Talk to me about the size of your box, please

[Whosthedaddy]

No not that type of box

I mentioned to the wife that I would go and get a DVD for my sister-in-law and then made me think that I only have so many pockets and with wallet, mobile and door keys they are already bulging.

I have no under seat storage, but I do have a small luggage rack.

I'm not too keen on the idea of bungees and a cargo net as bouncing over the speed humps as I do, its likely to wriggle off The bikes also too small for panniers. I do have a metal tank, and I believe that you can get a small style tank bag, but not keen on the security issues when the bikes left alone.

Looking I can get a top box for the Tonka toy

https://www.monkeybike.co.uk/acatalog/954-Monkey_Top_Box_for_rear_luggage_rack_med.jpg

Its a Givi top box for only £48, seems like a good price as they are a good make (yes or no?) and it has a 26 litre capacity.

Now that seems like a fair amount especially for a small bike, or would it look like

https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d44/short1uk/Hornet/rear.jpg
Man that looks huge

It should be more than enough for the odd little bit of shopping, lock and maybe a lid when empty which brings me on the other question.

How does a top box make the bike handle?

I get blown all over the place as it is and with a huge heavy box up high I wonder if it will be even more of a wheelie machine from lights.

I suppose the cheap and simple answer is 'wear a ruck sack'

All comments and views welcome
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Annabella]

I use a tank bag that has rucksack straps, so I can whip it off my bike and chuck it on my back.

I believe Infinity have got an Oxford First time tank bag for £20, it must beworth trying before you start spending £80+ on hard luggage.
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Avast! Pirates ahoy!
I did Cadwell!
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[Kel]

I've got one of the Oxford first time bags - its pretty good.

Slightly too wide on my shoulders, but hey, I put that much stuff in it it aint going anywhere!

I've also managed to fit a freeview box in it, so I'm guessing a DVD shouldn't be a problem!

[TheShaggyDA]

I have a Givi wingrack on the CB, with a 45 litre box. Most of the time it's just got my waterproof leggings in. It's where my helmet lives when it's not on my head, but I also use it for shopping and the odd weekend away, when it gets filled. I've not noticed any real difference when it's loaded; front gets a little lighter, but that's about it. I also have a pair of Swagman throwovers that come out of retirement every now and again, still waterproof after years of neglect and abuse.

I'm tempted to make my own hard panniers for the bike. I had some on the CB250RS for a while which included an extra set of rear lights from a caravan. I had to remove them after a SMIDSY incident where a pillock in a Granada rear ended me on a roundabout.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Sephiroth]

You could put your bike in that top box!

It'd be safe.

[Keir]

thats about 48 litre i think....
I have a 24 litre on the fazer which is just about big enough to store a full face helmet in. It gets my lunch to work nice and dry! I got it from ebay for about 20 quid and bolted it to a £15 'sports rack' rather than a specially made outfit. Works well.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[palmer]

I'd say back pack.

The backpack i use is fairly good, all the usual pockets, a fold out net for your helmet, and on the plus side has a back protecter built into it.

not sure of the make, wasnt that expencive though afaik.

plus it looks fairly stylish, and you coul use it everyday (if you need a rucksack every day..)

[Shaun]

Same as Ann I use a tank bag with straps on so I can chuck it over my shoulder when walking round. The bonus of a tank bag is a lot of them have a clear pocket on top so if you're travelling somewhere new you can have a map/directions to read right infront of you.

Don't cemplain about not being able to carry stuff on the bike either, I moved house using a tank bag, cargo net and bungee straps!

Oh and as long as you packed a givi box sensibly it wouldn't affect the handling noticeably at all because the weight will be centralised and depending on your intelligence hopefully not being flung around inside the box.

[Whosthedaddy]

I had one of those Aldi tank bags, was good and fitted the ZXR quite well.

