings.

Unless you use luggage that lays across either the seat or the subframe, such as panniers that have a strap/connector between the bags. I haven't fidgeted with the rear end much to see what's possible, but this is the way I'm thinking about trying. The hardest part though will be to find bags that don't get in the way of the exhaust - nothing ruins a trip like burned panniers.

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Xtyling

· #12 · Jul 1, 2015

ladyeclectic said:
Unless you use luggage that lays across either the seat or the subframe, such as panniers that have a strap/connector between the bags. I haven't fidgeted with the rear end much to see what's possible, but this is the way I'm thinking about trying. The hardest part though will be to find bags that don't get in the way of the exhaust - nothing ruins a trip like burned panniers.

Additional rationale for me to upgrade to a customized exhaust.

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