BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I recently purchased a 2021 RT. I want a top box so I ordered one along with the bike. Unfortunately it is on back order and the fact I’m 600 km from the dealer means I have to have it shipped to me and I’ll install it. I can’t find a manual or if there is more required to install. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

There are some top case installation instructions within the Rider's Manual which should come with the bike.

It’s in my manual. Good luck. Not so hard really.

Ok, I was looking through some literature about it and it says it should be installed by a dealer. I get that usually means a bunch of b.s. as like most I intend to do most of my own maintenance. FYI, I do own a GS-911 for my 1000 XR.

This video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg5Lhk023_c shows how to remove and re-install the top case on a K1600GTL, I believe it's the same procedure for an R1250RT.

It's easy to install - feeding the cable through the plastic to the connector is made easier if you remove the grey plastic piece at the front (i.e. bike side) of the luggage rack - just 2 screws.

Will the top box have its own key and will the central locking function work with it?

It will have its own key - since you ordered it with the bike I guess it is possible. although I suspect unlikely, that someone will have keyed it to match the bike key.  If it is different then it's easy enough to re-key the barrel to match yours.


The central locking will work provided you connect the cable to the connector at the rear, underneath the pillion seat.

I assume there are tutorials on how to perform the barrel and if I need to order parts.

There are some useful Youtube videos showing how to do it.  You won't know if you need to order any wafers until you find out which ones are present in the current configuration and which ones you need for the new configuration.  If you're lucky you won't need any.  Mine only had 2 of the 3 types I needed so I bought some more.  I don't know if you can get them separately but I just ordered a whole kit at about £25.


To remove the barrel from the 49l top box you just need to unscrew the screws holding the plastic cover over the assembly and then push something up the hole to press in the end wafer which holds the barrel in.  I used a straightened paper clip to do that.

Hors Piste wrote: It will have its own key - since you ordered it with the bike I guess it is possible. although I suspect unlikely, that someone will have keyed it to match the bike key.  If it is different then it's easy enough to re-key the barrel to match yours.


The central locking will work provided you connect the cable to the connector at the rear, underneath the pillion seat.

If it was keyed to your bike, then it will work with the central locking, and the hard key on your fob will work with it. Your manual has instructions to remove/replace the box. The box should arrive with a small cable clip that bolts in place under the rear seat which you have to move forward to connect the cable.


Now, I ordered my box for the 2020 1250 subsequent to purchasing the bike and had it keyed to match. BUT, the lock barrel was separate and I had to install that myself. Here is a video that I found useful.


https://youtu.be/ZU6Sn_6Ge8M

Hors Piste wrote:There are some useful Youtube videos showing how to do it. To remove the barrel from the 49l top box you just need to unscrew the screws holding the plastic cover over the assembly and then push something up the hole to press in the end wafer which holds the barrel in.

Fast forward to 16:40 in this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mygeTPWUhqY

Ultra54 wrote: I assume there are tutorials on how to perform the barrel and if I need to order parts.

I believe you should have had a spare barrel with the bike for fitting to a top box. It might be the case that the dealer has held on to it to fit to the case when it comes in, I've had that happen before

Thank goodness for this forum as the dealer is horrible as far as communication is concerned. I’ll just roll the dice and see what comes with it. For 2k I hope it has this extra barrel. Thanks to all for your guidance.