► Hard luggage--panniers and topboxes

  • Thread starter Thread starter EmmettC
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Hasn't affected my on my 800 - they're about the same as the handlebars. Maybe the 650 bars are narrower?

That's what i thought until i clipped someone's mirror on the A40 last weekend.
- very glad i don't use them often!

My friend on a VFR unkindly mentioned that with the boxes on, it looks like the back of a Landrover Defender :blast
 
That's what i thought until i clipped someone's mirror on the A40 last weekend.
- very glad i don't use them often!

My friend on a VFR unkindly mentioned that with the boxes on, it looks like the back of a Landrover Defender :blast

Ha ha, that doesn't bother me so much, I like the landrover look!

I don't filter often when im going on trips but I don't
Think it will be too bad, i'll get use to it.

So far im going to scotland in may with the girlfriend and 2-3 weeks in europe riding to bosnia and back! Plus various weekends away, horizons, bulldog bash etc!
 
Free stickers for your boxes!

2s1wvo4.jpg


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And a further use for them once their carrying lives are over:


i512xf.jpg
 
If I ever needed to carry that amount of luggage I would buy a car! :D
 
I would think you would have no problem with having to filter ,Police escort wide loads don't they:augie:D:D
 
In India or Bangaldesh a family of four could live in one of those! using the other for the animals. Actually they are smart , just got my ARD's last week I went for a slimmer look , but they are still wider than the bars its the fuel tank that spreads the racks wide
 

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In India or Bangaldesh a family of four could live in one of those! using the other for the animals. Actually they are smart , just got my ARD's last week I went for a slimmer look , but they are still wider than the bars its the fuel tank that spreads the racks wide

Ha ha, loving
the comments! They look great! I'm hoping that i
can drop the role bag and pack all the camping gear in with the panniers!

Wouldn't be the first time i've
had a police escort :-)
 
Great looking boxes Aran, can you tell me what plate you used to fit the topbox? And does the top box plate sit directly on the bike itself?
 
Top Box or not?

Hi folks.

I now there will be a thousand thread views on this but I want a top box for my F650GS twin that is sturdy but won't break the bank or look like crap. I'm planning a trip to Siberia this summer and my Macbook Pro will be going with me to update the web site. I'll be travelling solo and don't want to lose my laptop to itchy fingers when I nip to the loo or pop in a shop.

I have the vario panniers which proved okay on a trip to Turkey last year. I also had a North Face holdall lashed across the panniers for the camping gear and clothes. I don't really want the extra weight of a top box up high but I'm scratching my head to come up with a solution that is secure. I thought about a Kriega 20, but I would have to be able to fit it on with the holdall which could get cramped. Plus straps can be cut easily.

Alternatively, if anyone has has a lighter way of blogging, editing and uploading pics/video on the move, let me know.

Cheers. Malc
 
"breaking the bank" is entirely subjective - depends on how big your bank is, and how much you value the goods you're carrying.

The caribou 25l is about as small, secure and protective as you can get:
http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000319

Or use a TT universal plate and bracket for any case you find: http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/PN-053-0050/Topcase-Bracket-Universal

Or, instead of the expensive Macbook, take a cheapo netbook that will just about handle the stuff you need it do, and won't make you cry if you lose it. http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/collection/1658/top_10_netbooks.html
 
Malc - Macbook or any Laptop in a Topbox is just looking for trouble mate. Due to the position of the box and the "pivot" point of the bike - the extremety of the box allows a huge amount of movement for anything you put in there..... if you go onto bad roads or offroad. Trust me - living in SA where 88% of our roads are still dirt - you find out the hard way.

Get a protective case and put it in one of the panniers. You could also try getting one of the small 10" Netbooks that are cheaper than what you're going to pay to repair the Macbook!

I also work as a loss adjuster for an insurance company and see the damage these machines are subjected to..........

Topbox is great on tarmac and you can pretty much carry most electronics in it.... but we constantly see even the BMW Alu Topboxes being ripped off the 800 & 1200's

my 2c :thumb
 
I've got the 1200GS Vario box on mine, takes a laptop, and comes off easily for when you don't need it. It's not especially theftproof though.

Paddy's (Gunz) got a GSA box on his, I think it's off an 1150. It's not as big as the Vario, but definately looks tougher. I'm sure he'll be along soon to let you know.
 
Malc - Macbook or any Laptop in a Topbox is just looking for trouble mate. Due to the position of the box and the "pivot" point of the bike - the extremety of the box allows a huge amount of movement for anything you put in there..... if you go onto bad roads or offroad. Trust me - living in SA where 88% of our roads are still dirt - you find out the hard way.

Get a protective case and put it in one of the panniers. You could also try getting one of the small 10" Netbooks that are cheaper than what you're going to pay to repair the Macbook!

I also work as a loss adjuster for an insurance company and see the damage these machines are subjected to..........

Topbox is great on tarmac and you can pretty much carry most electronics in it.... but we constantly see even the BMW Alu Topboxes being ripped off the 800 & 1200's

my 2c :thumb

I agree I wouldn`t put anything delicate in a top box, when I`ve carried a laptop I did so in a waterproof rucksac, although this was on road and may not be practical for you.
The one time I put a small camera in a topbox it was buggered!
Topboxes are handy for carrying light stuff and having somewhere to lock up lid.
 
hi Malcolm,

I have the Vario top box 800/650 looks big enough :D water proof, strong and secure, bmw will code the key to match yours. mind had me tea bags in their, off road in Italy and shook the Tea right out of them, empty bags :eek:

mind I dont blame the top box :blast

If you want me to measure depth, width etc let me know :thumb Holds the big easy read maps OK (good for padding out yr lap top) :D


worlks for me anyhow :D
 


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