Top Case

[MikeB]

Does anyone know of a rear top case (hard) with a backrest? My 2004 R1150R has an OEM rack and System Cases. Or if there is not a case is there a backrest only that is available. My wife (who said she would never ride on that thing) would like a backrest. Thanks for your help...

[awagnon]

Some people have adapted an RT top case with back rest to fit an 1150R. Also, I think a GIVI top case might come with an optional back rest. However, I've heard it mounts pretty close to the rider leaving insufficient room for the passenger. However, I have a GIVI top case ( without a back rest ) on mine and I think there is barely enough room for a passenger.

If I were a passenger, I'd want a back rest.

[maduko]

I'm going through the same process. My wife loved leaning back on the BMW system case top box on our GS and the Ventura soft luggage on my Triumph Sprint. My bike doesn't even have the grab handle rails so she's really hanging on.

I'd love to put a Ventura rig on my R but the mounts don't play with the system case mounts.

So far the best option I've seen (emphasis on seen- not touched, fondled, used or ridden with) is the Hepco & Becker. It looks the part and is positioned so the passenger has room to lean back. They're not cheap.

[TicTac50]

MikeB.
The only top case I ever used was GIVI E52 with optional back pad and top rack. The problem with GIVI top case as avagnon pointed out:

I've heard it mounts pretty close to the rider leaving insufficient room for the passenger. However, I have a GIVI top case ( without a back rest ) on mine and I think there is barely enough room for a passenger.

He is absolutely right. I ran into this problem too. After trial and error, I was able to install 1/2 inch plate and move the case 6 inches back and I was able to fill the gap with 3/4 of original BMW plastic plate. Looks pretty good. Specs for the GIVI E52 lists the capacity of 22 pounds. Some times I find my self loading this case with up to 50-60 pounds. Check out GIVI web site. http://www.giviusa.com The hardware for my GIVI case is SR641FZ.
I think that the new hardware SR683 is little fragile.
Good Luck.

[wbrisett]

So far the best option I've seen (emphasis on seen- not touched, fondled, used or ridden with) is the Hepco & Becker. It looks the part and is positioned so the passenger has room to lean back. They're not cheap.

I just installed one on my wife's R1150R and from what I've seen it is the best option around (in both looks and functionality).

Wayne

[DG02]

I had a Hepco & Becker Journey 50 top box on my R. (the R is sold now) It swallowed 2 full face helmets and looked like a factory match for the OEM side cases. There is a dedicated mount that bolts straight up to the BMW side case racks.

Although more expensive than Givi stuff, it is a lot cheaper than a comparable BMW top case (if one existed for the R).

I highly recommend it.

[MikeB]

"DG02" Thanks for the info. That sounds like what I'm looking for. I did a search for the "Journey 50" with no results. Do you remember where or from who you purchased that case? The search that I did earlier revealed a rack (for their Journey TC42) from Hepco & Becker that required me to remove the OEM mounts for my BMW System Cases. I sure don't want to do that. I'm about to settle for just a back rest (sissy bar) if there is one for the R. Then I can use a soft case on the OEM rack which I already have. Does anyone know of a back rest (sissy bar) for the R? Thanks again.....

[Sunbeemer]

Pirate's Lair sells one for the 1150R that several members of this forum have posted about in the past, so you might have some luck searching the archive's if you're interested in some reviews.

Anyway, the URL to Pirate's Lair R1150R backrest is http://piratesk12site.net/1150.htm

Keep your SO smiling!

[MikeB]

Sunbeemer thanks for the info on the Pirate's Lair. Based on your recommendation I just ordered one. It looks exactly like what I'm looking for, and it’s removable so that it doesn’t have to stay on when I'm riding one up. Thanks again. I moved here to Missouri in 2001 from New Port Richey, FL (just north of you) Good to talk make your acquaintance. Thanks again....

[stig]

Same here,

the Givi box is a good quality unit, but as previous post state, not enough room for the pillion.

It actually over hangs the pillion seat by about 40mm.

I set it back 75 mm on stainless steel brackets and it's perfect.

Wife loves it and no back rest addition required.

my 2 cents.

Stig

[BoiseBeemer]

Does anyone know of a rear top case (hard) with a backrest? My 2004 R1150R has an OEM rack and System Cases. Or if there is not a case is there a backrest only that is available. My wife (who said she would never ride on that thing) would like a backrest. Thanks for your help...

As others have pointed out, for a backrest-only solution, the Pirate's Lair product is hard to beat. If you're interested in attaching your backrest to a top case for not much more money, imo the H-B is clearly the best choice.

Rather than repeat previous discussions, you can check my and others' extensive comments here:

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... cker+mount

and here:

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... cker+mount

For a comparison of Givi and H-B cases, including price, my report is at the bottom of the page here:

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... cker+mount

When I priced them last spring, the H-B with mount and backrest was about $200 less expensive than the comparable Givi unit, and it sits behind the passenger so it doesn't intrude as the Givi does. My passengers report that the H-B backrest is basically "neutral" for physical comfort, but a HUGE improvement in their emotional comfort. No more feeling like they could fly off the back unless they're holding on like a new-born to its mother.

[Airman]

MikeB,

I think you'll find the Pirate's backrest just what you need. I strenghtens stock rack and provides the pillon rider with real security. I bought the roll bag that slips over the back rest and although I have mixed feelings about the looks, I have to admit it's been pretty usefull when I didn't want to use the system cases. What I should have bought in retrospect was that big helmet bag. When I was working in MN this year, I used the bike as a cargo carrier, (groceries), and the little bag doesn't hold much.

Airman

[maduko]

Correct me if I'm wrong- you mount the Hepco & Becker top case using a metal bracket/plate. That plate bolts to the factory grab rails right?

IOW you don't need the BMW luggage rack's top plate (item # 2 below)?

[BoiseBeemer]

Correct me if I'm wrong- you mount the Hepco & Becker top case using a metal bracket/plate. That plate bolts to the factory grab rails right?

IOW you don't need the BMW luggage rack's top plate (item # 2 below)?

You are correct. The H-B bracket replaces the largely cosmetic, plastic BMW top plate. It uses the same four mounting screws as the BMW OE.

[MikeB]

MikeB,

I think you'll find the Pirate's backrest just what you need. I strenghtens stock rack and provides the pillon rider with real security. I bought the roll bag that slips over the back rest and although I have mixed feelings about the looks, I have to admit it's been pretty usefull when I didn't want to use the system cases. What I should have bought in retrospect was that big helmet bag. When I was working in MN this year, I used the bike as a cargo carrier, (groceries), and the little bag doesn't hold much.

Airman

Airman, I did just as you wished you had. I ordered the "universal helmet bag" at the same time that I ordered the back rest. I'll let you know if it does the job....

[maduko]

I just came across these guys on eBay. Looks like Chinese knock-offs of Givi boxes at cheap (too cheap?) prices.

http://www.mutazu.com/products.php?cat_ ... s=prod.php

Hmmmm.