BMW top box failure pic.

[GrinningGSer]

BMW very helpful AS USUAL !!

New box is indeed strengthened underneath:

But... I just do not know if it can be trusted. I am unhappy losing the ability to remove the box easily... I tend to place all of my valuable stuff in the topbox, particularly camera equipment and I do not wish to lose it !

So purchased the Topcase Enduro Lock for £15.20 inc VAT :

Removed mounting plate and all of the plate rubbers, inserted necessary bushes.. and bingo.. box secured.

It can be unsecured with an allen key, but without care, the bushes would be lost unless the securing bolts are immediately replaced. Therefore not a fantastic solution... but now secure.

Has anybody with a new type box suffered cracking or box falling off, because if not, then the mounting kit may be unnecessary?

 

[Drifter]

Top Box replaced under warranty

I just received a call from my local dealer - they have a new top box waiting for me to collect. They have also come to the party and are willing to throw in (and fit) the Enduro mounting kit. I must say, they have always been pretty good in the past when it comes to warranty.

They are fitting the new top box and changing over the locks for me tomorrow. I will check out the manufacture date on this new box and see if there is any change to the design.

If it has been reinforced - maybe there will be no need for the Enduro kit?

 

[its all poo]

Yorkshire Area

Has any one else had top box probs and returned them to Rainbow BMW ?

 

[JayGee]

BMW very helpful AS USUAL !!

New box is indeed strengthened underneath:

But... I just do not know if it can be trusted. I am unhappy losing the ability to remove the box easily... I tend to place all of my valuable stuff in the topbox, particularly camera equipment and I do not wish to lose it !

So purchased the Topcase Enduro Lock for £15.20 inc VAT :

Removed mounting plate and all of the plate rubbers, inserted necessary bushes.. and bingo.. box secured.

It can be unsecured with an allen key, but without care, the bushes would be lost unless the securing bolts are immediately replaced. Therefore not a fantastic solution... but now secure.

Has anybody with a new type box suffered cracking or box falling off, because if not, then the mounting kit may be unnecessary?

This looks like a truly pathetic solution from BMW, "bolt it down" that'll stop it coming off isn't exactly the high quality engineering solution that we pay BMWs ihigh prices for, is it?

 

[marcus]

Thanks Peter.......it seems this topic has been well and truly discussed. I wonder why BMW don't offer these kits to all who purchase top boxes?

because that would bea tacit admission that they are not fit for purpose, possibly

 

[Drifter]

Modified Top Boxes still fail

BMW very helpful AS USUAL !!

New box is indeed strengthened underneath:

But... I just do not know if it can be trusted. I am unhappy losing the ability to remove the box easily... I tend to place all of my valuable stuff in the topbox, particularly camera equipment and I do not wish to lose it !

So purchased the Topcase Enduro Lock for £15.20 inc VAT :

Removed mounting plate and all of the plate rubbers, inserted necessary bushes.. and bingo.. box secured.

It can be unsecured with an allen key, but without care, the bushes would be lost unless the securing bolts are immediately replaced. Therefore not a fantastic solution... but now secure.

Has anybody with a new type box suffered cracking or box falling off, because if not, then the mounting kit may be unnecessary?

I attended the BMW dealer who replaced my cracked Top Box under warranty, and also agreed to fit the enduro kit (they bolted it on)

When I arrived home I examined the new top box, which was manufactured in 12/05. Yes it does have a small reinforcement rib new the latch plate (where they are prone to crack). To my surprise, so did my other top box. It seems that even the newer boxes with this reinforcement still crack - so the enduro kit is probably the only way to go!

 

[jeff garnett]

Hi

Is this a crack stress point from the way it is made,
The new one looks like it is going to crack in the same place.

jeff

 

[Eric_Norman]

top box mod

Whilst my topbox (2 years old) has'nt cracked I have read all the posts on this one and decided to prevent the loss of the box by making a small modification.

all it takes is an M6 30 bolt, 2 nuts and a couple of washers.

