BMW Top Box - Enduro Mounting Kit

[peterh]

Just had 'another' new Vario top Box fitted today at CWs under warranty. This makes the third one, both previous items having become progressively loose, then suffering the cracked base plate syndrome.

But this might be third time lucky as this one has the new BMW enduro mounting kit, the first one seen by CW.

Instead of the box simply being locked in place with the handle and red lever, this kit has a two bolts, spacers and nuts that secure the top box onto the mounting plate to prevent movement/vibration induced cracks. The mounting plate needs to be drilled to accept the bolts - which go where through the top box where the (now removed) rubber pads used to sit.

The downside is that removing the top box is no longer a job done inside 10 seconds, as in addition to the old routine, the two bolts have to be removed (and then replaced on the rack to secure the two spacers).

But if it has the desired effect that seems a small price to pay as I only very rarely removed the top box, and CW were as efficient as ever.

Apparently, it has the same part number as the old box .... The Top Box handbook hasn't changed either ...

Fingers crossed.

 

[JayGee]

Just had 'another' new Vario top Box fitted today at CWs under warranty. This makes the third one, both previous items having become progressively loose, then suffering the cracked base plate syndrome.

But this might be third time lucky as this one has the new BMW enduro mounting kit, the first one seen by CW.

Instead of the box simply being locked in place with the handle and red lever, this kit has a two bolts, spacers and nuts that secure the top box onto the mounting plate to prevent movement/vibration induced cracks. The mounting plate needs to be drilled to accept the bolts - which go where through the top box where the (now removed) rubber pads used to sit.

The downside is that removing the top box is no longer a job done inside 10 seconds, as in addition to the old routine, the two bolts have to be removed (and then replaced on the rack to secure the two spacers).

But if it has the desired effect that seems a small price to pay as I only very rarely removed the top box, and CW were as efficient as ever.

Apparently, it has the same part number as the old box .... The Top Box handbook hasn't changed either ...

Fingers crossed.

Putting a couple of bolts through the top box doesn't seem a neat, well engineered solution to me. Sounds like BMW have done a quick bodge, a shame as they were always renowned for their luggage systems and now even Givi make a better job of it.

 

[tustinr]

I have my top box permanently mounted too with the mounting kit. No problems and it sits pretty firmly.

 

[Thunder]

Putting a couple of bolts through the top box doesn't seem a neat, well engineered solution to me. Sounds like BMW have done a quick bodge, a shame as they were always renowned for their luggage systems and now even Givi make a better job of it.

Got to agree with Jaygee on this one, the very name of the kit seems to imply it is intended for those using their bike in off road conditions where the box would be subject to more severe stresses yet it's being adopted as a solution to a common problem for many owners.

Don't have the vario system myself and while I have the Hepco topbox fittted the majority of the time the ability to remove it in seconds is something I would not want to lose.