Here's my take on the rear subframe. Kawasaki designed it w/ rear footpegs for a passenger so surely they have confidence it can handle at least 100 pounds distributed between the seat and footpegs. Imagine the product liability of a failure w/ a passenger on the back. I realize there have been failures but it seems like there must have been some other factors in play...

If the KLX had remained my primary bike I would have eventually owned the Happy Trail system that uses the Givi E21 cases, neat looking setup.


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In the end I am not overly concerned. If it breaks its fixable and if it gets fixed it will be much stronger for it.

 

I did notice, reading through the manual, that the rear rack max load is 11 pounds. I better weigh my gym bag.

 

Pretty sure I've exceeded that

 

11 lbs. is insane... And, what rear "rack" are they referring to in the manual? Mine looks more like a fender than a rack...

 

I was a bit surprised at the low limit. The rack was the first Gen. Take a look a the picture I just posted of my bike to see the rack. Its 10 posts down.

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...e-today-37512/

 

I saw in another forum that a guy broke his subframe multiple times in 2 different 06 bikes. He has some insights from it. The stock muffler bracket strengthens that side for one. He had a bracket made to strengthen the area as well that has helped.

Someone mentioned the cycle rack brand rack would act as a subframe support has well. I think I will be proactive about it. Maybe just the cycle rack but maybe more. I want to lay under it to see if maybe I could strengthen it without welding.

 

I got the cycle rack because I didn't want to worry about it. You can always fabricate something to add onto the cycle rack. I agree with you, their side pannier stuff leaves a little to be desired.

 

Can you post a close up off the attachments of the cyclerack? Do you think it distributes the load lower down toward the foot peg attachment?

I have also looked at the dirt-bagz but I think on those the attachment at the foot peg eliminates the the foot pegs They are nice in that you can carry the load inward of the problem area however.

 

Here is a pretty close shot:



It uses the footpeg bolt on the sides and two of the tool bag bolt holes on the subframe. It feel VERY sturdy.

Don't mind my flat. I'm going to cure it next weekend with a new D606/HD tube/Rim lock.