BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I've been asking the same question, which system to go with. I really like the clean look of the BMW set up and how it looks with the hard bags on or off, but now I'm actually looking at getting the SW-Motech ALU-Rack system and going with the Givi E360 side cases and using my V46 top case I have from a previous bike. What I like about the ALU-RACK is that it has quick releases so you can go from naked to touring and back again in less than 5 min and without the obtrusive tube hangers when you remove the luggage. My love for this bike is, dam sexy naked and with the Cee-Bailey's windshield and hard bags a touring machine. I've used Givi in the past and can tell you they are very water proof and replacement parts are quite a bit cheaper than BMW. I was also quoted over a $1000 for the BMW system, rack mount system $300 and $400+ each side. Not to mention the BMW top rack is lousy to try and hook any soft luggage too. Just trying to attach my duffel with bungees there is not place to really hook the bungees without fear of scratching something. I was planning to go the BMW side cases but you're stuck with little to no options for a top case if you do. I called Givi and worked with the mounting plate trying to mount my Givi V46 to the top rack but it was a no go. The BMW top case is way to small, my V46 will hold two full-face helmets and I have the top rack on it. Check out the Twisted Throttle web site to see what I'm talking about. Unless I hear something bad about the SW-Motech mounting system I'll post up photos once I have everything mounted.

I have the GIVI V35 side cases and V46 top case. No, I've never had the BMW cases and have no experience with them. I do like the GIVI cases and think it looks purpose build for the bike and really like the size (not too big but big enough to hold a full face helmet in each case). I don't take them off so I don't worry about how it looks with the bags off (brackets aren't too atractive).

I really like these.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... w/2807/69/
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... w/602/578/

deilenberger wrote:

mogu83 wrote:It seems the bike is a throwback to thirty years ago when you bought a bike and then had to finish building it into the vehicle that meets your individual specs.

That was one of the things that really appealed to me about the bike - you aren't locked into one mode - and you get to make it exactly what you want it to be, with the option to change it to something else easily.. mine is a commuter, tourer and as much sport bike as I can take. Perfect bike IMHO.

Ditto, Don. Great minds . . .

nixdsg wrote:I have the GIVI V35 side cases and V46 top case. No, I've never had the BMW cases and have no experience with them. I do like the GIVI cases and think it looks purpose build for the bike and really like the size (not too big but big enough to hold a full face helmet in each case). I don't take them off so I don't worry about how it looks with the bags off (brackets aren't too atractive).

I really like these.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... w/2807/69/
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... w/602/578/

Yeah I really wanted to go with the V36 boxes too, but I like running naked too much to go with the Givi mounting system which is the only one that works with those bags...

To all of those who recommended getting the BMW side cases...you were right. Went on my first ride with the Fieldsheer soft side cases and tail bag, we ran into some rain, I put the rain covers that came with the cases and everything in my side cases got soaked! the tail bag worked fine. Luckily I had all my valuable stuff in the tail bag. I had some red tie down straps in one of the side cases that when they got wet turned everything red! Oh well lesson learned. So, either I will pack much lighter until I get the system cases or I have had my eye on the F800GS....Have to wait until this winter when I get my orders out of Virginia.

For what its worth I can't fit a Sz L Full Face Scorpion in my GIVI cases on my R12R. They are great cases but the rack kills me when the cases are off. BTW anyone want (to buy) GIVI cases and mounting rack let me know.

Thanks

NS

I've added the V46 top box and love it, I haven't ordered the side cases yet but this summer I hope....
I'm trying to add a couple photos but am having problems. Can I just paste them in some how from my photo album???

To post photos you need to create an album on an image hosting site (like photobucket for instance) and then you can copy and paste a link to them here.

Yes would love to see the photos!

Ok so lets give this a try.
[img]http://i881.photobucket.com/albums/ac17 ... _4.jpg/img]

Oops, lets try this again



I'm hoping to add the side cases some time this year and I'll post the photos of what it looks like then and if I can ever figure out the best way to hook up the lights in the case I'll show how it looks at night...

