I am wondering if I can use another roof rack besides honda's $250 one. Thanks

A scan of the threads in this section should give you some idea of the alternatives.
paulj

I did look and NONE answer me directly

Thule and yakima both make racks that will fit. Also they both have a much higher capacity than the Honda rack

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/default.asp

There's a very recent thread that compares Yakima and Thule bars:

Thule vs. Yak. crossbars. Which most easily attach/unattach?

Anyone have a Saris Roof Rack? - talks about a rack that claims to fit, but no one has used

Yakima versus Thule: Battle Royale - the big time debate about weight capacities

Thule/Yakima/Honda Roof & Ski Racks pics? - mentions all 3, though it focuses on ski holders

:)

hey i happen to have the honda rack on top of my car

just to let you know it has a posted limit of 75 lbs but i have exceded that on numerious occasions there is no worry about the factory rack

at least not in my opinion

the element factory rack no substitute for a thule or yakima base rack system for lots of different applications.

factory roof racks are a good choice to carry just a cargo box on the roof, but offer little versatility if you're trying to carry anything else like bikes, or other accessories that require more load bar space.

from a cost standpoint, you can get yourself into a thule or yakima base rack system for much cheaper and get loads more benefit and strength from the rack system.

check them out at our website.

www.cracksandracks.com
-scott

but I just want to carry skis, and i found the yakima one for 188 plus shippid and the honda one for 198, so i think I might go honda. Thule's website is messed up so i havent checked it out yet

You might want to look into a cargo box. You can put many pairs of skis inside as well as a bunch of other stuff. The box is more secure than a rack and keeps your stuff clean as well.

But its more expensive

[quote:739811c39c=" "]But its more expensive[/quote:739811c39c]

Not necessarily. The Thule and Yakima racks are expensive, especially if you need several. If you go with Yakima of Thule boxes they are also expensive but the Karrite boxes are much cheaper. I have had one for several years and it is good quality (they are a subsidiary of Thule) . I got it at Canadian Tire for about 1/2 the price of Thule.

if what you want to carry are skis, and skis only...and bikes never fit into your equation, you will do great with the honda oe bars.
granted you will be forfeiting some versatility in the future.
cargo boxes are a great way to carry skis. we are located in aspen, and we ski regularly, and i know firsthand the value of having a cargo box on the roof.

Here is a SCREAMIN' DEAL on yakima ski racks at our website.
http://www.cracksandracks.com/pag-screamin-deals-16.html

you will also need a set of the 10v mighty mounts to make them work on the element oe bars. that cost is absorbed in the purchase of a base rack system, since the mounting hardware is included in the base rack system.

good luck
scott
www.cracksandracks.com