I've read and re-read the various threads about top boxes and am still undecided although tending towards the H&B option.
[My only slight reservation is that the Givi mount looks more robust than the H&B one but against that, the Givi box does overhang the pillion seat a bit.]
Anyway, can anyone recommend the TC40 over the TC50 or vice versa? I have measured up (with a tape measure) against the bike and the TC50 does seem to be a bit on the large side and I don't want to be mistaken for a two-wheeled hearse.
I generally ride solo and do have system cases although don't use them too often except for touring as they do change the dynamics of the bike at speed.
If anyone has pics of the TC40 and TC50 (side and rear view) actually on the bike I'd appreciate seeing them if you have time to post them.
I went with the TC40 for my wife's R. I'll post some pictures for you this weekend. The only caveat is that I didn't go with the HB mount a lot of people here went with. I used the SW Motech mount. The upside is it is very sturdy. The downside is you loose your BMW case mounts. If you aren't using BMW sidebags, it's not such a bad thing. However, I didn't realize until I was reading the instructions that I would loose the BMW sidecases. The solution was to purchase the HB sidecases, which is a plus and a minus. The plus side is they are much bigger and hold more, the minus is they stick out more on the bike, so you're not nearly as sleek as you could be with the BMW cases.
MartinW wrote:
Anyway, can anyone recommend the TC40 over the TC50 or vice versa? I have measured up (with a tape measure) against the bike and the TC50 does seem to be a bit on the large side and I don't want to be mistaken for a two-wheeled hearse.
I have a TC42 and it's fairly large, but not huge. It will take one full-face helmet plus stuff, but not two full-face helmets. It definately changes the way the bike feels at highway speeds; the front end is a little ligher than usual. Not necessarily bad, just different.
The H-B rack and BMW rails combo works pretty well. Everything is pretty solid, although I do my best to keep the weight in the case to a minimum.
Before I bought my Givi top case, I went to the BMW dealer asking him if they have original BMW top case for my R1150R. The answer was yes they have it but it is a small case. I was forced to buy the Givi and the rest you will know if you will read the rest of the story. This is the link:
Thanks for your posts. I'll await some pics but think the TC40 will probably fit the bill.
Robert, I read the thread and you are obviously resourceful but I fundamentally object to paying good money for something which I then have to modify to be 'fit for purpose', so the Givi gets the thumbs down even though it's possibly cheaper.
Givi was not cheap at all; it was almost the same price like the BMW original case which is fitting the RT. The problem was after my visit to the BMW dealer and the offer I got of buying the small case which is used as a top case for the F650; I went to a dealer of Japanese bike to find out what they can offer me. Their offer was the Givi. I agree with you: big thumbs down for Givi.
Regards
Hi I use a Hepco & Becker hard top box and rack. The black metal H&B rack fits to the BMW Pannier rails and is a direct swop for the BMW rack. The box is black and silver, 2 full face helmets fit easily and it has a back-rest pad for your pillion. There is no overhang on the pillion seat
I am not sure of the model as I got it off ebay in the UK, I will post some pictures and try and find a model number
Regards AllanJ
You need to upload then to a free hosting site (http://www.photobucket.com or similar) and then link them to embed them in this site by linking them to the hosting url. Alternatively, you can email them to me and I'll do it for you.
I really appreciate this discussion. I went to the local BMW dealer to ask about a hard top case and a manager, I think the service guy, told me there isn't one. He showed me a picture of a soft pack in a catalogue but that was it.
Hi scribblin, I do not know about the US but in Europe BMW do not do a hard top box for the R1150R, only the soft bag you mention. This bag comes with a locking plate that fits and locks to the standard BMW rear rack but as with most things BMW the locking plate is sold as an extra to the bag.
AllanJ
Allan
2003 R1150R Twin Spark, (Black - the fastest colour)
allanj255 wrote:Hi scribblin, I do not know about the US but in Europe BMW do not do a hard top box for the R1150R, only the soft bag you mention. This bag comes with a locking plate that fits and locks to the standard BMW rear rack but as with most things BMW the locking plate is sold as an extra to the bag.
AllanJ
Hmmm...okay, thanks!
I like the looks of the top case shown in the pics here, BTW. Nice.
As mentioned earlier I got the box and rack off eBay for a bargain price £75 all in. I don't find much of a difference in handling at normal speeds I always wind the pre-load on the rear shocker to full when carrying a load. I find I can fit my sleeping bag (in a compression bag) tent plus small Norwegian military stove and a change of clothes in the top box. I also use the luggage shelf that replaces the rear seat for my sleep mat as it is too wide to go in the box plus other bits and bobs.
I have now found the model number and it is a TC 50 as suggested.
AllanJ
Allan
2003 R1150R Twin Spark, (Black - the fastest colour)
