Pics: Yakima King Cobra Installed on CX5 Factory Roof Rack

Just wanted to make this as a reference thread for those of you interested in mounting the older Yakima King Cobra bike carrier with Yakima universal mounts on the factory roof rack with factory cross bars. I'm pretty sure the newer version of the King Cobra would work the same way.

Cross bars are set at the most forward and most rear settings. The spacing between them isn't as far I had hoped it would be.

Ideal set up:

The bike carrier must be mounted backwards.




You can open the rear door and use the door sill as your step to get the bike on and off the rack. (may require a running start with your bike over your head (eek2))
This is where I miss my protege5. The roof was low enough to not have to use the door sill or anything to get the bike on the carrier. For reference i'm 5'10" tall.


It does not get in the way of the trunk to open all the way.


Front mounts


Rear mount



Alternative set up:

Mounting the bike carrier facing forward results in the bike rack to be too far rearward.


You cannot use the rear door sill as a step unless you can cantilever the heavy bike onto the carrier.


vs


and


The rear tray also extends so far that it prevents the rear hatch from opening all the way.




Universal mounts.



Hope this was helpful!

Thanks this was a big help!