what topbox to get

[wow]

I'm planning on buying a new SV650(unfaired) as with the 0% finance it seems so much easier than finding a used one you like.

Going to use my bike for commuting and need to look at getting a topbox. Want to get a givi one but have no idea what size or anything. Think I might get it through the dealer when I buy the bike. Think they spoil the look of a bike but am getting one because it's practical. So do want it to fit the bike (not too big). Is 35 litres a good size? Does my helmet fit into one of them? Is that a mono-rack? and mono topbox?? I don't know i'm new to the world of topboxes.

Anything else which is useful to know?

And in general what could I ask them 'to throw in for free' when I go and buy the bike?

[SoulKiss]

none

even a bin-bag bungied to the pillion seat is better than a top-box

and dont listen to Alpinestar Hero

[petevtwin650]

I believe that you can get an OEM rack that goes on instead of the rear seat. Great idea IMO. If you went with that option it might limit the size of your box :smt103:smt103

[wow]

I want to keep my rear seat (for luggage space for touring), also my leg will get stuck. So just looking for the 'normal' set up.

[Twinny]

Anything thats not wider than you or the bike, that way effects filtering 0%

Top box are great idea ,im a central london courier and its essential for me,but i don't see wat the big deal is? givi monokey have a 1 button release so when u do go rideing for fun its removed in about 5 seconds?

Don't listen to these weekend warriors to much ;) ,much better than carrying on ur back , or side panniers which fall apart after wacking cars/lorries after a while :p

Givi are proberly the best, kappa sligthly cheaper and good to, but i would go with givi , very hard wearing stuff

[wyrdness]

If you want 35 litres capacity for commuting without spoiling the look of your bike, then how about a Kriega (http://kriega.com) R35 rucksack instead?

http://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product.asp?ProductID=530

[Mogs]

Think they spoil the look of a bike but am getting one because it's practical.

And in general what could I ask them 'to throw in for free' when I go and buy the bike?

I understand where your comming from. The practical outweighs the aesthetics (sp?) I had one years ago when I went to college and I needed it.

The best things to ask for are items that may cost you a fair bit but the dealer very little. If you ask for a top box, you may get him to agree but not give you the choice of type, you could end up with the worse type that you find bolted on the the rear of a scooter. Asking him to fit one for free is another matter. You could ask him for a secure Tax holder, a tank pad or discount (25%) on kit when bought at the same time as the bike.

[Baph]

Don't listen to these weekend warriors to much ;) ,much better than carrying on ur back , or side panniers which fall apart after wacking cars/lorries after a while :p


Weekend warrior :lol: I commute too, and my bike sees more mileage a month than most do in a year!

I still think top boxes are horrid, but it's horses for courses. Personally, I'd just live with stuff strapped to the pillion seat (and have done that countless times).

If you want 35 litres capacity for commuting without spoiling the look of your bike, then how about a Kriega (http://kriega.com) R35 rucksack instead?

http://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product.asp?ProductID=530

Please never ever ever ever strap anything hard to your back, even if you wear a back protector. The result of falling off the bike with a hard object strapped to you (eg, laptop) really isn't worth thinking about.

The only case I can think of that warrants a topbox, is a student type that NEEDS to carry large binder files etc (aka, Alpinestarhero)

[wyrdness]

Please never ever ever ever strap anything hard to your back, even if you wear a back protector. The result of falling off the bike with a hard object strapped to you (eg, laptop) really isn't worth thinking about.

My kriega normally contains gym kit, towel, jeans and packed lunch. I leave my trainers at work.

[wow]

Don't want to spoil your fun but perhaps it's worth setting up another thread for the pros and cons of rucksacks and the aesthetics of a topbox. Been there seen it all on forums.

I'm simply asking for advice on a topbox. Have made the choice already. Hope you understand. Thanks to everyone who has answered my question. Also to the person who has PMed me with advice.

[Baph]

Don't want to spoil your fun but perhaps it's worth setting up another thread for the pros and cons of rucksacks and the aesthetics of a topbox. Been there seen it all on forums.

A new thread for the below?

I still think top boxes are horrid, but it's horses for courses.

...

