Givi top case or factory?

[waylap]

I need to add a top case to an 04 1150RT and have previously used a factory top case for it, but I need to purchase a new one for passenger back rest and storage for 3-4 day trips. Can anyone tell me if the Givi top cases are better, which model and best website to get a good price? Also does the rack it sits on ruin the looks of the bike when the top case isn't on?

[flash412]

BMW sells poorly designed custom-fit luggage at overly expensive prices. Givi sells great generic-design luggage for very reasonable prices. Your money, your choice. If it is about the look, buy the BMW. If it is about the function, buy the Givi.

I've never heard of a Givi saddlebag or top case falling off or breaking. I've heard of PLENTY of BMW ones doing that. Almost everyone with BMW cases on an F650 has had the plastic mounting tabs break off. Several folks have had BMW topcases that they THOUGHT were attached turn up missing at the end of a ride or commute.

The last BMW saddlebag I will ever buy passed me on a bumpy downhill approach to a stop sign when the pot metal latch that attached it to the bike broke.

There are many better luggage solutions for a lot less money than the BMW option, unless you feel that having a roundel on the product and a custom-integrated look is the most important thing.

[waylap]

Thanks for the information. I had no idea the factory case were coming off like that. The most important factor I'm considering is the secureness of the case as it will be the backrest for my daughter on our trips together.

[username]

i've got a buddy with both, and he prefers the Givi. the BMW top case has a bunch of weird interior contours, and the Givi is one big nice cavity. i've also got a Givi, a V46.

i foudn that buying top cases is like buying a television. decide which one you think is the right size, then buy the next size up. I worried that the e46 would look too big on the back of my bike (r1150r) but with the side bags and me on the thing, and the occasional duffle/roll bag on the passenger seat, it doesn't look big at all.

this bike on the right is a bike with an e46 on it...

http://www.leetonium.com/rut/rut_64.jpg

here's my bike with the same model top case...

http://www.leetonium.com/leakey_606/leakey606_10.jpg

and here is a shot of the BMW top case. see how it has that higher section in the middle? and then on the sides, it drops down around the luggage rack, like mini saddle bags. technically, that's all "volume" but you can only fit little stuff in there. the givi bag gives you more flexibility.

http://www.leetonium.com/rut/rut_07.jpg

and of course it can be painted to look like it came with your bike. :thumb

hope this helps.

[PAULBACH]

You can add an electric reflector kit to GIVI for additional visibility.

The Givi are easily removed and the appearance is fine.

Buy what best suits the pocketbook.

[HexST]

Here is great site for Givi stuff
www.rlmotorcycles.com/home/

[BMWDEAN]

No doubt the Givi holds more and is more flexible.

But to me, being generic, they just don't look right on a BMW.

As was noted above, if you want volume and flexibility, the Givi is hard to beat unless you prefer the more integrated look of the BMW top case. You know, <a href=http://www.houseoflyrics.com/lyrics/bruce_cockburn/you_pay_your_money_and_you_take_your_chance.html>"You Pay Your Money And You Take Your Chance"</a>.

[Paul_F]

Also does the rack it sits on ruin the looks of the bike when the top case isn't on? The rack without the case is unobtrusive. No it does not ruin the look of the bike. If I wanted to tie something on the seat and rack, it would be an easier fit than my former BMW rack.When I look inside the large looking BMW top cases, I am always surprised at how small they are on the inside when I open the tops. My 50 litre Givi, always looks far more spacious than any Beemer top case I've seen.

The Givi case comes off very easily. It opens and locks with one hand. It feels very secure when on the bike. Mine easily packs my backpack camera bag and helmet plus a few miscellaneous items or I can fold my (summer) riding pants and jacket plus a few miscellaneous items into it. Mine cost about half of a BMW case.

No doubt the Givi holds more and is more flexible. But to me, being generic, they just don't look right on a BMW.
I'd have to agree. My Givi top case just didn't look right on my K100RT for the first hour or so. Then it just seemed to be a perfect fit for my eyes. Having said that, I did see a bike in Vermont with two Givi side cases, and they really didn't look right (in my humble opinion).

You'll have to decide how it will look on your bike.

[GlobalRider]

Best website to get a good price?

Try...

Twisted Throttle (http://www.twistedthrottle.com), where I bought my GiVi E52 Maxia, or California Sport Touring (http://www.casporttouring.com).

I like the BMW luggage because of the solid feel, but I find that way too much space is wasted due to the unnecessarily complicated latching system.

I have BMW System Cases with a GiVi E52 Maxia top case atop a custom stainless steel mounting plate that I made.

[waylap]

Thanks again to all of you for the replies. I love this site almost as much as riding BMW's. I've decided and ordered the Givi Maxia 52 liter with brake light in matte black to (sort of) match the matte black system cases and black bike. The real point for me is funtion and price beat out the factory top case. I've always been a perfectionist in organization and things matching but the Givi wins this one for me and it looks plenty nice even without a roundel. I'd rather have all the gear than a perfectly matched set. What was BMW thinking with only a silver top case for the newer RT's? Oh well, no matter , I'm keeping my 04 for a long time..... but don't quote me.

[JimMoore]

Good choice. The GIVI stuff is fantastic.

[PAULBACH]

Good choice. After the first day or two you could care less and the rest of the world won't even notice. For my money the electric feature trumps all - added safety.

If that BMW luggage did not have the roundel on it - I doubt if very much would be sold.

[hlothery]

Love my BMW large topcase.....no complaints in 19K miles of use. Looks nice, was large enough for my two-up 2900 mile trip in July (or two full faced helmets). Keyed to bike, works exactly like side cases. Love it. Had to go out and look.....had never noticed the roundel----cool! (Tongue firmly in cheek!) :laugh

[FredRydr]

Aftermarket Givi cases look odd to me, like flying saucers, and for some reason their mounting system fits them too far out from the bike.

Fred

[wmubrown]

I bought my first Givi trunk around 1997, before they had a US distributor (they were setting one up in New Jersey). My K100's topcase (22L piece of crap) sailed off my bike one morning during my trip into work. I never did find it. I was told a new one would be $380 <<gaakkkk!!>> So I did some searching and found Givi and ordered one through my dealer. They only had one color, and two models, I went with the 50L. LOVED it! It's still in use to this day, but not by me any longer. I am convinced it's the most useful addition to my bike... I've added one to each BMW since. I think they look just fine, color matched is even better - though the current silver Givi looks pretty good on my green/blue/silver K1100LT:

http://robietech.com/johnbrown/2006%20alaska/alaska_019.jpg