Rear Luggage Rack

[boxerpaul]

I have the BMW sidecase mounting brackets without the rear rack. Does anyone know of a rear luggage plate that will work in conjunction with the side cases? I've found some from SW Motech and GIVI but they say they will not work if the BMW side case brackets are installed. As far as I can tell, the only solution would be to buy the BMW side case brackets that are combined with the BMW rear luggage rack? Any other solutions?

Thanks,
Paul

[boxerpaul]

To give people an idea, I was thinking of something like this.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ezimagec ... 25x350.jpg

This is the one from SW Motech.

[LeonardoNYC]

Other than the absolutely insane method for setting the clock I think this is one of the stupidest things about our bike. Would it be so hard to have one side rack for this bike that also gave you the option of installing a rack on the back that would hold a top case?!! Living in the city I want to be as narrow as possible so only use my side cases on tours, but a top case I would have on all the time for shopping and just throwing an extra jacket or helmet in there. If there's a good reason (other than creating more revenue for BMW) for having two separate racks I'd love to hear it.

[boxerpaul]

Thanks for the reply, Leonardo. I'm finding it frustrating as well.
I take it that there are no solutions other than to buy the bmw brackets with the rear rack (which I assume are not cheap) or to strap a soft bag like an Ortlieb roll or a nice Kriega pack to the pillion area. I found some promising Shad Topmaster racks but sadly they don't currently make on that fits the R1200R.

[xprof]

Boxerpaul: $310, plus tax, for the BMW rack and mounts.

[boxerpaul]

Thanks for the information, Xprof. I hadn't actually seen what the cost would be. I guess if I'm stuck, I could do that and sell my current brackets.

Paul

[LeonardoNYC]

If we did bite the bullet and went with the BMW side/top racks are we stuck with only BMW top cases? I have BMW system cases which I like but have seen other top cases from Givi and others that I'd rather have.

[xprof]

One nice thing about the BMW rack and mounts, which I just bought today, is that my wife REALLY APPRECIATES the built-in grab handles. I also bought a $65 top box from JC Whitney, which I hope will serve as a backrest for her. I'll let you know how it works out when I figure out how to mount it. It doesn't look bad, for $65. I did put a stick-on BMW roundel over the iron cross, though, not being big on Nazi symbolism...

[xprof]

I'm pleased to report that the addition of the BMW rack, with its grab handles, and the little $65 JC Whitney top case has significantly improved my wife's view of motorcycle travel. After a little trip today she was bubbling with enthusiasm.

I never thought of myself as a top case kind of guy, but having a happy wife has changed my mind!

[R1200Rneophyte]

I found the small BMW top case at an on-line marketplace for half price. It arrived in like new condition! It lessened the sting of purchasing the BMW luggage rack yesterday at Gulf Coast BMW here in Houston ($279.00).

Glad to hear it was a hit with your wife Mike; I used the same reasoning with mine!

David

[papasong]

Does anyone know if the BMW 51-liter softbag will fit on the tail rack with the system panniers also attached?

http://www.bmw-riders-gear.com/BMWRA_pr ... plo=&bphi=

This bag did not fit well on the F800ST that was fitted with panniers.

Thanks,
Jeff

[LeonardoNYC]

it looks like it needs to rest on the seat and not a rack. I saw one at Americade on an R12R and it looked very spacious!..it didn't have the panniers attached. Got to love BMW for selling $35 worth of vinyl for $220.

[LeonardoNYC]

actually check out these:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328512

and a review of the bag at http://bmwk1200s.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7443

definitely looks more at home on a GS but it was mounted sideways on the R12R I saw at Americade.

[dd]

friends,
hi.
i spent a bunch of time figuring out a top case solution.
i even bought the bmw top case, but didn't like it, as it seemed small, and i didn't like the way it looked.
i figured out how to attach a large pelican case directly to the stock bmw luggage rack.

1. purchase and install bmw luggage rack.
2. purchase pelican case (i used a fairly large pelican 1600, about $190).
3. remove handle and side locking tabs from case.
4. remove the top silver plastic plate from the luggage rack.
5. if looking down into the luggage rack, you will see 4 threaded screw holes.
6. put long screws into the holes so they stick up above the rack
7. with a piece of cardboard as a template, mark out the location of the holes (this makes a trapezoid pattern).
8. place the template on the bottom of the pelican case (you will need to get a sense of how you want the case to sit, when determining where on the short axis of the case you place the template).
9. drill through the template to create holes in the bottom of the case.
10. using long bolts and some steel washers and some rubber washers, bolt the case onto the bike.
11. buy locks to secure valuables (the case is prefitted for these).
12. OPTIONAL: place 4 bungee buddies on the top of the case and thread shock cord through them to make a hold down for soft light items on top.


disadvantages:
a. the case is not detachable without unbolting it,
b. will not fit a helmet for storage.

advantages:
a. fairly spacious,
b. relatively good looking (i think),
c. relatively cheap (case and parts, about $200),
d. with the foam inserts the case comes with, makes an outstanding camera carrying case.

feel free to contact me with questions.
-daniel.
[email protected]

[rpoppen]

Does anyone know the wrench size to fit the six-point-star-shaped bolts holding the luggage brackets? Can this be purchased at an auto parts store? Would anyone like to purchase said brackets? I splurged and got the rear tail rack that requires new brackets.
Thanks,
--Roger
http://mypage.siu.edu/drrock/

[cwrose]

Does anyone know if the BMW 51-liter softbag will fit on the tail rack with the system panniers also attached?

http://www.bmw-riders-gear.com/BMWRA_pr ... plo=&bphi=

This bag did not fit well on the F800ST that was fitted with panniers.

Thanks,
Jeff

IIRC, Joe (aka Chitown) has the 51lt tail bag and mounts it up on his BMW tail rack. Do a search on ADVRider.com for R1200R or BMW Softbag. You should be able to find your answer. I would do some searching of my own and link it, but I'm trying to have breakfast and get out the door to work.

[websterize]

Does anyone know if the BMW 51-liter softbag will fit on the tail rack with the system panniers also attached?

Yes, the 51-liter bag fits with the BMW system cases.

[Don C]

Does anyone know the wrench size to fit the six-point-star-shaped bolts holding the luggage brackets? Can this be purchased at an auto parts store? Would anyone like to purchase said brackets? I splurged and got the rear tail rack that requires new brackets.
Thanks,
--Roger
http://mypage.siu.edu/drrock/

You need a Torx bit, size T-30. You will probably want to get a full set with all of the sizes though.

[Lost Rider]

It does fit with the panniers on, even two up, though if you fill it up and have your panniers filled also, maybe you should have a goldwing and a trailer instead... That bag holds a lot of gear.

I moved it off the tail onto the seat to dramatically improve the bike handling, and once I could get all my camping/fishing/photo gear on the bike without the panniers, life was very good in the saddle!














Chances are I'll be moving to some Ortlieb soft saddle bags soon to help with weight and keep the CG low...

[papasong]

Thanks to all for the clarification on the 51-liter softbag.