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Non-awful top-box?

10K views 57 replies 29 participants last post by  Murdo 
#1 ·
I ride a Bonneville. Great fun. But I need somewhere to stick my spare helmet (no... stop it!).

Problem: big, oval, plastic top-boxes with red reflective strips just don't look very... Bonneville.

A dealer nearby has some metal top-boxes. In a way they are better than the black plastic ones as at least it looks kind of industrial, but still not ideal.

So basically - anyone recommend a decent top-box for my bike?
 
#2 ·
Replying to my own post here (first sign of madness?) but after some looking around, I have found this:

http://www.motorbikesandparts.co.uk/hepco-becker-junior-tc40-back-40litre-top-box.html

which looks like with the right rack I could get it on the back. It still doesn't quite go with a Bonneville but it's at least got a sort of industrial, old fashioned aesthetic to it.

But I also notice they have a larger one which can take two helmets... Which would be useful. :/

http://www.motorbikesandparts.co.uk/hepco-becker-junior-tc55-55-litre-top-box-tc55.html

So opinions? Do people think the first one would spoil the look of the bike? And if not, do people think the second one is absurdly large for a Bonneville? Would love to know if anyone else has ever mounted either of these on one.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Both are as ugly as sin, as are all top-boxes.
Oh I don't know. This one compliments the wind-tunnel designed aerodynamic features of a Sprint ST nicely :D it's even colour-coordinated to blend in and just look at the ironmongery needed to keep it up there, two of the struts are about a yard long...:




This one is especially meant to trip up pedestrians and ease the task of doing wheelies:



There's also the organic look of a milk crate :)

http://www.triumphrat.net/attachments/twins-technical-talk/16522d1248403685-if-your-bonnie-looks-like-this-you-might-be-*******-hpim0643.jpg
 
#5 ·
I have a Givi Trekker 46lt on my Tiger 800, I think it looks OK, and is the best I can think of for a Bonneville. The Trekker 33lt is the same base size but not so high which may suit the Bonneville better. Either of these needs a Monokey rack, Fehling do one for the Bonneville but it's chrome so (for me anyway) would need blacking out.

 
#7 ·
Yeah, that's not too bad. Thanks. I also found this by Hepco & Becker:



Same principle, I reckon - just don't try to make anything special out of it and just settle for something fairly neutral. Thing is, my Bonneville is actually a light grey and silver so a light grey box may actually blend in.

I've been trying to find a black rack for it but only found chrome so far. I've not actually been riding that long - is it easy to black out chrome?
 
#9 ·
Here's my BRG ST after five days in Northern VT a few years back- small Givi topbox, and a tank bag always served me well on that bike- no panniers! And my much- missed Speedie, Eleanor- used a small tank bag and a tail pack on her for overnights.No plans for anything on the Thruxton, other than the small Detroit Cargo bag on the right side just behind the shock...miss those two bikes...
 

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#14 ·
Well, I can. But (a) that's no good for carrying a spare helmet just generally - I suppose I can fasten it on but I get edgy having it rolling around back there especially when I'm doing seventy. I just picture the last thing someone sees being a bouncing helmet flying through their windscreen. Possibly accompanied by the Damnbusters theme. ;)

(b), I live in the UK so you tend to come back to a soggy helmet. :)
 
#16 ·
Okay - another question as I've been looking at these Hepco&Becker ones. Is there any possibility of fitting them on the standard Triumph-made rack, or do I need their own ones? I have the standard on the back at the moment and can replace it but if there's a chance of using it... Anyone know?
 
#27 ·
My roll bag is held on with four backpack style quick release buckles. It would be easy to take if you bothered to look at it's underside. Currently it looks like s4I+ from too much sun, so I don't think anyone would want it. I don't leave anything in there that I'd hate to lose either, there is no way to lock it. I'd love a black leather one, but I'd worry tons about it.

Those are the cons of the bag I have, maybe a more expensive one is more secure? I don't know. I do think they look retro and far better than any top box I've seen.
 
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