DR650 pannier rack. Do you want one?

[NordieBoy]

I'll pass at the moment.
Priority at the moment is an exhaust that's louder than stock but quieter than the SuperTrapp that I put on today

[Bartman10]

Sure am Mr B - looks great to my uneducated eyes - I am after a BIG pannier carrier and yours looks ideal.

Are you bringing manufacture forward a tad? Last manufacturing timetable was about Feb.

I've cut out the steel...

I hope to get some more info out soon It's been the weekend from hell, running around like a mad chook.
Can't wait 'til this Christmas caper is over...

I'll try to get some photos up soon...

Cheers.

[paulj]

I've cut out the steel...

I hope to get some more info out soon It's been the weekend from hell, running around like a mad chook.

I'm not concerned re delivery Bartman10 - whenever fits with you is OK by me - take your time and enjoy the Xmas festivities Yeah ... I'm heading into the hills ASAP even if I have to push my bike ...

See ya - P

[paulj]

Just completed a tour of the Old Dunstan Road and Lammermoors - some thoughts re pannier-rack design albeit a little late!

I loaded a large Pelican case with most of my gear and strapped it to the forward of the Ventura pack-rack uprights and I hose-clamped a hacked down frame pack to the rear (I think I may have the Ventura unit reversed!). The case rested on the rear part of the seat so the pack-rack was only being used to carry the lateral loadings - this seemed to work well and avoided stressing the rack/frame mountings. The downside to this arrangement was the relatively high center of gravity and, as my pack was well to the rear, a lighter front wheel which shimmied ever so slightly on some road surfaces.

Secondly, this case being upright and now into the rear section of the seating area, provided a nice backrest (when needed) to my tired old frame - pic shows general setup, the red front day-pack is worn normally.

As my bike will not carry pillion, I am now of the opinion that the pannier rack (for me anyway) will be used to carry gear well up onto the rear of the seat - I may even have the seat shortened to clear this area down to the frame - and I will fit either a proper seat back or back-rest (adjustable) to the pannier rack. This would allow me to slide back and rest on the easier sections of road/track (there were a few 40kM sealed stretches).

And as has been noted elsewhere, the Suzuki seat is a bummer - great for hard out track work but not for my tender arse, so modifying or replacing it will be a delight!

All in all a good tryout and everyting worked OK, if a little makeshift. I'm looking forward to bolting on your pannier-rack Bart and really putting some gear on board - this latest trip was sans ale n wine and should not happen again!

Merry Xmas and I hope you have had a happy and restful New Year - I have, but I'm a bit knackered.

[Nathan]

Here's an interesting site where a guy set up his DR650 for touring.

http://www.clfry.com/dr.html