what topbox to get

Originally Posted by 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.

A new thread for the below?

Originally Posted by Baph

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.'

Originally Posted by Baph

Weekend warrior 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

Originally Posted by Twinny

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

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?

[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.

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]

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 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.



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).

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

none

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

+1