Should I buy a topcase?

[jstrain]

I have a bunch of questions about a Givi topcase, so I'll try to make them nice and neat. First of all...

1. Should I even buy one? I don't do alot of touring. I have the factory sidebags, and for extra space, I either wear a backpack or just strap a duffel bag over the pillion seat. Would I be better off in the long run just putting out the money for a topcase that can really hold alot of stuff?

2. What exactly do I need to buy? It looks like I need the FZ726 mount. Do I just buy that rack and then whatever topcase I want? Is it that simple?

3. Which topcase? I was leaning towards the E52, just because if I'm gonna lay out the money, I want to get the biggest one so I have room for when I would use it. I didn't see anywhere that says explicitly that the E52 will fit that particular rack.

4. What is the wait time for ordering that stuff? I'm headed to the Gap early in June. If I ordered from somewhere like twistedthrottle, would I get the topcase and rack in time?

[Liquelo]

I'm gonna go with 'no', don't do it. If you're like me, you like to haul your helmet into Denny's and look tough. Leave the 20% tip in penny roles. Marlon Brando would be PROUD PROUD PROUD, so very, very PROUD.

[sallison30]

I'm getting one fitted to my bike. I don't like top boxes but I like to use my bike when I go to see customers. With the top box, I can lock my helmet and jacket away and walk into the customer is if I had arrived in a car. Just annoying that the luggage supplied with the bike doesn't take a helmet.

[amrehm]

I got one last month & I use it on both the sprint & tiger. works great, especially when you want to leave your gear when you go somewhere. It fits my Aerostich suit inside so I don't have to carry it around. It also plenty big enough to take home groceries or whatever & its water tight!

I'll have to post some pics later.

alan

[shemp]

I don't like the looks of them myself, but I just got a new Laptop from work that is gigantic (17"). I need to figure out a way to haul it on the bike so I can continue to use my bike to commute. I'm thinking a topcase might be my only option.

[nmendham]

G'Day,

it's an interesting question - to top-box or not to top-box... I picked up my '06 Sprint 2nd hand with 3.5K km's on it. The previous owner had put a Givi v46 on the bike and my first thought was "that'll be gone". (Unfortunately didn't get side bags)

Anyways, 1 yr on I wouldn't be without it. I use my bike for the daily commute and, as a technologist I need to transport my laptop where-ever I go. I also manage to chuck a clean folded shirt into it, as well as (on rainy days) my wet-weather gear. The alternative for me would be a back pack which I find constricting and also problematic for my back (weak lower back from a previous crash). Come the weekend, the topbox is off in 10 seconds and the bikes lines are really unchanged IMO. In fact, I've sometimes left it on for the weekend rides as I can chuck camera's, lunch, water bottles in it. It becomes an aesthetic issue really.

Riding the bike with the topbox on doesn't change it's characteristics at all, you wouldn't know it's on there. It's also great when it rains cos it's pretty much waterproof.

Cheers,

Neil

[Beach]

This sounds like one of those things that falls squarely under "horses for courses".

Some people hate hard luggage on a motorcycle. Some prefer soft luggage. Others will tell you a motorcycle is designed to carry people and a credit card.

I have a GIVI V46 top case and GIVI 52 litre side cases on my 05 ST. These are kept in place with SW Motech brackets. This system works very well and I'm very happy with it.

My bike is my primary means of transport, so I need a degree of practicality and security. The factory stuff was useless so I went with GIVI.

The question you have to ask yourself is what type of riding are you going to be doing, do you need luggage and what type is best going to suit your needs?

If you put a 52 litre top case on your bike, keep in mind its BIG and filling it will put a lot of weight in a place where it really shouldnt be. I'm glad I stuck with the 46litre.

Hope this helps.

[JohnB]

I've a top box on my RS. A shame really, the bike looks so much better without it. But the box is so practical it's going to stay. Guess I'm getting old

[Simmo]

I use a Ventura Rack and soft bag system (sort of back pack style). Very practical whilst travelling. Not fully waterproof (carry items in plastic garbage bags in bag). Not very secure (zippers and clip locks). Easily removable leaving a squarish bar that doesn't destroy the aesthetic of the bike. Can be used with a smaller top rack and 'day bag' for carrying just the ride around bits and pieces. Major advantage over a hard top box is that it is more versatile in its use, but is less usefull as a day to to day 'car type' trunk. Have a look at http://www.ventura-bike.com/ I am happy with it but although a fitted top box may be practical to use I don't think that I could live with it day to day.
Cheers, Simmo

[TattooedRedHead]

I don't like Givi's they look like a UFO is following you everywhere, bad look, bad design IMO.



--Kory