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Givi Top Case on R18b

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bdalameda

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Joined
Oct 9, 2025
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234
Location
Monterey, California
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Bike
R18B
I just finished mounting a GIVI Maxia 5 top case on my R18B. I ordered the Transcontinental mount and fabricated an aluminum base plate that adapted it to the BMW mount. It turned out well and I can pop it off when I don't need it and just use the rack. This case matches quite well to the R18b styling - I was worried that it would look too modern vs the old style look of the R18B. To me it looks just fine. Now I have to figure out how to adapt the top case brake light and turn signals into the bikes wiring. I also installed the quick release electrical to the case that automatically disconnects when the case is removed. This case is substantially larger than the factory Transcontinental top case. It easily hold two full face helmets.
Finally Pics attached
.r18b.jpgr18c.jpg
 
Last edited:
laennecr said:
Pic please. Looking for something similar. Also you might consider a Hex EZCan for the Givi brake light. Will sort out the CANBus issues.
Click to expand...
I finally was able to attach photos, not sure why it did not work before.

Yes - regarding the Hex EZcan - I ordered one, seems like the best solution.

Dan
 
nicely done. if you're not riding with a pillion, this looks better than the TC top box.
 
laennecr said:
nicely done. if you're not riding with a pillion, this looks better than the TC top box.
Click to expand...
The backrest I installed was made for a Harley chopped case. It would not be too difficult to install a wrap around backrest. I hardly ever ride with a pillion and I prefer the smaller backrest as far as looks.
 
Petrus said:
why would you need more than say a 25l. roll bag when you travel solo? And any helmet can be easily secured with a minimalistic device.
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I commute on my bike. Computer bag AND helmet would fit well in a larger box plus I almost never have a pillion.
 
Petrus said:
why would you need more than say a 25l. roll bag when you travel solo? And any helmet can be easily secured with a minimalistic device.
Click to expand...
I tend to travel sometimes for weeks at a time and not very far east of me are the deserts of Nevada, Arizona and Utah so I ride in some pretty remote areas as I tend to stay off the freeways. I usually keep enough tools etc with me to take care of most problems as dealerships are few and far between especially in these remote locations. I also camp at times and carry a tent, sleeping bag and other gear. In addition I have severe obstructive sleep apnea and must sleep with a CPAP so I have a battery operated unit with spare battery. The R18B bags are small so a larger top case is important to me. If I were only riding short distances for a day or two I would not need the extra capacity.
 
@bdalameda Thanks. I get it. Also you country is só different from here. This is ancient; the ice ages never reached this far south and there was contuinuous inhabitation by humanoids from before 1m years ago.
As such the current network of settlements and infrastructure is ... well everywhere. This applies to places to stop, eat, sleep, fuel. ´Remote´ is relative here and even with the small R18 fuel capacity only the hysterical low fuel warning leads to range anxiety. Tools thus not needed either.
As such you can go for a week two up with just that a medium sized luggage roll on the carrier.

Kuddos to you btw for travelling your way 👍

p.s. Alameda is a typical inland village only 45 kms from here. It is the ´home´ of José Maria ´El Tempranillo´; a renowned bandolero. The cortijo where he was killed is pretty much as back then, unihabited now and easy to get to.
There is a museum and such in the village. There also is a cave he and his band used as hide out but sofar have not found it (yet).
 
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bdalameda said:
I just finished mounting a GIVI Maxia 5 top case on my R18B. I ordered the Transcontinental mount and fabricated an aluminum base plate that adapted it to the BMW mount. It turned out well and I can pop it off when I don't need it and just use the rack. This case matches quite well to the R18b styling - I was worried that it would look too modern vs the old style look of the R18B. To me it looks just fine. Now I have to figure out how to adapt the top case brake light and turn signals into the bikes wiring. I also installed the quick release electrical to the case that automatically disconnects when the case is removed. This case is substantially larger than the factory Transcontinental top case. It easily hold two full face helmets.
Finally Pics attached
.View attachment 19400View attachment 19401
Click to expand...
Hi B. It looks good on your R18B. I would like to install something like that. When you write Transcontinental mount, do you mean BMW Top-Case Support (Black) - R18 Transcontinental. (BMW reference: 46545A6C470). best regards, kim:-))
 
