SWMotech Racks - open discussion of issues

[jajpko]

That's a nice looking job!! I gotta tell you, the rack weld is much nicer than mine. Maybe I got the Monday morning welder.

 

[motocephalic]

David, nice work, excellent details! that's what motech should be doing! Thanks for the pics

 

[3putt]

I will get some after the mod work pictures up later. I ended up with 37" front width and 36 1/2" back width. Both panniers are on the same angle and left pannier is same height as right. I'm happy now. LOL.

Got a bunch done today, SWM racks modded, H&B skid plate mounted, and Wasp's decals on. Time to RIDE in the morning!

 

[protondecay123]

Looks like a great job.

 

[doctorj]

As I posted in my Micatech thread, I pointed out that I was a little disappointed in the fit of the SWMotech racks.

The bags are great but I feel that the fit of the racks could have been better. They really sit wide, more than I feel they need to.

Mine are 39.5" wide at the front and 37.875" at the rear. With one bag tilted out more than the other side.

I just wonder if input back to SWMotech might be worthwhile feedback for them to be able to make adjustments going forward to improve the product.
I will take measurements with my recommendations for what amount can be changed and wonder if others might want to chime in here as well?

I did speak to Sue at Micatech and she was aware that there could be an issue. She is open to hearing from us with our concerns and passing that on to Twisted Throttle and SWMotech.

It might even be worthwhile for them to offer two versions, one asymmetrical and one symmetrical. I know this is not ideal for inventory but might open the possibility for more market share.

What do you guys think?

Devin, I've had my Micatech V2 cases on for a few days and have recognized the exact same splaying out of the right side case. I don't know the degree it is but probably about the same as the others on this thread. I don't know if there is gonna be any kind of alternative fix, but from reading some of the Twisted Throttle representative posts, the peeps overseas are aware of the error in the metal parts so will just wait and see.

doctorj

 

[motocephalic]

I assembled mine and I've got to say that they went on really smoothly. I have a small splay from front to rear, but no tipping up like some have reported. My bags seem level in that way. I am not doing anything to them as I can live with then following the contours of the bike. I know that the outside of the hand guards are the widest point of the whole bike. Overall, I am really pleased with the system, and plan on doing little to them at this time.

 

[doctorj]

Clem, I also doubt I'm gonna do anything to mine either since it is not too much of a big deal to me. If they come out with some easy fix, that may be different. After all it is an SUV of motorcycles and the cases function really well.

doctorj

 

[2XADV]

Is there any update on the redesign of the pannier racks to eliminate the tilted and splaying-out issues.? Been waiting a long thime so I could buy from our sponsor TT, but getting tired of waiting.

 

[justbob]

I too was bothered by the positioning of the right bag so I corrected it to my satisfaction.
Facing the right bag, release the top left mounting point and the bottom right mounting point, now space the top left out about 1/4" and space the bottom right mounting bracket back about 1/2" using washers and 2 longer bolts. I did this with a stack of washers but will cut make spacers when I find a suitable piece of round stock to use. In my opinion the bag positioning looks much better now.

 

[twistedthrottle]

Is there any update on the redesign of the pannier racks to eliminate the tilted and splaying-out issues.? Been waiting a long thime so I could buy from our sponsor TT, but getting tired of waiting.

Great news. I just went down into the warehouse and confirmed - the side carriers have been updated and are now in stock for shipping.

Kev

 

[colorider]

Great news. I just went down into the warehouse and confirmed - the side carriers have been updated and are now in stock for shipping.

Kev

What about the existing racks that are out there?

 

[twistedthrottle]

The only issue with the original sidecarrier was an aesthetic issue, not a functional issue. There's no way to change the mounting angles on existing sidecarriers without completely replacing the entire sidecarrier with a new item. Given that the original sidecarriers are completely functional as-is, SW-MOTECH's position is that used or installed sidecarriers won't be replaced or exchanged. If you have new, unused version 1 sidecarriers that you wish to exchange, please contact us via our website contact page or by phone.

