Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

I'm planning a wee trip around France in a few months and will need a decent top box. Had a look on the Suzuki website and found the SV top case for £124 which seems ok. It seems very handy as it just replaces the rear cowl.

If the Suzuki one isn't any good the other option is the Suzuki "top case adaptor/mounting plate". But this on its own is £56, and when you add on the price of a topbox it gets a bit pricey compared with Suzuki's box.

Is it possible to mount a box using the bolts normally used for the grab rail?



If anyone has the Suzuki top case please let me know what you think of it.:)

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Darren, you would need to buy both the top case & the adapter plate to fit it in place of your pillion seat, so it is pricey.

You can buy a Renntec rack which uses the grabrail bolts but because there's only 2 bolts its not secure enough to hold a topcase, there's a maximum load sticker on the rack, less than the weight of an empty case!

There are posts somewhere here where people have bolted cases to spare pillion seats, this is what I intend to do, I've bought a 2nd hand seat & I'm waiting for a cheap case to turn up on ebay.

Hope this helps, Jack.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Ahh I see. I thought the case had the same mounting as the seat.
That is a good idea using an old seat. I may consider that myself:smt045

Thanks for replying :)

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Are you heading round France 2 up? If not I'd just go with soft luggage, locking the helmet to the bike if and when required. But that's just me.

Hope you have a good trip, where you off and how long for?

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

I have used the full suzuki set up and it very good, keeps the weight close to your body and has very little affect on the aerodynatics until you get over 100mph, takes around 5-10mph off the top speed if i remember, dont know your idea of touring but mines not flat out everywhere.

The adapter just relaces the rear seat and grabrail and ca be removed in less than a minute. it does however scratch the rear cowel if used for prolonged periods of time.

All in all a very good set up and highly recommended it is prices but i belive the box is a givi so can be reused on other givi mounts.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

No its a solo trip. I am planning a round trip of France (anti-clockwise) possibly for three weeks so that I can take my time, depending if I can get the time off work. I've heard a lot of stories of soft luggage falling off. My soft luggage from lidl's just links under the tail using straps. And the strap's clamps don't hold a very good grip IMO. When I went to Mull with it I had to re-tighten the straps a couple of times and it was a bit of a worry.

My top speed is just a little over 100mph anyway as I'm on a restricted license. And I also enjoy taking my time sometimes when touring and taking in some of the scenery.
If the adaptor replaces the rear seat then how can it scratch the rear cowl ?

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Found Oxford panniers are secure as a rock and would do you for a 3 week trip, but then again I can see some advantages of chucking things into a top box if you are off for 3 weeks.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

The suzuki one has had rave reviews from customers that have bought them. Mainly being its more secure on the bike than soft luggage and also as mentioned, some case put the box behind the centre of the rear wheel which when loaded can make the bike weave a bit..this one sits where a pillion would so no ill affects at all. I understand the box is made by Givi and rebranded for Suzuki.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

It is actually bigger than the rear seat it fits in the seat area but extended over the rear cowel (towards the back) to accomodated for the size of the topbox, there is a rubberised seal thing but it must gather dust and dirt. I used the box for a good 12k before it was noticable.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Decent soft luggage won't fall off. In fact, have you considered just using a bungy net? That, a bin bag, and a rucksack leaves you with quite a useful pillion mounted bag. It's super cheap and will be easier to carry off the bike! I've done prolonged motorway miles with that and it's fine.

However, the main difference with hard luggage is the extra security. If you plan to visit lots of places and leave stuff on the bike then I think it is a good idea.

Finally, one good trick I saw is to have a light chain or wire lock that you can thread through the arms of your jacket and drape around the tank, locking it round the head stock. That, plus a chain/wire lock for your lid should be better than lugging both around.


Have fun on your trip!

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

You have a good point, on my other bke which i have toured on as well, i didnt have a topbox just a oxford tailpack and a pacsafe helmet bag which cost £40, keeps the lid safe, out of the sun and dry. TBH i rountily leave low value stuff in my tailpack in town, havent had any problems yet. Hard luggage is definaley nicer to use, drier and more secure but does cost the extra. I wouln't have used a topbox if it hadnt been for the rear seat adaptor.

In the end the trips the key bit, you could take a rucksack and still have fun.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Do you think it is possible to fit all the stuff I'll need in to Suzuki's top case? Or will I need a tank bag too?

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

How waterproof is the official suzuki top box? Is it "motorcycle waterproof" (as in "lasts half an hour in a light drizzle before it starts leaking) or is it really waterproof (as in, 5 hours in driving rain and it's still dry as a bone inside)?

I may well get one if I stay at my current job- I hate having to use soft luggage all the time and after finding I lack the guts to filter hard in london when using panniers, have decided I will probably go for the top box.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

I have Oxford Sport panniers, and a 1st tail pack. All if fitted correctly will more than happy saty attached to the SV. Ive had mine happily on there at illegal speeds for prolonged periods with no issues. Its only when you dont use the bungees etc, and dont put one of the straps under the seat cowl is when it goes wrong. Soft lugguage is the way to go with DrySac( i think they are called (Or bin Bags)) bags inside.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

I'll second that properly fitted soft luggage with the contents in bin bags is perfectly functional. If you need to leave the bike with valuable stuff (laptop etc.) it can be a bit of pain though. The main reason I think I'll probably get a top box is that when I'm away with work I have to carry a rucksack with my valuables in it, rather than being able to lock them in the top box. Seems a minor point and to begin with, didn't bother me, but over time it has gotten more and more annoying for me. Yesterday it came to a head when I was using soft panniers rather than my usual tankbag/rucksack combo. I had to put the panniers on, 2 mile ride to the hotel, undo the panniers, take them with me. Finished, getting ready to go home, I put the panniers back on the bike. Just about to ride off, realise they're not on properly, take them off, put them back on again, etc. at home, I had to take them off again and dry them in front of the fire. All in all, I must of spent the best part of half an hour loading and unloading. With a top box, it'd be 2 minutes tops.

