Extra-Large System Case Lids

by Jeff Dean

Extra-Large Lids

BMW offers through its motorcycle dealers extra-large lids (the photo above shows them on a 2004 R1150RT-P) for System Cases.
The photo below shows the three lids available for BMW system cases. On the left is the System City Case; my favorite for around town. In the middle is the standard lid that comes with a system case. On the right is the extra-large lid; my favorite for long trips.

Once installed, the standard or city and extra-large lids can be swapped readily by removing and replacing four 4mm nuts and bolts on each saddlebag. Thus, a rider can use the extra-large lids for trips, and replace the standard or city lids for local rides.
Changing the lids, however, requires removing and replacing eight 4mm bolts and nuts with their 16 washers—a tedious and time-consuming process. Karl Kugler pondered this matter and came up with a better “mouse trap.” He calls them Kugler Klamps. You can read about and order them here. Karl claims that using his ingenious brackets you can change lids in less than five minutes.
I have installed the Kugler Klamps on my R1150RT and they work very well. Karl is obviously one very ingenious guy.

In the photo left, below, the extra-large lid is on the left side of the R1100RT, and the standard lid is on the right side. BMW claims that these lids increase the capacity of each bag by six liters. These lids include integral rubber bumper strips as well.
The photograph below right shows that an extra-large lid readily swallows a size 8¼ Bell Star XL full-face helmet—the largest helmet currently on the market.

BMW part numbers for the lids are left 71 60 7 652 735, and right 71 60 7 652 736. The retail price is $110 per lid, or $220 for a pair.