Renntec rear carrier...........

[DP1400]

Opinions welcomed please folks - i`m looking to purchase a Renntec rear carrier for my B\W `14. Had one on my `12 and was really pleased with it. Perfect for an overnight bag or for carrying a few bits when we are out for a days ride.

Bearing in mind it`ll be a permanent fixture and not taken on and off as required, my dilemma is as follows:- Options of finish are either chrome; black, or white.

I`m thinking probably white (given the bikes B/W paint), chrome is a bit too bling & `70`s, and black may look a bit out of place over a white tailpiece? Trouble is, i don`t want it looking like i`m carting around a lump of white scaffolding on the back either......

.......aaaaaargh! Help me out here guys, i can`t believe i`m the only one facing this issue!!

PS. Er, Tricolour is out, and no, i`m not changing my bike to match the Pink version !

[gsxbarmy]

Had a white one on my old K2 for a while, have to say I wasn't over happy with the finish, after a while it looked right scruffy, the paintwork seemed to wear quickly esp when using elasticated straps. Personally I'd go for a black or chrome one, more likely the chrome, but then that can rust.

I remember now why I junked it and fitted a Givi rack.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Black

[grog]

DP1400, not sure available where you live. Ventura rack n bag i have. Just brilliant, Brackets stay on, can hardly see them. Then choose rack or fit rack with bag. 5 minutes off/on. Bag can fit lots. Not 14 fit in link but same. One of the best parts ever fitted to mine. Bag even holds a case of beer. A great back rest foe wife also. Mines been on nearly ten years so quality good. Ventura Aero. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ventura-Aero-Spada-51L-Touring-KIT-Kawasaki-Ninja-300R-2013-2016/172438418001?epid=0&hash=item2826217251:g:zZ4AAOSwpIxZdYqj

[DP1400]

Thanks Grog, thats really great info and I appreciate it big-time.

I`ll have a dig around and check it out I`m particularly impressed with the bags ability to hold a case of beer......

[Eric GSX1400K3]

, i don`t want it looking like i`m carting around a lump of white scaffolding on the back either......

But with a case of beer on/in it is a different story...

[Snapey]

Ventura bag/rack with a carton of beer ... good luck. If reversed & the carton is on the seat maybe but the other way around ... no way. Ventura recommend a maximum 9kg and less for certain bikes but just about every Ventura rack I've seen on a 14 has been repaired. Good for highway use only.

[DP1400]

Thanks for the heads-up Snapey. Good to know

[Nic]

Ventura bag/rack with a carton of beer ... good luck. If reversed & the carton is on the seat maybe but the other way around ... no way. Ventura recommend a maximum 9kg and less for certain bikes but just about every Ventura rack I've seen on a 14 has been repaired. Good for highway use only.

Ventura rack, I had one on the Bandit, got to my destination and the bastard was gone, it had simply snapped off, I thought I felt a wiggle but not enough to make me look around, I had a top box connected to it but it was empty, looking at what was left on the bike the joints are only brazed. I ended up making my own from 3mil steel plate, a bit over kill and pretty heavy but it never let me down. They need reinforcing as per the pic and the Ventura would be ok I think.

[grog]

Thanks for info fellas, guess ive just been lucky. Will def make up the strengthening struts for mine. Carrying the beer was just meant to show capacity of bag not load carrying ability, only short distance pub to home. I looked at Renntec &Givi, 4&5 kg their carry max, doesnt seem much.

[Nic]

My 14 had Hepco & Becker top box and panniers when I bought it, I've taken it all off but the top box and bracket weighed around 15/20kg I reckon, it just bolts to the grab rail bolts  then on the side of the bracket, a sticker saying 5kg max load, brfff.
I took the two side plates off and mounted my old small RJays box, the mounting plate is plastic, with the top box the whole thing weighs nothing, it's a small box n you can't put much in it but it's on there and ain't coming off and I reckon it wouldn't balk at a 10kg load easily.
The Ventura system is at least light in weight but in achieving the weight they used paper thin tubing, this is probably why it's only brazed, I don't think the tubing could handle a weld. 
Here're some pics of my small RJays box using the side plates from the Hepco & Becker box. I hate the look of the bracket on the bike but it is handy to have the box when you need it.

[Snapey]

When I go away I go heavy so the many racks I've made are strong. The grab rail only gets in the way so with it gone I've now got a perfect mounting point. I attach two 5mm stainless plates & spacers to those mounting points and off them are bolted the different platforms and uprights for big & small bags and top box. These are reversible so heavy loads can be carried over the seat and are mirror polished and TIG welded 304 stainless. I have tall and short interchangeable uprights for the small or extra large RJ's bag and the top box plate is a platform only. The rack pictured has carried 3 cartons of glass stubbies in the large bag and lives to tell the tale.

[Nic]

Yeah, nice work mate, I reckon making your own is the way to go. I have these big arse panniers if I need them, they take about an hour to bolt all the frames back on but I don't know if I'll even need em. Some kind of top box comes in handy though for small things.

[Irish in Oz]

I can't understand why anyone would want to put a ton of weight up in a top box or bag, thats why I have the large Givi panniers.

[DP1400]

Horses for courses, as they say! I think no-one here is advocating the overloading of a rear carrier, just that some are better than others at handling a permitted load.

We all use our bikes differently therefore our needs on luggage carrying differs too.

Personally, i no longer do hundreds of miles touring, I just require the convenience of a small carrier to alleviate the need for slinging a bag on my back for an overnighter, or similar.