Rear luggage systems for Gladius - need more ideas!

Hi all,

I've had my Gladius since October (first big bike) and I need to get some luggage for it so I can go away without carrying a heavy rucksack. I've done a bit of research into all rear luggage options (already have the Suzuki magnetic tank bag) and still haven't found anything I'm happy with, so I thought I'd list the options here in the hope that someone can point out something I've missed! (At least there is Gladius specific kit on the market now, there wasn't when I got the bike). My criteria are that I want to be able to secure the luggage closed and to the bike, and be able to transport kit for a weekend away camping and hiking (e.g. tent, sleeping bag, walking boots, clothes, stove, food - minimum of 40 litres should hopefully do it). I'm in the UK, but most systems seem to have UK distributers so that's not too much of an issue.

I know there are other threads on luggage and I have read through a few but although they gave me a few extra options I still haven't found what I want/need. Also maybe the research I've done so far will be useful to other! Apologies if this is in the wrong forum, I toyed with putting it under 'reviews' but it didn't seem to quite fit there.


** GIVI **

SR121 rack, can fit any monokey box, for example the V46l. However the rack has a maximum carrying capacity of 6kg, and I believe the box itself is 4kg, leaving 2kg to play with. This definitely wouldn't allow me to take all the kit I need!

COST. Rack £94.99, V46l topbox £197.99, total £292.98 (prices from mad4bikes)

There's also the pannier option, using the PLX540 pannier holders with the V35 panniers. I can't find a load capacity for these but I believe it's higher. It's a more expensive system though, and I've only budgeted for £250-£300.

COST. Holder £163.99, panniers £274.99, total £438.98 (prices from mad4bikes)


** SW Motech **

It is possible to buy a their alu-rack rack instead of a Givi one (and still fit monokey or other boxes with the appropriate adapter plate),
however the maximum load capacity of the rack is 5kg, which is even lower.

COST. Alu-rack £111.63, monokey plate £22.33, shipping £4.99, total £138.95 minus box (prices from www.motorbikesandparts.co.uk) or £336.94 with Givi V46l box

They also do a pannier rack.

COST. Quick-lock evo side carrier 199.95€ / £167.80, adapter plate £16, plus Givi panniers £274.99, total £458.79 (more expensive than Givi)


** Renntec **

The Renntec rack only takes a box up to 26l, which isn't big enough for what I need.

COST. Carrier £69.50. Tech top box 26l £29.99, total £99.49


** Suzuki **

Suzuki provide a rack and top box (no panniers), but it's only 30l and I don't think this would be big enough for what I need.

COST. Top case rack 99000-99074-A23 £137.81, adapter plate 990D0-99999-075 £14.84, 30l top case 990D0-K3000-000 £576.25, top case insert 990D0-K30TC0-xxx £42.40, total £252.30


** Kappa and JC Whitney **

Provide cheaper Givi-like top boxes but still have the problem of the load capacity of the rack you choose


** Ventura **

This is a nice setup, and the luggage can be turned around to sit on the pillion seat when you're not taking a passenger, and can also be work as a rucksack off the bike. However, although all packs have D-rings so that you can lock them up or lock them to your bike, you need to provide your own padlock and I don't feel this system would be as secure. I'm not sure of the maximum load either, I'm waiting to hear back from them.

COST. L-brackets £99.99, pack rack £59.98, 51l Aero-Spada VII pack (or other pack) £99.99, shipping 8.75, total £268.71 (slightly cheaper from MCN)


** Oxford **

Don't provide anything lockable


** Bags-connection (American) **

Do soft luggage, not lockable


** Touratech **

Don't think they do a rack


** Dowco **

Lockable soft luggage but I think they're all tail packs


** Hepco & Becker **

Looks more expensive than their Givi stuff but couldn't find much information on it except fitting instructions on their website


** Krauser **

Can't find much information on this

So in short, everything is either too weak, too expensive (over £300, ouch), or too insecure, or I can't find information on. Any ideas?!?

Cheers,
Sarah

I think you've pretty much covered all the types there

Couple of thoughts though from experience on what you've listed:

Givi - Had the the Givi 'arms' and a 45 litre top box. Plus points, the box was huge and could fit loads in and was lockable obviously, so good for leaving stuff on the bike and it being pretty secure. Bad points, it looked rubbish, I couldn't get the 'arms' and the fittings that secure it to the grabrail to stay put resulting in a damaged grabrail,marks on the rear seat panels and coming back from the AR last year one of the fittings worked loose and fell off completely (luckily 2 mins from home so I found it and not 100 miles away). It also made quite a noticeable difference to the riding experience. Mainly you could feel the bike being slowed down by wind etc and it really did feel heavier. If I was to have a top box again I wouldn't go for one above 30 litres personally.

Renntecc - Replaced the above with one of their racks and use a dry bag/roll bag to put camping stuff in and cargo net/bungee that to the rack. Looks better and doesn't affect the bike as much as the above. Downside, it isn't lockable and therefore not secure to leave it on the bike whilst away from it.

If I was going down the top box route again I would probably get the SW Motech rack as it looks better and doesn't need the GIVI arms as it replaces the grabrail on the SV (not sure if same on the Gladius). Quite expensive though!

I would like the Ventura set up, but for what it is, I can do the same with the Renntecc rack for less money. i.e. tent stuff on the rack and a tail bag on the seat.

Buy a spare seat off ebay and screw a top box to it. cheapest way. I've done it permantly to my SV which i use for commuting and i have a seat with a base plate attached for my CB1000r so i can use a box when camping rallying on that

Thanks for your input, useful stuff.

I'm not sure what the givi 'arms' are but I think the fitments for the SV are quite different than the SFV. For example, the givi topbox rack for an sv doesn't list any maximum load but for the Gladius it's quite clear it can't take more than 6kg.

I'm now wondering if you can get lockable saddlebags as I haven't looked into those. Can still take a pillion that way.

Originally Posted by Tox

However the rack has a maximum carrying capacity of 6kg

Seriously? That can't be right. My soft panniers, held on with velcro, can take more than that.

Originally Posted by Tox

Thanks for your input, useful stuff.

I'm not sure what the givi 'arms' are but I think the fitments for the SV are quite different than the SFV. For example, the givi topbox rack for an sv doesn't list any maximum load but for the Gladius it's quite clear it can't take more than 6kg.

I'm now wondering if you can get lockable saddlebags as I haven't looked into those. Can still take a pillion that way.

The arms are the long metal parts that run down each side of the bike and hold the top box plate and top box. On the SV they are bolted to the rear footpegs and also have 2 holders that bolt onto the grabrail.

Originally Posted by Woz

Seriously? That can't be right. My soft panniers, held on with velcro, can take more than that.

My top box had a recommended loading of only 3kg and was a GIVI top box.

I would also try ebay for the top box at least. My 45 litre was only £45 and was pretty much as new.

Yup, seriously. See top item here, the SR121.

Mr uk1 - it's the rack that has the restriction. The box (V46) can take 10kg but no good if the rack underneath it can't, which is the problem here.

I've looked on eBay, trouble is this stuff is all pretty new. The most expensive item is the V35 panniers and they're only £5 cheaper on eBay as they're new - they're the only monokey pannier (and the only givi pannier specific to the Gladius!)