GSA Topbox, types

[JayGee]

The BMW plastic vario topboxes have been known to fall off, and BMW's solution is to offer off road fixings which consists of a couple of bolts making the topbox a pretty permanent fixture. The Givi boxes never detach themselve, are waterproof and quite well made not to mention a lot lighter and more roomy however the GIVI rack has been known to suffer from shearing fixing bolts. Givi's solution is to replace the bolts with stainless, not sure this is a solution as stainless are weaker than bright steel although probably stronger than the alloy/crappy original givi fixings.

I've not heard of any failures with the ally topboxes but no doubt some on here will tell us if I'm wrong.

I put my hand on the GIVI topbox as I was riding on the road and the vibration is really quite extreme so I'm not surprised there have been problems getting secure topboxes designed/made. I only put light weights in the topbox yet I still had the Givi bolts shear.

So BMW vario fall off, GIVI fixings snap, they wouldn't go the long way round Wales never mind the globe!

 

[ScottyKM]

thanks for all the replies, was having a look in 'polo' (a german bike kit shop) and they have the Hepco/ becker Gobi top box for what equates to £116 (after I get the tax off)

anyone got one, seen one, got a pic of one on a bike?

feels quite sturdy, and have heard good things about the panniers

 

[xylo66]

Vario

well,I have been using the Vario for 18 months now, done France, Spain, horrendous "roads" through the Bardenas desert, huge rutted gravel roads, pouring rain, tons of roads here in the UK and never had any problems as mentioned above. I have read on the forums about such issues, but I have to say that personally, I have not had anything go wrong with the Varios except for the rubber bungs underneath which I have expoxied closed to keep the water out !...my 2p worth. and ...I also use Givi on my other bikes !

 

[Alte Wolf]

has anyone got any pics of a 12GSA with any other topbox than an ali one?

dont fancy an ali one, but one would be useful for work

This one, its a Givi. I had it on my 1150 GS and it bolts straight onto the ADV rack. Top bit of kit and waterproof too. Good for weekends away or with the ali boxes on for longer trips. You can see it on tour here,
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81180

 

[ScottyKM]

cheers alte, nice ride review, have bookmarked that museum for a further look, is only about 3 hrs south from me!!

 

[Gazzabart]

ADV ally top box back rest

Hi everyone does anyone know anything about the back support for the adv ally topbox or even better have a pic- BMW sell them - ive just paid £12K for a full spec bike and they cant even show me what one looks like - ta