Top Box questions

[TripleTreat]

The bad news is that I've totalled my beloved 955i.

The good news is that I have a 2008 1050 demonstrator in the faster Tornado Red with only 500km on the clock waiting for insurance money, etc to sort itself out. And I'm OK.

Because of the amazingly inferior factory luggage options on the 1050 as compared with the 955i, I have a few questions.

Q1. Other than the factory top box, what other top boxes will fit the Triumph rack? I am looking for a box that will take 2x helmets and can be colour coded if possible.

Q2. I still have my 955i top box, has anyone devised a way to use it on the 1050?

[triumphite]

I think Givi has it's own rack system. I have the factory top box, and I'm not too sure if any box other than OEM would fit the sliding carriage. I had both and other than the fact that the 1050's top box looks totally silly because of it's huge height, it's not that bad. Actually, my old '01 Sprint's topbox leaked a little. This one is water tight.


Hope I could have been of a little help

[TripleTreat]

The 1050 factory luggage (panniers and top box) is not helmet friendly with the panniers not taking a helmet at all and the top box barely fitting a single helmet, nor does they have very useable internal space and are very bulky as well.

I need another solution for my day to day riding when carrying a helmet around with me is not practical.

[triumphite]

If you go to the thread "You and your sickle" there are some great pics of bikes. A bunch of guys have the Givi luggage.

[Fitz]

I have an E36 or V36 (can't remember which) Givi top box. It will hold one full face helmet when the map holder is removed. I'm sure Givi has other options that will take two helmets.

With the SW Mototec back rack and Givi adapter plate, everything was ~$400 US shipped to my door from Twisted Throttle. Use the USPS shipping option (vs UPS) if you're Canadian (I am). It'll save you a bunch on custom broker fees.

Givi also has a rack option that is likely cheaper than the SW Mototec one but not sure if the rear grab bar or factory pannier holders need to be sacrificed. The SW Mototec rack bolts up to the rear grab bar and looks pretty decent.

IMHO - Givi has the motorcycle luggage thing dialed.

Here's a pic of my bike.

BTW: The factory panniers suck (lack of internal space and bulkiness) and the factory top box looks like a$$.

[Zulu]

Just got a 46 litre Shad Top Box. Two full face helmets fit nicely. I also bought the stock Triumph rack for the 1050 st. The only downside is that I have to make an adapter plate to marry the Shad mount plate to the stock Triumph rack. Nice box for the price and works well with the Triumph side panniers.

Box: $330.00 Canadian
Rack: $119.00 Canadian

[Cam]

After having the Givi on my Versys and now the CooCase on my Sprint, I would go with the CooCase. Can be color keyed, built in tail lights, electric lock that works by remote, supports that lock to keep the lid open, easier to open, watertight, built in alarm, comes with mount, can hold two helmets and is well priced compared to the Givi. The only real downside is the internal mechanism is bulky and that cuts out some space but otherwise an exceptional product. I would suggest going with MoTech rear rack as it is metal not plastic and feels more solid. Mine came with the Triumph version which is fine, but not as nice IMO. CooCase can mount to both.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfdzphwerVA

Haven't tried the Shad or Bestem.

[ralphus]

If you are after a good budget option check out

www.bestemtopbox.com

My 1050 with one of their 929 top boxes is shown on their website. You can just squeeze 2 helmets in.

Will mount up to either a Triumph rack or SW Motech

Several others have recently fitted 2012 box to their 1050s.

[Werks]

Below is a search for "Bestem" on this site. Check it out. They cost $70.00US with shipping and that
includes a backrest and adapter plate. A comparable Givi will cost you more than $250US. Some Bestem
models hold two helmets. Plus, they're sold in Oz.

Mine is the smaller model 2009 and it can be seen along with other Bestem top boxes in several of
the Links found in the "Search" below. If my link doesn't open, just do a search on Bestem.

I'm a long time user and fan of Givi top box / panniers, but the Bestem's simply can't be beat for the price IMO.

Tom

http://www.triumphrat.net/search.php?searchid=1357718 - Search

Bestem Model 2009 / SW-Motech Rack on Sprint. Givi E460 on FJR


Bestem 2009 and Bestem 929 (Givi E460 look alike)

[some_dude]

I have the OEM top box, and my Arai full face helmet fits easily. Only one helmet at a time, though.

However, I bought an inexpensive cable lock, and I use that for those times when I want to leave my briefcase in the top box and not carry my helmet. The cable lock fits in the glove compartment when I'm not using it.

I have to agree that the side panniers are more or less useless-- although I did find out that my sleeping bag fits in one!