Cheap top boxes?

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Does anyone have experience of buying and using cheap top boxes similar to this?

eBay Cheapy

After looking at all the usual Givi, Kappa etc I can't see that there is any major differences between the bog standard boxes and the cheapo boxes.

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

I got a similar one for my 6r, it was rubbish. I now see they do a metal plate for it to sit on. Mine was plastic and it cracked after a couple of miles, this was with no weight in the box at all. The fitting kit was very soft and bent very easily with any pressure at all on the bolts.
The box itself didn't last long either, cracks and hinges going.

It was worth a punt at £30 but I'd never buy another one.
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

have a look for rickman boxes not pretty but cheap and sturdy.
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Imonster · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Karma :

The way I've got mine for the last few years, is by going to the local dealerships - they tend to take the boxes off the bike's taken in part ex, and then not get round to selling the boxes on.

Pop into a couple of your local one's and offer them £20 - £30 for one if they've got any lying around - personally I'd rather get a second hand trusted name, than spend the same cash on an unknown - sheepishly retrieving your top box from the hard shoulder is a bit embarrassing Mr. Green

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..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Cheers, I might try that little trick Thumbs Up

Also, I saw a Givi Monolock 46 litre box that seemed to fit the bill until I noticed it was rated for 3kg of load! That's hardly anything.

I noticed the Monokey series can take more weight but you need the bike specific mount, whereas the Monolock boxes have a universal mount plate which would be better as I already have a rear rack on my bike.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Last time I looked into this ended up with a rebadged one from the the fast one.co.uk.

Appear to have changed their stock (think the company was sold/bankrupt and then revamped). However, the Tech 7 stuff looks similar and might be worth considering.

https://www.thefastone.co.uk/prodimages/Fullsize/Luggage/TECH7BOX.jpg

The trick will be to get the right plate to fit the bike.

HTH Thumbs Up

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Sir Black Pig · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Karma :

Scroll down the list on the ebay ad, FDTB04. I had one, lasted about 6 months, first off the hinge pin fell out, then a few weeks later a crack appeared in the lid, emanating from where the badge thing is.

SHITE!

Oh and by the way, I bought mine from Alpha custom bikes, on ebay and the basterds didn't want to know, shame really they lost a lot of custom through that one, I hope they go bust.

The next one as featured in the post above, the tech 7, well I have 2, I have the 26 and the 46 Litre ones, the 26 has been fine (so far) however the 44 litre has always rattled around on the mounting plate, and just last week the molded mounting bracket on the back of the box sheared off.
Still at least with this one it lasted well over a year. And I reckon it's worth having a go at repairing it. I'm gonna have a go at manufacturing a new bracket to bolt on.
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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

What sort of size are you looking for Joe?

I've got a Givi Monokey with mounting plate (it's the 'you'd get one helmet in it and a little bit of stuff' size, not sure what that is in litres) kicking around the lockup somewhere (probably at the back under the furniture) if you're interested.

Bought it for the Sprint then got a deal on a Triumph one with the rack and bits I needed so used that instead. This was the original ad - https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=170341

It does guff of M1ke's socks though. Sick

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Thanks Bendy, but I think that would be too small.

I may have found a solution - spend more money. By the sounds of it cheap boxes are cheap for a reason.

I've seen a Hepco & Becker top box and pannier rack that I'll get - it will come in useful for another trip I'm hoping to do - and just fit one of their bigger top boxes. There seems to be some reasonably priced second hand on eBay and good quality. Plus it will mounted on a good sturdy mount - and I can sell my OEM Yamaha rack that came with the bike to offset some of the cost.

smegballs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Karma :

bunglehaze · Brolly Dolly Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Karma :

I had one of the boxes in the OP to review (metal plate) and actually although its made to a budget it holds out water and carries a lot of kit, it also had a back rest on which my other half really appreciated.

Is it as good as a top of the range Givi? Well no but at its price point it does what it needs to and pretty well..

https://www.bikechatter.co.uk/luggage/1024-fd-moto-fd-02-top-box-review.html

leigh Smile

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neil. · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Karma :

I have also overloaded my Givi E30 beyond the 3kg limit many times, it's always been fine. Maybe they say 3kg because it might make a bit of difference to handling as the weight is right at the end of the bike? Had this Givi for 2 years, 24'000 miles and it's been great, no snapping/weakening etc at all. And they also make a brake light that goes in the lid (maybe good for high up lorry drivers who can't see your normal one as the box might obscure it).
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27cows · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Karma :

I've got a double size Rickman box which I've had since the early 90s. They are virtually indestructible, but they're not pretty.
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iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I've had a cheap Givi on various bikes since I got the CCM in 2007.
It's still doing ok. Cost me £40 or so I think.
https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p450520607-4.jpg
Got it attached to my GSXR in a similar manner - using a second hand seat-hump.

Mine takes a single full face helmet, they do do ones that take a double.
Alternatively, if it's for a trail bike... I found a couple of tyres with a bungee new over the top worked quite well Smile

-

https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p1037449396-4.jpg
Definitely need to adjust the pre-load though, to avoid a bit-scary wobbly front end especially at slow speed with all that weight over the back though!

I'd like to make a 'custom' aluminium top box for the GSXR - ideally one that's narrow, which is secured behind the seat, but rests on the seat, however can be turned 90 degrees, so it's much wider but allows the pillion seat to be used.