Just picked up a 2011 klx250s and am adding a few items to it. I haven't found a rear rack I like. A couple come close but not quite what I'm after so I think I'll take a crack at building my own. Here's a rendering of what I'm after (drawn in sketchup) It's more or less to scale and measures 14" long. It's 9" wide where it connects to the seat bolts and 8" wide at the tail end although I imagine some or all of the measurements will change once I start fitting it to the bike. I'm thinking I'll use 1/2" steel tubing welded together and spray-on bed liner to coat it. I'd appreciate any ideas for improving the design or things to consider as I put this together.
Thanks.

 

Seems like a lot of work for something so close to a stock rack. I've a 2007, and it looks a lot like your drawing...

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...ar-rack-37801/

 

Looks good. Now...could you make one up for the 300R?

 

There is no OEM rack for '09 and newer.

 

Looks similar to the Nomadic rack I have and am very happy with. If I have a criticism however it's that the rack has no 'lip' around the perimeter to prevent items from shifting over the edge. If I were building one from scratch as you are planning, I think I'd raise the perimeter member relative to the cross bars, or use a larger diameter for the perimeter piece.

 

My two cents...

Think about how much weight you want to put on the rack. Not much subframe under those four mounting points (refer to recent subframe thread). The Cycle Rack model extends down to the rear footpegs and I'd say adds stiffness. Mikesova has a two gal Rotopax on the Cycle Rack.




.

 

If your planning on putting more than 15# on it....
and was going to weld something up, I would go with a rack with a brace on both sides down to the peg area (over the muffler on the outside on the right) like in the picture in the other thread.
The rack as per the 07 (which yours is almost identical) is a cantilever support that puts a lot of stress on the bolt down positions.

 

Thanks for all the input. I'll have to take a look at an '07 and see if the rack is what I really want. Good points on the weight limits. I want the rack to hold my fishing rods and tackle box so it will be mostly used with light objects but I see value in designing something beefier. Back to the drawing board.

 

I also have the nomadic rack and wish they guy would of included one more cross bar where the little tool bag sits
since I dont have the bag installed at all, because I have a rack it really needs that one extra cross bar nearest the seat

whats the point of the rack if half of it gets blocked by the tool bag

other then that the rack is fine slippery or not
could always one of those anti slip mat under the item your carrying

 

I have a Promoto rack and love it. You might want to check it out.