 

[toompine]

The only issue with the original sidecarrier was an aesthetic issue, not a functional issue. There's no way to change the mounting angles on existing sidecarriers without completely replacing the entire sidecarrier with a new item. Given that the original sidecarriers are completely functional as-is, SW-MOTECH's position is that used or installed sidecarriers won't be replaced or exchanged. If you have new, unused version 1 sidecarriers that you wish to exchange, please contact us via our website contact page or by phone.

Well I don't have these racks but I have been trying to decide on racks and bags. I am just catching up on this thread and I suspect that is an answer that is not going to please anybody that invested in this product. Making things right in the internet world is of vital importance because unhappy people have a very powerful forum to voice their discontent. Most products are not selected on just their "functionality" as "aesthetics" plays a powerful role in product selection, hence the profession of product design. Quite frankly many people often purchase something just based on the manufacturer. Manufacturers that don't do right by their customers have short lives. My2 cents but SW-Motech needs to rethink their position.

 

[colorider]

The only issue with the original sidecarrier was an aesthetic issue, not a functional issue. There's no way to change the mounting angles on existing sidecarriers without completely replacing the entire sidecarrier with a new item. Given that the original sidecarriers are completely functional as-is, SW-MOTECH's position is that used or installed sidecarriers won't be replaced or exchanged. If you have new, unused version 1 sidecarriers that you wish to exchange, please contact us via our website contact page or by phone.

Hmmm, there was/is an issue with the original racks. In either case, this can be a serious issue to some that purchased these racks. Issues like this can sway the loyalty of the customer for future purchases as well as have an effect on the feedback they provide when asked for dealer and/or brand recommendations.

 

[Firefight911]

Hmmm, there was/is an issue with the original racks. In either case, this can be a serious issue to some that purchased these racks. Issues like this can sway the loyalty of the customer for future purchases as well as have an effect on the feedback they provide when asked for dealer and/or brand recommendations.

Yup, and that's why you don't see their stuff on my bike. BTDT with their engine bars and the resultant correspondence was less than confidence inspiring. ::007::

 

[Venture]

Hmmm, there was/is an issue with the original racks. In either case, this can be a serious issue to some that purchased these racks. Issues like this can sway the loyalty of the customer for future purchases as well as have an effect on the feedback they provide when asked for dealer and/or brand recommendations.

I go back and forth with this. On one hand I equate it to when car manufacturers release a new model and it has some sort of odd flaw that while not recall worthy, is still annoying. Then, they fix that flaw in the next revision of the car. Is the buyer entitled to the fix or the new car when this happens? In general the answer is no.

On the other hand, if the intent of SW-Motech was to offer straight, symmetrical racks, then they failed miserably even if those racks will carry luggage without any functional issues. There is risk in using a euro-spec bike to produce parts for a US-spec bike, and that risk shouldn't necessarily be borne entirely by the customer.

I will say that based on the crash bar and side rack experiences some have had around here, buying Revision 1.0 of an SW-Motech product is probably a risky proposition in general. Early adopters beware, us laggards are using you as guinea-pigs. ;D

 

[jajpko]

As some of you know, I had a problem with my racks. I really never expected SW-Motech or Twisted Throttle to rectify the situation. Also saying the Euro model is different is BS.
I have bought some parts from manufactures that are just plain chit. They could have done better, but they elect not to, and in the end the customer pays for there uncaring attitude.

You can screw me once, but I refuse to be had again. And the the best way to show these companies how I feel, is to never buy from them again.

 

[Firefight911]

I will say that based on the crash bar and side rack experiences some have had around here, buying Revision 1.0 of an SW-Motech product is probably a risky proposition in general. Early adopters beware, us laggards are using you as guinea-pigs. ;D

So what you're saying is that BMW owns this company?

Hey, I can say that!!!!! BMW bought back two motorcycles from me in less than ONE year, both lemon law - K1300GT and F800GS.

 

[tc9988]

Yup, and that's why you don't see their stuff on my bike. BTDT with their engine bars and the resultant correspondence was less than confidence inspiring. ::007::

Could you please clarify, are talking about Motech or Twisted Throttle or both?

 

[Firefight911]

All the correspondence took place between me and TT. Less than stellar.