[scjcn]

I've had my R12R a few weeks now and done a couple of reasonable length rides and I'm finding I'm a little light on for storage . . . The bike has the luggage prep but no bags, just the small (28L?) top box. That'll take my helmet, gloves and not much more. As there's no helmet lock like on the 1100 if I want to leave the bike anywhere I can't really fit anything else in there. My preference would probably be for the matching BMW side cases and a larger top box (with a nice backrest for the SO), and keep the smaller one for shorter rides. Second hand would be fine but a set of OEM cases for a 2012 (with the heat shield etc) seem to be as rare as rocking horse poo. Ebay/Gumtree have some larger BMW top boxes but they are mainly off the RT's and I can't tell if they would fit on the exisiting rear rack (nice if they did . . . ). A large and well known Motorrad dealer in Sydney has quoted me $600 per original side case including rekeying which would give me a nice matching set all on one key. Prices OS are better but the exchange rate is no good at the moment so with shipping and import duty they're probably not much cheaper. The Givi gear looks good but would mean additional mounting brackets which I don't really like the look of on the bike. So, what's your experience?

 

[zer0netgain]

I see side cases as frame slider candidates. They will get scratched up if you do serious riding. Why spend for fancy brand name?

 

[scjcn]

I see side cases as frame slider candidates. They will get scratched up if you do serious riding. Why spend for fancy brand name?

I guess the advantage would be having everything on the one key and not having to add aftermarket brackets which would change the look of the bike. I think any options for hard luggage are going to be almost as expensive as the OEM gear regardless of manufacturer. The V37’s are around $800 a pair without the mounting kit (from what I can see on the web).

 

[Mastermind]

I got my second hand shad sh36+mounting gear for 150€.
I think the fact that they are wider, not as fancy as the OEM ones and slightly scratched is well worth the money I saved.

 

[Pale Roadster]

Seems like a reasonable quote from your dealer. You can add a helmet lock to your bike if that might save you spending on a bigger top box too. I hear good stuff about Shad, but you won't get one key, they won't mount quite as tight, not sure how they will price compare to your dealer quote either. I know my dealer nickle and dimed me on each nut and bolt for my panniers.

I bought factory color matched panniers and am quite happy with them outside of the bill.

 

[RC65]

I plan to get OEM luggage next year for my 2020. One, I prefer a one-key-to-rule-them-all approach, and, 2). I want panniers that fit perfectly on the existing brackets so no modification is needed, and just as importantly (to me) is 3). having bags that look good on the bike, that look like they are OEM, i.e. part-and-parcel of the overall package and not an add-on.

 

[Dougl]

I plan to get OEM luggage next year for my 2020. One, I prefer a one-key-to-rule-them-all approach, and, 2). I want panniers that fit perfectly on the existing brackets so no modification is needed, and just as importantly (to me) is 3). having bags that look good on the bike, that look like they are OEM, i.e. part-and-parcel of the overall package and not an add-on.

You got that right. If I was touring, I’d opt for a larger OEM top case if one was available.

 

[Pale Roadster]

I plan to get OEM luggage next year for my 2020. One, I prefer a one-key-to-rule-them-all approach, and, 2). I want panniers that fit perfectly on the existing brackets so no modification is needed, and just as importantly (to me) is 3). having bags that look good on the bike, that look like they are OEM, i.e. part-and-parcel of the overall package and not an add-on.

Personally I think the BMW panniers are way too big on the R. I wish they still sold city lids. But the alternative is taking my truck if I need bread and milk, and they are super easy to take off and look pretty clean when removed too.

 

[scjcn]

You got that right. If I was touring, I’d opt for a larger OEM top case if one was available.

You got that right. If I was touring, I’d opt for a larger OEM top case if one was available.

