Top Boxes - Questions

[captain_ramshackle]

I've got a Givi top box that came with my bike and I have a few questions

1) Why is it possible to detach a locked top box and walk off with it? Doesn't this render it's locking ability slightly pointless

2) Why are they so expensive? The build quality seems pretty low.

3) Do people make top boxes that lock to the bike?

4) Do people frequently steal top boxes?

5) Are you happy leaving your helmet in your top box in a car park? If yes, is it because your box can't be removed while locked?

[Taught2BCauti...]

Hmmm... I have a Givi Top Box that came with my bike, and it definitely locks to the mounting plate that is bolted to the bike.

You have to turn the key, and press the top button to open the lid, or the bottom button to release it from the mounting plate.

As far as I know, all Givi Top and Side boxes work like this, as long as they are attached to the correct mounting plate.

I'm happy leaving all sorts of stuff in mine, as messing it causes the alarm to go off.

I would guess that with Givi, you are paying a bit extra for better quality materials - and perhaps a bit for the name.

I have seen cheaper brands that fade to grey in sunlight, and you could probably tear the lid open without too much trouble.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Baffler186]

1) Mine was not like this, it was a cheapo one but could only be unscrewed from the inside.

2) Never had an expensive one.

3) I thought all of them did

4) Don't know

5) I would never leave anything of value in it, no matter how secure the top box seemed. Same reason I would not leave my wallet in a car glove compartment - thieves will chance it if desperate
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[UncleFester]

Sounds like you might have the wrong box on the wrong plate - i have two Givi boxes both need different mounting plates. They only lock ( and are not removable once locked ) to the correct plate.

Dumb question - are you sure you're locking it properly?
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2017 Z1000SX

[barrkel]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Can't detatch my boxes without using force or a key.
Happy to leave lid either locked inside or padlocked to grab rail/helmet lock depending on where I park and how paranoid I'm feeling.

In Manchester I try not to draw attention to my big red ducati, so leave the massive red panniers off and usually carry my helmet.

At a festival I won't leave the helmets out, I lock the helmets away so people don't use them as rubbish bins.

I'm sure top boxes get stole all the time...same as bikes.

Tax disc holders were expensive for what they were, topboxes are similar.

Thought that Givi did decent boxes....[shrugs]
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[mentalboy]

[orangepeeleo]

Mine locks to the base, can't pop the red button and remove it without unlocking it first, I know this because the cover I bought is too small for bike+topbox so I have take it off every night to cover my bike up

I always keep my gloves/lid and buff in there whenever I'm not on the bike, whether my topbox is in my kitchen cupboard or on the bike when parked outside work/ASDA
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Bikes : HN125 (sold) - Lexmoto ZSX 125 (Stolen!) - Currently bimbling on : '10 YBR

[Rogerborg]

[captain_ramshackle]

Then it seems my top box has a fault (went down and checked)

When locked the button you press to unclip it from the tray moves freely. You can't get into the box so it is locked.

[ADSrox0r]

It's already been said but believe me, third party luggage is nowhere near as expensive as OEM colour matched.

Take a look at how much my full pannier, top box and rear rack costs (Not for the faint hearted) It was one of the reasons I made sure when buying second hand it came with the touring kit, it's worth a mint alone.

https://bikes.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/my-bike/accessory-brochures/_jcr_content/par1/textcolumnwithimagem_12/textColumn/richtextdownload_dab/file.res/HUK%20MC%20HGA%20VFR800F.pdf
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[orangepeeleo]

[UncleFester]

[captain_ramshackle]

[mentalboy]

I have had occasion to remove the locking system on my Monolock topbox in the past because it gets gummed up with roadmuck quite easily and eventually reaches a state that makes the button almost impossible to push open and the catch jams up.
Remove the lock, clean it up and whilst it's out check the movement of the locking arm against the button for removing the box from it's mount.
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Make mine a Corona.

[Nash GT]

As above, if anything I've had problems taking it off when it has been on the bike for long periods of time as the locking mechanism gets covered in road shite, salt, grime etc.

It is quite sturdy and has never given me reason for concern, helmet and gloves get left inside at work
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Suzuki GSF600N

[talkToTheHat]

Take the mechanism apart and clean it. It should lock onto the bike with a positive click and not be removable without pushing the button which requires the key be in the unlocked position.

I bought a second hand givi e45 just over two years ago, I had to clean a sticky mechanism as it had a habit of coming loose on the go and throwing the topbox down the road, which is proper scary when it throws you off balance cornering on a wet slippery road. I greased the mechanism with a little rubber grease. Its been fine since but I check carefully. E45 Topbox is indestructible. It was battle scarred when I got it, and since then has fallen off twice as described above and survived a few careless falls and a rear ending that bent or scraped most of the shiny bits on the bike.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Rogerborg]

And if it doesn't behave, just bolt it onto the mounting plate unless you have a pressing need to keep removing it.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Taught2BCauti...]

You should feel a noticeable difference when you push in the bottom button, when the key is in the 'Lock' and 'Unlock' position.

If not, there is a possible fault with the internal locking cam. It's plastic, so it can break - but they are easy to take apart and repair or replace parts.

Have a look at This Website for spare parts available, or search on Google / eBay for "Givi Spares".

You might have to buy a set of parts to get what you want, but you can always re-sell the bits you don't use - it would be cheaper than a new box.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[captain_ramshackle]

[ScaredyCat]

[talkToTheHat]

Compared to the cheap ebay topboxes I've seen, my e45 is built like a tank. I have some Kappa branded E21/K21 boxes on they way that came in at about £80 for the pair, which is dirt cheap for givi/kappa. Will no doubt comment on the quality or lack of.

I suspect a large fraction of the price is transport and dealer floorspace consumption. They're significantly cheaper than Hepco & Becker or Metal Mule. I think Krauser have been resurrected but i'm not convinced by recent online offerings.

What other competition is there that isn't a frangible box and some meccano?
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Bandit. does. everything.

[mentalboy]

[weasley]