So is the OEM topcase rack necessary for touring?

[JohnM]

Let me preface this by mentioning that I've already discussed this briefly w/ Don E. He is of the opinion that I can get away w/ tying a bag down on the back portion of the seat w/ RokStraps, w/o the topcase rack. (Tying that big Cabella's waterproof bag w/ Rokstraps appears to be the answer to what I'm looking for.)

The Givi rack requires that I abandon the OEM side case system, which I'm not going to do. The OEM setup (including hard topcases) is pricey.

What are your opinions?

[Michael Hart]

My opinion is no, you don't need the top case. I bought the BMW water proof tail bag. I also agonized over the top case.
On my trip to Tenn last week, between the side cases and the water proof bag plus a tank bag I had alot of extra space.
worked out very nice. The only disadvantage I can see is that the bag is easy for someone to take.
Mike

[websterize]

Instead of the top case, I use the 51L softbag — mostly waterproof, more room than a top case, more portable and a lot cheaper. For overnight trips it holds all I need. I use the System Cases around town for leg protection in the event of a t-bone collision and to hold my helmet, jacket liner and gloves when I go into the office.

[idealistix]

I am in the same predicament. If I were to ride solo, I'd skip the topcase idea and go with the 51 L BMW softbag, or any other duffel bag held down with RokStraps. This would be better for your bike's handling as well.

If you are riding two-up, then you definitely need a topcase for any serious touring. If you want to keep the BMW sidecases also, then your only option is to pay up for the BMW topcase.

[GOTJ]

I just got back from a 4-day Memorial Day trip and had to deal with that exact same problem. I used a dry duffle, the type that uses three rolls to seal it, with Rok straps and it worked great. One element I had was a seatback for the Corbin seat that I got with the bike. It made mounting the duffle much easier and secure. The dry duffles come in many sizes but I used the 80-liter version. About $80 plus shipping. It's a lot like the Wolfman dry bags.

Below is a link to get you started if you wish. I didn't get mine here but this is the brand and version I chose.

http://www.altrec.com/seal-line/widemouth-duffle

I didn't use any security measures for the dry duffle because of the trip characterisitics. If I had needed to, I could have run a cable through the D-rings and locked it to the bike. As with any soft luggage, a determined thief with a sharp knife would defeat any locks.

I would have preferred a top case but couldn't justify the cost.

The biggest "problem" I had was deciding on the capacity and dimensions.

[psycle.vt]

When I bought the R new in Dec, I had the dealer swap the sidecase rails for the tail rack rails, but did not get the top box since it seemed pretty dinky. This spring I saw a post here about mounting a Givi to the tail rack using the standard Givi E250 base and the E45 Givi case off the GS. Involved fashioning some pieces out of cut up plastic cutting board to attach the base to the tail rack. Loads of room.

[sproggy]

Before I reply to the thread I should probably introduce myself. After many, many years with varius GSs I bought an R a few weeks ago and am enjoying the experience so far. Hello everyone.

Regarding the top case mounting I've used an SW-Motech Alurack with a Givi adapter plate to mount a huge, ugly old Givi Maxia top case. The supplier told me that the Alurack is compatible with the OE side case carriers, although as I don't have those I can't say for sure. SW-Motech themselves don't state that it isn't compatible with them (which they do for some other bikes) so that might be an option if these parts are available in the US.

I don't have a picture of the rack on my bike but here's one from the SW-Motech website:



Also available in black, which is what I have.

The small black piece fitted directly under the rack mounts is a mount for their quick-release side racks - without this I suspect that the OE side case mounts might fit?

SW-Motech will supply quick-lock adapter plates to fit the Alurack for Givi, Kappa, Krauser, Hepco & Becker and their own luggage. I've used these Aluracks on various bikes - top quality kit.

http://www.sw-motech.com/swmotech2010/index.php?id=26

Most of my miles are two-up and my wife likes the security of having a box behind her so it's essential kit. It's also necessary storage - we commute together on the bike into London where filtering (lane-splitting) is a necessary evil so side cases would get in the way.

[GOTJ]

From the TwistedThrottle website:

"The Alu-Rack cannot be used with the original BMW sidecase luggage mounts installed; however, the Alu-Rack can be used with SW-MOTECH Quick-Lock sidecarriers installed, which can carry Givi, Hepco-Becker, Krauser, Pelican, and Zarges sidecases."

Quite aggravating.

[vroomr]

I have the BMW top case, and it was certainly expensive: had to buy the rails, rack, lock cylinder, and case. I also opted for the backrest pad, which alone was $70, and required drilling holes in the case (gulp!).

That said, I'm glad I have it. Oh, if anyone's wondering, it does hold a full-face helmet.

[fastdogs2]

Can anyone a post picture of what you attach the Rok straps to on the rear of bike? I can see that the front straps could be attached to the frame tubing, but where do you attach the rear ones?

