How much weight do you put in your Luggage?

[Uncle-Fester]

Hi all, I have BMW luggage fitted to my 1100 GS and a givi E45 top box, and was wondering just how much weight these things will take?
The top box is rated to carry approximately 10kg, but I was wondering if I could fit some tie down cleats so that I can strap some more gear on top (like a 40 litre dry sack?) will the factory rear rack and the givi mount take this extra weight?
And does anyone know what the weight loading is on the standard BMW touring luggage (plastic type)??

Thanks for your input.

 

[newboy]

If I can't carry it. I won't take it.

Another thread got to about 30kg I think. That's a lot of gear!!

The bike will take it. Whether the top box is the best height to carry it........?


Sent from my gadget using wires n string n stuff

 

[Uncle-Fester]

My thoughts were to fit 4 of these on the top of the top box

http://shop.touratech.co.uk/strap-bracket.html


(not practical to fit them on the panniers I don't think?) so that I can strap a 40 litre dry sack with lightweight clothes in (underwear, shirts, socks etc. estimated weight of 5-10kg)and keep the heavier stuff in the panniers.

I was also thinking of attaching a fuel can like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rotopax-S...pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item4d1bec8aa8

which I estimate will weigh approx 6/7kg unless there is 2.5 litre kit out there somewhere?

Is there a better place on the bike to carry extra fuel safely?

 

[snelly]

Nice looking ride Fester, mine.s a couple of years older, same colour. Well i weigh 107 kg, and i.ll not tell you you what the the Mrs weighs on account of the fact i like my bollocks where they are, and not kicked up into my kneck. But i think i can safely assume by the time all the camping gear and every thing else is on we are over the limit. I use a roll bag , and strap it to the grab rail so it pulls as tight to the passenger as possible. This way , it dos,nt bounce around as much as a top box would,and you can also get more in.

 

[MikeO]

The top box is the worst place to carry weight - aft of the rear axle and a large moment around the bike's centre of gravity. It'll really screw up your stability at speed as it unloads the front shock so much.

You'd be much better off sorting your luggage to concentrate the heaviest stuff in the tank bag and front of the panniers. The top box should, ideally, contain real lightweight stuff (waterproofs etc) - and space to put groceries etc in.

Cue posts from plenty of people who commute with anvils in their top boxes with no ill effects...

 

[Uncle-Fester]

Nice looking ride Fester, mine.s a couple of years older, same colour. Well i weigh 107 kg, and i.ll not tell you you what the the Mrs weighs on account of the fact i like my bollocks where they are, and not kicked up into my kneck. But i think i can safely assume by the time all the camping gear and every thing else is on we are over the limit. I use a roll bag , and strap it to the grab rail so it pulls as tight to the passenger as possible. This way , it dos,nt bounce around as much as a top box would,and you can also get more in.

Thanks, the pictures make it look better than it is, but it has a good service history and seems mechanically sound.

do you mean you lay the bag/roll length ways on top of your pannier and strap it to the pannier support rail?
I can see that working, but does it not interfere with the pillion getting on/off?

 

[MattW]

Don't carry a lot of weight on the rack or in a topbox - the 11xx racks are cast alloy and can break.

 

[Uncle-Fester]

The top box is the worst place to carry weight - aft of the rear axle and a large moment around the bike's centre of gravity. It'll really screw up your stability at speed as it unloads the front shock so much.

You'd be much better off sorting your luggage to concentrate the heaviest stuff in the tank bag and front of the panniers. The top box should, ideally, contain real lightweight stuff (waterproofs etc) - and space to put groceries etc in.

Cue posts from plenty of people who commute with anvils in their top boxes with no ill effects...

Yes, I appreciate the rear weight aspect, I don't have a tank bag yet, but am thinking of getting one (as large as possible?)

Anvils lol

 

[Uncle-Fester]

Don't carry a lot of weight on the rack or in a topbox - the 11xx racks are cast alloy and can break.

Ah, great info, thanks, I have looked at it, and seems reasonably sturdy, but the givi mount sits further back, so adds to the leverage when topbox is fitted.
I have seen Stainless Steel racks, but they run into hundreds of £s so I'll stay with the rack I have for the foreseeable future.

Just need to carry more stuff when we head out into Europe...........

 

[MattW]

Ah, great info, thanks, I have looked at it, and seems reasonably sturdy, but the givi mount sits further back, so adds to the leverage when topbox is fitted.
I have seen Stainless Steel racks, but they run into hundreds of £s so I'll stay with the rack I have for the foreseeable future.

