top box stability on a gsa

[ghost-rider]

been thinking about ditching me ali top off me gsa lately, after a recent trip of Scotland with fully loaded panniers and the rest in a dry bag across the back, it has changed the way I look and feel about the top box, when we were in Scotland I never gave another thought about the panniers and the weight etc., but now back and using the top box on its own(back and forth to work), I cant help think that the top box creates this certain feelin of "top heaviness" or instability at low speed or when coming to a low speed stop if that makes sense, just think that the bike feels so much better with out it, anyone else find the same??????

cheers, Andy

 

[cookie]

anyone else find the same??????

nope, but they don't look very nice.

it's a balance between aesthetics and practicality on my bike, and practicality wins in this instance.

 

[Wapping]

Then take it off, if you don't need it.

You think it's better / more stable / more whatever without it, that's all that matters.

Other bods runaround all day every day with empty panniers, as that is what THEY want to do.

YOU simply do the same, but in reverse, taking the (unneeded) box off. You don't need to ask.

 

[Pukmeister]

Ride without any luggage fitted, it's much better. Not much use when you find yourself at Tesco though.

 

[Wapping]

...it's much better. Not much use when you find yourself at Tesco though.

Go hardcore.

Primus in the car park.

Cook it up and eat it.

 

[Gromit]

What you need is one of those shortened top boxes.

I think they might be one in the for sale section

 

[sharkojoints]

I would probably agree.

I just experimented with swapping mine for a much lighter 36l Givi box, and the bike does feel more stable and easier to haul around at low speeds, especially when 'paddling'.

 

[Gundog]

Cut it in half like mine....

 

[ghost-rider]

thanks for the replys lads, its not that I don't use me top box, I do, every day, its just that at low speed im constantly aware that its there, well that's probably a bit strong, not always, and mainly at coming to a low speed dead stop, but like I said it wasn't until I came back from Scotland, that it suddenly dawned on me, I never once thought about the panniers atall, no matter how heavy they were, I have no plans to use it whilst travelling, so its only for work really I suppose which really I could use a rucksack for that, so it got me thinkin I mite aswell fire it off, so there may be a mint top box, complete with Humvee black chevrons in the for sale section very soon


ps that "half" a top box is a pretty neat lookin idea oh yeah, and whered you get that "ride the world" sticker from mate????

 

[Bendy toy]

I dont even know mine is there at low speed or daft cross country antics. Are you carrying diver's boots? or is there some slack in the steering?

But if really is that bad, get a pillion place rack and bolt on a Peli case.

 

[1130cc]

You have £40+ of fuel "sloshing" in the tank and you think the topbox is creating an instability?

I am really impressed with the topbox.
I can even take both hands off the bars and there is no wobble, as associated with other topboxes I have had on other bikes.

I prefer the full size one as I can stick a lid in it, or pick stuff up from the supermarket on the way home.

Tis handy for impulse buys, and contains a cargo net in case of big impulse buys

 

[phillh]

I leave my top box on all the time and don't really notice it. As someone else has commented, I do notice the increase in top heaviness when I have just fuelled up though.

 

[oldnfat]

A mate and I have just come back from a long weekend blasting around the Black Forest. On the long trip across Northern France back to the Chunnel my mate was really struggling with the cross wind. Both on GSAs, me without a top box him with....other than that don't really notice much of a difference, with a 90 kilo lump of fat and 30 litres of fuel on board the weight up top out the back doesn't make a material difference to me.

 

[APE]

Problem is the GSA is inherently unstable due to the long suspension and top heavy balance - especially fully fuelled - adding fat tossers and the kitchen sink will only make this situation worse

 

[Bendy toy]

Admittedly I have never really loaded mine up. But with full luggage and fuel my GSA is the most stable bike I have ever used. It's ability complete with (or maybe in spite of) long travel suspension is why I bought it.

It's also the best I've used in side winds. Of course I get blown about but the bike just rocks a bit and still tracks straight. The trick is to stop fighting the wind.

Then ask a half decent rider to take it down a fast B road and I defy anything to keep up.

 

[1130cc]

Problem is the GSA is inherently unstable due to the long suspension and top heavy balance - especially fully fuelled - adding fat tossers and the kitchen sink will only make this situation worse

 

[harry]

Problem is the GSA is inherently unstable due to the long suspension and top heavy balance - especially fully fuelled - adding fat tossers and the kitchen sink will only make this situation worse

00icks

 

[Fluffmeister]

Not had a feeling of instability on mine, had a good blast on the autobahn chasing (and getting nowhere close to) my mates KTM and S1000RR in Germany last month, fully loaded 2 up at an indicated 120 ish MPH for a few miles.

I leave my top box on all the time, just for convenience of chucking stuff in, or indeed the usual adventure bike load of a couple of loaves of hovis and 2 litres of semi-skimmed

Fully fuelled it's way top heavy though

 

[Bendy toy]

Fully fueled, mine only feels top heavy when I try to haul it off the side stand (I must get that puck bolted on). But once its rolling I have zero problems with the weight and it constantly surprises me how well it can hoon & scratch.