Loading capacity and techniques

[oyessum]

I balk at starting yet another thread on "carrying stuff in/on your PCX" but I wanted to see if anyone else had this train of thought, and how you went about implementing it.

First of all my PCX 150 manual states:
Maximum weight capacity: 348 lb (158 kg)
Maximum luggage weight: 29 lb (13 kg),
Includes:
---> Center compartment: 22 lb (10 kg)
---> Glove box: 2.0 lb (1.0 kg)

Also, the maximum load capacity for compatible top boxes is about 6 lb. Including box?

Some quick math tells me that Honda expects the total weight capacity of up to 2 riders to be ~310 lb. If I am only ~150 lb (with gear, helmet, etc) then that means I've got 160 lbs to play with, possibly minus 35 lbs for filled compartment, glove box, and top box.

Well, I don't have a top box or a mount for it, and would like to avoid one, if at all possible. I don’t like the idea of something that big behind me throwing my balance. Though, I guess if it's only 6 lb, it's not that much of a throw? Also, I have no rear rack, but I may consider it in time (e.g. http://japan.webike.net/products/20522918.html).

So if I typically ride alone, shouldn't I be able to utilize the “space” where the 2nd passenger would fit, to load up to 160 lb? The problem as I see it, is there is no place *intended* to hook bungee cords to secure rear seat loads.

Or is there?

There's that cast steel handrail under the rear cover (pic attached). It’s almost begging to be used as an anchor spot for hooks, but it's coated in teflon I think and tapers to the tail, so it might be a dead end as hooks just slide right off the back.

I keep thinking, What this hand rail needs is some real anchor points on the underside, like U-shapes, or even posts. But apart from welding, what can securely be attached to cast steel for loading purposes?

Has anyone else successfully got around this? To be able to use the rear seat for loading, WITHOUT the additional top box?

[gn2]

You can place bungee hooks or pass bungees or cargo net under various locations.
In/around the suspension springs, under the grab rail, under the pillion footpegs, under the hump, under the seat then close it, lots of options really.

[WhiteNoise]

Had the same question/problem awhile back, I ended up doing this: http://www.clubpcx.com/forum/viewtopic. ... &start=140 (then scroll down to bottom of page)

[maddiedog]

That Kijima rear rack you linked to looks nice.

You're correct in the assumption that the rear wing that you pictured is not a good tie-down point for bungees. I tried before I got my rack, and lost the pack I had on the back before I even left my neighborhood.

Here's how I carry cargo generally:


I've attached a 2nd backpack on the first one, and wear a backpack too if needed.

Without the rack, you could easily secure a backpack to the seat by lifting the seat, rotating the backpack 90 degrees and looping the straps under the seat, tightening the straps, then closing the seat with the straps underneath it. I used to secure bags that way before I got a rack since there are no good tie-down points. If that's unclear, I can get a picture of what I'm talking about.