Adding Rack to Tour Pak - Any Downside?
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 773
Likes: 124
From: Between purgatory and retirement
1. Changes the look of the motorcycle.
2. You are more likely to scratch the top of the tour-pak while using the rack to carry your gear.
3. Waxing the top of the tour-pak will requiring a bit more effort.
4. Carrying too much weight or overloading the tour-pak rack will effect the handling of the bike.
5. Access to the inside of the tour-pak becomes more challenging with gear loaded on the rack.
...
2. You are more likely to scratch the top of the tour-pak while using the rack to carry your gear.
3. Waxing the top of the tour-pak will requiring a bit more effort.
4. Carrying too much weight or overloading the tour-pak rack will effect the handling of the bike.
5. Access to the inside of the tour-pak becomes more challenging with gear loaded on the rack.
...
Although I dont mind the look, in my case it would cover the two-tone paint on the lid which I really like. So far I havent needed the extra storage space.
As for adding the Air Wing LED, a buddy had a CVO with it and during the day I could not see the light while riding behind him, even when he hit the brake.
I dont know if it could be seen at night.
.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
Well, since we can’t find much down side to the rack, now we must decide if you want the aerodynamic one, which is heavier. So does the aerodynamics compensate for the extra weight?
And there’s the brake light attachment, does the weight of that light, the inconvenience of the wire going to it justify the additional safety?
And there’s the brake light attachment, does the weight of that light, the inconvenience of the wire going to it justify the additional safety?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
Their is a difference in the Premium and Air Wing rack. The Air wing is narrower from front to back. Thus, a bag that fits well on the Premium rack may not fit on the Air wing. Was gonna upgrade to the Air Wing until I saw the differnce.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 185
From: Ft Myers FL
Lots of lights and places to add extra bag...and I use a net to make sure nothing touches the paint...
for us it came in very handy.....the tour pack is also removable...it literally takes 15 seconds.... (even with the air wing LED LIGHTS)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 5,945
Likes: 5,140
From: Louisiana
I'm thinking about adding a luggage rack to my 2019 tour pack. Good info here. Since the bike is less than 20' from me in the garage, I went and opened the tour pack and sure enough the little circles are there where the holes should be drilled. Of course, I'd verify they are correct before I drill.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 774
Likes: 320
From: St. Louis
I had a bagger w/ tour pack rack, then bought a bagger w/o tour pack rack..... I added a rack within a month...
I think they look good on a tour pack, I use it for the wife's bag on a trip (I get tour pack, she has a bag on the rack), and it really doesn't affect anything if you don't have a bag on it....
The only downside would be aesthetics.... I have a friend who bought a rack, but has a slim tour pack on his street glide. He really likes the sleek look... he wants the rack, but is having a hard time "finding the time" to mount it...
PS- Not sure what year it started, or if it's only the King Tour Packs, but my OEM tour pack had little circles formed on the inside of the lid. I found out they are the spots to drill for a perfectly centered tour pack. I didn't know about them when I mounted mine. I used the template... I did pretty good, because my tour pack bolts are perfectly aligned with the marks, just about 1/4" to the rear....
I think they look good on a tour pack, I use it for the wife's bag on a trip (I get tour pack, she has a bag on the rack), and it really doesn't affect anything if you don't have a bag on it....
The only downside would be aesthetics.... I have a friend who bought a rack, but has a slim tour pack on his street glide. He really likes the sleek look... he wants the rack, but is having a hard time "finding the time" to mount it...
PS- Not sure what year it started, or if it's only the King Tour Packs, but my OEM tour pack had little circles formed on the inside of the lid. I found out they are the spots to drill for a perfectly centered tour pack. I didn't know about them when I mounted mine. I used the template... I did pretty good, because my tour pack bolts are perfectly aligned with the marks, just about 1/4" to the rear....
.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 758
Likes: 134
From: Florida Panhandle
where did youre tail lights/turn signals on the TP come from? Currently I have antenna studs sticking out and Id love to get a different TP light