BMW System Cases AND BMW Topcase?

[Jpainter187]

Alright guys,

By buying my (new to me) 2004 R1150R ABS Rockster w/ BMW system side cases it was an upgrade in many ways... like quality, CC's, smoothness, etc. But I got it to replace my '07 Yamaha FZ6 w/ full GIVI luggage (V35 side cases and V46 top case). When it comes to storage capactiy the Rockster was a definite down-grade. I hate not being able to store my helmet anywhere. At first I thought it would fit in the larger, right side case, but no matter how I position it it will not fit.

Can anyone tell me if I can buy a top case mount (for either a BMW top case or GIVI) for the Rockster, but still keep my side case mounts? I know SW-Motech makes a top case mount for the Rockster, but from what I understand you cannot have it and the BMW system case mounts, which I think is pointless! I would like to get a BMW case to go along with my side cases, but I would settle for a GIVI if the price was right. I know GIVI makes excellent products, and I really like how their side cases don't rattle around when going over bumps like BMW cases do... But anyways, I'm rambling now.

Any help would be appreciated!

[riceburner]

Givi do a system that locks into the BMW rails.

Or you can bolt any box to a flat plate mounted on the BMW rack uprights.

[Jpainter187]

I don't know how I missed that when I was looking on GIVIs website today...

I do have the BMW aluminum colored (but really just silver plastics) tail rack. If I can find a BMW trunk I guess I will just find a way to bolt it on there... That should be the cheapest solution.

[jfslater98]

Nah! The cheap solution is a $10 cutting board and a $50 top case from JC whitney. Check this out







Think I did a write up on this somewhere on the board. I certainly stole the idea from someone else here. If not, happy to share all my pics with you, just PM me. Good luck!

[Jpainter187]

Cool! Thanks for the pics.

What kind of case is that?

[riceburner]

I did similar to jfSlater.

I used an old Givi box that a friend gave me for free! But I didn't use a lock plate - mine is just bolted straight to the flat plate.

[Jpainter187]

I think using a base plate so a quick detach plate could be used on top is the way I would go... That way I'm not stuck with the case on the bike at all times and can easily remove it at my leisure.

If I can find a good price on a GIVI E460 top case I'd like to get it, but now I need to figure out what mounting plate works for it...

[jfslater98]

Here's what I got

http://www.jcwhitney.com/travel-trunk/p2002510.jcwx

The mounting plate came with it. $80, but sometimes you can get them on pretty decent sales. I read on some other forum that Sears is selling even cheaper ones. I dunno, a knock-off of a knock-off?

Anyway, the JC whitney's been with me for 2+ years. It's solid, waterproof, hasn't let me down yet. The cutting board's held up well too. Good luck on your search.

[Jpainter187]

Looks like sears is selling the same cases as jcwhitney, at the same prices.

I got my hopes up because retailmenot.com had a coupon code for jcwhitney that says 20% off entire order, but when I tried it it says the trunk case is not eligible for that coupon code... Blast!

But it looks decent and got good reviews. I may have to stick a BMW roundel on it so it kinda matches my side cases. Haha!

Do you know if the finish is similar to BMW cases and do you know how many liters it is?

[riceburner]

Remember if you're using "just" the OE rack mounts - it's only held on by 4 screws - I can whip mine on or off in less than a minute, and have no unsightly rear-rack.

[Jpainter187]

If I do get the knock off case I may order it from Sears rather than jcwhitney. Come to find out Sears has online coupon codes too! Although I do like the Givi E460

[Jpainter187]

Remember if you're using "just" the OE rack mounts - it's only held on by 4 screws - I can whip mine on or off in less than a minute, and have no unsightly rear-rack.

That's true. Is the plastic rear rack sturdy enough w/ only 4 mounting points to support the weight/vibration of a fully loaded, say... a 46 liter top case? I could fabricate something that would allow me to mount a top case directly to it but I would want to make sure that the rack didn't get damaged by the "home-made" mounts.

[jfslater98]

Do you know if the finish is similar to BMW cases and do you know how many liters it is?

The finish is maybe a little flatter than the BMW cases. I am going to guess that the capacity is 25 liters. It fits a large full face helmet, and not much else.

[riceburner]

Remember if you're using "just" the OE rack mounts - it's only held on by 4 screws - I can whip mine on or off in less than a minute, and have no unsightly rear-rack.

That's true. Is the plastic rear rack sturdy enough w/ only 4 mounting points to support the weight/vibration of a fully loaded, say... a 46 liter top case? I could fabricate something that would allow me to mount a top case directly to it but I would want to make sure that the rack didn't get damaged by the "home-made" mounts.

not sure about exact weights, but I've had mine set up this way for at least 3 years - IIRC my box is a 30 or 35 litre one (don't really know - it was free!) and I often carry a bag full of clothing in it (one of my old tote bags is almost exactly the right dimensions to drop straight in - very handy!)

Worth pointing out also that I have the box screwed directly to the rack supports (through the plastic base plate) and there's a metal sheet IN the top-box as well (see my pics : http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockburner ... 626780985/ ) that spreads the load. The box DOES move about a bit, but I check the uprights regularly and they seem fine.

I've only had the screws come loose once, this year, probably just because I hadn't done it up tight enough. (I take the box off every now and then).

[Jpainter187]

So the plastic base plate on the tail rack (the piece that's mounted behind your seat) IS underneath the trunk? Or was it removed and the one that's mounted behind your seat the original. I'm just trying to make sure I am clear because from the pic it looks like the rear support arms on the sides of the tail rack are the only things underneath the trunk?