System Cases or City Lids?

Ebet · Post by **Ebet** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:31 pm

Does anyone have experience with the regular BMW System Cases vs. the City Lids for lane splitting? I have to get one or the other. I like the fact that the System Cases hold more stuff, but I don't want them to be too fat for filtering. Any thoughts? Thanks and happy riding!

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:15 am

I have regular lids on my system cases.

I don't use them much because I lane split all the time..and they're too wide for that.

I've got to get myself some city lids...then I would use my cases more.

Although..it's nice to be able to lock a fullface helmet inside...I'll miss that.

DJ

johno · Post by **johno** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:26 am

I use a Givi top box and a tank bag most of the time.
I would only use my full panniers if doing a long trip.
I also use a camel back on a trip, as it holds a fair bit of gear, as well as water for the hot trips. I have done several 900klm trips on my various Beemers using the above setups.
So, as to answer your original question, I would invest in a good top box instead.

Post by **qfman** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:26 am

The big advantage of the full size cases is they are lockable, waterproof and swallow a lot of stuff. I can carry a laptop in the right box while the left carries rain suit and odds and ends. I can also but a handbasket full of groceries on my way home and stow it all without squashing the bread.

All this flexibility makes the bike unable to slip through smaller gaps. I have actually found myself pinched between two cars at 10kmh due to the wide load rear.

The city lids kill the flexibility of the cases to accept large items. If security, waterproofing and permanant fitment are not so important, A bag fitted to a steel rack in the pillion area makes a good compromise. They will take a lot of stuff, but they do carry the weight up high. Most of the guys I ride with who have Jap sporties use these racks on trips. In Australia, Ventura is the best known brand.

Tom

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~lonergans/

single650 · Post by **single650** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:45 am

I use the bars as "Cats Wiskers" if they go trhough so do I

I ride with Touring panniers and sometimes a tent aross the seat have occasionally hit a cage when filtering but I'm gone and the're still in the traffic. It can be embarrasing if you get held at a stop light though

Post by **mcollect** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:16 am

I have the city lids on most of the time. I can't for the life of me remember about how wide the regular lids are, I always hit things. When I am going to the store I switch lids. Someone on this list directed me to a person that has a plate attaching to the hinge that makes changing the lids a two minute operation. I love the flexability of narrow or wide lids.

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:19 pm

I have the "City cases" and they are lockable and waterproof, and serve my purpose well, for everyday use, I think they are great. Just MOP, Den

GeoffJ · Post by **GeoffJ** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:48 pm

I tried City Lids for a year. They limited my storage capacity and I got tired of reinstalling the full size lids every time I went on trip. For these reasons, I sold the City Lids and now use only the regular size ones.

darcym · Post by **darcym** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:49 pm

I want to get the city lids for everyday use. But the standard or touring lids might be better for longer trips. CycleGadgets.com sells a quick removal hinge so that you can have both sizes of lids and switch them easily, it replaces the standard hinge and is called a Qwik Hinge. Has anyone tried these?

http://cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=QH

Rockiesrider · Post by **Rockiesrider** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:31 pm

I have a left 'city lid' in perfect condition...on the 'for sale' board...if anyone want is to try it out, or to match a right lid...

(has the emblem and reflector already on it...)

Check the Buy/Sell/Trade board if you are interested...

Keith

Ebet · Post by **Ebet** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:54 pm

Thanks, guys! Your experiences and opinions are very helpful.

Yeah, I am an incorrigible lane splitter too, so I probably better get the city lids. I do like the idea of the quick release hinges to install the regular lids for trips.

Post by **mcollect** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:04 am

I looked at the quick hinges, very pricey. The hinge adapters are cheap, around $30 so I went with them. They work great as I stated. Easy to do alone and secure. http://www.evolutioncycles.com/

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:10 am

Try filtering in London with any panniers at all.

makes me laff every time I see a GS with all the panniers still on!!

It's easy to say that the City lids (still fully lockable and waterproof for those that seem to think they're not) will help - and they will a bit, but the panniers will still stop you swapping lanes in solid, stationary traffic at the limits of steering lock.

Post by **scottybooj** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:07 pm

I use the City Lids year round until I need to take a trip and then I put on the large touring lids.

FWIW, I lane 'splat' (past tense for split!

) the ENTIRE state of Pennsylvania on I-80 after last year's BMWMOA rally in Ohio...with the Touring Case Lids.

City Lids enable the transport of a six pack of your favorite beverage, or a small gym bag, or some more beverage. You pick!

artattack · Post by **artattack** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:08 pm

I have the standard lids and I split with them all the time with no problem. I also have the K1200R mirrors that stick out a bit farther than stock. I measured them across and it is wider than the bags, so I always figure if I can make it through at the mirrors the bags won't be a problem

RobMason · Post by **RobMason** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:16 pm

I just recieved and installed the Qwik Hinges in this post and these work like magic. 2 Lid changes in under a minute. Remember to put some oil on them as directed, they may bind if not dead center in alignment. I found an easier way of removing the pop rivets. With vice grips grap the outer rivet head and keep crushing and pulling until the center pin is pulled out. Then there is a nice hole for a drill bit to guide it the rest of the way. Well made product, though pricy (what isn't?)
http://cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=QH

NHighCotton · Post by **NHighCotton** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:26 pm

RobMason wrote:I just recieved and installed the Qwik Hinges in this post and these work like magic. 2 Lid changes in under a minute. Remember to put some oil on them as directed, they may bind if not dead center in alignment. I found an easier way of removing the pop rivets. With vice grips grap the outer rivet head and keep crushing and pulling until the center pin is pulled out. Then there is a nice hole for a drill bit to guide it the rest of the way. Well made product, though pricy (what isn't?)
http://cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=QH

Did you know about these?? http://www.evolutioncycles.com/product%20info.htm
What "sold" you on the pricey ones??

Has anyone tried both?

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

System Cases or City Lids?

System Cases or City Lids?

Qwik Hinges

Re: Qwik Hinges