Hepco & Becker Pannier Rack Mounting Guidance

[Funbobby]

Morning All,

Has anyone who has installed Hepco & Becker lock-it pannier racks onto their Crosstourer have photos or a video of the install?

Hepco & Becker manufactures quality products; however their installation instructions are an afterthought. I’m stuck on step two where the rack mounts to the frame. A panel has to be removed to access the mounting location, but there is no guidance on what panel requires removal or instructions on how to remove panel. 

Rob, 2017 Crosstourer DCT
Navarre, FL
IBA# 606

[Funbobby]

My question for installation assistance with Hepco & Becker side case racks had zero responses and I could not locate a YouTube video of someone performing the installation. Thus, I tackled job with worthless Hepco & Becker installation instructions.

1) Before you start I recommend reviewing a shop manual on the procedure to remove the rear fender. I found a scanned one on the forum. Have the manual nearby when performing the installation as you will be referencing it multiple times to remove the rear fender. The rear fender requires removal in order to access two bolts.
2) Enlist the assistance of a friend as having a second pair of hands and eyes is a big help.
3) Plan 4-6 hours to perform the installation. It took me six hours, but now that I have removed and reinstalled the rear fender, I could probably perform the installation in four hours.

I am very happy with the fitment of the side case racks onto the Crosstourer. The bar alignment was perfect and the case rack is securely attached.

I have one caveat, but it may not apply to Crosstourers outside of the US due to different size license plate tags. I had to modify my tag holder for it to mount with the side carrier case bars.

Best,

Rob, 2017 VFR 1200X
Navarre, FL
IBA# 606

[oskar]

Yes, the assembly instructions are not very clear (https://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage.co.uk/library/pdfs/6509710001.pdf), a question, the pannier racks can be easily removed when not are the side cases used?

[Jimbeauxk]

I feel your pain. I installed that rack a year or so ago, and all I recall was the amount of sweat dripping off me after about 4 hours of shredding my hands trying to fit the bolts up into the frame. I don't recall what panel needed to be removed, I've tried to forget the torment. I, too, had to modify my plate frame and bent the reflector stays in.

Once installed, I haven't had any problems, but I remember sending H&B a nasty note about the install process. Wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.

Oskar, yes the rack sides can be removed with an allen wrench and a little effort, but I've never bothered. I really didn't care about that functionality when I bought the rack, but like everything else with the CT/VFRX, there are little to no bike specific aftermarket parts here in the US, including racks. That happens when you only produce 2 model years of a bike before pulling it off the market.

[Funbobby]

@Oskar. If your goal is to have clean lines, removal of the Hepco & Becker pannier rack is very simple - loosen the quick disconnect bolts on the bottom left and bottom right and lift the rack up. I don't intend to remove the rack as they are securely fastened onto the VFR. I rode a 20 mile off-road route this past weekend and they were solid.

I am happy with the quality of Hepco and Becker products, but their instructions are sh#te. I also installed H&B crash bars and had a similar frustrating experience with the instructions. However, after speaking with a friend who purchased an Africa Twin last year, he has had the same frustrating experience with aftermarket instructions from other manufactures. Poor installation instructions appears to be a trend in the aftermarket parts world.

Rob, 2017 VFR 1200X Dct
Navarre, FL
IBA# 606

[oskar]

Thank you Funbobby, that is the answer to my question, after all the difficulty for assembly it has its advantages to remove part of the rack. Thanks.