First post, so introductions. Hi. My name is Ralph and I'm on my second Tenere.

I've just moved from a 3aj tenere to the latest model (well, 09), and I'm loving it. As far as I can tell, it's 20 years of development well done. Except in one area - the rear rack.

I miss the big mild steel ladder on the back of my old bike - it was great for strapping all types of bags to (most riding I do in the UK is on caving trips - gear for the weekend plus 100+ m of rope makes for some large and odd shaped bags leaking muddy water) or bolting on my trusty givi top-box when I go further afield. The mounting point for a Yamaha top box doesn't seem to cut it.

Searching around, there are loads of slinky-sexi aluminium plates going (for example this or this), but less of the big strap-a-sheep-on type that I know and love.

The closest I've found is metal mule's offering ( one of these - less the pannier racks), but before I stump up the �120 quid, does anyone have any experience of them? If you do, are they level with the pillion seat for those oversized loads? Any home-baked solutions to inspire me?

Thanks,
VT

Have you checked the Ventura rack? - probably a bit small - not sure.

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Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.

Hiya,

I have the Metal Mule rack on my Z and yes, it is more or less level with the pillion seat. It is well built with solid mountings and what up to the moment has proven to be very tough finish. I had one of the fancy alloy jobs before and couldn't strap half the gear on that I can now. It gets my vote :-) ImageUploadedByTapatalk1345493093.925391.jpg

Cheers.

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My first Ten was the prototype bike for MM to set up the pannier frames and rear frame.

As has been suggested the frame is very robust and can carry quite a bit oif gear. Is well engineered and does sit level with the seat.

Cheers SteveD

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If I'm not working, I'll be

Thanks for the feedback and the pic - it's good to see them being tested. The rack tends to be the first thing you grab the bike by when it needs humping about so it's good to know they're tough!

I think I'll go for one of them then come next pay-day.

I'll try and remember to stick a pic up once it's all on.

VT

Hi,

Well, I got the Metal Mule rack, so here's some feedback.

It's just what I wanted. Nice big rack, level with the seat, sturdy construction. My only concern from the pics was the flat bars that make up the structure being a bit bendy, but they are nice and chunky. No fears about manhandling the bike by the rack, though it is a bit high to get good leverage unless deeeep in bog.

Only downside was the fitting kit was a mixture of the with pannier frames and without pannier frames kits. Full credit to Metal Mule though - they sent me the right bits first class the day I emailed them to let them know. All in all, I'm happy. Thanks all for your advice.

Here's a pic of it loaded up. You can't really see the rack, but it definitely is doing the job I want it to!