I tried to slip one end of a 3/4 " Rok strap down through the gaps in the side case mounting rack and it was too fat to fit.

I have the old version silver BMW waterproof round duffel bag and would like to mount it perpendicular to the pillion sear, not parallel to it.

I don't want to buy the luggage rails that have the top rack mount because they are $316. I don't know why BMW didn't manufacture the top case rack as a separate piece to add on to the original luggage rails. Don't answer that. I already did..so you would have to spend another $316 plus the $561 for the top case (29 liter version).

There is an old quote from Johann Wolfgang Goethe that holds true today - "The Germans, make everything difficult, both for themselves and for everyone else."

Bill

[sproggy]

From the TwistedThrottle website:

"The Alu-Rack cannot be used with the original BMW sidecase luggage mounts installed; however, the Alu-Rack can be used with SW-MOTECH Quick-Lock sidecarriers installed, which can carry Givi, Hepco-Becker, Krauser, Pelican, and Zarges sidecases."

Quite aggravating.

I'm not convinced - I suspect they might just be covering themselves because they don't know? Why would the manufacturers not state this themselves? Or their agent in the UK? Incidentally I did email SW Motech about this a few weeks back but they didn't bother to reply which was pretty unimpressive.

I've just been at the dealer collecting my seat and looked at an R12R fitted with the OE topcase rack but no side case carriers. From a purely visual comparison with my bike I reckon the Alurack mount 'stubs' are as as suited to the addition of side case racks as the ones on the OE topcase mounts are. I asked the dealer if they had side racks I could try but they had none in stock

[Stef.]

I am with vroomr on this one. I bought the top case and would not want to miss it for my daily rides. The side cases only come onto the bike for longer tours but the top case is invaluable for me. The best part is - as already mentioned- it holds my full face helmet when I go for a stroll. From all the accessories there are this one is the one that I consider the most important one. It is cetainly not cheap but than the whole bike is not cheap.
Stef.

[GOTJ]

From the TwistedThrottle website:

"The Alu-Rack cannot be used with the original BMW sidecase luggage mounts installed; however, the Alu-Rack can be used with SW-MOTECH Quick-Lock sidecarriers installed, which can carry Givi, Hepco-Becker, Krauser, Pelican, and Zarges sidecases."

Quite aggravating.

I'm not convinced - I suspect they might just be covering themselves because they don't know?

Or, more likely, they have had the racks returned by buyers who couldn't install them because they have the OEM side case racks. I know - you're still not convinced; those people were just incompetent.

[deilenberger]

I'm not convinced - I suspect they might just be covering themselves because they don't know?

Or, more likely, they have had the racks returned by buyers who couldn't install them because they have the OEM side case racks. I know - you're still not convinced; those people were just incompetent.

One of the first people to do this (order it, try to fit it, contact the manufacturer and be told it can't co-exist with the OEM case mounts) was a member here. It was shortly after this forum was started IIRC.

[deilenberger]

Can anyone a post picture of what you attach the Rok straps to on the rear of bike? I can see that the front straps could be attached to the frame tubing, but where do you attach the rear ones?

I tried to slip one end of a 3/4 " Rok strap down through the gaps in the side case mounting rack and it was too fat to fit.
Bill

Hmmm.. will wander to the garage with camera in hand.. hang on..

OK, got'm. Download to computer. Resize, clean up. Upload to Photobucket..

Here they are:







I keep the buckle end tucked under the seat, and the straps under the seat. When used - the straps go down to the pillion peg mount on the opposite side of the bike, forming an X over whatever I'm holding on (normally a SealLine bag with my sleeping bag in it..) These have been on the bike for 3 years now, which is why the outer covering is somewhat sun faded. They still stretch just fine, and once in a while when I remember, I use some 303-Protectorant on the exposed part of the elastic.

[yim4]

I have the oem tail rack and just screwed a Storm Hardigg case on there using the existing screw holes on the tail rack. It's been there for a year now with no issues, is extremely durable/watertight and cost something like 100 bucks. I also attached some bungie buddies on to the case so I can strap a duffle bag on top of it if necessary.

[daveyator]

I guess the easy answer to a question like this is how much crap you want to bring with you!!! (sorry couldn't resist)

[sproggy]

Or, more likely, they have had the racks returned by buyers who couldn't install them because they have the OEM side case racks. I know - you're still not convinced; those people were just incompetent.

I'm convinced now I've seen deilenberger's photos. But when neither the manufacturer nor the UK importer state an incompatibility you can understand why I queried this.

[fastdogs2]

Don,

Thanks for the photos!

I tried threading the Rok straps with the side cases still attached. It looks like I need to remove the side cases and then thread the straps through the mount.

Bill

[GOTJ]

I'm convinced now I've seen deilenberger's photos. But when neither the manufacturer nor the UK importer state an incompatibility you can understand why I queried this.

sproggy,

I guess I would believe a retailer who has to give a refund rather than a manufacturer or importer. Interesting point of view though.