Adding Rack to Tour Pak - Any Downside?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,188
Likes: 11,299
From: San Diego, CA
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....
Last edited by hattitude; Dec 21, 2018 at 09:17 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Nope! Been riding my old Glide for almost 30 years using one. We put a soft H-D bag on the rack, to carry surplus riding gear, and squash it down using straps to minimise its bulk, also never put anything heavy in it. That's about all!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,909
From: East Coast, USA
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.
In spite of all this, I installed the HD Premium Tour-Pak Luggage Rack in my bike.
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.
In spite of all this, I installed the HD Premium Tour-Pak Luggage Rack in my bike.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
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.
In spite of all this, I installed the HD Premium Tour-Pak Luggage Rack in my bike.
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.
In spite of all this, I installed the HD Premium Tour-Pak Luggage Rack in my bike.
2. not by using a bag with a stiff floor,
3. I don't wax my legs either,
4. Don't put anything heavy in there,
5. see 4. above.
Good choice!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
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.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,003
Likes: 11,441
You won't look as cool. But they do come in handy. I would not be without one. If you install it your self check and check again before you drill. The Black ones tend to get scuffed up when you use them a lot chrome not so much.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,543
Likes: 57,089
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I have this one. Not a huge fan but it serves its purpose. I think I'm going to start saving for a lighted Air Wing Tour Pack Rack to add some extra lighting to the rear of the bike.