Topbox options/selection ?

[Grizz]

I have Caja Sahel panniers on Touratech frames on my '06 GS.

Looking for , or at getting a topbox for the bike, then the panniers can come off part of the time, and the missus can get her backrest.

What suggestions do you have for topboxes that give a combination of useable size, back support, reliable attachment (does not fall off too regularly) bracketry included in purchase and possibly decent price ?

Anyone got anything to sell in this market?

Pic of my bike with panniers..... I need to fit something to fill the hole...

 

[KTMmartin]

Well I went for a regular Givi E450 Simply II top box. I rate it because it has survived a few crashes (without detaching!), being dropped, won't ever let in water or sand, locks, will swallow a full 45l rucksack and can be used as check-in luggage without suspicion.

Whilst I know it doesn't have that all metal look, I can fit my helmet and boots and gloves into it, still with some spare space. Alternatively it takes two full size helmets. And the plastic used is very tough.

I think I paid £89 at the local scooter rip-off merchant including the bolted clip-on mount.

This is the only picture I could find of it open on the internet:

From the front:

From the back:

HTH.

 

[Grizz]

Great stuff and review Martin, Thanks.

I suspect I may end up on the Givi route, as I am not particularly bothered about brand, but rather function and deffo cost. It seems to have a decent back hight, so maybe a bodged on Backrest section from something else will make it great for the missus, as long as I can still open it all.

I will keep looking for alternatives the next couple of weeks. And then buy, based on wallet lightening properties

 

[EggChaser]

Givi do do a Back Pad for some of their cases

for example

 

[Bear]

Givi used to list a backrest for at least some of their boxes. I remember the one I had as being bigger then the one for the BMW vario box.

 

[stonetown]

Givi do do a Back Pad for some of their cases

for example

+1

had a givi on various bikes in the past, good backrest, takes a shedload of kit, will fit 2 helmets, lockable, waterproof, robust, cheap, etc.

You can also get a high level brake light option fitted.

 

[Grizz]

May look big and bulky.... but thats what capacity is all about, love the idea of 2 helmets, and also to use as checked in bagage.

Any deals out there worth knowing about on Givi ? Large sizes especially.

 

[EggChaser]

You can also get a high level brake light option fitted.

I had a hi-level brake light in the Givi when I had the F650CS - good idea for visibility, however found the contacts between Rack/Case and Case Base/Lid to be a bit cheap and unreliable. Helped it bit when I covered them all with layers of solder - but because of this I did not bother with the option on my R1100S

 

[KTMmartin]

May look big and bulky.... but thats what capacity is all about

Givi aren't the only maker of large top-boxes, for the sake of completeness:
http://www.touratech.com/shops/008/...=5751&osCsid=7cc69150d6ee045b68c6711563e92d72

The ZEGA-Top offers all of the same advantages as are found with our tried and tested ZEGA aluminium panniers!
A waterproof top box made from rugged, polished aluminium!

Features:
- waterproof,dustproof
- Dimensions: 51 x 38 x 30 cm
- Capacity: 50 litres; takes two helmets!
- 6 top loops for fastening luggage or straps

Construction:
- 1,5 mm aluminium
- High-quality workmanship
- Rounded corners and bends
- No welds on bends!
- Weighs just 5,3 kg
- Recommended maximum load: 10 kg

£278.91 +whatever bracket you need.

Those thin enduro helmets pictured look pretty tight. Whether a cube is the most optimal way to fit two round objects in is somewhat debatable.

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

The Givi Maxia 52 really works well for me, two Arai Tour Xs JUST fit in. If you buy one be careful about the backrest, Givi sell two for this model. One is rockhard and will leave your pillion with a very sore back, the other is soft and very comfortable according to my SWMBO.

 

[Knowsley]

I haven't got my new R1200GS yet (in about 10 days!), but I am planning to use my Givi Maxia 52. Mine has the backrest, a rack on the top, and stoplights built in to it. I have been using this box for some time, and have on the whole been very pleased with it. The one criticism I would have is that it isn't 100% secure - about a year ago someone who obviously knew what they were doing got the box open without damaging it and stole my lid (thankfully a relatively cheap one). I don't know how they did it, and haven't heard of anyone else suffering a similar experience. I have had BMW top boxes before (R1150GS and R1100RT) and thought the locking mechanisms were far more substantial.

 

[Grizz]

I haven't got my new R1200GS yet (in about 10 days!), but I am planning to use my Givi Maxia 52. Mine has the backrest, a rack on the top, and stoplights built in to it. I have been using this box for some time, and have on the whole been very pleased with it. The one criticism I would have is that it isn't 100% secure - about a year ago someone who obviously knew what they were doing got the box open without damaging it and stole my lid (thankfully a relatively cheap one). I don't know how they did it, and haven't heard of anyone else suffering a similar experience. I have had BMW top boxes before (R1150GS and R1100RT) and thought the locking mechanisms were far more substantial.

First post...... Welcome Knowlsey.

Seems more and more the Givi gets a good review.

 

[robb]

V46 for me with the latest model of the custom rack which is a massive improvement on the old model.

 

[Gabby]

It should be a criminal offence to put Givi on a GS There for those cheap Suzuki V Stropy things.....

You can’t go far wrong with the BMW top box and back pad and looks the part.......

I have the GSA set with a good made to fit back pad for the pillion. Plenty of room and big enough to put a lid in. I know Givi do a monster big enough for two lids but you can’t strap anything else to it or on top of it. They also bounce for Engliand. I have the BMW top box bag that fits in it or straps to the top of it...plenty of space

 

[KTMmartin]

I know Givi do a monster big enough for two lids but you can’t strap anything else to it or on top of it.

There's some truth in that, guess it depends where Grizz plans to go with it. Though you can at least anchor things to it by running bungees across/underneath:

 

[Gabby]

There's some truth in that, guess it depends where Grizz plans to go with it. Though you can at least anchor things to it by running bungees across/underneath:

That's fine and possibly agree but: Where does the pillion sit? And there is something not quite right about curved plastic boxes on a GS...goda be Ali box's

 

[Decster]

Check out how the septics do it

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=336789

some gud'uns on there

 

[Grizz]

That's fine and possibly agree but: Where does the pillion sit? And there is something not quite right about curved plastic boxes on a GS...goda be Ali box's

Plans include simply long distances, Europe, UK and such.
Done the 1150 GS offroadetc thing, great stuff, but need to do more sensibly if you have a pillion.
I hope the Givi does not creep too deeply into the pillions space, as she is a large girl too. Think 44year old, 5'11" etc.....

I had a large BMW topbox bodged (engineered) on a carrier which took the tent as well, on my 1150GS, but cant be arrrsed to make one up again etc.

Large, non BMW wobbly topbox as long as it does not detach itself regularly, will do me just fine.
I try not to be too much of a badge snob.

 

[Gabby]

Plans include simply long distances, Europe, UK and such.
Done the 1150 GS offroadetc thing, great stuff, but need to do more sensibly if you have a pillion.
I hope the Givi does not creep too deeply into the pillions space, as she is a large girl too. Think 44year old, 5'11" etc.....

I had a large BMW topbox bodged (engineered) on a carrier which took the tent as well, on my 1150GS, but cant be arrrsed to make one up again etc.

Large, non BMW wobbly topbox as long as it does not detach itself regularly, will do me just fine.
I try not to be too much of a badge snob.

Fair doos...each to their own. Look on the bright side you can't see it when your riding it

 

[Grizz]

Fair doos...each to their own. Look on the bright side you can't see it when your riding it