| Author | Message | ||
     Starter |
Anyone else got one of these for carrying luggage? I picked mine up yesterday and expected it to be a simple 6 bolt installation to the passenger pegs bolts and undertail screws similar to my GSX-R and neighbours Zx-6R. Well to my surprise I have to remove the whole tail section, drop the undertail, discard the passenger pegs and bolts and then bolt on numerous mounting hardware just to attach the L-frames. It's solid I'll give it that. | ||
| Timbo |
Yep, I have it too. I didn't think install was too bad. Of course I've never installed one on a different brand bike so I don't have the same reference as you. BTW, I like mine. It can carry a ton'o'stuff. Timbo | ||
| Downundabueller |
I've got one on my 9S. Really simple install 6 bolts took about half an hour taking my time. Its solid and tough, I've abused it in all sorts of ways over the last 25,000 miles. The Bolt install sounds a lot more involved. | ||
| Unibear12r |
I thought the same and didn't want to dismantle/drill my body work. If you read the paperwork you'll see it's only rated for 80 mph. It does appear sturdy and it packs quite a lot. I took the upper rack, reversed it, and strapped it directly to my 12R's back seat with small tie-downs. Mounted the straps to the screws on the bottom of the seat. Kept the plastic protectors on the ends of the tubes to protect the tail section but inserted small washers to keep the tubes from cutting through. I only used it once that way but it was for four days and 1500 miles. A bit tight getting on and off the bike and 120 mph will bow the seat a little.  Otherwise no problems except for the sideways glances from my fellow riders and their reluctance to ride right behind me! Still wasn't happy with it so I'm backpacking now. | ||
| Keith |
I've got one on my 9S and I'm very happy with it. Sounds like the rack is much easier to install and remove on the "S" than the "R". My rack has been to an indicated 130 mph with no problems. Keith  | ||
| Two_buells |
I have one on my 9R and it works great! Sure makes the bike wheelie easy when full! I want to figure a way to mount my Mt Bike on the rack. I hate driving the truck to the trails. | ||
| Barkandbite |
I am about to buy one but I was unaware there was any required disassembly or drilling of the body work. Is there anyway you can take pictures or describe where the drilling is required and why you need to dismantle the tail section? Also, in all the pictures of the unit with the 9R, they retain the passenger pegs -- you sure you have to ditch them? Anyone have the instructions handy? Also, can one still use the Buell saddle bags with the Ventura pack? Thanks, Chris (Message edited by BarkandBite on October 19, 2004) | ||
| Al_lighton |
You do not have to ditch the passenger pegs. Sparky and Jen have racked up serious miles with the Ventura rack on his XB9R. That 80Mph sounds like litigation fodder....the system is pretty dang solid when mounted. OK, I probably wouldn't put the tall rack and bag on there while trying to qualify for the 130MPH club at Bonneville, but jeez, if you're out there sport touring and feel the need to go 130 on the salt, the tall rack comes off with a mere two screws and NO tools other than a small shaft on your key chain. Bottom line: if you want to carry serious stuff on your XB, there is no better solution I'm aware of. I'm pretty sure Sparky uses his Buell saddle bags with his Ventura rack regularly. Al | ||
| Blake |
I've used the Ventura Aerodynamic Bike Pack system since '98. There is no substitute. | ||
| Unibear12r |
On the R models you open up the tail and mount a small bracket to the sub-frame inside. The external L brackets then mount to the interior bracket through the holes for the turn signals and are supported at the front by the footpeg mounts. They provide longer bolts so you don't have to do without the passenger foot pegs. The body holes you drill are for the turn signal wires as they relocate to the L brackets. The holes you drill are small and close to the factory holes. The bag can carry a lot and is well built. You can buy a grab rail that replaces the bag rack for when you don't want to use the bag. The whole thing looks sturdy and well built. I think Al is correct about the speed rating being limited for litigation. Not as easy to install as the S model but still not that hard to do. It's really a nice set up, I just didn't want to drill holes or take apart my tail section is all. BTW I got mine from Al before I met him and he was great to deal with. | ||
| Al_lighton |
Hey Glenn, A customer called yesterday, wants to buy just the L brackets and a sport rack, but not the bags and the tall rack, for an XB-R. Seems to me that you said you were using just the tall rack and the bag, but not the L brackets and the sport rack. I can certainly order the parts he needs, but if you want, I'll just steer him to you. I lose a sale, but maybe make two happy potential future customers in the process. You interested? Al | ||
