BMR Products: Flatbed Luggage Rack

Review by Bob Alexander

Question: “What’s the recipe for motorcycle touring and golf?”
Answer: “Two BMWs, two sets of clubs, one hard club case, two ROK straps, and a BMR Flatbed Luggage Rack”!

Six years ago my wife convinced me to carry two sets of golf clubs on the back of my K1200LT as we ventured north on our BMWs for the weekend. With a soft club bag and lots of bungee cords, it worked, but was difficult and left a few scratches on the side bags of the LT. I knew this was going to be happening more often in the future, as my wife loves golf, and thought there must be a better way! But please…no trailer!

I can’t remember how, but that fall I stumbled upon the BMR Products website and found the Flatbed. After reviewing the description and photos, I concluded that with a hard case and a couple of ROK straps this would work. I promptly ordered the rack and received it within a week. It took about an hour to install it on the LT, because first you need to remove the top case and remount it back about an inch. There are holes on the BMW LT for doing this, and installation was easy.

Carrying clubs on the RT

It was time for a ride to your friendly golf shop where I tried various hard cases on the Flatbed. Of course people at the shop said, “you want to carry clubs on a motorcycle?” and I found a large case (shown in the picture on the RT) that fit perfectly. It appeared that it would carry two small bags and a couple pairs of shoes, so I ROK strapped it on for the ride home for further testing.

My wife was impressed when I got home and proceeded to get the clubs out. I was correct in that the case just handled the essentials for two golfing motorcyclists and was easy to load and strap on.

I used the Flatbed on the LT for the next 5 years with no problems (now it’s on an RT). The Flatbed can be removed from the bike or installed in a few minutes using the 4 thumbscrews. It’s a very sturdy unit with numerous attachment points for straps, but I found that two ROK straps worked great for the clubs or the pile of camping gear that I routinely carry as I get older. I’ve used the Flatbed for hockey gear including sticks and even a small keg of beer for BMW gatherings. The Flatbed with the ROK straps holds the load securely with no shifting, and still allows access to the side cases. Brett at BMR has done a great job designing and fabricating the Flatbed and at just over $250.00 plus shipping, it’s a steal!

“Flatbed” on Brett’s K1200LT

In the Fall of 2007 I had a dilemma. I just got back from a 10K trip out west on my KLT during which the ABS module gave up on the ride. With over 100k miles on the LT when I got home, I decided to look for a replacement Beemer and wanted to go a bit lighter, maybe the R1200RT. But before considering the RT, I went to the BMR website and was concerned that the Flatbed was not available for the RT.

I called Brett and he informed me that he was now riding his own new RT and was in the process of designing its Flatbed and was hoping it would be available for the '08 riding season. With my trust in Brett, I went ahead and purchased the RT and sold the LT. Early last Spring I began bugging him on when I could have my Flatbed? As usually there were first time fabrication delays and I finally got a call in August that it was “in the mail”! His was number 1, mine was number 2!

When it arrived, the newer one was even improved over my older Flatbed and installation was easier on the RT. Remove 4 screws and add the mounting brackets to the sides of the passenger grab handles with the supplied screws, attach the Flatbed, done. Max of ten minutes because I read the instructions.
A week later I was all loaded up with massive amounts of camping gear and headed to the Moto GP at Indy. I wouldn’t have been able to carry everything without the Flatbed.

With the new addition, BMR now makes the Flatbed for the R1200RT, K1200LT, and the R1150RT. However, by drilling a few holes in my top piece I am able to use the Flatbed on my F650GS.

We are now golfing and riding again!