Sounds correct!

 

I have a rack and removable bag on mine. I put shoes and other super lightweight but bulky things up there.

 

I was told by the Honda staff that due to liability, Honda does not recommend any more than 5 pounds on the trunk rack.
I laughed and told him the rack and my t-bag weighs more than 5 pounds, so how can I carry anything on it?
But I did notice that the trunk lid did not seem to be quite as sturdy as the 2017 is, maybe due to serious attempts at weight reductions in the design process.

 

You can carry whatever you want. But, be prepared for something to crack or break above the 5lb limit, if you hit a serious pothole or 'overload' the rack over a long period of time.

The good and the bad of modern CAD programs is you can cut a lot of weight out of designs, but the safety margins shrink a lot.

 

I had a trunk rack on my ST1300, but I put several layers of boat fiberglass and resin up under the lid to support the extra weight, and never had a problem carrying a lot of gear on long rides.

 

If something breaks above 5 lbs. then this accessory may be useless. I was going to use this rack to hold a bag containing 2 sets of rain gear and a bike cover, leaving the trunk and saddlebags for clothing, but they may weigh more than 5 lbs. I hope this is something like the luggage rack I put on my valkyrie which also said 5 lbs max, but I carried much more there without problems. Anyone know what the weight limit was on the luggage rack for earlier models? And did you load up the rack without incident?

 

I believe my Kuryakyn rack also had a 5 lb weight limit - I installed with large washers (recommended by Kuryakyn) and regularly pack my rack back with 2 coats, and or cover. Confident that I frequently exceed the 5 lb limit. I am careful closing the lid - I don't slam shut. I haven't had a problem. If they tell you 10 lbs, some will put in 15 lbs. My point is, get a rack with bag and fill it with your cover, coat and other light items and you shouldn't have any problems if you don't slam the lid shut. Someone will suggest that what about in a crash and I respond that slight overload of rack isn't going to be your biggest concern. If you need to carry a bigger load, take your pickup truck. I will get a rack but probably not from Honda as my Kuryakyn rack looks more substantial. I am guessing there will be multiple after market choices.

 

I also just checked on Hondas website and their luggage rack for the 2017 has a weight limit of ONLY 2LBS. This is a ridiculous limit. Has anyone that had this rack on the pre 2018 models ever had a problem with overloading their luggage rack where something was damaged? Thanks.

 

As I stated and Jefro1 pointed out, 'as designed' you may get away with 'overloading' the rack, but you don't know what, if anything, is going to crack or break due to a dynamic load (pothole) or fatigue (over time).

Adding a couple layers of fiberglass certainly would help. So would adding a light aluminum plate inside the top of the box with foam sandwiched between the plate and the top of the box.

You have to make a $$ decision that if in fact you do break or crack something, you're willing to replace it. Personally, I would load the crap out of the top of the box (assuming the addition of the plate). Worst case, you're probably replacing a cracked trunk cover.

Cracks don't bother me so much. Anyone flying helicopters is used to them... that's what sharpee pens are for.. to mark them and see if they get bigger; and stop drilling the crack.

 

BUT FOR $350 LOOKS "PURDY" !:surprise::frown2:

 

I put my dirty underwear up on the trunk rack, but I never have 5 lbs worth of underwear with me so I'll be fine.

 

I just hang mine from the mirrors.lol

 

The aftermarket needs to step forward with usable, ample capacity rear tour packs for the 2018+.

Maybe the trailer folks can expand their product line and get into the lighted tour pack business.

 

This is one of those head scratching moments....The rack just doesn't look like it was designed for that trunk...There is no symmetry and the lines of the rack don't seem to match anything on the trunk. Maybe it looks better in person but for $350....I've got to ask myself, what were they thinking?

 

I really don't think the rack is too functional. 5 inches or so fore to aft doesn't really cut it - a bag will be rocking back and forth. But that's all the space they have on the trunk lid. And with the LED light installed there is really tight clearance between the rack-light and the lid. Good luck trying to clean out the dust & dirt that finds it's way in there.