| Downundabueller |
They are strong and tough, i have travelled at terminal velocity regularly with two 45 litre bags plus a tent sleeping bag spare helmet etc all on top. I do my grocery shopping and fill them with tins and jars at times. Recently a fifty five kilo friend decided to surprise me she jumped onto the rear and was transported across a large parking lot to where I was parking. It did not affect the rack at all.Whew! I also love that the bags sit in line behind me and do not affect my wind resistance or ability to slip through traffic. It definitely performs well beyond manufacturers specs. I give it a 5 Star recommendation. *****  Ps-I am not associated with the company, i just love their product. | ||
| Downundabueller |
I must be missing some thing here why could I not post 55 in numerals but fifty five in words is okay???????? 55 kilos Now it works okay??? 'He scratches his head in confusion and curses the technology he loves'. | ||
| Blake |
The board software sees the combination of "a" and "55" even with intervening spaces as an attempt to defeat its overzealous profanity filter.  | ||
| U4euh |
Hey riders, Can someone point me to link as to what your all talking about? I am interested in luggage, but was unaware that such a item exsisted! Thanks, JIM | ||
| Starter |
http://www.ventura-bike.com/english/products/products.htm | ||
| Starter |
 Here's the picture from their website. Shame about the colour of the Buell  | ||
| Blake |
Purchase yours at American Sport Bike.  | ||
| Al_lighton |
The bags are available in blue, red, or black. The red is as shown above, doesn't really match Firebolt Racing Red (which is decidedly more orangish). The Blue is close to the new Buell Thrust Blue, definitely darker than the Battle Blue the XB9R's used to be. Black is, well, black. I stock black but can easily get the others. Al | ||
| Barkandbite |
Al -- lemme know when you get the blue bag in. Thanks, Chris | ||
| Unibear12r |
Al you got mail at American Sport Bike. Thanks Glenn | ||
| Hootowl |
Al, can you get the bag pictured here http://www.americansportbike.com/shop/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F8064184&rnd=2304 315&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=5754&cat=&catstr= I already have the system, but an additional bag would be great. They zip together | ||
| Al_lighton |
Chris, Blue bag came in today..you want me to ship it to you or are you gonna be down this way any time soon? Jeff, Yup, I can get it for you. Important note: the bags changed a little a about 2.5 years ago. The old bags zip together to the old bags, new bags zip to new bags, but old bags don't zip to new bags. I can still get old bags. They are distinguishable as follows: New 45 liter bags have a side mesh and map pocket, olds ones do not. New 35 liter bags are expandable from 16 Liter to 35 liter with perimeter zipper, the old ones were just a 35 liter bag and if they weren't full, they looked a little frumpy. So, that said, which bag do you need? 45 liter new style or old style? Or did you want a 35 liter bag, given the above info? The red one in the picture above is definitely at 45 liter new bag, #5758. The one on our link on the X1 is harder to see, but appears to be the old style bag. The 35 liter is #5759. You can order them online, use the comments section to specify old or new style. Or just call me at 760-727-2333 and we're happy to help. I have 2 old style 45 liter bags that I zip together on my S3. Between them, the stock saddlebags, and a tank bag, if I can't carry all I need then I should be taking the cage. Al (Message edited by al_lighton on October 21, 2004) | ||
| Hootowl |
I have the old style bag. Thanks Al...I'll take another look using those numbers. Jeff | ||
| Barkandbite |
Just installed the system tonight. Had a small problem with one of the mounting tabs (would not accept the bolt they provide) and I didn't have a vice. Got creative. It's on now. Only thing is that I ditched my passenger pegs and had to put them back on for this to work (the original bolts are too small and the new ones are too long -- without the pegs, that is.) The drilling is done to the undertail right next to where the original mounts sit, so it's very minor. The disassembly took roughly 10 minutes and the rest of the install about an hour. I'm going to try it first thing tomorrow on my commute and let you all know how I fare. Seems to be quite well made and I'm happy with the quality (except for the damned adapter and having to put the pegs back on...although now it looks more and more like a S/T model...) CHris |
