Rockster Luggage

[Gubachoo]

hey guys, looking for some advice. i am in grad school and want to take off for the whole summer on my rockster and see the country for a couple months but have no luggage. have been looking around but cant figure out what fits my needs. instead of sifting through all this crap for hours (as ive already done and feel like ive gotten nowhere) i figured i would ask to see what everyone is using and try that out with some real person feedback. i would like to get hard bags, and being in school, cant really afford new (unless the prices im seeing are higher than normal) and am having a hard time finding used ones. i also dont know if regular r1150r bags will fit my rockster. if thats all i can find, and they are close, im sure i can mod them or make a bracket to fit as i was a mechanic before going back to school, but if they are way off, ill just have to find specific ones. do i really need hard bags? should i worry about soft ones? i would like two sides and one high mount rear and am just pulling my hair out trying to find something decent that doesnt require a home equity loan. any suggestions? or anyone wanna sell a poor student a set? i dont care how they look as long as they do the job. thanks in advance for the help guys, helping me to live my dream this summer!

[Gubachoo]

oh, and i have also been trolling ebay and beemerboneyard and ibmw.org for a bit with no luck quite yet

[johnnyjs1]

I had the system cases on mine ($250 used) a tank bag ($35 used) and a top box from JC Whitney ($45). I rde 2 up for a week and had enough room for everything for me and the ms. So....for $300 you could be good to go.

[Gubachoo]

what are the "system cases" i hear so much about?

[riceburner]

what are the "system cases" i hear so much about?

"System Cases" are the official BMW supplied cases that most people buy with the bike (see pic).

You can get them on 2nd hand - GS or 'R' ones will fit the Rockster without mods. The GS/R left side case has a cut out to accomodate the high-line exhaust - BUT - you can fit a full size case if you remove the can, or lower it (there's some mods described in this forum for this.). If you have the catalyst still on your bike (large ally canister under the bike) then get an exhaust tip from an auto-store and remove the can. Then you can fit a full-size left case (from an RS/RT), with a small mod to accomodate the offset lower support (again - search this forum, several people have done it).

As for the top-bag - I'd suggest looking for some 2nd hand dry bags - eg Ortlieb - they're rubber/canvas bags that are utterly waterproof.

Do you have the little rack on the back of the bike? you can tie bags to that, and the pillion seat with ease. Use either/both 1" canvas buckle straps. bungee nets, bungee straps, Rokstraps - whatever you can find.

If you're insistent on a topbox, and have the BMW rear rack - find a cheap Givi or similar, buy a cheap plastic breadboard and a sheet of duraliminium and fit the box to the rack.

(the black "thing" immediately under the top-box is the plastic breadboard, cut to fit in place of the silver part of the rack.)

The Dural sheet goes inside the box, and spreads the load. The 4 bolts go through the Dural/bottom of box/breadboard/existing holes in the rack "wings". Mine's been on for about 2-3 years now. VERY easy to remove the whole shebang by removing the rack wings from the pannier rail/grab rails with the 4 Torx bolts.

[RedRider]

some good suggestions from previous posts.After riding my R1150 from coast to coast my suggestions would be a tankbag coupled with two large mouth duffle bags from Kermits Camping products. I chose two medium size bags over the large as they can be stacked one on top of the other. These bags have a series of loops sewn onto the bag,front & rear.You stack the bag,thread Rok Straps or similar through the loops ( prevents bags from slipping or shifting) . fasten to rear section of the bike & rear footpegs or close by. I also used a top case ( Shad ..inexpensive ) , its base plate fastened to the BMW rear rack. The duffel bags rested against the top case & never shifted. Total cost was less than $350 including the top case.

[rockstercliff]

System cases came with my bike, just bought a Pelican 1550 on Flea-bay, will machine a plate to mount on the factory rack. A waterproof duffel, and I will be able to go anywhere for a while.

[Lion_Lady]

"System cases" are great for trips. But, they're pricey. If you're patient you can pick a pair up on ebay, etc. The nice thing is that they provide hard security for your stuff, and can be re-keyed to match your ignition key.

Does your Rockster have the BMW luggage rack? You'll need one of those as well.

I've found that the system cases, plus a (large) soft tail pack, such as a Helen2Wheels roll top bag or SeaLine waterproof bag is the most efficient use of space on the bike. The system cases can be "stuffed" pretty tightly with gear. I use those roll up luggage space savers inside my system cases to maximize space. I put my tool kit in a side case so I don't have to unload the bike if I need to get at it. So long as the lock is clear, you can open the cases without unloading the bike.

A hard top case adds weight that means less stuff you can pack, so I use a soft bag instead.


My loaded Rockster, somewhere in Kansas, last summer. I've got my "normal" tail bag fastened behind the Helen2Wheels pack. I prefer using a tail bag to a tank bag for shorter riding distances, so I packed it on this trip. The funny looking envelope shape is H2W mesh dry bag - stick wet stuff in there and by the time you get to your destination it is dry.

or I'll pack like this, for a camping weekend (such as the BMW(2)'s Square Route Rally:

The yellow bag is a SeaLine 25(?) gallon bag, with my sleeping bag, pad, plus a sweatshirt. The black roll bag (Helen2Wheels) has my tent, poles, footprint and tarp.

This is more my "normal" bike travel mode:


P

[BMWEW1]

Have you trolled the classifieds at www.ibmwr.org or www.bmwmoa.org? Sometimes, but rarely, also www.advrider.com. Also try craigslist, I bought mine off that from a guy in TX, shipping was only like another $40 to DC. I'd be trolling all sites daily as when they come up they usually sell ASAP.

As for a cheap top case, look at this http://www.bestemusa.com/product_info.p ... cts_id=689. Search on this board as other 1150R owners have bought this case.

