Transcontinental top case lid rack

[Micp]

No worries thanks for reply, can’t find anything to assist r & r these struts. I have ordered replacements for mine from the prior info in this thread, will keep looking some more.

 

[Cheesehead]

My question is -- why the heck didn't BMW engineer and install a top case luggage rack to begin with? Was it just for aesthetics? My goodness, guess we got spoiled by our HD Ultra Ltd. My wife and I were used to taking two-week trips, which included the extra bag on the rack housing all our extra gear for changing weather conditions, but now we are confined to three smaller hard cases and NO luggage rack. Has anyone tried using a protective fabric of some kind and then using bungee cords somehow to tie down an extra bag?

 

[2021FE]

I totally understand and relate to the “frustration” of limited cargo capacity. Between the speakers in the saddlebag lids and the trunk space is limited to say the least. I think I could pack more into my two non speaker Harley hard bags than I can in the Transcontinental saddlebags and trunk combined. When traveling solo I have a dry bag that I am able to secure to the passenger pillion. When I have traveled with my wife two up in the past for just a weekend trip we had to get very creative on how to pack. Bare essentials only. I think I am going to add a trunk rack or possibly remove the factory trunk and use a Plano case on the factory trunk rack for extended trips such as my upcoming 2,400 mile journey to BMW MOA 2025 in Lebanon, TN. Something similar to what I had on my Road Glide. Pic below for reference. Having read previous posts about cracked trunk lids after installing a trunk rack I am reluctant to install a rack on a $800 replacement cost trunk cover. The Plano 14 gallon storage box holds all of my camping gear including the following: tent, tent poles, ground cover, sleeping bags, air mattress, inflatable pillow and a moving blanket. I rode for a combined 200 miles plus in the rain through Wyoming and 70 miles of that was a torrential downpour/thunderstorm and although I was wet when I arrived the contents inside the Plano box was dry. At $20 bucks I was impressed. If/when I get the Plano installed on the factory BMW trunk rack I will upload some photos.

 

[Cheesehead]

I totally understand and relate to the “frustration” of limited cargo capacity. Between the speakers in the saddlebag lids and the trunk space is limited to say the least. I think I could pack more into my two non speaker Harley hard bags than I can in the Transcontinental saddlebags and trunk combined. When traveling solo I have a dry bag that I am able to secure to the passenger pillion. When I have traveled with my wife two up in the past for just a weekend trip we had to get very creative on how to pack. Bare essentials only. I think I am going to add a trunk rack or possibly remove the factory trunk and use a Plano case on the factory trunk rack for extended trips such as my upcoming 2,400 mile journey to BMW MOA 2025 in Lebanon, TN. Something similar to what I had on my Road Glide. Pic below for reference. Having read previous posts about cracked trunk lids after installing a trunk rack I am reluctant to install a rack on a $800 replacement cost trunk cover. The Plano 14 gallon storage box holds all of my camping gear including the following: tent, tent poles, ground cover, sleeping bags, air mattress, inflatable pillow and a moving blanket. I rode for a combined 200 miles plus in the rain through Wyoming and 70 miles of that was a torrential downpour/thunderstorm and although I was wet when I arrived the contents inside the Plano box was dry. At $20 bucks I was impressed. If/when I get the Plano installed on the factory BMW trunk rack I will upload some photos.View attachment 17983

Yeah, that's some creativity right there! Not sure I have the mechanical skills (or tools) to remove my top case....I just might have to wear the same underwear for 3-4 days instead of 1-2. Ha!