I just finished the project of fitting passenger handles and a luggage rack from K1200R to my K1200s. I will now be able to carry a passenger and a roll bag on the s instead of one or the other. And yes, I do have the factory side cases, but recently on a long trip two up I needed more space. The back seat without the luggage rack had to hold a roll bag and my wife. Not as comfortable as she had hoped for.
Thanks to all who helped, either with parts or advise.
The pics are just quick ones from my phone. I will take better ones soon if anyone is interested.
It was pleasantly easier than I thought it would be.
I bought the k1200r grab handles and the luggage rack from another forum member. They are a direct bolt up replacement for the s handles even though they are a different shape.
The hard part is getting the courage to modify the painted side panels. I tried to find some used ones hoping someone had replaced theirs with carbon fiber or something. No luck, so I bit the bullet and slowly with a dremel tool and a sanding bit(small drum shaped) I removed a little at a time. I held it up to the handle and marked it, removed a little and marked it, again and again until I had a shape I was ok with that fit the handles. Then I used that one to mark the other one and slowly repeated the process.
I was not happy with the gap left from the combination of the original holes and the new ones in the side panels. You could easily see the sub frame rails and other stuff under the seat. Not pretty. Before I started, I bought a k1200r rear section from another forum member not knowing if I would need it or not. I am glad I did. Even though it was different and I did not use it as a replacement, I did use it in a different than intended way.
I cut the sides from the tail piece from the R as it had factory cut holes to match the handles now in place on the s. I then removed the grab handles again and added these cut pieces sliding the rear behind my tail piece and the handles thru holes and the front ended up behind the side panels when put back on. It took a few tries to get it to cover and look the ok. After taking them off and switching them around a few times I was happy with the look but could not say for sure if they are on the right sides or upside down or not. The goal was just to have the factory looking black plastic covering stuff that was left exposed. The result is the larger holes that were somewhat of an eyesore were now no smaller but less of an eyesore with the black panels covering the sub frame rail and other unsightly stuff.
I could have spent less buying the aftermarket version that some recommended, I just wanted to try for the factory look. It may not look perfect, but I am ok with the final result and I am the one making the bike payment on it so I guess that is all that matters. Also I ride about 50% of the time with the side cases on anyway minimizing what is visible at a glance.
looks like you did a pretty decent job judging from the pictures. i wish BMW would add a tail rack to the "S" because i would buy one ASAP. i'm not sure what BMW's rational is for not having a tail rack on the "S". probably the same stupid rational for not adding cruise control as an option
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