Luggage Racks / Top Boxes

[jaxx]

I was looking to buy a top box for the bandit, as I'm normally covered in rucksacks and holdalls.

Now, I understand I need to first get a Rack to put the box on to, but how does this work? Are most universal? Can I get a cheap rack from somewhere, and put a different brand box on it?

And also, are there seperate racks, those for taking just a top box, and those to take panniers also? I figure if im going to get a rack, it may as well be capable of holding multiple packs, for when i treat myself to the panniers too...

Finally, where's cheapest to purchase said items? I've had a brief google, but wasn't 100% sure what i was looking for yet.

Thanks for reading, and any subsequent help

[dragstaar]

I've got a Givi monorack and a 2helmet box on the back. Box was £100 and the rack £75.

Luggage sets are expensive, but yes, by all means, get the rask that can take panniers, then invest in the panniers after. I say always go with givi if you want something that lasts and has some element of waterproofing.

I used to have a rickman on my CG but it was shit and broke quite quickly, within a few months of daily use.

My Givi on the bandit has withstood 15,000 miles of daily use, and is still going strong.

[Teflon-Mike]

Most paniers these days are what used to be called 'system' luggage, like the Givi or Krauser Mono-Key kits, where you buy a box, which has fittings to clip to a system rack-plate or side-rail.

To fit them you then need the bracketry on the bike. Some top-boxes come with an adaptor plate that can be bolted to a conventional tube rack, sometimes you have to buy the adaptor plate seperately. Some-times, you get a 'rack-kit' where the luggage base is actually bracketed for the top-box. You then get seperate side-rails to take the paniers.

Thats how my old Non-Fango set is, and the rack-base is actually the mounting plate for the top box, which hooks onto a rail that subs as a grab-rail when the box is removed. Side rails bolt to the mounting rails for the rack, and can be braced with some iron-mongery included in the kit.

I actually went for a two-box system, umpty years ago. Two 46l paniers, each big enough to take two FF Hats, clip to the side rails, as paniers leaving the rack empty to take bed-roll & tent under bungees, for all up touring. One panier, a clip removed can be shifted to the rack for commuting to take my wet-proofs, boots and hat when I park up. Its quite a good way to go, two-boxes, depending on what usage you envissage.

Going 'old-skool', you got 'side'-racks. Tubular tail-rack, but the rack-rails bent over, down the sides and back again in a _|-|_ form.
People used to load them with 'loose' luggage like a top-rack, sticking heavy stuff like tent or stove on the bottom, to get the mass lower. Or you could bolt the old fasioned 'universal' Rickman GRP panier to the sides, or the universal 'top-box'. Not very common these days, as not so versatile, you'll probably not find any, and if hunting for hard-paniers, most will be system style.

Be warned: when you get hard-luggage, you will have an epiphany, wondering WHY you never did it before, and spent all them years phucking about with bungees........ they are GREAT, make biking SO much more convenient, and hassle free! actually used to take the VF to the super-market in preference to the car... actually got more 'stuff' in them two paniers than I did the boot of a hatch-back! And you'll start scoffing at folk at rallies and meets buggering about with bungees and cargo-nets!

THEN at some point in later life, you'll get another bike, or wind up with a loaner, and not be able to get the hard-luggage on it, and will have to resort to the throw-overs and tank-bag gathering dust in the attick (DONT whatever you do loan them out or give them away, you WILL find a use for them at some point and curse the loss!). At which point, you'll end up standing by the bike, scratching your head wondering how the heck you are going to get all this kit on it.... and start looking at all teh shit you have been hauling about with you everywhere, and start pairing it down, wondering WHY you ever thought it 'essential' to carry some of the crap you've had as permenent occupants of the boxes..... and a little while after, you'll start wondering why you were so committed to the hard luggage.... it took half the 'fun' out of your biking!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Peirre oBollox]

Watch out for Renetec racks, as there not rated to carry much weight, and will break quite easily under a heavy load of camping gear etc
____________________
I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[jaxx]

Right, thanks guys, that has pretty much confirmed what I had already thought.

I think I'm gonna go for the full rack, one with the capability of taking panniers and top box, as this allows the most diversity and upgradability...

So, which one? And does anyone know of a cheaper source than direct, or ebay?

I can probably only afford the rack for now. Then I'll order some panniers when my insurance payout comes through, whenever that may be...

Thanks
Jaxx