Just need to carry more stuff when we head out into Europe...........

The trouble is that whichever rack / topbox mount plate you have (even the ridiculously expensive laser cut stainless ones), they all bolt to the factory alloy rack. The steel subframe doesn't extend far enough back to support this rack so you are still subject to its limitations.

 

[snelly]

Thanks, the pictures make it look better than it is, but it has a good service history and seems mechanically sound.

do you mean you lay the bag/roll length ways on top of your pannier and strap it to the pannier support rail?
I can see that working, but does it not interfere with the pillion getting on/off?

No, what i meant was strap the roll bag east to west across the rear rack so it,s not hung over the bikes rear carrier. and strap it to the pillion grab handle. The pillion grab rail is fastened to the rear sub frame so takes some of the weight of the luggage. not only that, the load is pulled a little bit closer to the center of the bike,wich also helps with the handling. Most passengers will find it hard to get on and off with luggage on . Goes with the territory i,am afraid. Sorry forgot to mention. Turn the pillion grab rail in towards the seat. This also leaves more room for the roll bag

 

[Colt]

sounds like you would be better with a touratech 41lt special set

 

[Cortina]

Alloy sub frame will crack when overloaded !! ... ask me how I know (and we are not talking 30kg weights !)

A Chain is as strong as the weakest link ................ this is the weak link !

 

[Timolgra]

If you're riding solo, remove the rear seat and fit your heaviest bag there.

 

[Packer]

I seem to remember that the standard System luggage was only rated to about 8Kgs each side.

You could probably lay a Lomo 20 ltr dry bag on top of each pannier extending alongside and strapped to the rear carrier and the pannier mounting rail. That would keep the weight lower and further forward in much the same way as the people with alloy luggage strap stuff on top of them.

Otherwise take less clothing and use laundry facilities on your travels.

 

[DrAlf]

I’m guessing this isn’t a solo trip given the luggage requirement however I’d be interested to know where you’re planning on going that requires so much luggage and extra fuel?!

As mentioned above, a set of aluminium panniers would be your best bet but they are expensive. I’d consider getting yourself a set of global lids for the system panniers which will increase capacity substantially. I’d also remove the topbox in favour of a huge dry bag strapped across the back of the panniers and rack. Finally use a tank bag for the essentials. I’ve got a two up trip coming up on my 1150 and that’s exactly what I’m planning on doing.

Regarding weight and top boxes, I’ve also got a Monkey E45 and I’ve loaded it to the gunnels before for two up weekends away. I’m also conscious of the rack snapping but so far it’s been fine. I believe that you can get an aftermarket solution that provides more support for the rack by effectively extending the supporting subframe. I can’t remember who makes it though or whether it’s compatible with the system cases rails.

 

[notadrop]

Cue posts from plenty of people who commute with anvils in their top boxes with no ill effects...

That made me chuckle!!

 

[kennyc]

personally, I put all the heavy bits in the panniers, and leave the topbox for all the bulky items, if you need more space then a tankbag may help, although I have given up on mine due to not wanting to leave it on the bike when parked, and definitley not wanting to carry it!

 

[bowie]

I've found no top box for two up camping trips [roll bags on rack, and large tank bag]
Then top box and roll bags on rear seat for solo trips


Enjoy

 

[Uncle-Fester]

I’m guessing this isn’t a solo trip given the luggage requirement however I’d be interested to know where you’re planning on going that requires so much luggage and extra fuel?!

As mentioned above, a set of aluminium panniers would be your best bet but they are expensive. I’d consider getting yourself a set of global lids for the system panniers which will increase capacity substantially. I’d also remove the topbox in favour of a huge dry bag strapped across the back of the panniers and rack. Finally use a tank bag for the essentials. I’ve got a two up trip coming up on my 1150 and that’s exactly what I’m planning on doing.

Regarding weight and top boxes, I’ve also got a Monkey E45 and I’ve loaded it to the gunnels before for two up weekends away. I’m also conscious of the rack snapping but so far it’s been fine. I believe that you can get an aftermarket solution that provides more support for the rack by effectively extending the supporting subframe. I can’t remember who makes it though or whether it’s compatible with the system cases rails.

Yes, this is for two up trips, and unfortunately the Aluminium panniers are out of the question due to cost, Where am I going that needs all this? Don't know, haven't decided yet, but want to be prepared to have a little extra fuel, as I do tend to run my vehicles until the fuel light comes on, then look for the next fuel station, so an extra 2 litres on board would be helpful.