All Those Using Top Boxes I Mock You No Longer!

[BSJ]

Hi folks, the one thing I have hated about top boxes is the fact they disrupt the symmetry of the bikes design....if not the airflow. But after years of not having one, years of bungy cord tying everything from slabs of beer to suitcases to the carry rack I've taken the plunge to the other side! You can laugh if you want, or mock me for a change, but I will not care one bit cos I too can safely secure both my helmets and carry a few spare clothes....just like you.

But I didn't buy a Givi, just an el-cheapo brand.

[Spoonman]

Can you fit a slab in there though ??

[BSJ]

If you pull the 6 packs out of the box you can fit them in a pannier......carefully!

[PeaceBlondie]

My 1982 Yamaha 550 Vision - top box, rack

My 2003 Honda CBR150R without

[BSJ]

My 1982 Yamaha 550 Vision - top box, rack

My 2003 Honda CBR150R without

I think your doing rather well with the temporary luggage! The soft white panniers look familiar!

[PeaceBlondie]

All that hard luggage is mounted on which bike, BSJ?

[toptuan]

I've got a large top box set up on a small Honda 100 Wave--it's a huge Italian-made "Givi" Monokey system top box. I got it second hand for a steal (1,500 baht), from a guy who took it off his (more-appropriately matched) Phantom 220.

I have to agree with the OP. The practical use hugely outweighs the aesthetics and wind dynamics. Rainy-season gear, school books and materials, groceries, bungie cords, a few tools, etc.--it handles it all--including the storage of two large Index full-face helmets.

For safety, it's also hooked up to the brake lights, and flashes a red light strip much higher on the bike than the fender light. Gives me a sense of added safety for those occasional nighttime beer runs to 7-11.

[soihok]

I used to have a top box on my V Max.....until.

Had an on the spot race against a NC30....got to the next junction first, then the guy pointed out that my top box was unlocked and flapping in the wind.

How embarrarssing!!

Took it off the next day and that was 8 years ago...........ok for yer take away.........but nil points for your cred.

Up to you.

Personally.......get a net to hook around the back end of the bike and wear a back pack when you are riding.

Never , ever , ever again will a top box be apart of my bike.

[katabeachbum]

I used to have a top box on my V Max.....until.

Had an on the spot race against a NC30....got to the next junction first, then the guy pointed out that my top box was unlocked and flapping in the wind.

How embarrarssing!!

Took it off the next day and that was 8 years ago...........ok for yer take away.........but nil points for your cred.

Up to you.

Personally.......get a net to hook around the back end of the bike and wear a back pack when you are riding.

Never , ever , ever again will a top box be apart of my bike.

simliar experience/ My split in 3 pieces, 6 monhs old, when riding 30 kmh. bottom left on bracket, 2 pieces on the road. unloaded fortunately.

[thedivezone]

My 1982 Yamaha 550 Vision - top box, rack

My 2003 Honda CBR150R without

Did you get arrested for displaying those subversive sticker on your Yammie, PB ?

[BSJ]

Hi PB, I am riding an Honda ST1100 at the moment. After the GSX-R it's like going from a thoroughbred race horse to a lethargic elephant.....but my sports bike days are over now. Well, if I want to live for a few more decades that is!

In my heart I still want a Busa.

[PeaceBlondie]

My 1982 Yamaha 550 Vision - top box, rack

My 2003 Honda CBR150R without

Did you get arrested for displaying those subversive sticker on your Yammie, PB ?

Nah - I escorted bicyclists across Texas protesting nuclear warfare with those stickers. Then OK-KS-SD (Sturgis!)-WY-CO-NM. Great trip.

[PeaceBlondie]

Can't find the Mexican foto of my Suzuki GN250. The top box said "Ferrari," with the sticker glued to a blue Pepsi case.

[ttakata]

I thought the same too, they look goofy, but then I realized I have a goofy scooter and no one to impress here.

I was also afraid someone would steal my helmet since it looks expensive.