Mollygrubber wrote:To post photos you need to create an album on an image hosting site (like photobucket for instance) and then you can copy and paste a link to them here.

Thanks!

Now can you tell me why My avatar doesn't show up???

lol I've been struggling with avatars myself (although I only tried once). Anyone? Anyone? I DID try searching, if I recall correctly, before you all jump down my throat...

Mollygrubber wrote:lol I've been struggling with avatars myself (although I only tried once). Anyone? Anyone? I DID try searching, if I recall correctly, before you all jump down my throat...

From the admin: "As some may have noticed, their avatars have gone missing! There was a bug in the new version of the forum software that made 455 people lose their avatars. As of yet there is no solution to the problem from an automated perspective, but I have copied all of the avatars to a directory.

To reinstate your avatar:
1. Go to your USER CONTROL PANEL, then click on the PROFILE TAB at the top, then click on EDIT AVATAR on the left, then click on the DISPLAY GALLERY button at the bottom.
2. Find your avatar and select it by clicking the little circle below the image
3. Click submit at the very bottom

Sorry about the inconvenience, but this is the only solution I can see for now. I'll try and fix this as time goes on."

Geat pic! I have the BMW EOM cases..would love to add that top case though. The OEM side case "railings" fit pretty flush with the side of the bike where it seem you have the bracket attached but I am wondering if I took of my rails , attached your bracket and then reinstalled the rail/bracket if it would somehow work. For the price BMW charges for the brackets and top case I could almost buy a used Vespa!

LOL yeah don't need a Vespa... No the OEM bracket will not fit there. On the OEM bracket there is a tab that slides into the hole there mounting to the frame of the bike. The metal bracket for this mount fills that hole and mounts to the same spot on the frame the OEM does. No room at all.

Thanks for the info about the avatar but my avatar is not there...

So I don't know, is there a better way to create an avatar? I went to an avatar photo conversion site http://www.shrinkpictures.com/create-avatar/ and used the perameters given here but when I picked it I just got the blue ?.

Thanks again

gersh10 wrote:LOL yeah don't need a Vespa... No the OEM bracket will not fit there. On the OEM bracket there is a tab that slides into the hole there mounting to the frame of the bike. The metal bracket for this mount fills that hole and mounts to the same spot on the frame the OEM does. No room at all.

You might give some thought to fabricating a bracket that mounted TO the OEM brackets (not the frame of the bike..) Perhaps on the inside surface toward the bike. There is about 3/8" of clearance in the section between the two bag mount lumps. Drilling the mounts would seem possible - then fastening with bolts/washers/nuts.

Just a thought..

deilenberger wrote:

gersh10 wrote:LOL yeah don't need a Vespa... No the OEM bracket will not fit there. On the OEM bracket there is a tab that slides into the hole there mounting to the frame of the bike. The metal bracket for this mount fills that hole and mounts to the same spot on the frame the OEM does. No room at all.

You might give some thought to fabricating a bracket that mounted TO the OEM brackets (not the frame of the bike..) Perhaps on the inside surface toward the bike. There is about 3/8" of clearance in the section between the two bag mount lumps. Drilling the mounts would seem possible - then fastening with bolts/washers/nuts.

Just a thought..

Hmmm... actually, this sounds like one of those lunch time projects I like to do if the boss is out.. If it works out - perhaps we/I can find someone to fabricate one. Sort of a universal R12R rack for those of us with sidebags and no BMW rack.

Since I have the OEM racks without the top case mount I wouldn't mind spending the $310 for the OEM Mounts with the top case mount if it meant I could choose a non BMW (Givi or similar) top case ...are we stuck with only the BMW top case if we have the OEM mounts or are their possibly adapters that would let us use Givi or other top cases?
(Seems the guy that designed the clock setting procedure must also be behind this stupid rack system.)