If you go with the top case it makes a good backstop to help hold dry bags strapped across the passenger seat and also makes for a great back rest setup.

Good luck!

[Gubachoo]

thanks for all the help guys, i think im well on my way to finding something that will work. just ordered a tailcase. still looking at the options for sidecases. one other question though (although further input on the orginal question is still much appreciated), where do i get the stock luggage rack/mounting bracket? can i get it from somewhere other than bmw new?

[riceburner]

thanks for all the help guys, i think im well on my way to finding something that will work. just ordered a tailcase. still looking at the options for sidecases. one other question though (although further input on the orginal question is still much appreciated), where do i get the stock luggage rack/mounting bracket? can i get it from somewhere other than bmw new?

They're probably pretty in demand - but scour the BMW breakers for one.

The Rockster OE fitting is the same as the R1150R fitting...

BUT - the R1100GS/1150GS/1100R fitting can also be used if you don't need the grab handle part.

[loutusmaximus]

I know it's already been said, but I would also recommend the 'System' Boxes. I was lucky enough to pick up left and right boxes for £140 second hand online. Just had to pick them up.
It really would be worth your while continuing to trawl through ebay and bike trade mags etc. for a good deal because they really are overpriced out of the box from BMW.
Good luck!

[johnnyjs1]

ADVRIDER.com has a few sets of system cases in there classifieds right now

[ND4SPD]

Sorry to jump onto your post Gubachoo - but your question is pretty much what I wanted to ask... However, I'm wondering if anyone would know if a set of system cases from a '00 K1200RS would match up to the "hard to find" brackets on my '04 Rockster...? I have access to those cases, and if all I had to do was scrounge up the brackets - I'd be in good shape.

[riceburner]

Sorry to jump onto your post Gubachoo - but your question is pretty much what I wanted to ask... However, I'm wondering if anyone would know if a set of system cases from a '00 K1200RS would match up to the "hard to find" brackets on my '04 Rockster...? I have access to those cases, and if all I had to do was scrounge up the brackets - I'd be in good shape.

I think they'd be the same fitment yes. if the left one has the cut out, and the "slot" is in the right position relative to the footpeg brace you'll be ok.

If you can check the bags against the bike before purchase I would recommend that.

[Gubachoo]

so i have gotten a givi imitation case for the top mount, but am still trying to find decent side cases. all the system cases i come upon are way out of my budget, which i really regret, but this trip it supposed to last for 4-5 months and every 50$ i spend is another day not on the road. i have found cheapie cases on ebay that i can mount on the bike (i have a large amount of fabrication experience and skill so making brackets to fit isnt a problem) but they arent that large and the cost makes me think they probably arent too great of quality.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcyc ... 2c5496c318

has anyone else used these cases? as long as they arent really crappy, i will probably go for them. anyone even seen these before? i dont even know who makes them or where they come from. any ideas?

[spoon]

Another cut in, hope this helps someone. My 2004 Rockster came with system cases.The narrow (city cases?) from a 2004 RT-P fit as followes. The right case fits perfectly but the left side footpeg bracket is offset too far out and the muffler is in the way. Solution- if the muffler is moved down (or removed) and the footpeg bracket remade or modified the RT-P cases wil fit. My question is this, is there a left footpeg/hard case bracket that is about two inches closer to the bike?

[fettler]

Another cut in, hope this helps someone. My 2004 Rockster came with system cases.The narrow (city cases?) from a 2004 RT-P fit as followes. The right case fits perfectly but the left side footpeg bracket is offset too far out and the muffler is in the way. Solution- if the muffler is moved down (or removed) and the footpeg bracket remade or modified the RT-P cases wil fit. My question is this, is there a left footpeg/hard case bracket that is about two inches closer to the bike?

You put a 'channel' on the system case to match the OEM peg. Just bolt/screw one on next to the plastic one. I used alloy channel.

[grwrockster]

The thing is.... if the OP is a student, then I'm guessing the idea is bargain basement - stuff that'll do the job for minimum outlay? Basic function over style or the ideal - cos he wants to spend his cash on the journey, not on the luggage.

In which case - surely it has to be universal throw-over bags or similar? Top boxes can be picked up cheap enough - but any hard cases for the sides of the bike are going to cost a bit. You can spend quite a bit on posh soft luggage - but no frills stuff to do the job don't cost a lot here if you shop around.

I've toured for 2 weeks quite happily with soft expandable throw-overs (did 2 weeks in the Pyrenees with cheap Frank Thomas bargain-basement cheap throwovers) - just stuff your gear well into plastic carrier bags as soft luggage isn't water-tight. It's better to use several smaller plastic bags to separate gear in case one leaks, as the others will be ok. I tend to take old T's for riding during the day as you've got your jacket etc. on then simply bin the old T's and underwear/socks every morning -that way you don't end up carting around dirty washing next to your clean stuff too (you also get less stuff to pack around as you go on).

I've also used a roll-top stuffer type bag (I got mine [80 litre capacity] for £35 in Hein Gericke, but pretty sure HG aren't in the US) - but I bet similar stuff is available out there somewhere. I did a trip across from Wales to N.Italy and back using this on it's own held onto my pillion seat with 2 universal straps from a camping store). I think you can get similar bags from boating shops if you get stuck, and they are generally waterproof as well as you'd expect. If you're riding solo then a bag can just be strapped onto the passenger seat (you can get good straps and bungees from camping shops instead of laying out for luggage with built-in securing straps at big money - just strap the gear on securely, it's not rocket science, right?).

The big disadvantage with soft luggage is security - there isn't any. So, you have can't leave the bags and your clothes on the bike in case it gets swiped by some low-life.