Don't know why but thought I would Google if there is a max weight limit for the Ventura Luggage rack system. Apparently there is and its 20lbs but unfortunately my bag weighs 31lb and I can't really ditch anything out TBH. Has anybody got any personal experience of this when touring and know if it will be an issue (rather than just say I reckon you will be OK) Thanks for any help you can offer to stop me worrying as I set off tomorrow and obviously can't have things go pete tong on route. For information I got the weight limit from the FAQ section of the Ventura website. What is the weight capacity of the Ventura Racks? Dold International, the manufacturer of the Ventura Bike-Pack System, lists the recommended maximum weight capacity of 20 lbs for most of the Ventura Racks. There are few that have a lower weight rating. Please contact us with your model and we’ll check for you! Motorcycle Luggage & Accessories Online | Tank & Seat Bags, Saddlebags, Panniers | Ventura MCA
I think you will be fine - I've had both bags zipped together loaded up and def over 20lbs with NO issues - Are you riding solo? If so the weight rests on the rear seat with the rack pointing out back is how I have it. However if you are 2 up the weight sticks right out the back and then I imagine the load limit could be an issue. I've had the big bag full, plus tent, sleeping back and roll mat on the back rack area -
You'll be fine as long as you don't start trying to get ya knee down fully loaded. As said the majority of the weight sits on the seat so in theory it'll take 15 stone, same as a big pillion. The weight limit is more for the rear projection rack and sideways loadings if you start riding like ya on a Trackday!
Cheers for the info. Obviously I won't be riding like I m on a trackday but I want to get a riggle on in the twisites its the whole point of touring on a Blade
Exactly. As long as you are driving solo, the weigth will rest somewhere around the pilion seat position. You will be fine with your 15kg. I have pushed the limit this year, fitted 50l luggage set (Kreiga US-20 plus 3x US-10) on the Renntec rack, with all the weight behind the pillion... and after couple of days (with numerous streches of really bumpy roads ), just after passing Val d'Isere and on the approach to Col de Iseran, 3 out of 6 bolts fixing my Renntec rack to the frame... decided to snap, one after another. I estimated that the weight of my luggage was around 15-17kg. The latter combined with vibrations, ended up in misery. However, I still managed to pass the Col de Iseran and the next day replaced the broken bolts, with the standard M6x50 from the local builders/DIY shop... which lasted until the end of the journey. Not a single snapped... weird. It appears that Renntec 'special/high-tensile bolts' were inferior to out of the shelf DIY bolts?
You're right Ian, but you also know that this limit is bollocks, set only for the legal reasons. I have contacted Renntec guys before the trip, they said (unofficially) that the bolts would sustain the luggage set up/weight I had planned for that trip. And to be honest for the first 3 days of the trip everything was fine. What I haven’t expected was the amount of bumpy roads in French Alps and those bloody 'speed bumps' in every town or village. I’m certain it was the vibrations which killed the Renntec bolts. As for the latter, I don’t have any confidence with them. How come the out-of-the-shelf standard bolts didn’t break? I have covered another week on similar roads, with the same luggage? Not a single has broken. Anyway, next time I will use the M8x50 bolts, which should do the job. But for the solo riding I would simply place the luggage on the pillion seat - with no concern about the weight
Have had around 30lbs in my Ventura pack, if its a worry make sure rack is over the pillion seat add some packing between seat and rack. Load is then shared.
The rack should be out at the back with the large bag resting on the pillion seat. That way all....or at least most of the weight is on the pillion seat, the rack only holds it in position, even with another bag zipped to the back. I use my ventura like that, and have never had a problem....and I must be way over the weight limit.
Unless you increase the bolt size (not a '5 minute job') Rentec are rubbish. See my post (26-08-14) and pic's in 'Getting a 2 man tent on the back of a fireblade??' ?
Well it ended up at 28 lb when the Max weight limit was 20 lb. Road 2800 miles to Italy and back and tbh never really noticed I had luggage on and was knee down in the twisities.