The only case I can think of that warrants a topbox, is a student type that NEEDS to carry large binder files etc (aka, Alpinestarhero)

Please accept my apologies for replying to others in the same thread using a single post, and for expanding on the subject at hand. I passed no comment on your personal decision, as I'm not aware of your personal situation.

As for understanding, perhaps it's worth me reiterrating, 'horses for courses.':rolleyes:

[Twinny]

Weekend warrior :lol: I commute too, and my bike sees more mileage a month than most do in a year!

I still think top boxes are horrid, but it's horses for courses. Personally, I'd just live with stuff strapped to the pillion seat (and have done that countless times).



Please never ever ever ever strap anything hard to your back, even if you wear a back protector. The result of falling off the bike with a hard object strapped to you (eg, laptop) really isn't worth thinking about.

The only case I can think of that warrants a topbox, is a student type that NEEDS to carry large binder files etc (aka, Alpinestarhero)


what happens when it rains? (which it does mostly)cover it in plastic bags strapped to the back of ur bike? that'll look much better than a topbox lol :p

[Baph]

what happens when it rains? (which it does mostly)cover it in plastic bags strapped to the back of ur bike? that'll look much better than a topbox lol :p

Covering distances on the bike, if I'm taking the laptop with me, it's always in a black binbag (be that on the pillion seat, or in the tank bag if there's sufficient room).

Black bin bags, on a black pillion seat, with black bungee nets...

Anyhow, doesn't this qualify as discussing the aesthetics of topboxes? ;) :rolleyes:

[embee]

I use a top box on the Deauville for touring.

Givi are excellent, you won't find better. Be aware there are basically 2 ranges, the Monolock intended mainly for smaller/slower machines, and Monokey for bigger/faster bikes. The fitting methods onto the rack-plate are different, so are not interchangeable.

I actually have 2 boxes at the moment, an E35 which is a slim 35 lt box (discontinued I think) which will just take one full face helmet nicely, barely wider than the seat, and I've recently got a big Maxia E52 (52 lts) which will take 2 helmets, fishing rods, kitchen sink etc. ;)

Get the biggest you think you can live with, there's always a temptation to put just a bit more stuff in one.

They hold their prices pretty well on flea-bay unfortunately, but it's worth watching to see what comes up. I've seen people pay within about ?15 of new price for some, typical auction madness.

[Mike2165]

I got one recently from ebay, bit big, 45 litre one and a Rentec rack, but I do intend going to Spain later this year so I thought I'd get a fair size one, Givi box was £69

[northwind]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/Northwindlowlander/End%20of%20season%20run/IMG_0057.jpg

Have to admit I'm not totally impressed by the Givi brackets, there's a definate weak spot on the back bracket, so I don't put a lot of weight into it usually- i've got a spare pillion seat with some ally tubes bolted on which I use to carry heavier stuff. Topboxes are ace... Especially with go faster stripes :mrgreen: What a difference it makes when touring to never worry about your gear, whether the tailpack has dropped off or leaked... And it's just a wee bit more secure too (though don't kid yourself, it's not going to stop a determined thief, the locks are feeble- but it could put off an opportunist.) You can buy a rack base fairly cheaply, and bolt that to a pillion seat, if you want to save a little but it makes it a pain to get on and off the bike...

Mine is, I think, 42 litres. Bit of an awkward shape, it'll hold a lid but only just and only if it's in just the right spot. I'll probably get myself a Maxia before summer, and maybe a smaller one as well for day to day use, these big 'uns are a pain in traffic. Is the Maxia still the biggest? It's huge, I know that much.

[embee]

The E52 Maxia is the biggest as far as I know.

It's not monstrously huge, I mount them forward over the pillion seat since I only ever use it solo. It more or less gets rid of the rudder effect. Image shows the E35.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh268/Hi-vis/IMG_2699.jpg

I managed to get a Maxia with a silver lid to match the DV, I dropped in to the local Hondy dealer just on spec and they happened to have a silver lid which had a couple of slight marks on it, so I got it for the price of a black one (coloured lids are stupidly expensive).

[sv-robo]

none

even a bin-bag bungied to the pillion seat is better than a top-box



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