Which top box?

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:30 pm

The new steed was cheap, but as with most things, it was for a reason;Such as although it has proper panniers, it's doesn't have a top box. So I am on the hunt for one.

Have any of you had any experience with these, or know anyone who does? If not post your baseless opinions anyhow!

MickLC · Post by **MickLC** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:56 pm

A mate had a Givi on his old GTR that was pretty good. Just the right size to fit two helmets side by side...aside from that I don't really know much about them

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:58 pm

Mick C wrote:A mate had a Givi on his old GTR that was pretty good. Just the right size to fit two helmets side by side...aside from that I don't really know much about them

Well mate don't feel bad, I think I just doubled my knowledge with your post!

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:00 pm

I've had two Givis, one on the ZZR, and now one with a different shape and mounting plate on the Hornet.

What exactly are you after in the way of info?

Mick

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:08 pm

Ratmick wrote:I've had two Givis, one on the ZZR, and now one with a different shape and mounting plate on the Hornet.

What exactly are you after in the way of info?

Mick

Mick any info is good. Brands avail for a start, then I could do more research. I know Givi and Rjays and ?? Nonfango?? do them, any other options you know of and what is you opinion in the Givi, and which one is best/better? I would like to be able to put two full face lids in it.

Oh, and I found this too..
http://www.motorcycletopbox.com.au/

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:29 pm

http://www.motorradgarage.com.au/

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:46 pm

I can't comment on the other boxes, I was limited to what I could find in the city.

My first Givi was one actually designed for a scooter, I bought it mainly because it wasn't very big (30-odd litres), and hence not that expensive. I bought it after getting extremely pissed off with carrying a Ventura bag to work on the train every day (and no, I don't trust convertibles either

).

The box fitted one full-face helmet for a boofhead perfectly, but had issues with my Targus Laptop Backpack IF it was more than around 70% full. Less than 70% full and you could fold the top down and all was right with the world. Over 70% and the bag had to go on your back.

The new box is bigger, and is a different shape - it's actually a dual-purpose box and can be used for either a top or side case. It's meant to take two full-face helmets, but I gather they must be only those that fit Barbie and Ken or Hobbits. My boofhead helmet fits in exactly the middle and only in ONE position, otherwise the lid won't shut. On the upside my bag now fits however full it is (as long as the straps don't get caught in either the hinge or the front). I can also fit other crap in there like two pairs of gloves and a jumper.

Good points:
* Solid, locks to the bike extremely well and shuts like a clam. Good Italian engineering in both the box and the rack.
* Completely and utterly 100% waterproof. And I mean 100%, you wouldn't believe some of the rain we (used to) get out here. The bottom of the case has a recessed flat-faced rubber o-ring that goes around the entire circumference of the box. The top of the box pushes into this and is locked in place by the front clasp.
* Cheap replacement keys.
* The plain matt black doesn't look too wanky, especially if you DON'T deploy the high level brake lights in the reflector.
* They seem to be designed with the balance of the bike in mind and don't affect the handling at all.
* They are really easy to get on and off and the exposed plate doesn't look to bad (unlike a Gearsack rack, which is really ugly).

Bad Points:
* They are really expensive, and paying for the rack and box is like passing a kidney stone.
* The instructions are bloody woeful, too small and too much detail in too small an area. Having said that, that's not just a criticism that Givi is guilty of, the Honda flyscreen ones are crap as well.
* In their infinite wisdon Givi re-invents their rack system every now and again, negating your attempt at recycling your old box and forcing you to buy a new one, especially if you have a fairly recent design bike

.
* Anything (like small change) you carry in your bag in the big box ends up spread everywhere inside your bag.
* Don't carry Chinese takeaway in a Givi box UNLESS you like Givi box-flavoured takeaway (I don't waste a Seafood Combiniation unless it growls at me when I open the container).
* Supposedly they have a 120km/h speed limit. I gather this has a bit of flexibility as I know they don't fly off above this

.

Would I buy another one? Shit yeah, the good outweighs the bad in my book

...

...did I mention they were 100% waterproof?

HTH

Mick

Rossi · Post by **Rossi** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 8:56 pm

Mate PM Photomike cause I'm sure he had 1 on the Honda for work

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 10:23 pm

Ratmick wrote:I Bad Points:
* Don't carry Chinese takeaway in a Givi box UNLESS you like Givi box-flavoured takeaway (I don't waste a Seafood Combiniation unless it growls at me when I open the container).

...did I mention they were 100% waterproof?

HTH

Mick

hahahaha u have come up with another classic mick..where have u been!!

on the bright side, being waterproof, u wouldnt of lost any of ya grub!!

bonester · Post by **bonester** » Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:22 pm

Rjays make a really good Givi copy topbox that retails for $150ish. I have it on the top of my ZZR, with the real Givis on the side boxes. Nearly as good quality, and less than 1/3rd the price. Could fit two smallish helmets in it too, or one big one. You can also install LEDS in the back of it as a high level brake light. Got mine for $120- just gotta bargain with the seller.

photomike666 · Post by **photomike666** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 6:55 am

70,000k with a Givi on the back of the Honda, tested to $2.40 (hence the flying topbox, eh Billy). Rode in ALL weathers, never leaked. Remember the floods two years ago when it rained for 4 days solid and they closed all the freeways? I rode to work in that every day; the Givi was impecable (as were the Frank Thomas waterproofs)

Crashed twice with this box, saved the ducktail any major damage and the box is still alive.

I went for the smaller box, which was nice as it wasn't too cumbersome on the back, BUT it didn't quite fit a helmet in. The larger boxes do fit lids in.

If I had to buy a tourer with a topbox, I'd certainly go for the Givi. As for the ten, it'll never have hard luggage.

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 12:17 pm

photomike666 wrote:70,000k with a Givi on the back of the Honda, tested to $2.40 (hence the flying topbox, eh Billy). Rode in ALL weathers, never leaked. Remember the floods two years ago when it rained for 4 days solid and they closed all the freeways? I rode to work in that every day; the Givi was impecable (as were the Frank Thomas waterproofs)

Crashed twice with this box, saved the ducktail any major damage and the box is still alive.

I went for the smaller box, which was nice as it wasn't too cumbersome on the back, BUT it didn't quite fit a helmet in. The larger boxes do fit lids in.

If I had to buy a tourer with a topbox, I'd certainly go for the Givi. As for the ten, it'll never have hard luggage.

carn mate..the 10 would look great with a top box and hard panniers...

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:07 pm

If you want two full full-face helmets to fit in your box and you have a XL Shoei head then go bigger than the 36 litre box I have now...which is the one below (mine's black). As I said in my earlier post, it's also specified as a side case, and because of this is not as high as it could be.

Felix · Post by **Felix** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:24 pm

Ratmick - know where to get Givi's from? Pref with an online store...

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 10:43 pm

Felix wrote:Ratmick - know where to get Givi's from? Pref with an online store...

Sorry mate not sure of the best online site to get them from. I ordered both mine from Peter Stevens on Elizabeth Street here in Melbourne

.

With the last set I scored a 10% discount on them when buying the Hornet, but as Peter Stevens aren't particularly cheap there's no reason why online wouldn't be cheaper. As it was they didn't have what I was after anyway, they had to order it in from the wholesaler (Ron Angel).

HTH

Mick