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

Hey all, yet another test-rider who's probably gonna be sucked in. I'm planning to replace my '94 R-RS by the end of the year, and the combination of a test ride and Richard's pics with the Parabellum Scout almost have me convinced to go to the R1200R. But, there's one nagging question: Topcase?

Is anybody running a Givi topcase with the stock rear rack? And if so, what size case? I've got the Maxia 52L case on my RS, which is a little too big, but I need something close to that to carry my laptop and other junk when riding to work. The BMW 28L case just won't cut it.

Or, has anybody tried the Givi V35 sidecases? If I go all Givi for cases and mounts, I figure it should all fit together. And I like the look of those sidecases. But I'm not sure I want to be Givi's beta tester. So, any experience, good or bad, out there?

Dad (and all) - For several years before buying my 1200R I used a GIVI 36N bag as a topcase on my 1150GS. It was a good size because it did not overload the rear of the bike and it was a good size to carry my Dell Inspiron laptop. The luggage rack adapter was a real simple affair that just bolted to the stock luggage rack. I haven't yet investigated to see if GIVI is making these adapters for the 12R. I would like to recommend Richard Lane (RL Motorcycles) in Thomasville GA. His business is exclusively GIVI. He stocks a large inventory of their stuff and he's very knowledgeable and helpful. He ships the same day and will give you a 10% discount under list price. Give him a call 1-877-270-1108. (No affilliation other than a satisfied customer for several years)

I have an SW-Motech top case rack and Givi adapter plate on back order from Twisted Throttle for my E460. Eric there checked with Motech and they said it would fit with the R1200R side racks.

Rtallent I also understand from the twisted throttle site that the sw motech rack will work with the side case mounts from bmw. Strange thing is another guy on this forum has contacted sw motech and twisted throttle if I'm correct and he understood that it wouldn't work. Please look at this thread and keep us posted on how the sw motech rack will fit and if it will work with the sidecase mounts from BMW as I'm also interested in the sw motech rack.

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=10201

Skippy,
That's a little disturbing. I emailed Eric, he emailed SW-Motech and forwarded their response to me, so I had a "paper trail" as it were. Their response was simply "fits".

I will certainly let the board know what happens when the Alu top rack arrives. The current estimated ship date is 1 June 07.

I understand it can be a disturbing message but just wanyted to let you know. Strange is that the stories about this rack are less then clear and it would be great if you could sort things out when you get it. I do feel that it would be a bit weird to design a rack that would interfere with the original BMW mountings for the sidecases as so many bmw owners use these cases.

I've had some discussion with Twisted Throttle about this. At first, Adam told me the Alu-Rack would fit the R12R along with the BMW side case mounts. Then I looked at the installation instructions and I thought there would be problems, so I asked Adam to double check. His response: "I have spoken with the manufacturer and they said that the rack, will not fit with the factory side rails."

It seems that the published info from SW Motech is that it does work, but they really know it doesn't and it hasn't worked its way into the literature yet.

I'd like to be wrong about this, because I like the look (and cost) of the Alu-Rack, so if anyone knows for sure (i.e., has actually done it), please let us know. But looking at the drawings and my bike with the BMW mounts, I can't figure out how it can possibly work.

NeilS wrote:I've had some discussion with Twisted Throttle about this. At first, Adam told me the Alu-Rack would fit the R12R along with the BMW side case mounts. Then I looked at the installation instructions and I thought there would be problems, so I asked Adam to double check. His response: "I have spoken with the manufacturer and they said that the rack, will not fit with the factory side rails."

It seems that the published info from SW Motech is that it does work, but they really know it doesn't and it hasn't worked its way into the literature yet.

I'd like to be wrong about this, because I like the look (and cost) of the Alu-Rack, so if anyone knows for sure (i.e., has actually done it), please let us know. But looking at the drawings and my bike with the BMW mounts, I can't figure out how it can possibly work.

In light of this information I just went to email Eric at Twisted Throttle again to confirm what SW-Motech had told him previously about the rack working with the BMW luggage rack and found that the SW-Motech top rack has been shipped! I guess I'll know the answer by next week and will post what I find out here. Wish us all luck!

There's no way to sugar coat this:

It looks like the SW-Motech Alu-Rack Toprack DOES NOT work with the BMW side case mounts.

I tried to fit it this morning and did not find it possible to mount the two pieces at the same time.

I've been talking with Twisted Throttle and they're going to talk to Motech about it. I'm hoping for a solution from Motech, but I'm guessing I'll end up returning the rack. Oh, well! For now, I'm so happy with the fantastic side cases that I don't really miss the top box -- for now

That's a real shame and don't understand why sw motech made the rack that way. I'm still doubting on getting the side cases(do have the mounting rails fitted already part of the bargaining ) and will also get a nice discount(-20%) from my dealer on a new set of sidecases till the end of this year so Rtallent how good are they? Will one side case fit a pair of shoes,a pair of jeans/shirts/boxershorts and a toothbrush? Just curious because many times two cases are a bit mutch but if they will hold this list of items I will also be getting them I guess as they seem to be the best luggage option available.

Skippy wrote:That's a real shame and don't understand why sw motech made the rack that way. I'm still doubting on getting the side cases(do have the mounting rails fitted already part of the bargaining ) and will also get a nice discount(-20%) from my dealer on a new set of sidecases till the end of this year so Rtallent how good are they? Will one side case fit a pair of shoes,a pair of jeans/shirts/boxershorts and a toothbrush? Just curious because many times two cases are a bit mutch but if they will hold this list of items I will also be getting them I guess as they seem to be the best luggage option available.

I really like them. They hold a LOT of stuff -- the other day I had a pair of shoes (big ones!), (2) 1.5L water bottles, a shell parka, two bags of stuff, each about 14 by 18 inches all in one saddle bag.

Besides that, they mount so beautifully to the bike. They sit much closer and more securely than any after-market manufacturer has made (that I know of) and the mounts are nicely integrated with the bike are hardly noticible with the bags removed. I liked my previous Givi luggage, but this is much much better. The locking systems are very solid and well designed -- much more sophisticated than the Givi, which work very well.

BMW should be ashamed at what they charge for them, though I was going to keep my Givi bags and get SW-Motech mounts for them, but my bike came with mounts and BMW USA was giving a $500 credit for BMW accessories with the bike purchase, so I got them for 1/2 price and I'm very glad I did

I don't know what I'll do about the top case, though. I do not want to spend what it'll cost for the BMW top case and mount but I haven't found any alternatives yet. I really want to do something because my daughter doesn't like to ride with me without a top box behind her. I'll find an answer, yet!

Thanks Rtallent for the answer looks like I'm going to get me the sidecases as well as it seems there's plenty of room for what I need in one case ans more then enough for long trips in two. My R1100S handled great with just one sidecase mounted(weighing about 13kg fully packed) I hope the R1200R handles the same way with just one case mounted.