I just bought a new z400 , I was wondering how you all haul some gear if you go on a long trip? maybe a few tools , fix a flat , food and drink? I think they make a small rack but I don't know if it is easily put on and taken off because I would just want it on if I went on a long trip. Anyone use saddlebags over your gas tank or anything? Any ideas appreciated.

 

There are companies that make 6-pack racks for sport quads. They are intended to carry a small cooler. You can put the food in the cooler and then lash some extra gear on the outside if you need to. I can't think of any manufacturer names right now, but if I do I will post them.......

The racks do of course stick out the back a ways, which can come in handy if you overdoo a wheelie, but might interfere on a crowded trailer or something like that.

I use to have a 6-pack rack years ago when I had a Warrior, but now I just travel light and carry a Cammelback backpack. The larger ones will carry all the gear I would need to survive a night out on the trail if I broke down. Funny, I have gotten so use to doing this, that when I am on a utility that has rack space for big bags, I often still just carry my backpack.

 

From AC Racing: http://www.temeculamotorsports...ing_Six_Pack_Rack.htm


I might think about these for the kids 250EX's, when we do long rides in the mountains????

 

There are also tank-bags available for sport quads, they work to hold things like tools, wallet, keys or cellphones etc.......they are decent size and hold quite a bit.... I have one we use on my z400 and my Wife's Raptor.... the only thing that is annoying about mine is that you need to take off the gas tank cap to put it on/off...

Personally if I have to carry a lot of stuff for a long trip, I just wear a backpack....

 

Yea you can use the 6 pack rack to hold alot like gas, food, a 6 pack, or anything thats not huge. I also sometimes use a backpack to hold stuff as well.

 

Glad I found this post!! Being a newbie to ATVs I was just about to ask the same question. Than I found these:

Here is another link for a 6-pak rack. It looks to be a little deeper than most.

Here is a "cargo rack" from PRM. this is for a YFZ 450, but they have them for other makes and models too!

I have been asking many questions on this and other forums. With this new found knowledge, I just picked up a used '06 YFZ450. I need to buy skid plates for the entire underside so I am going a slightly different route. I will be doing desert and sand riding mostly. This is the 6-pak rack I have right now from PRM.

[crummy phone pics, sorry]





I am making an aluminum box 8 1/4" x 10 3/4" x 4" that will sit down inside the 6-pak rack. It will stick above the top about 2.5". It will have a hinged cover and latch. (I happen to have the aluminum in the garage and access to a brake & shear.) If I need to carry a 6-pak cooler I can strap it down on top of the box. Or strap the box under the rack and carry the cooler as normal. The template I made is on the seat.

A question I have is, my rack is discolored behind the exhaust due to heat. Do the coolers that are carried, melt over time? It seems like they would.

Thinking heat would also 'cook' whatever I put in my box I thought of mounting a heat shield on the tip of the exaust, like so:


(paper template shown)


This one you can see the discoloration.




The muffler is very solid and does not move, so I could add a carry point on the rack. Do I need to worry about this heat?