1994 r1100rs luggage carrier question

[davidsporter]

I have a 1994 r1100rs that I intend to put a BMW factory luggage rack on to. This is the one integrated to also fit the hard side bags and it bolts under the seat to the frame. My question is whether is rear luggage carrier can bear any weight without also installing the auxillary rails that also bolt under the seat but require holes to be drilled through the trunk to support the rack. I really don't want to drill holes through the plastic and would happy if I could at least carry a 10 pound duffle bag without supporting rails. Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[GTRider]

Without the rear supports the rack will flex and eventually fail. When BMW sold the rack kits there was a template for use in making the two “upside-down U” cuts on the rear cowling. I don’t recall if that template came with the kit or was a dealer item from a bulletin or SI.

I installed mine without the template but did a LOT of careful measuring and marking, and when I made the cuts I undersized them just a tad and the used a rat tail file to finish up. It’s worth taking time to be careful so the rubber gaskets fit neatly and seal the openings where the support arms pass through the rear cowl.

Best,

DeVern

 

[davidsporter]

Thank you very much. I just found a cowling for sale with the holes already cut and the same color as mine. And I found the support rails on EBay, so I'm getting the pieces to the puzzle put together.

Much appreciated.

 

[robsryder]

There was also a rear cowling with the correct slots cut for the rear rack supports available from the factory. Although I'd paid for the factory pre-cut cowling on my 94 R11RS, the mechanic decided to make the cut to the supplied cowling (without the slots). His attempt to make the slots was not great and I had to have a chat with the business owner. In the end we came to an agreement; I got the paid for cowl with pre-cut slots and rather than have him purchase me a new uncut cowl, we negotiated a more favorable price on a 64 Triumph Bonneville that had long been parked in a back corner. I enjoyed the Bonnie for several decades and in the end sold it to another Triumph, BMW, Ducati dealer for the dealer's personal bike collection. I still have the 94 R11RS and it still has the rear cowling with pre-cut slots and the rear rack and frame are still in place. Many trips have been taken with tents, duffel bags, and the like strapped to the rear rack.

 

[GTRider]

Thank you very much. I just found a cowling for sale with the holes already cut and the same color as mine. And I found the support rails on EBay, so I'm getting the pieces to the puzzle put together.

Much appreciated.

Excellent! The pre cut cowls were available when I did my ‘95 R1100RSL, but pricey-so I cut my own. Glad you found a quick solution!

Best,
DeVern