I was thinking of it as a place to mount a VHF/UHF NMO ham antenna, but the light takes up almost the entire bottom side, and I'm not sure there's room to run coax.

 

I really don't think the rack is too functional. 5 inches or so fore to aft doesn't really cut it - a bag will be rocking back and forth. But that's all the space they have on the trunk lid. And with the LED light installed there is really tight clearance between the rack-light and the lid. Good luck trying to clean out the dust & dirt that finds it's way in there.

I have to agree with Jim.
I really wanted to get this rack, but not after a closer look.
The rack is a BIG FAIL in several areas.
First, it is chrome, when there is no other chrome on the bike. Should have been black like the Bagger racks.
Second, the only holes to attach straps to are on the left and right ends. Needs holes in the rear middle.
Third, with the high-mounted LED brake light attached to the underside of the rack, there is virtually NO ROOM to thread a bungee cord under it.
Fourth, the rack sits so tight to the top of the trunk that it is almost impossible to get a rag under it for cleaning the lid.
Fifth, it is so short front to back, that my travel t-bag will hang over the edge and rub on the lid of the trunk.
Disappointed,
Jefro.

 

I'll be coming from a HD Ultra Limited with 133 liters (4.7 cu ft) of storage and a rack rated at 10lbs. Traveling two up we easily are carrying 10+ lbs on the rack and everything else is filled up as well. Dropping down to 110 Liters and 5 lbs. on that tiny little Honda rack is going to be a challenge. I think i will wait on the rack and see what the aftermarket comes up with.

I'd say I'll just bring less of my stuff but all I get room for anyway is a toothbrush and credit card. But for necessary tools and a light cover the rest of the space is nearly all her space. I am sure some can relate. It's not going to be an easy transition. We apparently don't fit the Honda two up travel profile of mostly 2-3 day trips.

I said I would never do it but if i can't live without this bike I might just need to look at a Unigo. I hope the bike trailer folks are tooling up I think there will be an uptick in sales this year.

 

Storage problem solved

I was just reading another thread and someone mentioned the Packit Rack. Perfect solution if it becomes available for the 2018.


http://wingstuff.com/products/29386-pakit-rak-for-no-existing-trailer-hitch

 

I was just reading another thread and someone mentioned the Packit Rack. Perfect solution if it becomes available for the 2018.


http://wingstuff.com/products/29386-pakit-rak-for-no-existing-trailer-hitch

The Pakit Rack is a nice option, but the new rear-end design of the newer Wings blocks the license plate. I have one and added a license plate holder to it to avoid tickets.

 

Good tip thanks

 

I put the tiny Honda rack on my 05 when new. It has a stated 2 pound limit. I then got a small bag that fits it and carry rain suits, glove liners, etc. in it. Maybe 5 pounds max. Really handy, looks good and the chrome is very high quality. I think you just have to use it as it was intended.

 

The rack looks better in person than in photos. Agree, good for strapping rain gear to for those riding two up and that is about it. I was never a fan of the way a rack looked on the 01-17 bikes. It just stuck up way to high for my taste, but that is me. I never needed a rack to strap anything on to, so I just went with the spoiler with light. Hopefully down the road, Honda will bring back the spoiler option with light that will be a little less money.

 

The Harley Tour Pak Rack is simple, easy to clean under, and very easy to tie/strap a variety of bags to it.
The Honda rack is a major design failure.

The Goldwing Tour needs an aftermarket solution like this in powdercoated black with a few small tabs underneath to be able to bolt on the Honda OEM LED Brake Light.
Turbo Tom had a great design years ago for the ST1300 that was simple, versatile and very popular.
And with the boat fiberglass and resin I added to the underside of the lid, I had no problems carrying a small t-bag with jackets and rain gear.

I hope that an aftermarket company can come up with a simple, attractive and usable design that blends in with the compact dimensions of the new Tour trunk.
Jefro.

 

The aftermarket will be all over it.