I have a Givi top box on my 2009 GSA which has massive capacity and will take all my camping gear Tent, Matt, Chair , Sleeping bag Etc Etc however on the stays it say's max load 6Kg x 2 stays 12 Kg well the empty box is quite heavy on its own the weak part is the 6mm cap screws supporting the overhang of the box
On my recent trip to the Welsh Mountains a good pothole sheared one of the 6mm bolts located either side of the rear light and threaded into the ends of the frame rails this rendered the mount unsafe and the box insecure so I strapped the box forward in the pillion seat position for the rest of the trip
now home I have drilled and tapped the ends of the frame rails to 8mm which almost doubles the shear force rating also adding 12.9 spec HT bolts improves its strength further
I have checked the Bolts holding the side pannier frames also Givi and see that the bolt spec on those are the lower 8.8 spec so I will change them for the higher 12.9 spec
it may be worth a look if you have Givi luggage on your bike
On my recent trip to the Welsh Mountains a good pothole sheared one of the 6mm bolts located either side of the rear light and threaded into the ends of the frame rails this rendered the mount unsafe and the box insecure so I strapped the box forward in the pillion seat position for the rest of the trip
now home I have drilled and tapped the ends of the frame rails to 8mm which almost doubles the shear force rating also adding 12.9 spec HT bolts improves its strength further
I have checked the Bolts holding the side pannier frames also Givi and see that the bolt spec on those are the lower 8.8 spec so I will change them for the higher 12.9 spec
it may be worth a look if you have Givi luggage on your bike
