Product Review: Hepco Becker Luggage Rack Ducati 900SS

 I see all my bikes as utilitarian machines. The 900SS is obviously focused on sport riding but I need it to perform for all of my needs.  In Peter Egan's Cycle World Review, it was stated you could you ride the 900SS all day, and that with a duffel bag strapped on the back, they toured all through the Black Hills. A sport bike that was comfortable enough for trips, but yet could unleash its potential while in the twisty bits.  Sounds good to me! Now, to be clear, I've never been a sport bike guy (haven't my last 2 bikes been sport bikes?) but I have always loved this bike.  Geez, sorry, didn't mean to start gushing again.  

So, back to the matter at hand.  When I first picked up the 900SS, I started looking at ways to mount luggage, maybe even my yellow Pelican cases from the Hurricane.  Eventually I found the Hepco Becker Luggage Rack listed at MotoMachines. I was reluctant to place an order without knowing whether this was something I could actually receive if purchased.  The team at MM reached out quickly and stated HB still makes this rack, but only as ordered. So it could be at least 4 weeks turn around time.  I pulled the trigger in late August. Hoping it would arrive before my trip but that wasn't the case (see my Rhinowalk 20L post). 

While cleaning up the garage, the big brown truck arrived and handed me a large box. I immediately knew what I was doing that day! I emptied the box of it's contents, and dug out the instructions. 

This should be simple, right? Right?

 

Well, this complicates things. 

I managed to use Google Images, which prompted me to translate the documents.  It worked pretty well, with some exceptions but it was good enough to get me through the process.  Overall, the installation was fairly straight forward.  Like anything else, you only hand tighten each piece so you can get everything aligned as best as possible. I did have to remove the license plate mount to install the crossbar, which the instructions did not state. 

Don't do this. You'd think that's how it works, but it's not.

See the stack of 3 washers on the front bolt, don't forget those.

I did need to use a little mechanical advantage to get the last bolt lined up.

After everything was good-n-tight, I put the plastic bolt caps on with 

a bit of Kragle just to be sure.

I added some LED brake light strips that I had lying around.

Recycled the LED Flasher module from the Hurricane.

If I were to move or mod the rear signals, I could put my Pelican cases on there, but I think I'm going to stick with soft bags for now. Maybe use one of the yellow cases as a top box, or a small HF case?  Either way, the rack is damn nice and I'm glad they still make them.  To some, it may spoil the looks of the 900SS but to me, it still looks damn nice.  Then again, as I said, I like Utilitarian vehicles and styling.  Plus, now I can pick up the rear of the bike easily, and have a better hold when putting it up on the rear stand.

- stay safe out there and enjoy these last weeks of perfect riding weather. 

For anyone interested here are the Installation Instructions in English-ish: 

"Remove the seat. Remove the surrounding plastic parts. Unscrew the two rear indicators. Remove the reflectors attached to the side; they are no longer needed.

Loosen the fastening screws of the aluminum arms of the exhaust suspension and pillion footrest mount from the frame. The front lower tube struts of the pannier rack are screwed under the aluminum arms to the rear fastening. To do this, replace the original screws with the supplied M 8 * 25 Allen screws. To ensure that the arms are not installed too tightly, 3 8.4 washers are placed under each of the front fastenings. Also use the longer M 8 x 25 Allen screws supplied

for fastening.

The holes in the side tube struts are congruent with the fastenings on the frame. An aluminum spacer 18 * 7 * 25 is inserted between each as a spacer. Use the hexagon screws \ matrix 6 * 40 matrix for screwing.

 The mounting bracket is positioned so that the two centrally attached tabs run over the outside of the fender and are aligned with the original indicator holes. Use the hexagon screws 8 * 20 to attach it.

The side tabs of the mounting bracket are mounted on the small rear tabs of the pannier rack (seen in the direction of travel - in front) with the carriage bolts M 6 * 16.

If HEPCO BECKER panniers are mounted with aluminum adapters, the aluminum adapters are mounted with the hexagon screws M 6 * 20 instead of the carriage bolts 1 6 * 16.

The luggage bridge is screwed directly to the existing fastening points of the pannier rack from the inside with the hexagon screws M 6 * 18.

The indicators are mounted in the last holes in the pannier rack. Push 2 washers 6.4 * 3 mm thick onto the threaded ends that will become the indicators and mount the fastening nuts on top.

Please turn

Internet: www.hepco-becker.

HEPCO & BECKER

The indicator cables are routed through the fairing at the side of the rear light. They must be extended using the cables provided.

The carrier is suitable for all HEPCO & BECKER cases and top cases, but the JUNIOR 30/40 side cases and the aluminum cases significantly restrict the legroom for the pillion passenger. For pillion use, we recommend using the Benjamin case set, contents per case approx. 28 litres. Order no. 610.220

After fitting the cases, check that the space between the bottom of the case and the exhaust is at least 20 mm.

Due to its design, the carrier can be loaded with a maximum of 20 kg."