Top Box

Sandycheeks

Sandycheeks

Sandycheeks

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30 Oct 2013
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How much of a difference in handling will there be if using a ~47ltr top box.
Amongst my reasons for wanting one is somewhere to stow my riding gear and helmet if going anywhere.
 
I played the How much shopping can I get in my caravan (topbox) game loads of times & no matter how much you have in there you don't feel it until you try to put your bike on a stand, riding no worrys at all.

Unless you have a small bike I s'pose.
 
Sandycheeks said:
How much of a difference in handling will there be if using a ~47ltr top box.
Amongst my reasons for wanting one is somewhere to stow my riding gear and helmet if going anywhere.
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Shouldn't be much of any difference, unless you fill it with bricks then you'll have more weight on the back, will be like having a pillion, sort off. A top box is centre to the bike, so all should be well albeit slightly more top heavy.

You only really have issues with handling when you have panniers unbalanced, e.g. 5kg in one side and 15-20kg in the other.
 
Yeah I can feel it a bit top heavy on the Street Triple when I load it up but it's not that bad. Can't really tell on the ktm 990 though.
 
DanF said:
Yeah I can feel it a bit top heavy on the Street Triple when I load it up but it's not that bad. Can't really tell on the ktm 990 though.
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Sorry to hijack this topic but what do you have on your triple and would you recommend it?
 
Depends what you fill it with. When empty it won't make any difference at all. When fully loaded it will still be very minor, unless it's with lead!

Max load is usually only around 10KG, which is nothing really (although I've put more than that in before!)
 
Kreeeee said:
Sorry to hijack this topic but what do you have on your triple and would you recommend it?
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I put on a Givi tech v46 which has been very handy. It can fit a helmet and jacket in it or a full camping kit. Locks up and is fairly waterproof as well. Picked up the mounting bars from ebay which where pretty easy to fit. The only thing is it looks pretty ugly when you're not needing to use the case.

http://www.soymotero.net/images/6702.jpg

And it holds the case fairly high so if you load it up it does effect the handling a bit. Nothing crazy though.
 
Like I said, if I decide to nip anywhere it would be nice to remove the pants, coat and helmet on arrival and put it in there until I return and change back again.
Hate walking around clutching a helmet and wearing textile pants over my jeans...especially in this glorious weather.
 
DanF said:
I put on a Givi tech v46 which has been very handy. It can fit a helmet and jacket in it or a full camping kit. Locks up and is fairly waterproof as well. Picked up the mounting bars from ebay which where pretty easy to fit. The only thing is it looks pretty ugly when you're not needing to use the case.

http://www.soymotero.net/images/6702.jpg

And it holds the case fairly high so if you load it up it does effect the handling a bit. Nothing crazy though.
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I had the same case on my Versys. Quality bit of kit. Fine for storing one helmet and clothes (I packed a weeks worth of clothing into mine for a Euro trip), but can't fit 2 helmets (unless you're lucky!)
 
The weight won't make much of a difference, but you'll find that crosswinds and buffeting from HGVs will catch you a little more.

I recently put a Givi V47 on the Capo - not much difference from the V46, as Sagalout said two helmets is ambitious but plenty of room for one plus some gear.
 
Only issue I have found with mine is lugging my chain and disc lock around, The bike was much harder to push around and felt rather top heavy, took them out and it is loads better.
 
Chances are you won't notice it that much, unless you ride your bike a lot and always alone. In that case, you'd notice if you put a good few kilos in (as mentioned, like having a light pillion), as the steering will feel slightly lighter and you'll probably pick up on the effects of wind, gusts, slipstreams, etc.

However, it also depends on the bike.
Some riders find their boxes act as windbreaks when they roll off the throttle.
 
You don't notice it on the Tiger.
I don't even notice the missus on the back on the standard suspension settings either.
 
I love the Tigers and sat on a few when shopping around...I like how big they feel.
Unfortunately the price put me off.
If I spent the same on a Tiger as I did on the Versys I would have ended up with a bike 7 or 8 years older with 20 - 25000 miles extra on the clock.
Was a bit of a no brainer really...if I ever get to a point where money is no object then I might consider it again.
I know they're a great bike but gotta watch them pennies.
 
Sandycheeks said:
I never considered the air brake effect, not sure it will have much of an effect.
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Like I said, it depends on the bike. Most of the Triumph Trophy riders have said it's almost dangerous, especially with side winds as well.

In truth, it'll probably have noticable effects, but not be anywhere near concerning.
 
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