I've been doing a bit of reading through some older posts and there's one from a few years back that says:
"I have a BMW 28l top box that fits the R1200RT and previous generation R1200R. In my opinion it's the best looking top box there is and I would love to find a way to fit it on my '15 R."
Makes me curious as it implies the 28L top box fits the R12R and the R12RT so I'm wondering if it works the other way as well and if there's a larger box off an RT that would fit straight onto my R12R's rear rack . . .

 

[Lawrence of Suburbia]

Shads are nice, a bit narrower than BMW OEs, and relatively cheaper. Good looking with inserts.

 

[Dougl]

I've been doing a bit of reading through some older posts and there's one from a few years back that says:
"I have a BMW 28l top box that fits the R1200RT and previous generation R1200R. In my opinion it's the best looking top box there is and I would love to find a way to fit it on my '15 R."
Makes me curious as it implies the 28L top box fits the R12R and the R12RT so I'm wondering if it works the other way as well and if there's a larger box off an RT that would fit straight onto my R12R's rear rack . . .

I found BMW 49L top cases for the RT and GS but not R.

 

[zer0netgain]

I guess the advantage would be having everything on the one key and not having to add aftermarket brackets which would change the look of the bike.

I can appreciate that. The Givi Wingrack 2 was fugly. The kit for the RS doesn’t look bad at all. I have no issue with two keys. On a trip, I used to carry a spare luggage key in my suit pocket, and a spare set of keys were in my top case. Never needed this, but like my boss says, “belt AND suspenders when going to court.” The only change now is that my luggage key is on a separate lanyard thanks to the bulk of the fob.

 

[Panzermann]

... wondering if it works the other way as well and if there's a larger box off an RT that would fit straight onto my R12R's rear rack

I find the Max BMW online parts fiche is a good place to check these things, scjcn. It shows that the part number for the 28 litre case is identical for the R and RT and it shows the RT also has a 49 litre case available for the same luggage grid, so the larger RT case will fit the R luggage grid. You're probably looking around $1100, which is par for the course for OEM luggage on pretty much any motorcycle brand I've observed. You'd be very fortunate to find one on the second hand market − being a touring bike, any RT with one would be sold with luggage, I'd think.

A word of caution with this era of topcases − do not treat the topcase's mounting rubbers in any way. Silicon spray, Armor All etc will make them slippery and hence prone to dislodging. With force applied, e.g. when hitting a dip in the road, because the rubbers aren't gripping the grid, the internal locking arms can distort and unlatch − much to the rider's dismay, I found.

 

[scjcn]

I find the Max BMW online parts fiche is a good place to check these things, scjcn. It shows that the part number for the 28 litre case is identical for the R and RT and it shows the RT also has a 49 litre case available for the same luggage grid, so the larger RT case will fit the R luggage grid. You're probably looking around $1100, which is par for the course for OEM luggage on pretty much any motorcycle brand I've observed. You'd be very fortunate to find one on the second hand market − being a touring bike, any RT with one would be sold with luggage, I'd think.

A word of caution with this era of topcases − do not treat the topcase's mounting rubbers in any way. Silicon spray, Armor All etc will make them slippery and hence prone to dislodging. With force applied, e.g. when hitting a dip in the road, because the rubbers aren't gripping the grid, the internal locking arms can distort and unlatch − much to the rider's dismay, I found.

View attachment 108998

Thanks Panzerman, that confirms my research today. The 28L box for the R12R is part # 43 7 7 724 352 and the 28L top case for R12RT (10 series K26 2010-2013) is also part # 77 43 7 724 352. The 49L top case for that RT is part # 71 60 7 720 456 and bmwpartsonline (located in Ballina) can supply one for guess what? About $1100. I believe it can be ordered in Alpine White as well which would match the bike. Of course that’s about 2-3 times the price of a Givi box of similar size. Unfortunately I’m one of those people who researches things to death before making a decision so I’ll look at a number of options before deciding. That said, the Trophy fairing is looking like a definite regardless of cost . . .

