Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Equipment Reviews
Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Jun 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 37
Tonn's DRZ400 rack report

Ordered two of these, one for myself and one for a friend:

DRZ 400 S Aluminum Cargo Rack Deluxe Version
Page Title

Mike was quick to respond to e-mails and quick to send the items, and also gave a small discount by sending them both together. They were packed well and looked good out of the box. The welding isn't perfect but it is OK.

They are fiddly to fit. If you need to remove your seat or the rear plastics it is a real pain.

Unfortunately, both of them were out of true. On my bike, they just barely fitted on, and not straight, with the rear of the rack about 10mm to the left of the bike's centreline instead of nicely centred. It also was a bit of a drama to fit because it wasn't quite straight.

Neither of them would fit my friend's bike at all, neither rack would fit at all and he needed to modify it by linishing part of one of the mounting points a bit. He could eventually get it to fit, but still offset to the left of the bike's centreline on both bikes. Both bikes are only a couple of years old and the frames are not bent as far as we could tell (his has never even been dropped, and mine only lightly). Anyway, both racks fit both bikes the same way and that's too much of a coincidence.

We were really disappointed that they could be so incorrect, and sent some photos to Mike. He said "I pulled an alumium rack from the jig today, bolted it to the bike and it was as straight as an arrow. Every rack I make comes from the same jig and they do not move while being welded. How it could be that far off is beyond me." Well I don't see why both our bikes should be bent so it must be the rack itself. Sure enough when we measured the distance between the forward and rear mounting points on the racks, it is 150 mm on the left side and 155 mm on the right side which would make it skew to the left. Both racks have this 5mm difference. This explains why they don't fit properly.

Mike offered to send new ones out but I think it's a problem with his jig so there was no point, any new ones would have been the same. He also offered a refund but we figured better to have a badly fitting rack than none at all (none of the alternatives really suited our purpose). It was a disappointing experience and I had hoped that Mike would at least check his jig - maybe he was setting it up on a bent bike?

However, even though the racks still don't fit quite right on the bikes they do work really well. Their shape is practical and the black looks good. If they had fit better and squarely on the bike they would have been perfect. As it is, they are practical and look good from a distance, but just not from behind.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Travel report, Kola Peninsula 2011 jah Ride Tales 0 13 Feb 2012 14:02
Travel report, Kola Peninsula summer 2011 jah Northern and Central Asia 0 31 Jan 2012 00:58
Xt660z aluminium rack info Andysr6 Yamaha Tech 0 5 Jan 2012 16:53

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:31.