I prefer panniers to top boxes (not least for the aesthetics, but also the handling) and had been considering getting some decent hard lockable panniers instead. I found yesterday that I'm not prepared to sacrifice the filtering ability though.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

How big is it? I have a 45 litre Givi, it takes everything I need with plenty of room for more!

Matt

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Yep I've tested the Oxford sport panniers up to 115 mph (indicated) on the German autobahns, they were secure.

As was a bungy net with my one piece waterproof and winter gloves under it.

But I can see the practicalities of a Top Box.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

The suzuki site says: 38 litre capacity. Max load 7kg

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

With carefull packing it not a problem, not taking big shoes and big towels reduces the size massivley, really think about what you need to take, you will find you can travel comfotabley with very little, minituare tolitries save loads of space as well.

Mine has always been completley waterproof providing its not overloaded, if you have to much the lid down because its full it changes the shape of the box slighly and means the seal will leak in wetter weather.


Can say there has been a lot more than 7kgs in it probaly more like 15-20 for thousands of miles and no probs



My experience of using both to travel and commute is that hard luggage is just better, more like a boot of car as such rather than a bag. One important note is that a tox box is only as big as it says, you can squash odd shapes, into bags not top boxes.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Sorry to dig up an old thread guys but it was either this or startt a new one.

just a question about the Top case adaptor official suzuki one. does this just click into place like the seat cowl/ rear seat??

if so how solid is it?

thanks in advance

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

As solid as the seat does - uses the same fixing points.

It then has to carry LESS than the seat - most pillions weigh more than the 20kg mentioned before in the thread :)

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

It secures into the same locking mechanism as the pillion seat, then screws on tightly, using 4 screws.

If you are considering it Robinsons Foundry sell the adaptor for £30, less than most Suzuki dealers. Iv'e got the topbox too and am impressed with the quality.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/sh...0D0-16G60.html

link.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

It has 4 bolts holding it down. 2 in the grab rail mounts and 2 in the tail fairing mounts at the front. It's solid

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

If you can get it screwed down-one of the ones nearest the tail on my bike won't thread properly, just spent a good half hour think I need a new screw!:confused:

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

thanks for the quick replies,

how easy is it to take on and off. reason i ask is that i probably wouldnt use it all that often so would put the seat cowl back on when not in use.

do u need to buy a base plate for the tob box then or will it snap straight onto the adaptor?

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

I have just got hold of a Givi E450N and bolted the mounting plate to a spare rear seat. At the moment everything looks secure enough but I haven't had chance to roadtest it yet. It seems a cheaper alternative to the Suzuki mounting plate but possibly not as secure as it relies on the seat fixings to hold it secure. Mind you, if it can take an adult then surely a top box full of kit should be OK.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

To take it off you need to remove the four bolts so remember to take out your tool kit and put it in the top box in case of emergency's
You just need the top box and adaptor

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

great stuff. thanks guys

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...l/DSCF6891.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...DSCF6892-1.jpg

A couple of pics of mine fitted.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

thanks for those, first 1 threw me a bit, bike in the background confused me :smt040 you'd reccomend it then? would it be worth colour coding it? yu7 red

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Hmmm, after looking at the genuine Suzuki one fitted I actually think mine looks neater.
Also, the box is further forward so doesn't come anywhere near contacting the plastics.
I will try and add a piccy soon.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Here's some piccies of a Givi E450N with the base plate bolted to a spare rear seat.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...0/RIMG0102.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...0/RIMG0099.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...0/RIMG0100.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...0/RIMG0097.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...0/RIMG0096.jpg

As you can see, everything seems to fit nicely and doesnt look too bad either. The big plus is that it takes seconds to take everything off and put the cowl or a rear seat back on.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

At first when you said you diy'd it I thought ohdear. But that looks top notch, now I've seen that compared to the suzuki one I prefer yours. 10/10 for that FG1.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Here's a side on view so you can see how much room the box takes up, not a lot eh !!

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...0/RIMG0107.jpg

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

Seems pretty joey to me. There's not a lot holding that down. Just a stick of plastic and the two metal lock studs. The pillion seat is designed to be sat on. Not forced backwards and side to side by the topbox moving about in the wind and cornering

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

I would imagine that the wind factor would be pretty negligable as it's directly behind me but you could possibly have a point with the weight moving around. I reckon that as long as I give a bit of thought to how I pack the box then I should be ok with the weight issue. As there wouldn't be much leverage on the box I reckon it will be fine.
I will let you know if I have issues after it is loaded up.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

As long as it's locked down solid I don't see a problem. No matter what top box you fit and how you mount the adaptor plate, all it relies on is 'Just a stick of plastic and the two metal lock studs'

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

That's easily the neatest solution I've ever seen, well done. It makes the genuine Suzuki one look positively amateurish and lego-like.

Re: Suzuki's SV Top Case
 

The suzuki one has four bolts that secure the mounting plate directly to the subframe