What topbox for 1150GS with Jesse panniers?

[MikeS]

Can anyone recommend a cheapish topbox (Givi/Kappa etc) that would work with a R1150GS with Al Jesse panniers? I'm thinking the pannier lids might hit off the top box if I get something too big...

Also, whats the deal with the mounting plates, is there a standard plate that fits all etc? Any recommendations appreciated!


Anyone tried these? For £50, how bad can they be...

BMW R1150GS (Y) Top Case Top Box 48 litre

[Margus]

I wouldn't use solid top box on any of the R11xxGSes if you go travelling into the third world's potholed/corrugated roads - it just vibrates and shakes as hell puting all that shaky stress on the subframe that's already stressed with a lot of weight from your side boxes. Unless you want to use the bike only for communiting and city riding on Western-Europe smooth roads.

They are prone to break the rear frame when heavily loaded and ridden on bad roads. I've seen too many GSes with broken subframes mainly because of the overloaded solid top boxes. Whether they break the carrier frame (the silver one made of "chocolate" poor quality metal) or the tubular subframe close to the engine mountings.

Cheap waterproof luggage roll is the way to go IMHO. Weights less, carries more, keeps the weight more low and it's self-suspensioned - less stress to subframe even with higher loads when riding bad roads. You can take the roll off in 5 seconds, mount it back in 15 sec with 2-straps and it's easy to carry to hotel etc with it's hook where you can grab it. Very easy to use when you get used with them (and that's coming from an ex-topbox convenience fan).

[MikeS]

Cheers, but 'been there, done that' so to speak!

Unfortunately, my GS won't be doing any more 3rd world stuff for a wee while. This year I'll just go down to Spain but going 2 up and fancy the convenience instead of the waterproof bags for a change. Not looking for anything fancy, just something lockable and out the way of the lids of the Jesse boxes. My sub frame has already been strengthed so never had a problem.

I reckon that cheapo £50 box might do me.

[Margus]

Makes sense then. I reckon ANY top box would do it then.

If you don't need the quick-release option you can make your own frame to save the dosh, it's just so easy on the GS's simple rear end: cut a suitable size (4mm aluminium) plate for the rear section that supports the top-box'es bottom end sufficiently and fix it with with 4 bolts (2 you already have on the passenger grab hook, put 2 additional bolts on the rear). And bolt what-ever top box or toolbox on the alu frame, just use bigger radius shims so it doesn't damage the plastic and it'll be also wateproof.