So I went and got a Shad 40 from Dr Bike in Lat Phrao.

http://www.dr-bikebangkok.com/

For anyone looking for this stuff go check them out they have a great selection and competitive pricing.

I was debating the same bin you got but its so low and wide it looked super goofy on a scooter.

I thought it might snag on a car mirror or something which is probably impossible.

Anyway the Shad is a great bin, cost me around 3000 BHT, I can't remember.

It comes with everything to mount to a steel rack (another 600 BHT).

It has a lock and can be removed from its baseplate.

With its fold out handle it can be carry on luggage.

Plus it has a top bungee area for even more hauling ability.

It's smaller than yours, but it easily fits a full face XXL helmet.

I often buy 4 bags of groceries and stuff them into this bin.

I put 6 liters of soda in it today and it was half full.

Upon reflection, I should have gotten the bigger one like you since it can fit two full face helmets.

Then I'd be putting cases of beer in it.

For my future overnight trips I also got some 1500 BHT saddle bags.

They require no mounting, just pop open the seat, lay the adjustable center strap under the seat and go.

I have no affiliation with Dr Bike, they only knocked off 50 BHT from the price but they mounted the rack and bin for free.

Sorry for the crappy pics, it was dawn and with iphone in a parking garage.

[Zzinged]

You should ask BigBikeBKK to tell you what happened to his topbox.....

[katabeachbum]

My top box was 6 months old when it cracked in 3 pieces riding 30 kmh. Empty box, Givi Copy. Base was still hooked to base plate, 2 pieces on the road. Never bothered to get a new one. Use a 199 baht BigC box strapped to the seat when box needed, or soft bag strapped to the seat. Safer

[BigBikeBKK]

You should ask BigBikeBKK to tell you what happened to his topbox.....

'bout killed me, yeah... (though wasn't the fault of the top box, but rather the poorly designed rack) anyway, after that near death experience I'm in no hurry to use a top box again...

[ttakata]

Wow, that sux about your bad experiences guys.

I'd imagine the box that split open was made of ABS?

ABS cracks and shatters easily.

For those contemplating getting one, my Shad is made of a flexible plastic similar to trash barrels and plastic luggage.

It would never crack unless hit with a hammer.

The generic rack I was sold is welded steel.

I'm quite confident I have a bulletproof setup.

It could never fail unless I fill it with rocks and hit a wall at 30mph.

[katabeachbum]

Wow, that sux about your bad experiences guys.

I'd imagine the box that split open was made of ABS?

ABS cracks and shatters easily.

For those contemplating getting one, my Shad is made of a flexible plastic similar to trash barrels and plastic luggage.

It would never crack unless hit with a hammer.

The generic rack I was sold is welded steel.

I'm quite confident I have a bulletproof setup.

It could never fail unless I fill it with rocks and hit a wall at 30mph.

Matt black Givi copy. I thought ABS always was shiny, so I guessed its not ABS plastic. The rack is very solid though. Welded, and has a hitch for towing a trailer. Trailer with dog is 70 kg (150 pound) and no problems in daily use for one year.

But the box just cracked and 2/3 of it left the bike empty at 30 kmh Glad my laptop was still at home.

Edited November 28, 2009 by katabeachbum

[BSJ]

If it cracks from vibration, thats a scary thought!

I keep the wets and spare helmet in the top box and any shopping I split between both panniers. The top box is for light stuff only as I am dealing with a lot of weight in the first place and any extra weight I want low down.

[MrFrank]

A few years ago, while riding cross-country (UK) on my then winter commuting bike, a shed of an FJ1200, I reluctantly acceded to a following car-driver's signals for me to pull over. His first words were "Did you used to have a top-box on the back?". The whole thing had ripped off of the brackets and was pulverized under traffic, including my favourite gloves and an expensive lock.

More alarmingly, I discovered while working in Dublin that Givi top-boxes are very easy to break into and that everyone in Dublin seems to know the technique. Even if I only parked up for an hour I would come back to a forced-open top-box. I ended up leaving it unlocked and open whenever I parked just to avoid any further damage. Never had the problem anywhere else though.