hard bag options

[julia rose]

just bought my first bmw r1150r. want to purchase hard bags and need to know companies that sell hard bags. there is bmw, givi and who else. any recommendations? want 35L. black that wont scratch easily or leak but good price. used? where do people look online? also need racks.

[challey]

The BMW system cases are pricey, but well-made and worth the cost IMHO. And yes, you will need the mounting rails. You don't say what year your bike is but here are the part numbers for the bags and mounting hardware for the 2003 (I suspect that these are the same for all the 1150R bikes but don't know for sure):
Mounting bracket (rails)- 71 60 2 316 727
Case - right 46 54 7 660 300
Case - left 43 54 2 617 623
Lock (codeable, so you can use your ignition key) - 51 25 2 337 270
BMW badge - 46 54 300 045
Reflector - 46 54 2 300 047

The left case is considerably smaller than the right for the R since it is cutaway to clear the upswept muffler. You could lower the muffler and use the larger case from the RT if you really need the extra room. For solo riding though, you probably won't need the extra space (at least I haven't). If you are going on a long trip, you'll need to use a duffle or other bag anyway, so again no real need for the extra room in the case. YMMV. I don't want to take business away from your local dealer, but you can get a 20% discount from these guys: http://www.chicagobmwmotorcycle.com

Charlie

[Byrdguy]

BMW system cases are expensive, but the only way to go, IMHO. Keep looking and you may find a deal on some good used ones.

[jarobi]

I'll second that, but I'll give you my experience/opinion and let you go from there .

I had an RR which was totaled. The bags were fine as they were not on it.

The BMW cases are quite simply the best luggage on earth. The build quality and functionality is second to none IMO. I have owned/messed with three sets of luggage to make a comparison. Easy to pack, put on and take off, top notch build quality, best latches in the business.

I had a '98 Concours. Luggage was fine, not built as well as the BMW stuff, and the mounts were annoying. Leaked sometimes.

I looked at getting another '04 or later RR, but it wasn't in the cards; they all were gone time I got there .

I also looked at the Buell Ulysses and Triumph Tiger. The Uly luggage, made by HB, was IMO not nearly as nice/functional as the BMW stuff, although large capacity. The latches were chintzy and have a habit of failing if any force at all is used on them; plus the mounts are butt ugly and detract from the looks of the bike when they're off.

I bought a leftover '07 Tiger becasue I got a deal I couldn't pass on.The Triumph luggage looks nice and the build quality is close to that of the BMW, but they are small and the mounting system again detracts from the lines of the bike when off. the lock/latch/pop up carry handles are not as good as the BMW either. The sidebags look good great on the tiger, so I leave them on. With the topbox, the luggage system holds about the same amount of stuff as just the BMW side bags and is much more annoying to pack. The BMW bags are incredibly easy to take on/off. You take them off, pack, pop them on. You don't even notice the GS mounts when the bags are off on the BMW, they're engineered well to fit the lines of the bike.

The bags on my RR were from a well-traveled GS. I paid $300-$350 for them with the mounts, which also fit the RR. They had some scratches, kick marks, etc but looked fine. Places to look: here, ADVRider and ibmwr:
http://www.ibmwr.org/marketplace.shtml

I'll give you my opinion on the available R1150R (BMW) luggage mounts too. The GS mounts look the best, but you can't use the OEM R1150R luggage rack. You have to buy proprietry mounts for the RR which also have grab handles. I bought them and the rear luggage rack. I hated them. The luggage rack was stupid expensive and was useless except to mount the now-discontinued Pirate's Lair (Sargent) backrest. The OEM mounts killed the look of the bike.

To summarize, unless you want a set of bags that look brand new, there are deals to be had. I watch 1150 luggage that's in new condition go for 500-700 on eBay. I sold my luggage to a guy that bought a Rockster that was in the local paper (missed it too ) with Cee Bailey liners for $350. If I scored another R, I'd get BMW luggage w/ GS mounts, a Givi rear rack and top box. I'd remove the top box/rack/mounts unless I needed them. Hope this helps. All this subjective blabber, in one way or the other, is why everybody who has the Beemer luggage tells all the new folks to get it. It's that good.

Regards,
Jim

[mcollect]

Echoing what has been said previously. I've been using the BMW side bags since I got the RR. I've had many bikes with all sort of luggage and the best by far is the BMW side bags, I also hate the look of the RR mounting system, I traded the RR with the rear carrier even up for the GS mounts. Much cleaner look and I hated the rear luggage that could be used. I have the city and the standard lids, city is on 90% of the time, the standard are for real travelling. For the rear I use river bags, the kind that fold to close, Seattle Sports make a fine assortment, These never leak and with two I can fit my tent,sleeping bag and ground mat in one. The other carries all my cooking supplies. They strap across the pillion, I only ride solo so if you are two up you cant use them without a rear rack.

[julia rose]

thanks for all your advice. it does sound like the beemer bags are superior and worth the bucks. i guess i'll watch ebay then and see what comes up? a good set of bags will set me back abour $1,100 with the racks. ouch. any other ideas for used other then ebay? i am in BC. i wont get the top case at this point in time. by the way, had a cruiser till now and cant believe the difference in riding....waaaay better with the bmw. a new world of riding has openned up!
Julia

[Airman]

thanks for all your advice. it does sound like the beemer bags are superior and worth the bucks. i guess i'll watch ebay then and see what comes up? a good set of bags will set me back abour $1,100 with the racks. ouch. any other ideas for used other then ebay? i am in BC. i wont get the top case at this point in time. by the way, had a cruiser till now and cant believe the difference in riding....waaaay better with the bmw. a new world of riding has openned up!
Julia

I don't think it's going to be anywhere near $1000. I think $750 is more like it if you buy from Chicago BMW. Best to call them as there's handful of hardware that you'll need for the mounts that is not included. The parts guy will know what you need.

[jarobi]

Check my post. ibmwr.org, ADVRider...there are almost always some for sale used.

go to the link I gave you, enter the market, go to "Oilhead R- accessories for sale", then about 1/3 of the way down look for this post:

BMW 96-03 RT Goodies from RTSale (also GS Bags)
350 bucks. dunno if there are mounts or not.

[Biff's R]

thanks for all your advice. it does sound like the beemer bags are superior and worth the bucks. i guess i'll watch ebay then and see what comes up? a good set of bags will set me back abour $1,100 with the racks. ouch. any other ideas for used other then ebay? i am in BC. i wont get the top case at this point in time. by the way, had a cruiser till now and cant believe the difference in riding....waaaay better with the bmw. a new world of riding has openned up!
Julia

The R and the GS use the same bags, and the rails from the GS work great. There is a little spacer that you need with the GS rails to move give a bit more clearance from the exhaust pipe.

Here are some places where you may be able to find used system cases:
The buy/sell section on this board
http://www.ibmwr.org
http://www.advrider.com
http://www.bmwmoa.org
http://www.beemerboneyard.com
http://www.re-psycle.com

[digga]

Found this guy via the Uk Gs user's site (www.Ukgser.com)

Now i know that these bikes have a different intended use, but some of you guys across the pond dosome big miles.
These boxes fit the R as the rear sub frame is the same as the 1150GS.

These boxes shame BMW,Givi ,Metal Mule, Touratech and the rest

Competitively priced i would say... not cheap by any means, but there again neither is Touratech

www.projectvnd.com

and yes Andy will/does ship Worldwide

Digga