 

[kgdavo]

It is a shame that a helmet lock is not standard as it was on the R1100R. I bought a helmet lock from Ebay for about $30 (Australian) delivered. It clamped straight onto the RHS side of my bike, similar to where the one was on my R1100R, and it works nicely. I only tend to use it when I have gear in the panniers and top box and can't fit the helmet in, but it is very handy.

Ken
Newcastle

 

[scjcn]

Thanks Panzerman, that confirms my research today. The 28L box for the R12R is part # 43 7 7 724 352 and the 28L top case for R12RT (10 series K26 2010-2013) is also part # 77 43 7 724 352. The 49L top case for that RT is part # 71 60 7 720 456 and bmwpartsonline (located in Ballina) can supply one for guess what? About $1100. I believe it can be ordered in Alpine White as well which would match the bike. Of course that’s about 2-3 times the price of a Givi box of similar size. Unfortunately I’m one of those people who researches things to death before making a decision so I’ll look at a number of options before deciding. That said, the Trophy fairing is looking like a definite regardless of cost . . .

Update after further research and more phone calls today . . . . While the system cases are still available (and in stock, could have them Monday), the heat shield has been discontinued and can’t be supplied new. Talk about two steps forward and one backwards . So back to searching this wonderful forum to see how necessary it is. I assume it’s something you don’t want to do without.

 

[scjcn]

It is a shame that a helmet lock is not standard as it was on the R1100R. I bought a helmet lock from Ebay for about $30 (Australian) delivered. It clamped straight onto the RHS side of my bike, similar to where the one was on my R1100R, and it works nicely. I only tend to use it when I have gear in the panniers and top box and can't fit the helmet in, but it is very handy.

Ken
Newcastle

It is a shame, both my previous BMs (R100RT/R1100R) had this simple catch which meant you could latch 2 helmets on the side of the bike and head off to lunch without opening the cases. You don’t need your helmets in the top box when you’re on the move so it’s a pain to have to leave space for them for the times you’re stopped.

 

[colroubaix]

I'd vote for factory cases - one key, integrated install, done. As for securing the helmet without a case, why not just strap it to the seat or grab handle and use a little cable lock to secure it, strung between the visor and helmet front? I do it all the time.

 

[scjcn]

I'd vote for factory cases - one key, integrated install, done. As for securing the helmet without a case, why not just strap it to the seat or grab handle and use a little cable lock to secure it, strung between the visor and helmet front? I do it all the time.

I think I have a bit of a plan forming . The small top box is enough to carry all I need for general riding as long as I don’t need to put my helmet in there. I’ve also found a perfectly good cable with a keyed lock from my old ‘81 Yamaha XV750 that’s perfect for attaching the helmet to the frame just as you say. It’s amazing what you can find in the shed . . . So that sorts me out for most of my riding (at no cost). The larger luggage would only be used for longer trips or if Mrs scjcn is coming with me which probably won’t be that often. So to be honest, brand new luggage (of any sort) is probably overkill, but I do prefer the BMW gear. As I can’t source the pannier heat shield new I’ll keep an eye out for second hand cases from any R1200R (pre LC) or an ST as they’ll fit, knowing I will have to engineer a heat shield. The are a few products out there used on car firewalls that may do the trick. I’ve located a 49L top box off a 2013 R12RT from a wrecker who’s shown me photos of it attached to an R12R and is about a third of the cost of a new one. While it has a few scratches and marks, for the amount it’ll get used it will be fine. The same goes for the panniers. Of course I’ll need to get them re-keyed and if I get really enthusiastic I might pull them all apart, get them cleaned up and have the covers painted white to match the bike.

 

[herdygerdy]

Hi Scott,

I see you're in 'Steak 'n Kidney'. PM me if you need help with the re-keying process once you settle on which way to go. Not too difficult, and pretty satisfying when you get it right. I may have sufficient spare wafers to do the job. Something in this link may help get you sorted.
Cheers...Tony