CHECK photos added - Altrider rear rack: Cracked and Broken

[arjayes]

The attached photo is from the AltRider site. This is how my rack looks (bought in December 2013). This is not what Roge's rack looks like, so he must have the old design where the side cutouts in the base plate are much larger and come much closer to the mounting holes.

I carry a big Givi Trekker top case on mine and when I'm on even moderately rough roads it shakes like crazy. I would never take that top case off road. Soft bags only in that scenario.

 

[hobdayd]

This is a little bit worrying as I am waiting for delivery of my new AltRider rack...it should be here Friday!!!

 

[Roge]

The attached photo is from the AltRider site. This is how my rack looks (bought in December 2013). This is not what Roge's rack looks like, so he must have the old design where the side cutouts in the base plate are much larger and come much closer to the mounting holes.

I carry a big Givi Trekker top case on mine and when I'm on even moderately rough roads it shakes like crazy. I would never take that top case off road. Soft bags only in that scenario.

That's the same with the same potential issues, too deep counter sinks, compression points on the stand offs and too tight bend radii. Changing the mount bolts to dome or cheese head with big washers may well help.
Strider to date have not responded to my emails which carry the same words and photos as this post.

 

[Defekticon]

From an engineering perspective, Altrider could reduce some of the stress at the attachment points by using square stepped instead of tapered countersink holes.This would put the metal under compression instead of tension like the tapered holed do. It also looks like the whole assembly needs to be more rigid. Unlike steel, aluminum will stress harden and eventually break when flexed, even at displacements below its yield point. Some added gussets would help here.

This is super awesome information Thank you. I will switch out my tapered screws for a bolt and washer.

 

[Roge]

Altrider have responded which is good and the out come will be interesting.

"Hi Walton,
Thank you for your email and sorry to hear of the issues. I will be forwarding on your email to the design and engineering team.

Can I also ask you, When and where you purchased it from (if possible could we seen an original receipt (image or email/online receipt is fine. Once I have some basic information we can open a warranty claim and process accordingly.

Thank you,

Kind Regards,

Delvene Manning
Customer Service
4000 Aurora Ave. North Ste #100
Seattle, WA 98103
Office: 1.206.922.3618
AltRider.com // Altrider.eu

 

[Velvet]

I will switch out my tapered screws for a bolt and washer.

I think that I'm going to do the same thing.

 

[Gun]

My first gen Altrider rack did the same thing. I reported it with photos to the Aussie distributor and they arranged for a replacement at no charge. The new one I received is a stronger design. But, I adapted the factory Yamaha plastic bracket and bolted the Altrider top plate to it and it's much stronger. I use it with a Givi Trekker Outback topbox on some extreme terrain and have had no issues. My replacem my Altrider bracket remains unused.

 

[Roge]

I'm going to put some washers over the stand offs with the top plate in the low position the same on top of the plate with domed bolts.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I'm going to put some washers over the stand offs with the top plate in the low position the same on top of the plate with domed bolts.

Spreading the contact load... ::008::

 

[husabob]

Yep, my AltRider rear rack bottom plate failed in the same manner as the photos posted earlier in this thread. I agree that the countersunk holes are a contributing factor. I also feel that because the OEM mounting points force the plate to be largely unsupported, the failure is almost a foregone conclusion if subjected to off road stresses. I contacted AltRider, and they sound like they're gonna send me a replacement bracket. Good for them for standing behind their products. If the replacement bracket has countersunk holes, I too will be using washers and conventional bolts to mount it. I will also be replacing the tubular standoffs with an aluminum bar that ties the mounts on each side together and extends backwards to try and provide some needed support to the rest of the bracket. For now, I've removed the passenger grab handles, and mounted the top plate in the low position so I can continue to use my Givi box. At 5'9", I find it's now easier to swing my leg over the seat without the handles in place. The handles have steel spacers in them that can be removed and used to mount my Givi saddlebag frames without the handles. Bonus!

 

[Roge]

Good news, Altrider have arranged with the local distributor her in Australia (AdventureMoto) to supply a replacement rack under warranty and also returns instructions and method for the broken rack to be returned for investigation. The rack is inbound as I type.

 

[x-box]

Good work and a good outcome from the sounds of it. ::012::
I have the same rack and will go check the plate thoroughly tonight, and maybe swop out to washers and flat head bolts as per other posts here, I'm glad I came across this thread!

 

[ovi]

i have the same rack and just checked it due to your posts two small cracks in the countersink rear mounting holes .just off to ring supplier

 

[Roge]

I have received the new rack, the lightening holes in the new one are of a very different pattern. It looks like there is much more metal around the mounting holes.

 

[BadNews]

I was eventually going to add an Altrider rack, but looking at the pictures on their website I see no evidence that they have addressed the tapered screw hole issue. Might have to consider an alternative.
Now I'm wondering about my Altrider crash bars, I believe the connection in the center uses flathead countersunk screws. I would hate to discover a weakness there at an inopportune time. :-[

 

[A19pilot]

I had the same thing happen to my rack early on when I ordered one for my 2012. I emailed AltRider and they replaced it no questions asked. I'm sure they will take care of you.

 

[spam16v]

I'm probably going to switch to some big button head screws if I can find some