front panniers
 

I saw (a few years ago now) luggage racks that fitted above the front headlights, for Yamaha/BMW etc.

Since then, nothing. Are they now 'not the thing'? I can imagine them having a detrimental effect on seeing the front tyre (but perhaps that's a good thing?).

Otherwise, seemed like a good place to keep light stuff.

Any thoughts?

Sam.

For light stuff you don't need a rack, the rack will weigh more than the stuff. Just tie it to the front mudguard.

------------------
Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

im in the process of getting some racks fabricated and because im trying to attempt a long journey with my lady on the back of my 96 xtz660...
my only option is to spread the weight over the front ,so ive decided on a front luggage rack to take all the heaviest things..(doubles as crash bars)
i was thinking about a rack above the headlights but as you mentioned i think it may be a bit of a distraction, however i wont rule it out just yet.
....... i will put up some picks when theyre done....phil



[This message has been edited by futronix (edited 26 November 2003).]

Try looking at www.rikycross.it, M&P have sold their stuff before but I don't know if they do now.Give www.motoward.co.uk a go, they claim to have it.

Cheers Fish.

[This message has been edited by Fish (edited 26 November 2003).]

Heavy things on the front? The 660 are already too heavy there, a better option seems to tie them to the bash plate in front of the engine, or to the side where the passenger footpegs are. Some of the guys here have done this with tools for example.

------------------
Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

Generally the biggest problem on a loaded touring bike is the weight is too far back and too high.

Your focus should imho always be to get the weight forward and low down.

Popular solutions:

- Tool boxes of some sort down around the engine area, e.g. the piece of plastic drain pipe in front of the skid pan - just make sure the wheel doesn't hit - pull the fork springs and check carefully! You need a minimum of 2 - 3 cm or one inch clearance - the forks DO flex.

- Tank panniers - usually simply heavy nylon saddlebags slung across the tank and strapped down at the bottom. Make them as long and fat as you want, so long as they don't block engine cooling. Nice to keep the rocks and crap off your legs too.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I attached a couple of ammo boxes to the crashbars on my XTZ. I had a horizontal steel angle welded to the lower rail of the crashbar where the bottom edge of the box rested and a bolt welded further up which fitted through a hole drilled in the box. It was secured with a nut inside the ammo box which could then be locked.

I found this quite a good arrangement for storing tools and spare tubes. Very accessible and it kept the dirty stuff out of my boxes.

I don't know how they would have held up in a fall but fortunately I never found out.

Cheers

Dave