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

New to the message board, just bought an 04 1150R, great find with only 2400 miles on it (was that bike that had been listed on Craigslist in Houston for several months, at a price fair bit higher than what I paid in the end). Very excited to tour it, and need luggage, but...
Dont like the look of the stock BMW hard sidecases...way too 1960's Samsonite or something...sorry...
any ideas on attractive side case options?? Was looking at Givi's softcases -
thanks for any thoughts on this [or other new owner 04 1150 topics]

I have the BMW system cases on my `03. I used to believe they were the best cases for my bike. With reservations I still do. The system cases are very expensive to purchase new, and will require you to buy the three piece luggage rail and rack setup to mount them on. They are very waterproof and pretty aerodynamic. You can tour with the bags fully loaded and you won't notice much drag or handling issues.

They have weak points. You MUST insert the bag in the "foot" located on the sub frame or you'll likely lose the bag. As well, the pawls that lock the bag to the rails are prone to breakage. I broke both of mine and did no off pavement travel at all. Givi makes nice bags, but you'll have to install the Givi mounting system, and I think they'll be expensive as well. I've never liked the idea of soft saddle bags, but I think if I even thought about that I might tend towards the Wolf style expedition bag on the back, (that big wraparound brute) In the end I would probably still buy the system cases. They work so well for me in my commuting that I rarely take them off the bike.

My current touring rig is the BMW system cases, a 20 ltr Marsee tank bag and a 15 ltr tail bag. Both the Marsee cases have rain covers so I don't have wet gear.

Airman wrote:I have the BMW system cases on my `03. I used to believe they were the best cases for my bike. With reservations I still do. The system cases are very expensive to purchase new, and will require you to buy the three piece luggage rail and rack setup to mount them on. They are very waterproof and pretty aerodynamic. You can tour with the bags fully loaded and you won't notice much drag or handling issues.

They have weak points. You MUST insert the bag in the "foot" located on the sub frame or you'll likely lose the bag. As well, the pawls that lock the bag to the rails are prone to breakage. I broke both of mine and did no off pavement travel at all. Givi makes nice bags, but you'll have to install the Givi mounting system, and I think they'll be expensive as well. I've never liked the idea of soft saddle bags, but I think if I even thought about that I might tend towards the Wolf style expedition bag on the back, (that big wraparound brute) In the end I would probably still buy the system cases. They work so well for me in my commuting that I rarely take them off the bike.

My current touring rig is the BMW system cases, a 20 ltr Marsee tank bag and a 15 ltr tail bag. Both the Marsee cases have rain covers so I don't have wet gear.

I've seen Hepco-Becker side cases for the R1150R (i think). I have a HB Journey topcase, which is nice but has gotten a little loose. It shakes a bit, but it still secure. I've heard (around here) that the Cortech 'Sport' side-bags fit well (they're on newenough.com). With the high exhaust, you'll want to make sure the bag doesn't get too close to the muffler. Aerostich has some roll-top waterproof bags too.

My config is the BMW side cases and the aforementioned HB Journey 42 top case. I also have a new-to-me Marsee Chicane tail bag which I plan on using mostly for short rides, and a Cabela's Boundary Waters roll-top back pack. The backpack is *HUGE* and pretty unwieldy, I should have gotten one of the smaller duffel bags. The 'regular backpack holds nearly 60 liters, but I can't use all the space and have it not get in the way when it sits on the back seat. It is completely waterproof though.

Save yourself a lot of trouble and $. Start by lowering the exhaust pipe!

How do you lower the muffler?

I posted that bike here in response to someone else's inquiry about a bike they were considering. It looked to be a great bike (and identical to mine). Glad you got a good price on it.

Opinions are personal of course, but I think the OEM side cases look and work great. I think the look, coupled with a Sargent Seat (I did the silver piping), has inarguable style. The side bags, coupled with a motofizz camping bag from Aerostich, will take you anywhere.

Good luck and enjoy the bike.

Not to be too trite but even though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my feeling is that if form follows function, it's beautiful. This is certainly true for the system cases. As others have said, they are waterproof, have mininal impact on handling and fuel economy, are relatively spacious and lockable with your ignition key. To my eye, they also blend in with the styling of the bike better than other aftermarket bags I'm aware of.

If it were me, I'd keep 'em but I guarantee you'll have no trouble selling them if decide otherwise.

Charlie

here's a blow by blow -

They're Nelson Riggs "standard" bags - good quality stuff just without all the glitzy striping
and fancy colored stitching, and at a pretty reasonable price. They hold a good amount of
"stuff" but aren't too obtrusive. I got the matching magnetic expandable tank bag which is
easy to put on when I need more room. Also a very useful piece of luggage.

