Hard bags for BCR...Opinions please.

badbilly · 12:19 PM

Hi all,

Looking for insight as I'm still new to these Ss. Would the skinny (city?) hard bags show bad form and look too weinery on the Rep model. Possibly only use them for daily grind commute for say carrying a bike cover or a sack lunch etc, so they wouldn't be on all the time. Do the bare mounting bracket detract from the bikes looks?

Have seen the RKA bags, but you can't lock them; plus was afraid they'd scratch the paint.

Any other possibilities? Thanks, BB

CCS789 · 12-07-2002, 12:33 PM

I've got the city cases on mine; I think they look great. Of course, my sense of style has always been questionable...

badbilly · 01:54 PM

CCS789, Yeah, tell me about it--my daughter just go promoted and is a "Personal Banker" at Wells-Fargo. Let's hear it for home equity loans!

Say, that's a good looking bike! Without the bags, do the brackets cover up the tail graphics? My bikes caught in that tranny recall thing (hopefully get it within the week)...so dealer offered bags etc at cost if I want 'em.

Thanks again for the picture, BB

lennie · 12-07-2002, 01:52 PM

CCS789,

I like your moniker of "mortgaged up to the eyeballs".

I grew up with a sign on the wall that my dad subscribed to.

"I must be successful as I owe everybody money."

It is a smart thing to use other peoples money to get ahead in life providing you can pay it back.

Besides, one can die being happy they enjoyed themselves with the purchases they made with that money.

motoman · motoman's Garage

Good question.

I would say that it first and foremost a SPORT bike. Isn't that why you paid for all the paint and graphics?

And as such looks much better without bags.

I would recommend temporary soft luggage, a backpack, or a shoulder/messenger bag. Maybe the 'speed pack'.

Rootboy · 12-07-2002, 06:29 PM

Hate to answer a question with a question but how many of us bought the S for its graphics and how many of us bought it for the (option to use the) bags??!! Stickers and paint, your bike's is still the same as mine...you just got a better deal!!! Use the City bags when you need to...if you want to pose, which is o.k., you can take the brackets of...its only 10 screws....get a set of T-wrenches and the jobs done in less than five minutes.

badbilly · 12-07-2002, 06:48 PM

Rootboy, So removing the brackets is something a person as mechanically limited as myself can do in a short period of time? (Remember my Buell's cylinder head was only held on with four bolts, but it was a bear getting to them!)

Cause if so, I like you're line of logic and just mount 'em when I think I use 'em. Later, BB

motoyoyo · 12-07-2002, 08:53 PM

Go for the BMW Hard Bags with the City Lids like CCS789 has. That is one of the special things, among many others, about this bike. The ability to mount hard bags that work exceptionally well on this bike is a big plus. Sorry, but anything else would be simply too Puffy, not to mention rubbing off that very expensive paint. It only takes one ride to ruin your paint with soft luggage if they aren't well protected against your bodywork.

Firebolter · 12-07-2002, 11:15 PM

NOT!

Man use your cage if you need that kind of room!!!!!!
I ride with a backpack and credit cards.......All a man needs!

And a gun.............

Bob in Tucson · 12-08-2002, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by badbilly
So removing the brackets is something a person as mechanically limited as myself can do in a short period of time?

No. Not brain surgery, but the brackets for the hard bags change some hardware and do not come on and off quickly enough to consider doing it regularly. That's why those of us with hard bags keep the brackets on.

You can interchange any of the three different lids on the hard bags in a few minutes though, which is worth considering if you ever plan to tour.

In my view, hard bags are a real treat, and part of why I bought the bike. Like many of us, I've toured with high quality soft bags, and the hard bags are just so much better. BMW hard bags really are the standard by which others are judged.

roger albert · 12-08-2002, 08:41 AM

I'm with Rootboy and Bob,

It's a sport touring bike anyway. Way short of being a sportbike, and stickers don't change that. You might as well get the functional benefit of the bags, to go with the limitations of the beemer as a sportbike. I'd make city vs regular bags my nod towards sportiness, and enjoy them. As Bob said, you can swap lids, or, have a set of each, as I do. If you're worried about the looks, paint the lids that cool blue color on your bodywork and wheels. It could still look plenty sporty and be useful.

