BMW topbox?

[pazza1150]

Hi, I am set to change my 1150 for a 12 and am wondering on peoples opinions on the BMW topbox. I am going for the panniers but have a givi maxia on my 1150 which seems half the price for a bigger box. What is the BMW backrest like, the givi one is not very comfy. Is the BMW one worth the cash?
Thanks

 

[samtheeagle]

Hi, I am set to change my 1150 for a 12 and am wondering on peoples opinions on the BMW topbox. I am going for the panniers but have a givi maxia on my 1150 which seems half the price for a bigger box. What is the BMW backrest like, the givi one is not very comfy. Is the BMW one worth the cash?
Thanks

My 1st and 2nd topboxes developed the famous hairline crack. The 3rd box developed cracks on either side of the retractable latch and then finally the topbox fell of the bike one day while I was transporting my birthday pie home. :-(

I'm now on my 4th box. It is the new re-inforced design which I have heard is also prone to cracking and falling off.

So far this bag has been fine. However I will never trust it without either being strapped onto the bike or perhaps I will install the "bolt on" kit which permanently bolts the bag onto the bike. Apparently it is a 5 minute job to undo the bolts. Not a terrible compromise. But why the heck should I have to compromise at all when I paid $17,000 for this thing?!?

By the way, it is believed that the failures are probably due to the rack being installed incorrectly on the bike, torqued improperly. I have done a visual check and it seems to look okay. Been meaning to have BMW shop verify correct setup. It has been implied that us bag failure people are not attaching the bag properly. I am pretty offended when someone tells me I don't know how to put the bag on because it's almost impossible to screw this up. Also, I swear to the Gods Above that I am using the box as intended (not too much weight nor too much speed).

Many people experience no problems whatsoever. Plenty of others however have had problems. Enough, that IMHO you are better off getting an aftermarket bag by someone like Givi.

Sorry for the rant.



- Sam

 

[Trevor Phillips]

Try Hepco & Becker. There's a rack to take it on Ebay.de at the moment.

 

[marcus]

I had three fly BMW top boxes fly off the back of my bike, both from the back seat rack and the standard luggage rack.

Gave up and got a full refund - clearly not fit for use.

Use cargonets and rucksacks now!

Noboby tried to suggest to me I was putting it on wrong, which is just as well really otherwise

It's just crap kit!

 

[birdseye]

had a 2004 box on mine with no problems. it did eventually part company with the bike but in circumnstances where I parted company with the bike too. so I dont blame it.

pal has the same bike and box and again no problem.

some people have had boxes breaking / coming loose but my guess is that far more people have had no problem at all. given that BMW do look after you if something goes wrong, and that the givi box but BMW panniers mix looks horrible, I will go BMW if I decide to replace the bike.

incidently I have my old box, perfectly functional but with road rash on the side if you want to experiment cheaply.

 

[smilee mark]

Over here a lot of us wrap an ocy strap around it. I do not know if you call them that over there, an ocy strap is lots of elastic strands bound together to make 1/2 inch thick strap with a hook on the either end primarily we use them to tie the surfboards to the roofracks . this method works really well and it is cheap.

 

[Thunder]

Over here a lot of us wrap an ocy strap around it. I do not know if you call them that over there, an ocy strap is lots of elastic strands bound together to make 1/2 inch thick strap with a hook on the either end primarily we use them to tie the surfboards to the roofracks . this method works really well and it is cheap.

The Ocy strap sounds like the Rokstraps we have over here

 

[Gonzo]

I've got one of these . It's used and abused daily and takes a laptop bag plus a rucksack with my work clothes in.

The black red and silver also matches the bike!

 

[Ron]

Got a Shad 44lt, similar to the Givi you have and it is marvellous. Was mulling over the BMW and put this on in the meantime as was sitting in the garage. Personally I think it looks great and easily swallows up 2 lids, try that with the BMW box! My advice, buy a kit for your Givi!

 

[Ian916]

got myself a Givi V46 today, - easy to put on, - can be taken off in a second for days when you don't want to look like Pizza boy!

Did a scan on Givi prices, - Bykebitz looked to be cheapest http://www.bykebitz.co.uk/index.html - was in my local dealers at lunchtime, saw a V46 on display, asked him about it, - his RRP was high, he matched the Bykebitz price, bob's ya uncle, fanny's ya aunt, - it's on the bike already!

 

[how much]

The BMW 1200 box (i have) is not that great to be honest, far too much of the internal space is lost to the expanding mechanism, it wont take certain single helmets, wifeys shark lid will not fit in it fer example!
also they mark on the outside very easily and the nice looking aluminium panels "dent" ...........just by looking at them hard enough!

buy anything else would be my advice!


"how much"

 

[The Bede]

... Doesn't get massively used, but I'm very happy with the Vario box (and panniers)

... Expanding mechanism robs a bit of space, but IMHO it's preferrable to having a massive box permanently fixed.

... Mine has shown no leaks, cracks or other faults

... It has not parted company with the bike whilst in motion, but I was advised on delivery to 'push it down onto the plate until it positively clicks, secure the locking mechanism and then try and lift it back off the bike ... it won't' ... erm and it don't!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Top box

I more or less HAD to buy a top box as my wife was in danger of being left behind! Although I have the standard BMW cases and various other BMW extras I decided on the Givi Monokey -like others have written. It is large enough for two helmets and can be put on ot taken off very quickly. My wife finds the backrest very comfortable and reassuring & it looks good on the bike as well. The ONLY complaint is that it makes the job of getting onto the pillion even more of a feat!

 

[steforsh]

just bought a 6 month old 06 1200gs with vario panniers and top box on. any reports of probs with the panniers coming off?

 

[Quentin]

My Vario top box hairline cracked in the usual place just inside the warranty period at 12500 miles on the bike. Replaced with the revised version with the thicker reinforced ridge.

We will have to wait and see. Not confidence inspiring design.

 

[MIKA]

Went for a GIVI V46 last year due the number of tihreads about the BMW ones breaking.

No problembs at all with the GIVI and it takes two helmets.

FWIW I think it looks good with the vario panniers, there are pictures of the combination here in the threads if you do a search.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Panniers coming adrift

I have mentioned this before - the adjustment of the screw on the frame at the top of each pannier is critical. One of mine worked loose and the pannier skidded down the road. The bolt should be set so that the pannier is a tight fit and does not wobble about at all; I know that some people then tighten up the locknut using 'loctite' or a similar product. Otherwise they are really excellent and waterproof - if they become stiff to expand or contract a smear of silicone grease around the seals will ease matters.

 

[pazza1150]

Thank you

Thanks for the replies, probably going to stick with the givi because I like being able to store two helmets or riding kit in it.
Dave