Author Topic: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity  (Read 1821 times)

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Offline P248

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DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« on: May 16, 2018, 15:37:53 »
Does anyone know what the official load rating is for the top box rack fitted to the K7 GT version of the Vee? I'm about to start riding for SERV (" the real bloodrunners") delivering blood products for the NHS and they need to know what weight the rack is rated for.
All help/advice appreciated.

Offline kwackboy

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2018, 16:13:21 »
I'm not sure of the exact weight but most give guide weight to cover their backs , say "max weigh 10kg", so they don't get taken to court if a rack brakes under load .
On my old K7 vee I can assure you I've been on many tours two up fully loaded I've had around 35kg + on the back in camping gear / clothes ect.

So if your rack and top box is in good condition there is no reason to worry about weight issues .
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Offline P248

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2018, 17:27:32 »
Thanks kwackboy. I have no doubt you are correct about the real capacity of the rack, but I think the problem will be that insurance will not cover for "overloaded" racks  which they will define as anything greater than the load capacity stated.by the manufacturer.

Offline Mudster

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2018, 18:08:04 »
My K3 has a sticker on the rack stating 10kg max, so appears consistent.

Offline hookie

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2018, 20:09:53 »
As yours is the GT it has side mounts for the two pannier type boxes. As these also attach to the top box rack and the frame the whole structure is very substantial. So as has already been said the 10Kg limit is a back covering exercise and as Kwackboy has mentioned they will carry way more than this and I've also had top and side boxes fully loaded way above this limit and would have no reservations doing it whenever necessary.

Offline kwackboy

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2018, 07:28:09 »
Although I understand your issue and I'm not an insurance specialist but in all the years I was a courier never did any the companies used ask for a rack weight limit.
I wouldn't imagine the goods you would be carrying wouldn't even bother a GT rack plus they are strong enough to give substantial crash protection if you have the side pannier rack fitted.
 
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Offline P248

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2018, 08:30:17 »
Thanks everyone for your advice. I started my Route Training with SERV yesterday. At one of the hospital collection points the trainer showed us the various standard delivery boxes used by the NHS and pointed out one type in particular that he is not permitted to transport because it weighs more than the 11kg rating for the carrier on his bike (a Triumph).
I too have no concerns about the ability of the rack to carry heavier loads and indeed I have often carried loads greater than the manufacturer’s limit without any problems. However, due to H&S laws, etc., an employer would be foolish to ask an employee to carry a load on his vehicle greater than that advised by the manufacturer. Consequently I have been asked to provide this information before I start carrying out any delivery runs, albeit as a volunteer. I should point out that most of the people who run SERV are volunteers and motorcyclists who understand the realities of manufacturer’s restricted load limits, but the organisation has a duty of care to their volunteers so they have to follow manufacturers’ recommendations, hence my question.

Offline mr_diver

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2018, 08:47:37 »
Givi monokey boxes would have a 10kg weight limit not including the box and fitting plate for your strom.

You can safely say the rear rack will handle a fair bit more than 10kg + box + fitting plate.

I've had some stupid loads in the top box and never heard of any structural issues on a strom.

I have seen structural failures of givi PL racks due to long overhang from the mount holes. The Classic shape stroms would not have this issue and the racks were quite solid.



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Offline Megashorts

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2018, 10:30:01 »
Part number 68391-06G00 has the answer you need! Its the warning sticker that goes on the carrier. It appears to be the same part on the DL650 as the DL1000.

Look it up on the parts finder and you will see a huge list of bikes!

https://www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/5923492/dl-1000-v-strom/carrier

Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2018, 10:30:48 »
From what you've said above P248, I'd say you're looking at 10kg max in the topbox then. You could put additional weight in side panniers, or more if strapped to the rear seat though I suspect strapping things to the rear seat wouldn't be ideal...

(Edit: My 650 had a 10kg sticker on it as per the link above)

Offline P248

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Re: DL1000GT K7 rack load capacity
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2018, 15:09:49 »
The carrier on the GT K7 is not the standard Suzuki carrier shown in the parts fiches, but part of a Suzuki GB luggage system fitted by Suzuki GB. Suzuki dealers do not have any factory parts info and cannot get spares for them from Suzuki GB. I understand that each model year of the K series GTs had different systems supplied by different luggage manufacturers. The cases on my particular bike are by a company called Soft, but I believe Givi and Hepco & Becker supplied kit in other years.

However, it  seems that 10kg is probably the answer to use. That won’t be a problem in that the weights of the NHS boxes are generally less than 10kg, except, as I mentioned above, certain boxes going to a specific hospital. That can be managed quite easily by the logistics controller who can ask me to use my car if a heavier load is necessary.
For my own purposes I’m quite confident the the carrier can safely carry a heavier load and I have indeed carried significantly more than 10kg on my recent 11day trip to Spain and France without any problems at all. But in the matter of official “elf and safety” the rules have to be obeyed!
Anyway, thanks to all for your advice.