I've traveled light as firebolter suggests, on both a duc (not comfy) and an old airhead (not fast) but the S lets you have speed, and comfort, and utility, so why travel THAT light. Still, personal choice.
You have to make the call.

Best wishes in any event
roger

badbilly · 12-08-2002, 11:41 AM

Thanks for all the educated opines!. I may disappoint some, but what the hey I've probably done that by buying this bike in the first place!

I've always like the BMer bags. But I hadn't thought about the idea (thanx Roger) of painting the lids. Seems a decent compromise (may even paint the bracket). Later, BB

markjenn · 12-08-2002, 11:56 AM

I wouldn't take a pursit attitude to what the bike is or isn't. Equip it so you'll use it in your life - it that means a trailer hitch, then put a trailer hitch on the damn thing. I use my bike, not worship it.

IMHO, nobody makes better bags than BMW. It's a huge strength of the bike. To me the brackets, while not subtle, don't hurt the appearance at all.

I have both city and touring lids and occasionally swap back and forth, but when the day is done, the big lids are the ones that tend to stay on the bike just because they will take a helmet and being able to leave the helmet on the bike is a huge convenience when I get where I'm going. BTW, there is a super-size lid as well so you can have three lids on the bike. But you'd really have to watch lane splitting and I take pretty seriously the 17-lb weight limitation per side. I ride 100+ with the bags loaded on rough roads, and having one depart the bike would really ruin the trip.

I painted the city lids to match my bike. (Actually I bought them from someone else who did.) If you did this for a Replika, I think you'd have an incredible looking bike. Do a search for "painted lids" and you should get a hit - I posted pictures in the other thread.

- Mark

badbilly · 12-08-2002, 12:00 PM

Mark, Thanks. BB

johnty288 · 12-09-2002, 10:43 AM

I have used the RKA "system" for 4 years now without any problems. Either the expandable tank bag or seat bag will hold anything I need for commuting or short trips. For longer trips I put on the saddlebags. I used saran wrap (!) as a protector against chafing the sides. I recently bought the rubber protector from Aerostich and used that on my last trip. I agree the hard bags are nicer as far as locking and utility but I couldn't bring myself to mount them on this bike.

AdamZ · 12-14-2002, 03:44 PM

When I got the BCR a few months ago I just had the normal city lids. I was used to the RT where if your bars can get through the rest of the bike can (like a cat's whiskers).

Until I was filtering, fortunately slowely, and came to a gentle stop wedged between the cars. Got a real *****&y look from the woman on the left...

Changed to city lids but they are pop rivetted on which is a pain as I would like to swap with the full lids occaisonally so I don'y have to use a top box..

Is the plastic strong enough for bolts etc????

Dave Hopkins · 12-14-2002, 04:39 PM

Adam
I got stuck between my car and my wifes, both cars are white, bags are black = rubbing compound! Another time I pulled into a gas station and rubbed agaist one of those steel posts they put in so cages don't wipe out the pumps. Thick white paint on the bags!
Then I bought the City lids. Dealer said "BMW sells a screw kit for about $15." Go to the hardware store". (hope his boss doesn't monitor here?:-)
I went to a bolt company, for abt $5. ( I think I have the sizes right?)
8 6-32 by 3/4" stainless steel phillips head screws for the City Lids
8 6-32 by 1 1/2" stainless steel phillips head screws for when you put the big lids back on (they are thicker on the bottom)
Plus lock nuts & flat washers

badbilly · 12-15-2002, 07:45 AM

Say, BTW, I just noticed on RKA website that they have a new expandable side bag! It goes from 26 to 52 litres. Its based on their 33-litre sport bag, so it can mount with the cowling in place.

I appreciate everyones input--it seems to me, as much as I like the BMer bags, they are not quite in keeping with this model. In fact, no bags should be on it--but as my employer won't see fit to provide me with shaded parking, I have to be able to carry a cover.

Dave, Thanks for the above tips of changing lids, as I couldn't get a straight answer on how to do that. Later, BB

steve abella · 12-15-2002, 07:56 AM

Believe that the GIVI case look better IMHO and definately hold more than the city cases

buckeyeRS · 12-17-2002, 08:31 AM

Put the bags on and take the stickers off!! The first time you have to haul something that you could not otherwise haul, you will understand the BMW cases. Functional and removable.
Enjoy the bike, it is a sweet one.
-john