2004 r1150r topcase and backrest, owners manual

[danny28888]

Hi All !

Just got a 2004 R1150RA with side cases and a rear BMW rack/plate.
I would like to add a backrest for my passenger and would like to get some advices.

Should I get a Givi topcase with backrest? A bit pricey.
Do I need any mounting hardware given that I have the sidecases already?

Any after market solutions?

By the way, the previous owner has lost the owner's manual, is there any free online versions I can access?

Thanks in advance!

[gregor]

My 2002 bike has a Kappa quick release top box with an integral padded backrest. Has a different mounting plate (my BMW original hangs on the garage wall) which bolts to the BMW pannier mounts. All came ready fitted to the bike and SWMBO finds it very comfortable. No idea of the supplier- sorry.

[gregor]

Apologies for wrong information. BMW back rack is omitted.
The Kappa rack system is fitted in addition to the pannier frames; two long arms support the box. The top box is thus fitted further forward than a BMW one would be and acts as a backrest.

[JML]

Hi All !

Just got a 2004 R1150RA with side cases and a rear BMW rack/plate.
I would like to add a backrest for my passenger and would like to get some advices.

Should I get a Givi topcase with backrest? A bit pricey.
Do I need any mounting hardware given that I have the sidecases already?

Any after market solutions?

By the way, the previous owner has lost the owner's manual, is there any free online versions I can access?

Thanks in advance!

I have this case from JC Whitney. It looks ok, and the previous owner put a BMW logo on it, which makes it look a bit better.


It uses a metal plate which attaches to the BMW rear rack, which fits between the system case mounting bars. So, you need the rear rack to attach this case, even though it comes with its own quick release bracket. You can see the bracket without the case in the photo below. Click the picture for the full size version of the photo for a better look.

If you look carefully at the full size photo you can see some bolts coming down at an angle just above the tail light and the rear BMW logo. That is because the holes on quick release bracket that comes with the case do not line up perfectly with the slots in the BMW rear rack. The original owner used some metal brackets with slots in them as huge washers to go below the rack.

The case is pretty good, and I do like the convenience of the top box. I keep it on my bike most of the time, because I park it in a narrow spot where the system cases won't fit. The case does have a backrest on it, but it isn't exactly what I would call comfortable. For $100 don't expect the fit and finish or quality of the BMW system cases. On the other hand, it's only $100.

[pebmr]

Danny:

I also own an 04 1150RA as of early this year. Mine had no topcase, and I opted for the JC Whitney large case ($50 with free shipping). It has a so-called backrest, but is hard plastic that looks like rubber. Others have said that if your passenger has back armour, it's not bad. My wife still has not issued a verdict. I'm happy with the case and use it for commuting, holds two medium helmets, or a laptop and soft briefcase. I removed the stock luggage rack, traced the shape on a thick plastic kitchen cutting board, cut out and mounted to the side rails with some upgraded stainless steel nuts and bolts. Painted the homemade rack and the orange plastic trim on the case black, replaced the iron cross sticker with a BMW badge, and replaced the cheapy round reflector with a stick on rectangular one. Works for me.

I'd post a pic, but still have not figured that out...

[danny28888]

Thanks for the info and pictures provided !

Gregor, per my understanding, you removed the BMW luggage rack and put on the Kappa mounting rack with quick release. Is this correct? Does it have a keylock? I have to look up on what a pannier frame is. Still a newbie to R1150R and without owner's manual as well. Would appreciate a picture on how the Kappa looks.

JML, your JC Whitney quick release bracket mounts on the BMW mounting bracket (which has to be ordered) adapted with larger bracket/washers due to the misalignment of the holes. You mentioned a metal plate also, is this something custom made? Nice pictures of your bike, same color as mine(Limited Edition).

PEBMR, I like your innovative solution of mounting a stock rack shaped kitchen cutting board, thats cool ! When you figure out to upload pictures,it would be fun to share.

Where do I get BMW badges/Logos? From the dealer?

Where I am at now, I want to try out the Givi soft case and see if it can be served as a backrest. I order the softcase, special mounting rack ($170 ouch !) and a keylock ($30) with the option to return all of them if I don't like it. Does anyone have the Givi soft case and what is the experience?

I think ultimately I will go with the JC Whitney solution as that looks most cost effective but I must have the BMW logo too. : )

Still need to find the owner's manual as I only have the maintenance manual. Any suggestions?

Thank you all !

[JML]

Thanks for the info and pictures provided !

JML, your JC Whitney quick release bracket mounts on the BMW mounting bracket (which has to be ordered) adapted with larger bracket/washers due to the misalignment of the holes. You mentioned a metal plate also, is this something custom made? Nice pictures of your bike, same color as mine(Limited Edition).

The metal quick release bracket comes with the case according to JC Whitney. I bought mine used, so I'm just going by what their website says. It is what can be seen in the second picture. The metal brackets are something like this random picture I found online (the angle iron, not the cutter):

The pieces of metal look like what you would find if you went wandering around a hardware store looking for something larger and more versatile than a plain washer.

The BMW rear rack and the quick release bracket that comes with the top box are the only pieces required for mounting as far as I can tell. A bit of creativity might be required to get everything to mount exactly where you want it, though.

[pebmr]

"PEBMR, I like your innovative solution of mounting a stock rack shaped kitchen cutting board, thats cool ! When you figure out to upload pictures,it would be fun to share.

Where do I get BMW badges/Logos? From the dealer?"

Oh I cannot take credit for the JC Whitney mounting solution. If you go this route, search the site and you will find detailed instructions, pics, and then you can modify yourself as you wish.

I got the badge from Sierra BMW. Called them to tell them what I wanted to make sure it was the right size and type. Salesman even said the badges/roundels are confusing and he usually just goes in back to find one and measure it rather than look it up. He told me what they had and I picked the best size. Little big, it more than covers the the iron cross sticker hole, so I just filled that up with silicone before I applied the badge. Good Luck!

[gregor]

Danny,
You asked
Gregor, per my understanding, you removed the BMW luggage rack and put on the Kappa mounting rack with quick release. Is this correct? Does it have a keylock? I have to look up on what a pannier frame is. Still a newbie to R1150R and without owner's manual as well. Would appreciate a picture on how the Kappa looks.



The BMW rack was indeed removed and the Kappa rack then installed alongside the BMW pannier mounts. The Kappa and Givi mounts are identical and the box is quick release with a key/pushbutton.The rack is not pretty but I keep the luggage on all the time.
I do not do posting of pictures- sorry.