I only needed to lower the muffler about an inch, so loosened the clamp, put some weight on
the back end of the muffler (stood on it - I love the KISS principle , and used a shiny strap
(you could use polished aluminum or coated steel, it doesn't show behind the bag) to lower
the mounting point. Used the original mounting bolt with a stainless self locking nut at the
muffler, got a short stainless bolt for the upper end. Then retightened the clamp - no leaks.

To drop it further, you may need to get the appropriately sized chrome elbow and cut a radius
out of it to put ahead of the muffler to drop it to where you need it.

Click on the individual pics for some explanatory text

http://s719.photobucket.com/albums/ww200/macx351/

macx wrote:here's a blow by blow -
I only needed to lower the muffler about an inch, so loosened the clamp, put some weight on
the back end of the muffler (stood on it - I love the KISS principle , and used a shiny strap
(you could use polished aluminum or coated steel, it doesn't show behind the bag) to lower
the mounting point. Used the original mounting bolt with a stainless self locking nut at the
muffler, got a short stainless bolt for the upper end. Then retightened the clamp - no leaks.

You have a different interpretation of the KISS principle than me. If I were to lower my muffler, I'd use one of the relatively inexpensive kits. I thought I saw one at my dealer for about $50.

That's always an option, but I was a couple hours away from a dealer (that has turned out to never be open
when I've called or gone there for parts), and I needed it then (as usual) -

Besides, my way is about $45 KISSier :-) I spent that money for the headlite relay kit and some LED driving
lights and made my own bracket (KISS KISS :-) that I wouldn't have otherwise had.

Thanks all...good comments. I generally do appreciate the stock optics of the manufacturers stuff - particularly from an OEM w the elite design capabilities of BMW. So philosophically I actually wish I liked the system cases more... but I wound up ordering Givi softcases the T411 Voyager model to try (they are the sport bike shaped - just discontinued I gather, just after I ordered! hope they show up after all) If so, will see how they look and hold up on the road.
Btw I had cortech side bags on a cross country last summer on a different bike...I liked their functionality, but the quality in my experience really didnt hold...may be ok for occasional day use, but the tailbag literally came apart at the seams (albeit was replaced on warranty) the shape broke down, quickly started looking road-worn and frayed, and generally started falling apart in the multi-week touring setting...
For the tank bag looking at that quick lock gas cap mounted Bags Connection "City" (8-12L) model or the Engage (7.5L) model...http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /2131/451/
Looks like a great system, and ability to have electrical connections off of the mounting system appears to be a cool design...a little on the spendy side, but I do like that the system doesnt sit directly on the tank, helps protect the finishes. Interested if anyone has experience with the Motech tankbag mounts too??

bahill wrote: For the tank bag looking at that quick lock gas cap mounted Bags Connection "City" (8-12L) model or the Engage (7.5L) model...http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /2131/451/
Looks like a great system, and ability to have electrical connections off of the mounting system appears to be a cool design...a little on the spendy side, but I do like that the system doesnt sit directly on the tank, helps protect the finishes. Interested if anyone has experience with the Motech tankbag mounts too??

I have the Engage tank bag with the non-electric connection. Nice bag and the connections allow the bag to come on and off easily to refuel or take the bag off the bike. The ring that is left on the tank is grey and does get marked up from the rubbing that occurs when the bag is put on and taken off the bike. I have read that some are bothered by the look. No big deal at all to me. The bag also has other accessories available, including a map case and a GPS mount. I have the map case and it works great.

I bought the non-electrical version, which means the top ring that attaches to the bag is about $30. If you later decide to go electrical, Twisted Throttle will make you destroy the non-electrical top ring before they resell you the electrical version. You are better off deciding up front which way you want to go.

All in all I am very happy with the product, but it is VERY expensive.

bahill wrote:For the tank bag looking at that quick lock gas cap mounted Bags Connection "City" (8-12L) model or the Engage (7.5L) model...http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /2131/451/
Looks like a great system, and ability to have electrical connections off of the mounting system appears to be a cool design...a little on the spendy side, but I do like that the system doesnt sit directly on the tank, helps protect the finishes. Interested if anyone has experience with the Motech tankbag mounts too??

I have the system cases with both the city lids and the large touring lids. I love them. I also have the BMW soft top case. I have the Bags Connection city bag with the SW Motech tankbag mount. It was really easy to install despite the fact that the English translation of the instructions was done by someone who speaks English as a second language. It came with longer stainless steel bolts to replace the shorter stock ones that secure the trim ring around the gas cap. The tank bag is very secure when attached to the mounting ring and does not interfere with the operation of the gas cap and my view of the guages.

1-just take the muffler off

2-the engage bag is worth it. You'll have it for years and it is transferable to another bike

my 2 cents

JOhn

Cool, thx. Will be ordering the Bags Connection City tankbag next -

Got the Givi T411 Voyager side bags, will post a photo when I get them on the bike...pretty curious how they will wind up looking....