Nuller said:
Hi B. It looks good on your R18B. I would like to install something like that. When you write Transcontinental mount, do you mean BMW Top-Case Support (Black) - R18 Transcontinental. (BMW reference: 46545A6C470). best regards, kim:-))
Click to expand...
Yes that is the case rack I used. I made a top plate out of 1/4" aluminum plate that I bolted with spacers to the top of the carrier and mounted the GIVI mounting plate to that plate. I much preferred the OEM case mount vs the aftermarket Chinese made mounts that are made out of aluminum sheet. I think the aftermarket racks do not look right on the bike.
 
Nuller said:
Hi. Do you know what number and size of screws are needed for the Top Case Carrier?
Click to expand...
I do not remember the length of the bolts. I believe they are a 10mm x 1.5 thread though. I found stainless steel bolts that fit at my local Ace Hardware. It is not to hard to figure out the length you will need when you get the rack.
 
bdalameda said:
I just finished mounting a GIVI Maxia 5 top case on my R18B. I ordered the Transcontinental mount and fabricated an aluminum base plate that adapted it to the BMW mount. It turned out well and I can pop it off when I don't need it and just use the rack. This case matches quite well to the R18b styling - I was worried that it would look too modern vs the old style look of the R18B. To me it looks just fine. Now I have to figure out how to adapt the top case brake light and turn signals into the bikes wiring. I also installed the quick release electrical to the case that automatically disconnects when the case is removed. This case is substantially larger than the factory Transcontinental top case. It easily hold two full face helmets.
Finally Pics attached
.View attachment 19400View attachment 19401
Click to expand...
where did the backrest pad come from? It all looks good!
 
bdalameda said:
I just finished mounting a GIVI Maxia 5 top case on my R18B. I ordered the Transcontinental mount and fabricated an aluminum base plate that adapted it to the BMW mount. It turned out well and I can pop it off when I don't need it and just use the rack. This case matches quite well to the R18b styling - I was worried that it would look too modern vs the old style look of the R18B. To me it looks just fine. Now I have to figure out how to adapt the top case brake light and turn signals into the bikes wiring. I also installed the quick release electrical to the case that automatically disconnects when the case is removed. This case is substantially larger than the factory Transcontinental top case. It easily hold two full face helmets.
Finally Pics attached
.View attachment 19400View attachment 19401
Click to expand...
I’ve just ordered the BMW top case carrier, and about to order the maxia 5

Don’t suppose you wouldn’t mind sharing the base plate you used with the BMW carrier?

Love to get that work completed before the parts arrived.

Thanks in advance

Kent
 
Goobiwan said:
I’ve just ordered the BMW top case carrier, and about to order the maxia 5

Don’t suppose you wouldn’t mind sharing the base plate you used with the BMW carrier?

Love to get that work completed before the parts arrived.

Thanks in advance

Kent
Click to expand...
I used the Givi 251 mount and I ordered extra mount washers and bolts. I made a 1/4 inch aluminum plate that I bolted to the top of the BMW rack with spacers so the plate just rested on top of the rack. I used 8 Givi slotted washers and bolts to mount the GIVi mount to the aluminum plate. It is very solid.
 
bdalameda said:
I used the Givi 251 mount and I ordered extra mount washers and bolts. I made a 1/4 inch aluminum plate that I bolted to the top of the BMW rack with spacers so the plate just rested on top of the rack. I used 8 Givi slotted washers and bolts to mount the GIVi mount to the aluminum plate. It is very solid.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much, I don’t suppose you remember the size / dimensions of the aluminum plate? Love to get that prepped before everything arrives.

Thanks again
 
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