Tuning and modding » Pillion Seat Space w/ Topcase

Hi all, I recently added a Givi V47 to my 1200RS with the Givi adapter plate and thought, as my wife occasionally rides pillion with me, that I’d get the backrest for the topcase.

We’ve ridden with it a couple of times now, and she commented that she felt like she had less room. When you look at it, the backrest sits slightly above the rear seat, meaning a fraction of it is unusable if the pillion sits upright (like I’d imagine you should with a backrest?) If she scoots back and leans forward she can utilise the whole seat.

I’m curious if anyone else has noticed this and whether other top cases are similar? I also wondered if the Givi luggage rack would mount the whole case further back? I got the adapter plate as my bike already had the BMW luggage grid, so it seemed like the right choice.

I have had the same thought (Though currently nobody is riding pillion on my bikes). I bought a used Givi E460 which came with a backrest and got the top spray painted Imperial Blue to match bike and panniers. I took the back rest off before painting and have a couple of blanks to fit in the holes. Given that any pillion riding with me is likely to have a back protector in their jacket the back rest is really unnecessary.

Currently I am looking for something like a 15mm deep black rubber strip to mount in front of the screw holes so that a pillion jacket does not rub and damage my new topbox paint job. (If anybody has any suggestions for that purpose please do post a reply) Maybe I will just get some protective film.

Chris

Zitat von Grumpy Goat im Beitrag #3

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[quote=RKennett|p29433]Hi all, I recently added a Givi V47 to my 1200RS with the Givi adapter plate and thought, as my wife occasionally rides pillion with me, that I’d get the backrest for the topcase.

We’ve ridden with it a couple of times now, and she commented that she felt like she had less room....

I don't have to lean back much before I contact her, but she has never complained.

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we have the same prob with BMW topcase. Its really only a hassle while boarding... we both have jackets with back protector and arent exactly "svelte" as mentioned above.

but... once seated, its a non issue, and she and my son both love the backrest the top case provides.

I modded my Shad top box mounting plate to move the box back by about 2 cm for the same reason. Didn't have to do that on the GS with the same box, so maybe the RS is a little less roomy, or perhaps Shad just messed up with the rack adaptor plate that the top box mount attaches to.

If you use Givi top cases, as I do, there is a fairly simple solution to the "pillion too near the top case" problem. The RS is now my 10th BMW bike, and apart from the K1200LT, it's been a problem. It wasn't a problem on the big LT because it came from the factory with a top case, and they had made provision for it to be adjusted backwards and forwards by just one notch, but it was enough to make the difference my wife was looking for. If it wasn't for the fact that I prefer using Givi top cases, I would never have found the solution. The reason I prefer to buy Givi over BMW is simply down to cost. The 47 litre Givi V47 that I use on my RS can be bought brand new today for just under £180. The 30 litre BMW top case to fit the RS today cost's around £400 brand new, and it's 17 litres smaller than the Givi. For me personally it's a no brainer. And while I'm at it, another example is the cost of panniers. The price on eBay today for a pair BMW panniers to fit the RS is £750 brand new. A brand new pair of Givi V35 panniers can be bought from Native Viking for £239-87. If you do the maths it means you can buy 3 pairs of Givi panniers for less than I pair of BMW panniers! Therefore the question I ask myself is why am I currently looking to buy a secondhand pair of BMW panniers, which will also need repainting? Answer: I need my head testing!

Anyway, back to the top case issue. I overcame this problem with a 4mm thick mild steel plate, which I had cut to size and shape by a local metal fabrication firm. Total cost £12. I had it made to fit slightly under the size and shape of the Givi adapter plate so as not be seen, but 65mm longer at the front end to give the necessary extension. I then primed and painted the plate satin black. The plate was then drilled and bolted to the OEM rack with stainless steel bolts, nuts, washers and spacers. When marking out for the holes I positioned the plate as far to the rear of the bike as possible. I then drilled the plate again and bolted the Givi adapter plate to it, as far back as possible, using bolts, nuts, washers and spacers as before. Although the Givi adapter plate overhangs the steel plate at the back, it's not a problem. I sat on the adapter plate to test it and I weigh 12st-4lbs. When the top case was then fitted to the Givi adapter, it was 60mm further back than it would normally have been, and I gladly took the brownie points the wife was offering me! By doing this I actually killed 2 birds with 1 stone, because it meant I didn't have to use a bike specific Givi adapter plate, because I was fixing the adapter to the steel plate, not to the OEM rack on the RS. This means that any Givi adapter plate can be used! The Givi adapter I actually fitted was from a maxi scooter I had a few years back. Which means I didn't have to buy a new one! No more buying a different adapter plate when I change to a different bike.

I hope this helps anyone trying to give their pillion a bit more room and comfort at the back. I'll add some photos.

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Great idea and very neat job.

Thanks Ray. Although it can be seen in the photos, I forgot to mention that in the process the top case is raised by about 45mm, but it's not a problem.

"pillion too near the top case" problem, good heads up thanks!