Armrest for BMW 49L Top Case

[ajtipton1]

I have purchased a 2005 R 1200 RT which included a 49L top case. I have been riding motorcycles for a few years now but this is my first BMW and first touring bike (previously had a GSXR). My wife and I are excited about the 'new' motorcycle and plan to ride the majority of the time together. Has anyone experimented with mounting armrests on the 49L top case?

I would appreciate any advice about attempting to mount armrest on 49L top case.

[Gael]

Hmmmmm.... really haven't thought about that. You could go to an automotive junkyard and see if you could locate some flip up arm rests and figure out some way to mount them. I suspect you won't find ones that are long enough to be mounted half way back on the side case. And they would not match the rest of the bike so you would need to get them re-covered.... The topcase is of a two wall design so you would need to figure out how to mount them securely. With all the work involved it probably would not be worthwhile... IMHO at least.

[ajtipton1]

Thanks for the response! My first thought is/was to purchase armrests designed for the LT. I spoke to a gentleman who had a set for sale and upon his response he also suggested I post it on the forum for other opinions. So, I do appreciate your opinion.

I have not seen the actual topcase, only viewed pictures sent from the previous owner, my wife and what I have found online.

Thanks again!

[katnapinn]

There are 2 types of LT arm rest. One mounts on the hinge, the other mounts on the side of the bottom half of the top box. the hinge mount type WILL NOT work on the RT top box. The side mount MIGHT, but I've never seen it done.

[ajtipton1]

Steve, thanks for the info. I am currently deployed but will be home on leave in a few weeks. I look forward to seeing my "new" RT. My boys enjoy to ride, which is why I sold my previous motorcycle and I hope to make something work for their benefit.

[hopz]

Google Passenger armrest for BMW R1200RT...

[skydiver]

I have Don Muddimans armrests on my LT and they are fantastic. I am trading the LT in the spring for a RT and I am going to take the armrests off before the dealer gets the bike. I am going to see if there is a way I can mount them to the top case when I get it. I may have to rig some different type of mount but I think there should be a way to adapt these. Can't help you right now, possibly in the spring once I see what is involved. In the meantime, if anyone has any ideas I would be interested in hearing about them. Maybe Don Muddiman can be convinced to come up with some type of mount or to sell a set of armrests for the RT, I would certainly buy them if I can't make mine work.

[ajtipton1]

Skydiver,

Thanks for the info and look forward to the update. I had considering trying to buy a used LT bottom trunk to see if I could have a bracket or something fabricated to see if this would work. The cheapest bottom trunk I have found has been $75. I would hate to spend $75 for to experiment but I think it may be worth it. Considering you have an LT, do you think it would be simple to fabricate a bracket for an LT trunk to mount to the RT rack?

Thanks,
Andrew

[skydiver]

Skydiver,

Thanks for the info and look forward to the update. I had considering trying to buy a used LT bottom trunk to see if I could have a bracket or something fabricated to see if this would work. The cheapest bottom trunk I have found has been $75. I would hate to spend $75 for to experiment but I think it may be worth it. Considering you have an LT, do you think it would be simple to fabricate a bracket for an LT trunk to mount to the RT rack?

Thanks,
Andrew


I am not sure about connecting to just the rack unless some sort of support higher up were made. I was thinking of attaching them to the top case someway. I think some sort of bracket could be made up to make them work, not sure how it would look. I will know better when I get the top case and the bike I guess. I am going to take the arm rests off the LT when I trade anyway, the dealer won't give anything for them on a trade. At the very least, may be able to sell them to a LT owner.

[ajtipton1]

Sorry, doesn't look like I explained myself very well. I was referring to trying to fabricate a bracket to mount an LT trunk to the RT rack. If this would work, then it would provide greater options for armrests.

[skydiver]

Sorry, doesn't look like I explained myself very well. I was referring to trying to fabricate a bracket to mount an LT trunk to the RT rack. If this would work, then it would provide greater options for armrests.


It may be easier to use the ZTechnik arm rests that mount on the side of the case. The Muddiman ones have a short mounting bracket that goes through under the top lid on the case and mounts to the hinges. I am sure something could be made up to do a similar type thing on the RT top case, but not sure if the position where the top lid meets the bottom part of the case would be at the correct height for arm rest position. Also, lid might not work properly with something protruding through it. It may be easier to try and bolt them to the case itself, either with the existing mounting bracket, or something made up. To do all this it might be easier and better looking to mount the ZTechnik arm rests. I don't know quality of these, but I think there are some posts about them if you did a search. As far as the Muddiman ones, they are top-notch and excellent quality. Maybe Don Muddiman could be persuaded to make up ones for the RT, or a bracket attachment for them. Probably a small demand though, as not everyone who gets a RT gets a top case, and a lot of different versions of cases avaliable. I am still going to try to adapt mine before I get another type as I already have them. Hopefully I saved my parts so that I can put the top case hinges back the way they were.