[0r0b0r0s]

Greetings everyone...

I just got a 2011 R1200RT and, naturally, I love it . I’m thinking of getting a Corbin smuggler trunk for it but spoke with Corbin and they don’t have a 2011 version, 2010 is the latest, because they haven’t gotten a 2011 in the shop to take the measurements. I thought there were no changes to the 1200RT seat from 2010 to 2011 so I’m wondering if anyone out there knows about this and/or has a smuggler trunk and can tell me if I’d be ok with ordering a 2010 version and/or how they feel about the trunk. Corbin said matching the color is no problem. Thanks!

 

[BCVBeck]

Greetings,

I have no idea about your specific fitment question in regard to a 2011 model RT. However & FWIW, I have a Smuggler Trunk on my '08 RT. in a nutshell, I love it! Lots of stuff will fit in the trunk. I keep my tool kit, tire repair kit, 12v compressor, first aid kit and other must have items. Since my Bride no longer rides with me, I keep the smuggler installed at all times. It does come off just like the pillion seat. A couple of points to consider: 1) It is expensive. I think the utility provided justifies the cost. YMMV. 2) Unless your RT is brand new, the color may not match exactly. Mine is quite close so I don't care. 3) To the best of my limited forum knowledge, no one has figured out how to use a BMW lock cylinder on this trunk. No big deal really. One extra key, so what. 4) I've experienced great customer service from the Hollister, CA Corbin facility.

 

[0r0b0r0s]

Thanks for the info, it's quite helpful. I'm getting married in the fall and, like you, my fiance doesn't ride with me, so there's a lot of empty space back there . I checked with my local BMW mechanic and he said the 2010 seat is the same as the 2011 so I shouldn't have any trouble. So, if they can come reasonably close to the color, I'm going to bite the bullet. Do you get any back support from the smuggler? It looks like it might provide some.... Thanks again!

 

[JayJay]

I've been threatening to buy a Smuggler for several years, I'd like to get rid of my tank bag. In a boneheaded decision about two years ago I passed on a used but perfect one at half price at A&S. A guy brought in a trade with the Smuggler installed and they wanted to sell with the pillion seat. It was supposedly factory color but it was slightly darker than my factory paint. Close, but I'm convinced that the only way to get a perfect match is to have it painted yourself using a computer color-match system.

Years ago I had a small rack (I called it the six-pack rack, that was about the size) that fit on the tank cover of my GoldWing. I'm looking for something about that size to go on the lid of the Smuggler. If anyone has one or a suggestion that would clinch the deal for me.

JayJay

 

[Monty2007]

Greetings,

I have no idea about your specific fitment question in regard to a 2011 model RT. However & FWIW, I have a Smuggler Trunk on my '08 RT. in a nutshell, I love it! Lots of stuff will fit in the trunk. I keep my tool kit, tire repair kit, 12v compressor, first aid kit and other must have items. Since my Bride no longer rides with me, I keep the smuggler installed at all times. It does come off just like the pillion seat. A couple of points to consider: 1) It is expensive. I think the utility provided justifies the cost. YMMV. 2) Unless your RT is brand new, the color may not match exactly. Mine is quite close so I don't care. 3) To the best of my limited forum knowledge, no one has figured out how to use a BMW lock cylinder on this trunk. No big deal really. One extra key, so what. 4) I've experienced great customer service from the Hollister, CA Corbin facility.

Thanks for the information. I have been considering one as well. My wife rarely rides with me so the Smuggler is attractive to me. If she decides to I can always put the stock seat back on. It sounds like you store many of the same items I plan to so you answered my questions about how much stuff will it really hold? Thanks.

In respect to the original post the size should be the same, just a color difference. I have a great body and paint shop in my neghborhood and will just get mine painted to match the bike.

 

[tsperez]

I had the Smuggler trunk on my last bike (ST1300) and loved it. I stopped using the tank bag once I got the trunk. It does hold a lot of stuff and it blended in well with the lines of the bike.

Of course now they cost a lot more so I haven't gotten one for my "new" R1200RT... yet! Also I am now strapping a large waterproof bag on top of the passenger seat for my long tours. The Smuggler trunk is perfect for around town and shorter tours.

You guys wanting one just buy it. If you don't like it I'll buy it from you at 1/2 price. LOL!

tsp
Blog: www.swriding.blogspot.com

 

[BCVBeck]

Thanks for the info, it's quite helpful. I'm getting married in the fall and, like you, my fiance doesn't ride with me, so there's a lot of empty space back there . I checked with my local BMW mechanic and he said the 2010 seat is the same as the 2011 so I shouldn't have any trouble. So, if they can come reasonably close to the color, I'm going to bite the bullet. Do you get any back support from the smuggler? It looks like it might provide some.... Thanks again!

Not really any back support to speak of. I did purchase a Corbin seat at the same time which, for my bottom, was a huge improvement over stock. Recently, I added Suburban Machinery Bar-Backs and that seems to be a big improvement as well. Hope this is helpful, however YMMV...

 

[Atomicman]

CAn you use the smuggle without a Corbin seat?

 

[0r0b0r0s]

You can definitely use the smuggler without a corbin seat, that's one thing I checked up on it just replaces the stock passenger seat. I'm trying to find out whether you can install a smuggler and still use some kind of back support like a Bakup or something similar. If anyone's interested I'll let you know as soon as I find out....

 

[BlackDenis]

I purchased and installed Smugger on my 2011 R1200RT about three weeks ago. It is a very convenient storage box and looks very good. They matched the paint (Thunder grey metallic) very well.

BUT...

When it arrived it would not fit. I had to adjust the metal brackets at the front of the seat. They clearly did not test fit the item. There were no instructions so I just had to guess what to do.

The latch would not hold the lid closed. A very slight tug would open it without dpressing the latch button. In the end I reversed the latch and bent the catch up so it would engage. It still wasn't very good but it has "worn in" and works fine now. Bending the catch scraped paint off it but I touched it up with auto paint.

I sent feedback to Corbin - got an email back saying they would get back to me with an answer. Several days later I got another email explaining how to adjust the latch. The advice was clearly wrong. Perhaps the author meant "hinge" when he wrote "catch".

Anyway, for the price (over $1000 including shipping), I think I should have had better and more timely reponses and the lack of instructions and poor fit of the trunk and catch is not acceptable.

 

[Monty2007]

BlackDenis,

Thanks for the update and the report of your experince. I ageree that for the price you pay for one of these it should fit and work properly out of the box with minimal adjustment.

 

[twkBMW]

A grand for a stowage compartment :eek2:

 

[gphusky1]

A grand for a stowage compartment :eek2:

I've never even see one of these before today, but I recall people thinking I was crazy to purchase BMW's top case for $900.00. This thing is really small. Is it really a grand?

It does look great however!

Mark

 

[BlackDenis]

Well, the price is $799 and shipping to Canada was in excess of $200. I called them to see if there was a cheaper shipping method. They said no. The box it was packed in would have held two smugglers. I guess it's what they use for Smuggler and a saddle. They didn't bother to find a smaller box. Size matters when it comes to shipping costs.