Top box choices for 1250 RT

[Whippet wrangler]

I’d appreciate some thoughts from experienced RT owners on my choice for a top box for my ‘new to me’ R1250 RT when on tour in Europe.

I’m new to RTs and my recent purchase came fitted with a Givi rear rack plate designed for a Givi Monokey top box, installed on top of the BMW rear rack.

I never take a pillion, so for day rides I will ride without a top box, as the panniers will be quite sufficient. However, on tour my thinking is that I’d ride with spare gloves, waterproofs, heated jacket and cleaning stuff in the top box and when I leave the bike unattended (lunch breaks etc), I’d envisage packing my helmet and a small tank bag in their too for security. There may be a better solution, this is just my current thinking!

To keep costs contained, I want to narrow my selection to either Givi or the small 28l BMW top box, rather than converting to H&B or Shad for instance. The smaller BMW case starts at around £300 new on eBay when you factor in the lock (a dealer supplied & fitted box goes above £350). By comparison the rather basic Givi v40 (40 litre) is on sale at £110 and the much smarter v47 (47 litre) at c£180 at Sportsbikeshop.

In addition to space and cost, my other concern is safety in cross winds whilst on tour. Two years ago I had to ride in 70mph cross winds from Helmsdale in NE Scotland to Plockton on the west coast on my GS and it was hairy to put it mildly (esp when stationary). The RT has a much bigger fairing which I already notice at motorways speeds overtaking lorries in light winds without a top-box, so I’m a bit wary of what a top box will mean in windier conditions on the autobahn or in the mountains.

My thinking so far is as follows:
- the BMW 28l is very expensive at >£300 and a bit small to hold much beyond a helmet, but it’s good looking and aerodynamic compared to other choices. Not sure what the weight limit is on the BMW 28l top box??
- The Givi V40 is a relative bargain at £110 and will hold one helmet plus my small tank bag with waterproofs etc in, however, it doesn’t exactly look either classy or particularly aerodynamic. The Givi rear rack plate has a max weight allowance of 6kg and this case weighs 4kg, so I presume the limit for carrying stuff inside whilst riding is in effect 2kg (I don’t think that’s a problem for me, as it would just be waterproofs, gloves etc).
- The V47 is much better looking, but it takes two full size helmets, so is possibly a bit big for a solo rider? It’s a more aerodynamic shape than the V40, but it’s also 20% bigger, so I expect it will catch the cross-winds more. This case weighs 4.5kg, so on the Givi plate that allows just 6kg, that just leaves 1.5kg carrying capacity inside the case, which feels a bit restrictive.

Any words of wisdom to offer please folks on either suitable carrying volume or on the impact of different size top boxes in cross-winds?

Thanks

 

[beemerboy9]

I'd start by looking at the condition of the tyres as the RT should not be affected in light winds motorway speeds.

I have been touring with a square 58L Givi Trekker and not noticed any problems.

 

[casbar]

I nearly always have my large top box on the bike and only put panniers on when touring. I have never experienced any issues with wind and have had the top box on two RTs (resprayed for my 2019 bike) since 2014.

Weight wise, the large top box is rated to carry 5kg (it is in your hand book). But weighs on its own around 21kg. So the rack can take more than 5kg

 

[mw3230]

In my opinion the issue of cross winds and stability in the wind in general are in fact non-issues. I’ve ridden RTs, a K13 GT and a K16 GT each with BMW top cases and not experienced any instability.

Admittedly you may notice some effect in a 70mph cross wind but the slab side of a bike and rider is only a little changed with the addition of a top cases

 

[Whippet wrangler]

I'd start by looking at the condition of the tyres as the RT should not be affected in light winds motorway speeds.

I have been touring with a square 58L Givi Trekker and not noticed any problems.

Thanks John, you’re spot on the money there with that observation.

The main handling issue I noticed at motorway speeds was on the test ride before I purchased the bike. The previous owner had fitted Dunlops and the handling suggested to me that the front was cupped, even though the rear wasn’t squared off. I changed them for new Road 6’s on purchase and general handling around the twisties (I don’t do much motorway if I can avoid it) is massively improved.

 

[Whippet wrangler]

I nearly always have my large top box on the bike and only put panniers on when touring. I have never experienced any issues with wind and have had the top box on two RTs (resprayed for my 2019 bike) since 2014.

Weight wise, the large top box is rated to carry 5kg (it is in your hand book). But weighs on its own around 21kg. So the rack can take more than 5kg

Thanks Casbar, that’s good to know. So in summary:
- The BMW top box: weighs 21kg, is rated to 5kg and 180kph (per my owners handbook). I think it’s about 48l capacity and costs around £1000?
- The Givi 47l top case (which also takes retro fitted brake lights and can have coloured panels fitted for c£40) weighs 4.5kg, is rated to carry 10kg (though the Givi rack mount is only rated to 6kg - go figure!), and advised max speed is only 120kph. It costs c£180 at Sportsbikeshop at the moment.