I agree with Shaun a tank bag is nice, it had a nice few compartments on the top to place smaller items and a nice clear map pocket. Although you could leave the base insitu and just unzip the 'rucksack' section, it was a little fiddly and when fully laiden a chore to fit correctly.

I used to wear a rucksack when in the leathers.

I would place my uniform in the pack and get changed when at work. This had a couple of downsides. The uniform would be absolutey freezing cold , my back would sweat like no bodies buisness and I would be constantly nudging the pack with my elbows to keep it central.

The OCD would also come out, 'did I lock the zip properly'? and then spent the next few miles just worrying that my keys and phone have fallen out in the fast lane somewhere
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[SoulRider]

I allways use a ruck sack and never have a problem with it moving about as i tighten the straps right up every time. The heat is a problem and in the summer i will be using it very little as it only carries around my clear visor and the long summer days mean i wont have to worry about that.

You can get decent ruck sacks that fit well but all of mine have been cheap ones and do the job fine. Depends what you need it for and how much use its gunna get. When i start touring i will be getting big ruck sack and possibly bungee cords if i need more luggage space as such. But then i dont like the idea of puting hard luggage on my bike.
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My Bike Pics

[JonT]

i have the 52 litre givi on my SV650. Looks gay as hell, but it is SOO useful.

[krebsy]

I had a 45+ Ltr Monolock box on the back of the Divvy which was very useful for carting stuff around in. It was also a nice rectangular shape so was more useful than the similar sized Givi I have at the moment on the ZZR.

It's going spare so if anyone wants it..

Handling wasn't really affected to be honest and it's only really full if were two-up on the bike anyway. MUCH better than using a rucksack which acts as a big sail in the wind.

The 26Ltr Givi boxes will take a lid and that's about it. My old and new box will take a lid, tools, boots and assorted odds and ends. Generally I chuck my 25L rucksack (with laptop in it) into the box and some spare laayers of clothing for the few long distance commutes I have to do every now and again.

K.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[i_am_tim]

for a dvd just slide it inside your jacket when your sitting on the bike it cant slide out

but yeah tank bag ftw for bigger items, only good for steel tanks tho, my plastic one wont take it
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previous bike: 2000 Aprilia rs 125 - SOLD

current bike: 2001 Yamaha R6 - sweeeeet

[Whosthedaddy]

[TheShaggyDA]

Home made boxes FTW!

https://users.lmi.net/gshell/nh/images/pix_20031201/DSCF0007.JPG
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[Whosthedaddy]

Old ammo boxes look good, but a little lardy and huge for my ride.
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Nb]

[quik_d]

[short1uk]

Erm nice to see you rippin the piss out me box!!!

Its not that big it looks alright when its on and I am not taking the picture from a dodgy "does my box look big in this" angle.

The box is ace. My tank bag now fits in it save pissin around at the petty station taking it off to fill. Its ideal for work for my shoes and clothes etc and it didnt seem to affect handling when i went out the other week.

And I think MY hornet looks mint!

[Whosthedaddy]

[short1uk]

my old box was a 26 mate, micro 2. tbh it was OK, fitted my lid but nothing else some time struggled even with gloves etc.

This big un is a 46 litre one.

[short1uk]

You could have had mine mate, £20!!! as new just sold on flea bay.

It was the micro 2 much better than that one in ur pic which is flimsy made

[krebsy]

[map]

Box size is fine
Actually a Givi 2 helmet size. Don't know what that'd be in litres as it came with the bike (say 48 or 52 ).

Sat on a big tourer it doesn't look out of place though
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[Bezzer]

The original pic is a Givi V46 (litre) box, depends on the size of your bike as to whether it looks stupid or not. Got one and a SW Motech rack which just leaves a small plate on the bike when not in use, 10 second job to put the box on when needed or take it off. They may look ugly but they aren't half practical for carrying stuff and leaving your lid dry and safe. Backpacks with any weight in them at all can be a right pain literally if you use it for any distance, plus if you come off they can cause more injury to you if there's something hard in there.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.