RCHARVEY6712
New member
Anyone happy with a luggage rack on top of their BMW 49L top case? I have a R1200RT, and that looks like it would be a handy spot to lash down some gear.
Any links?
Any links?
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Just be careful about what you hang on that spot. Bad location for a lot of weight.
It should be the last place loaded, if you do it.
Load in order and keep heaviest items closest to low and center of bike
1)Side cases
2)Passenger seat and/or tank bag
3)Top case
4)Top case rack
Just be careful about what you hang on that spot. Bad location for a lot of weight.
It should be the last place loaded, if you do it.
Load in order and keep heaviest items closest to low and center of bike
1)Side cases
2)Passenger seat and/or tank bag
3)Top case
4)Top case rack
I know there's a forum thread where we discussed mounting a GIVI luggage rack to the 49L top case but I can't find it. I remember seeing a photo of the top case with the GIVI rack mounted -- maybe K. Greenwald will jog my memory with a post....
{snip}...refer to pages 68-69 of the May (2010) issue of BMW Owners News...{snip}
"...having the woodworking dexterity of a dolphin..."
Now, THAT'S hilarious, Kevin!
{snip}...I'll update when I have it installed...or I'm ordering a new lid.
Does anyone have a better idea for packing additional gear when 2up?
My old bike had unpainted single layer side cases, so I installed bungee buddies and tied some small duffle bags to the top of the cases, which gave me all the capacity I needed, didn't interfere with the passenger and kept the weight low. When not using them, I just filled the holes with black RTV. On the 1200RT I'm a little reluctant to start drilling holes in those nicely painted double layer cases. I'm looking for something that will allow me to secure the duffels to the bike, resting on top of the cases, possibly using the hand rail mounting bolts. Any Ideas ?
Thanks
Bill
Does anyone have a better idea for packing additional gear when 2up?
My old bike had unpainted single layer side cases, so I installed bungee buddies and tied some small duffle bags to the top of the cases, which gave me all the capacity I needed, didn't interfere with the passenger and kept the weight low. When not using them, I just filled the holes with black RTV. On the 1200RT I'm a little reluctant to start drilling holes in those nicely painted double layer cases. I'm looking for something that will allow me to secure the duffels to the bike, resting on top of the cases, possibly using the hand rail mounting bolts. Any Ideas ?
Thanks
Bill
Sure: two or three webbed nylon straps with plastic side-lock buckles will do the trick. We use a dry duffel from Cabela's ("Boundary Waters") when we carry hiking gear on trips. A friend uses REI's "mud box" which is actually a small little semi-rigid thing which fits almost exactly on the top of the sidecase.. We both just attach the things to the bike's pillion hand rails and down by the passenger footpeg. I usually run another one from the back end of the bag to the luggage rack area. Never a problem of any kind. We put duct tape on the tops of the cases to protect them from scratches. When we get home, the tape comes right off, a little swipe or two with 409 or similar gets any residue off. No hooks, no drilling, quick and easy to attach and detach. The dry duffel is totally, completely waterproof.
Don't do it! The BMW rack for the topcase probably can't support much more weight than advised to put in the topcase itself. If you buy an after market topcase such as GIVI or Hepco-Becker, they have redesigned the racks to support the weight differently. I have an H-B on my R1200ST and a rack on top of the case on which I lash lightweight sleeping bags or jackets or stuff like that.
Lisa