1150GSA Topbox Fell Off - Is This Common?

[puryersc]

Apologies if I've placed this in the wrong forum, or repeating an old issue, but I was wondering if anybody else has experienced the aluminum top box falling off the back off their 1150 GS / GSA while their back was turned?

Seen lots of articles concerning cracks in the luggage for 1200's causing top boxes to depart, but nothing concerning the 1150 GSA. I lost mine a few months ago but it's only just occurred to me to check the forum and now I'm intrigued.

I would like to get another to replace the one I lost but these are v.expensive from BMW, but do occaisionally appear on ebay. However, the seeds of doubt have been sown and I hope somebody could tell me exactly what issues, pro's and conns are of sticking with original equipment.

 

[Sir James]

Did you have it locked on and the offroad kit attatched .

 

[puryersc]

I had ridden about 15miles after taking it off to previously clean the bike. Topbox and side panniers reattached and locked before setting off. This bike has never been off road, although I'd love to have a go and is mainly used for commuting. Not heard of attaching any sort of off-road gear before.

Got me thinking about the side panniers now. Has anybosy heard of anything happening with these - only they could cause a lot of damage to something in their path, or seriously injure somebody, which is a worry.

 

[Sir James]

Ypu can get a bracket from BMW that clamps the boxes to the frame work for offroading , i use them even when on tarmac

 

[nick]

Not an unknown occurance.

Steve (Defor) lost his 1150 GSA topbox in the Picos earlier this year.

THeory was a worn lock mechanism and a bumpy road.

 

[CONDORPILOT]

"off road kit" . Basically a threaded bolt on a bracket which goes through a hole drilled in the case and secured with a rubber o ring , on the inside of case with a large circular nut.
Apparently introduced after indidents like yours. Should also get securing cables for case lids as they apparently had probs 2

 

[Farmer Palmer]

Adventure TopBox!

Mine fell off after a few weeks in 2003 on the A1 at 70mph! Got a new one and drilled and fitted a wee bracket to strap it to the rack, no problems since. The older ones didn't have the 'offroad kit' then!

My mate had his topbox break off at the alloy rackmount, it was the huge 1150 plastic topbox and it went into the backwheel and caused a lot of damage and a brown trouser moment on a remote road in Norway!

 

[puryersc]

The 'offroad' package would make things secure but makes removing the panniers much more difficult for cleaning etc, or enjoying that naked look after a weeks worth of commuting with laptop and associated work guff.

Expecting the worse, I've been considering using bungy nets hooked over the frame to cover the panniers. At least these should stop any unscheduled departures should the worst occur, and make removal fairly easy.

Don't you just hate when you lose confidence in something.

 

[unhinged]

They're rubbish. My top box came off going over a speed bump. Not used it since. The plastic catches are terrible and I can prize mine open with my hands with very little force.

 

[Gas'd Off]

Easy but not quick release solution. Couple of M5 ss bolts/nuts/washers through the bottom of the box and through the carrier. Mine's still there after 30K
P.S I did this mod for theft security reasons rather than thinking it might fall off!

 

[Number 6]

The 'offroad' package would make things secure but makes removing the panniers much more difficult for cleaning etc,

I think you're thinking of something else! The BMW clamps are removable in seconds and are totally secure.

I've been considering using bungy nets hooked over the frame to cover the panniers. At least these should stop any unscheduled departures should the worst occur, and make removal fairly easy.

DO NOT DO THIS. Bungy nets will not hold a pannier in place, they will just drag it down and into the back wheel. I am aware of several incidents where people have been killed due to luggage becoming entangled in the rear wheel.

 

[sk8mutie]

the bm off road brackets should have come with the tobbox, mine did...but make sure the spring washer is on before putting on the knurled nut...mine wasnt, and damned thing vibrated loose and lost the clamp

 

[puryersc]

Thanks for the warning about the bungy nets, hadn't thought about that. I'll have a word with a bmw dealer tomorrow about the correct off road kit. I bought the bike second hand with the luggage and no offroad kit was supplied, so I made the assumption that a quality brand would have had this sorted with the years of product development and testing thats gone into the GS. Oh hum...