[Firenailer]

Hey Everyone,

I'm thinking of adding a 49 L Top Case to my RT for travelling. In the past I've just strapped my waterproof duffle across the seat but it's starting to show its age.

What has been your experience both Pro and Con, and would you buy the Case or another Duffle?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Dominatio]

Hey Everyone,

I'm thinking of adding a 49 L Top Case to my RT for travelling. In the past I've just strapped my waterproof duffle across the seat but it's starting to show its age.

What has been your experience both Pro and Con, and would you buy the Case or another Duffle?

Thanks,
Bob

Top case makes security really easy - no problem leaving the bike to stop for food or breaks. Also can put 2 helmets in an empty case.

I like a dry bag myself but for touring (and especially when two up) the case is the way to go. I have a smaller top case for when I'm on my own - but to be honest the 49 litre has no real downside (possibly fuel consumption of course).

 

[150flyer]

+1 And if you ride two-up, it makes a great backrest for your passenger. Had mine painted to match the rest of the bike and keyed to use the same key as the side cases and ignition.

 

[SquareHead]

I have the smaller top case and I really like it for short trips by myself. I am probably going to buy the 49l topcase in the future. The smaller one is not quite big enough for longer trips or holding two helmets.

 

[missusfinz]

I've been thinking to buy a Givi case.
A lot cheaper than BMW.
What do you guys think?
Ellie

 

[Sailorlite]

There seems to be strong demand for pre-owned 49L top cases, especially if the re-keying aspect is handled correctly. If you sell a BMW case when you're done with it the cost of owning it may be less than the total Givi cost. Plus it's a better case.

 

[elrusoloco]

I have the 49L BMW top case, and it's great. It does make for an excellent backrest AND holds two helmets nicely. Highly recommended.

 

[corrcullen]

I've been thinking to buy a Givi case.
A lot cheaper than BMW.
What do you guys think?
Ellie

Thats what I did, also got it painted to match the bike.
Really pleased with it.
Bought the Givi E55 MAXIA 3 (G730 silver colour) and then got it painted.
Here is the thread with a picture, before painting.
And not the only one that did it either.

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65959

 

[bikebits]

Factory 49 l. top case:

+
Great back rest (most Givi back rests are a fairly expensive option.)
Style matches the bike perfectly
Ignition key operation is handier than you'd think
Large capacity
You can close it without having to lock it (I've had a few Givi's and none would do that.)

-
Expensive
Heavy, even empty.

You get what you pay for and the quality and convenience outweigh the negatives.

 

[missusfinz]

The 49L case that came with my bike was big and I didn't think I would use something that big. (In 09 they had the SE that included case. I took the $800 off the bike instead)
I think a smaller GIVI will do what I need.
Ellie

 

[GRB60]

I've got the Givi e52 Maxia. It swallows my size XL Schuberth C3 without any problem.

 

[Peter_MA]

I have a Shad Sh48 that gets a lot of compliments. Looks great, reasonably priced and no wasted space inside. I'm thinking of easily adapting a Givi top case rack to the top.

 

[David13]

I have two travel bags. Medium size, and large size, both cheap, both don't leak a drop of water (rain) which I strap onto the back.
I suppose it does not look all fancy, and expensive, and factory made, but I think that 49 l top box looks like some weird outer space alien craft or something. I just don't like the look of it. Or the price. Or the inflexibility of it.
When I eat or get gas I am never far away. When I go into the hotel or motel, I take it off with the side cases and take it all in.
With the flexibility, I can fit objects of different sizes into it, extra towels or whatever the case may be.
No one has ever touched, or even tried to touch it, all security concerns aside.
I wouldn't leave it overnight. As I need it in the motel (clothes, laptop, etc.)
That's riding in Mexico and the USA, with no problem.
dc

 

[gphusky1]

The only thing I've noticed riding with the 49L BMW top case is that it catches the wind a bit, but nothing that would be a cause for concern.

Also, for convenience, I put all my camera gear in there, with some pretty heavy glass and of course it changes the handling characteristics riding with that much weight up high. Recently I've been keeping all my little used heavy lenses in the side cases which helps a lot.

Finally, I like the ability to have everything keyed the same. So getting a top case was a no brainer for me. They are expensive, but after spending 24K for a motorcycle, I was numb to the extra cost.

Mark

 

[gerhard]

I got the 49 liter box with my bike and my wife really likes the backrest it provides for her. I like the looks of it on the bike but only use it when riding two up. On my ST1100 I had a 54 liter Givi bag and I considered keeping it but I just thought I did not want the new bike look cobbled together of various jumbled parts. The BMW box is also better built than the Givi just closing it is a pleasure compared to the Givi which needed a slam while being supported by the other hand on the BMW you push down on a lever and the top locks down to the base. The interior is better finished and the weather sealing looks like it would keep the contents dry through a tsunami.

Gerhard

 

[Dominatio]

Here is mine with a top rack fitted to it. I tend to use the rack to carry my half cover when touring - but my pillion likes to hold on to it as she gets aboard too.Its really lightweight so doesn't cause a problem over and above the case weight.

 

[Ponch]

Hey Everyone,

I'm thinking of adding a 49 L Top Case to my RT for travelling. In the past I've just strapped my waterproof duffle across the seat but it's starting to show its age.

What has been your experience both Pro and Con, and would you buy the Case or another Duffle?

Thanks,
Bob

I used both on a trip to the west coast last year. There is never enough storage.

 

[Firenailer]

There seems to be strong demand for pre-owned 49L top cases, especially if the re-keying aspect is handled correctly. If you sell a BMW case when you're done with it the cost of owning it may be less than the total Givi cost. Plus it's a better case.

Interesting point, how difficult and what would I need for re-keying? Do I need the original key to remove the cylinder?

Bob

 

[Sailorlite]

Bob - It's pretty easy, and there are detailed instructions around, but yes, the original key is used to remove the lock cylinder from the case for re-coding. Without the original key you'd have to drill out the cylinder or disassemble the case - both are tricky projects.

 

[OregonRider]

Not to be the contrarian here but it seems to me that when riding 1 up there may be a significant advantage to the duffle. The top case on the luggage rack is severely limited in weight carrying capacity whereas the duffle can sit on the pillion seat and thus handle much heavier loads. Plus the weight stays lower and more centered on the bike fore and aft. Any advantage here is lost when 2 up of course.