See pictures attached been on the bike now for a few months and worry free riding with it loaded up for camping or the daily trip to work!!! Bolts on and off in seconds with 10mm spanner.

2 Pictures show mod to rack and one showing position inside topbox

Hope this helps

 

[THE ROVER]

Had mine replaced today and it seems to be a better fit on the lock mechanism. Still putting some bungees on it though!

 

[Drifter]

Top Box Home modification

Whilst my topbox (2 years old) has'nt cracked I have read all the posts on this one and decided to prevent the loss of the box by making a small modification.

all it takes is an M6 30 bolt, 2 nuts and a couple of washers.

See pictures attached been on the bike now for a few months and worry free riding with it loaded up for camping or the daily trip to work!!! Bolts on and off in seconds with 10mm spanner.

2 Pictures show mod to rack and one showing position inside topbox

Hope this helps

I think your solution by simply using a couple of bolts and a 10m spanner is great - good piccies too - just as effective as the 'patented BMW Enduro Kit'
and an easy fix for any owner....well done!

 

[SilverBobGS]

Wunderlich`s solution ???

Found on the Wunderlich germany website, any body used one ?

Rear Support R 1200 GS
Several of the plastic carriers at the rear of the GS have broken with heavy loads. The leverage on the part, especially when heavy luggage is strapped to it, causes the plastic part to fail. An easy to fit support arm solves this problem and prevents loss of luggage or top case and expensive repairs or replacements. Carrier and support form a triangulated unit that immediately improves the load and leverage applied
to the carrier, as the force is directed straight into the metal sub frame of the bike. This part has proven itself on long trips to Morocco, Syria, Siberia and others. Easy to fit, without modifications to bike needed. Sold as a kit complete with all fittings.
For original carrier of R 1200 GS (not Adventure)
Part-No.: 8160605

Page 114

 

[Ken H.]

You can fix it yourself

Not that I'm making excuses for BMW, because the design is shitty, but why not just fix it yourself, be done with it, and get on with life?

I know, it's the principle of the thing, but three years into the model it's pretty clear BMW isn't going to.

Put a metal plate across the crack, you'll never have to worry about it again, and the box still works as normal:

 

[tustinr]

Yeah thats what I did too - a metal plate. Easy solution. Took 10 minutes to do. Problem solved. No big deal. Adds some character to the box.

 

[FREDO-RIDER]

CRACK !

Me too. I'm into the heavy-duty plate !

 

[dlevett]

Slightly different tack, but I found today that the rear support bolts for the box plate (the ones that they have to butcher the plastic above the tail lamp) have come loose.
The top-box was fitted from new by the dealer, and the bike has only covered 1,000 miles - none of it off-road.
Seems like a bit of loctite required.

 

[FREDO-RIDER]

CRACK !

Me too. I'm into the heavy-duty plate !

Sorry. I've been moving my pictures around.
So here they are again !

CRACK !

Me too. I'm into the heavy-duty plate !

 

['Nuffsaid]

Found on the Wunderlich germany website, any body used one ?

Rear Support R 1200 GS
Several of the plastic carriers at the rear of the GS have broken with heavy loads. The leverage on the part, especially when heavy luggage is strapped to it, causes the plastic part to fail. An easy to fit support arm solves this problem and prevents loss of luggage or top case and expensive repairs or replacements. Carrier and support form a triangulated unit that immediately improves the load and leverage applied
to the carrier, as the force is directed straight into the metal sub frame of the bike. This part has proven itself on long trips to Morocco, Syria, Siberia and others. Easy to fit, without modifications to bike needed. Sold as a kit complete with all fittings.
For original carrier of R 1200 GS (not Adventure)
Part-No.: 8160605

Page 114

Had a look at this - it looks to me that this supports the plastic plate that the Vario top Box sits on, it doesnt seem to re-inforce the weaker box construction