Well, the farkling has begun. I don't know if you consider a necessity a farkle. I require a tank slapping top case. Somewhere to store my helmet, laptop and camera whilst touring. With the OEM BMW side cases you have to use Original OEM brackets. So last weekend I visited my local dealer and ordered the combo sidecase/topcase bracket. They arrived a few days later and I picked them up after work on my way home
You don't get much for $400.+ these days. Just two sidecase rails and a top case rack, and decorative cover with the embedded BMW roundel
I have sidecase rails installed on my "new to me" R1200R but you cannot attach a top case to it. You have to remove your rails and replace them with the Combo rail/bracket
The bodywork on the R12 is designed with no attachment points for securing an aftermarket bracket. If I bought an aftermarket bracket from Givi or Touratech I would have to purchase new side cases, so this was actually more cost effective as it allowed me to utilize my BMW cases, which came with my "new to me" bike
I am dying to install this bracket but I moved my bikes into my alarmed garage in anticipation of taking an extended weekend away. I thought it wiser to move them off the street
I've been doing so much riding lately that I have been ignoring Mrs Skoot. I can't remember the last time we have taken a short road trip. So the past couple of days I have been getting our Chariot ready. I moved the GPS and Sirius Satellite radio over, and tonight I have given our wheels a badly needed wash
The weather is forecast to be warm, during the daytime anyway and it just feels better to drive a clean car
It is going to feel nice to feel the wind in your hair without having to wear a helmet or riding gear. Plus I don't have to wear (riding) boots . I even washed the wheels
No shoes, no problem . . . The gas tank is full, the passport is ready and we're planning to hit the highway in the morning
Enjoy the drive, nothing better than a road trip. Unless it's by Vespa.
ReplyDeleteMr Conchscooter:
Deleteactually, the only Vespa I would buy would be the P200E, the one you have, or are getting. I love the manual shifting and the lack of battery. I hope to give it a workout one day, in KW.
It's not going to be a long road trip, just a few days but it's been a while
You know that the most expensive part is the roundel. And the only cheap part of a BMW is the owner...
ReplyDeleteRichard:
DeleteI don't need many farkles, just the top box and some RAM mounts for my GPS and GoProHD, and perhaps a higher seat and highway pegs. You're probably right about the owner being the cheapest part . . .
Bob, you have paid your first Roundel Tax, it won't be the last.
ReplyDeleteDoug:
DeleteI don't need many more accessories, but I need a topcase to store my helmet. The topcase may not sport the Roundel . . .
No Roundel on the new top case?? Bob, you don't know the trouble you can get into with the Roundel Police when you mix parts like that. Late at night a black German sedan will silently drive up in front of your house, men in trendy gray and silver one piece riding suits will get out of it, you'll innocently answer a knock at your front door, and whoosh...you're off to a re-education camp to learn how to be a proper BMW owner. Widerstand ist zwecklos, werden Sie assimiliert werden!
Deletewishing you both a great time! big hugs!
ReplyDeleteMs M:
Deletethank you. We plan to just relax on the Oregon Coast. We are not shoppers but we like to see scenery. Hugs back to you, hope you are feeling better
Do you end up walking in circles with only one Croc on? I think it would effect your gait and you'd be walking around in a circle. You know, like paddling with only one oar. :-)
ReplyDeleteROFL!!!
DeleteTrobairitz:
DeleteI've never noticed, perhaps I have gotten used to it and think that's the normal way . . . and all of you are wrong
Enjoy the trip. Hope the weather stays fair for the weekend.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about a custom solution for your seat? It might come cheaper than a new one. Janice a Slims Signature Seats did magic on my seat.
I agree with you on that route option Sonja. Seems a great idea to at least talk with her about it.
DeleteSonja:
DeleteI thought about it but I want to keep the low seat in case I sell the bike to a vertically challenged owner. I want to buy the normal seat as I sat on one at PacYamBMW and it fit perfectly. There is one in Atlanta but the shipping cost is too much. If they shipped it ground/truck I would buy it
Have a great trip!!
ReplyDeleteLori:
Deletethank you, and I hope you two are having a good trip too. remember to eat lots of cake
Oh boy!!! Road trip!!!!
ReplyDeleteTroubadour:
Deleteit's been a while. the past couple of years we have been flying someplace and renting a car. I like road trips. Touring on the bike is good too
And I thought the Givi and SW Motech bags and mounts were expensive for the ZX-14! I guess that BMW Roundel tax comes with drinking the Kool-aid!
ReplyDeleteErik:
DeleteI had no choice but to buy the OEM BMW combo bracket, otherwise my side cases would have been useless. The Givi racks need Givi bags. They are kind of invisible when you detach the cases, so paying more was sort of, okay. I don't know why they just don't include all this stuff from the factory.
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun on your trip to Oregon. I do reviews www.powersportsdirectoryreviews.com you should stop by and check it out, I also have www.powersportsdirectoryservices.com looks like you would be interested.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I was wondering how much that all set you back. Farkles, no matter how utilitarian, sure ain't cheap.
ReplyDeleteKathy:
Deleteit was more or less, a one time purchase so I "bit the bullet" and just went for it. The bracket was $400. and the top case was $300., but I am happy as I needed the extra storage space for my trip next year.