So the Givi can carry more at slower speeds for c20% of the cost by the sound of it. The smaller 40l Givi costs £110, has the same weight and speed ratings and has enough space for my needs but is a bit fugly IMO.

If the 120kph was a critical realistic speed constraint for the Givi I wouldn’t feel comfortable cranking it up on the autobahns, but it may be the usual get-out-of-court-free caveat by the manufacturers. It’s a double walled case with the top end ‘Monokey’ attachments, so I’m not entirely sure of the realism of the 120kph constraint.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

 

[casbar]

Thanks Casbar, that’s good to know. So in summary:
- The BMW top box: weighs 21kg, is rated to 5kg and 180kph (per my owners handbook). I think it’s about 48l capacity and costs around £1000?
- The Givi 47l top case (which also takes retro fitted brake lights and can have coloured panels fitted for c£40) weighs 4.5kg, is rated to carry 10kg (though the Givi rack mount is only rated to 6kg - go figure!), and advised max speed is only 120kph. It costs c£180 at Sportsbikeshop at the moment.

So the Givi can carry more at slower speeds for c20% of the cost by the sound of it. The smaller 40l Givi costs £110, has the same weight and speed ratings and has enough space for my needs but is a bit fugly IMO.

If the 120kph was a critical realistic speed constraint for the Givi I wouldn’t feel comfortable cranking it up on the autobahns, but it may be the usual get-out-of-court-free caveat by the manufacturers. It’s a double walled case with the top end ‘Monokey’ attachments, so I’m not entirely sure of the realism of the 120kph constraint.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

The key here is rated by who! The BMW top box is rated as they have carried out load and speed and stability testing etc. If you read the handbook, BMW do not rate the rack to carry anything other than their top box. So if you put a givi or any other box on the rack, all bets are off as regards the manufacture warranty or liability. This is a manufacturers cover their arse scenario. All pretty much do the same. The rack on its own, if it can carry a 21kg top box plus 5kg loading can manage other loads. But if BMW don't supply it, then they are not responsible.

 

[MRDDD]

Try and find a second hand bmw in my opinion it matches the bike

 

[casbar]

Try and find a second hand bmw in my opinion it matches the bike

I have used the same top box on two bikes, think it cost me £50 to have it sprayed up and the dealer did the lock barrel change

 

[Morety]

My own view is given I wanted a decent storage area for touring, I decided against a small top box and instead prefer BMW's own large rear box which can easily accommodate two helmets. It also means when touring I can go out for a ride without the panniers fitted and still have enough storage for things like first aid kit/puncture repair kit, my lid and space for WP's and to store my air vest in when off the bike. My preference if I hadn't already found a bike with it fitted would be to find a good used example. Any colour would do as you can always match the est of the bike by painting it. I also like the BMW one which has an interior light and benefits from a high rear brake light and central locking.

 

[Whippet wrangler]

Thanks all. I can’t find a 2nd hand BMW 28l box for sale on eBay or amongst local dealers, so I’ve been round to a friend’s house and had a good look at his 28l top box and a chat about his experiences with it.

I’ve decided based on all the advice I’ve had here and from him to get rid of the Givi plate fitted to the rear rack and to fork out for a new BMW box. It seems terribly expensive for what it is, but to be fair it seems far more sturdy than the Givi boxes. I suspect the latter would be ok at UK speed limits, but as I’m off across Europe soon, I’d rather have the confidence in my luggage to ride faster on the autobahns if the circumstances permit.

Thanks for the insights all.

 

[Morety]

Don't know if it helps but there are good used examples about:

BMW R1250RT / K1600GT Top Case Lid in Racing Blue | eBay

BMW Colour matched lid in Racing Blue with back rest for the top case. This is the colour matched lid trim only to match racing blue paintwork – not the top case itself.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[wessie]

Seems I'm too late with my 2p but it might help others reading the thread. I have used the same Givi E45 topbox on my bikes since 1996. They are very durable! I have only had a handful of unpleasant experiences with crosswinds in those nearly 3 decades. I don't think the topbox was making much of a difference in those situations on exposed mountain roads or the Manchester Ship Canal viaduct.
Kappa is the sister brand of Givi and also use the Monokey system. I had a pair of K40 boxes as well, that could be used as side case or topbox. They were good as well. Sold them with my S1000XR as surplus to requirements.
You can usually pick up used Kappa or Give boxes on Ebay. I used to order Givi stuff direct from a retailer in Milan who always had stock before things became available in the UK e.g. fitting kits for new models. Brexit made that more complicated.