Top Box

[Vulcan]

I am thinking of adding a top box to my bike for the Reno trip.....In reading the posts most seem to like the Givi box but there is not much posted about the Yamaha topbox. I like the idea of the factory box matching the color etc. Can this box be removed easily? I know that they burn you for a mounting kit that stays on the bike....how does this look? Anybody got some good photos of the box mounted on the bike as well as some photos of the mount attached to the bike?

While on the topic of storage.....anybody using the European Yamaha tank bag? It looks pretty good and the cut matches the sloped gas tank.

 

[Ignacio]

If you're talking about the tank bag here then I have it and like it very much. Obviously huge and well constructed.

Don't have photos of the top box, but saw a guy at TechWest with one and he liked it. It's also cavernous.

 

[Vulcan]

Yes...tht is the tank bag. With the top not popped up can you see the speedo when you are riding? THe bag seems very tall.

Do you lay on it when cruising?

 

[Ignacio]

I can see the speedo fine with the bag zipped out. At 6'4" The idiot lights start to get covered a bit, but not to bad if you position the bag farther back. I tend to like it farther back not to interfere with handlebar turn.

I've only run it zipped out once before and it was to haul some stuff back home.

I'm not a tank layer so...no I don't lay on it. I've got a gut, but there's plent of room between the tank bag and a fuel cell I have installed on back.

 

[Bearly Flying]

Vulcan: I've got the Yamaha top box on my 05. It pops on and off the same as the side case's, stick the key in, lift the handle, and walk away.

The original mounting wasn't very comfortable for the Wife, the backrest was positioned just a bit too far foreward. I installed a couple of spacers under the two front mounting bolts on the carrier plate, tilting the box back, allowing the Wife to lean back about another inch or so. Much more comfortable for her.

Maybe we can hook up sometime, I'm just up the road from you a couple hours..... Don

 

[Penforhire]

I have the Euro bag but I don't use it for daily rides. I find it too big, interferes slightly with either my body or the bars. It seems like the right piece of gear for a multi-day ride though.

 

[Geezer]

Just a matter of personal preference, but I don't like the look of the Yamaha top box so I looked for an alternative. I went with the Givi V46 for my '05. I got the color matched lid and the color matches very well to the paint on the bike. It also fits 2 full face helmets while the Yamaha one will not.

Another reason to look at alternatives to the Yamaha box is price. For a little over $400 I got the Givi rack for the FJR with mounting plate, the V46, blue lid, and the luggage rack for the top of the box shipped to my door.

 

[Windjammer]

I bought the Yamaha top case when I picked up my '05. It looks nice and seems to work fine. I didn't care for the mounting system, which required me to drill two 7/8" holes in the painted tailsection of a new bike. No second chances, and no template provided. Basically, it was a PITA. From what I've seen of the Givi system, the mounting is simpler and more rugged. If I had it to do over again, I'd prolly go with the Givi. At least take a good hard look at them before buying the Yamaha top case.

 

[Vulcan]

Drilling into the tail section? OK that counts the Yamaha box out for me.

 

[Vulcan]

Hey Geezer....where did you order your Givi from? With the Givi box once the brackst is mounted can you take the top box on/off without a big hassle? Is the Givi and no drill install (to the box or the bike?)

 

[boogahboogah]

Givi for me. No muss, no fuss, holds lots, looks aero.

Also, I've seen where some instability has been reported at high (110+) speeds with the Yamaha ... (If that matters to you).

My GiVi came from RLmotorcycles.com, good price, free shipping, very friendly, family run.

 

[Geezer]

Hey Geezer....where did you order your Givi from? With the Givi box once the brackst is mounted can you take the top box on/off without a big hassle? Is the Givi and no drill install (to the box or the bike?)

I got the Givi from Gary McCoy at University Motors. [email protected] 866-551-6478. Price was $428 including shipping.

The Givi V46 uses a single key like the Yamaha box but it mounts differetly. It doesn't have a handle to pull up, instead it has two large buttons to press, one to open the box and one to release it from the rack. Overall it is about as convenient and simple to remove as the Yamaha. Givi also makes a larger 52 liter box which does have a handle and gives you even more space but it does not have a color matching top available and I think the V46 is about as big a box as I'd like to have hanging on the back.

Mounting the Givi rack is as simple as removing the Yamaha rack and replacing it with the Givi. Four of the five bolts on the original rack are reused but with spacers like very thick washers added. No drilling required. The instructions amount to a set of pictures which seemed confusing at first but are actually very good once I looked them over carefully.

Caveats:

I did have to drill holes in the top of the Givi case to mount the top luggage rack. It came with a template that was pretty accurate. Not sure how often I'll use the top rack but I like the way it looks.

The Yamaha rack has rubber gaskets on the two mounting posts where it pokes through the tailpiece and on both sides of the seat where it wraps around and goes under the seat. The Givi does not have these gaskets. I have not had mine out on the road yet but others have told me that water does get in through the two post holes.

 

[madmike2]

I used the foam gaskets for the posts, then pushed some weather strip into the gap in the "channel". I've never had water get into my FJR tailpiece.

The Givi goes on and off with no hassle, other than it doesn't use the Yamaha key. I got the brake light kit for mine, so I have an extra brake light when the topcase is on the bike. I also have the luggage rack. Its an easy place to bungee a jacket liner or such when traveling, and a great place to dry my socks while driving to the next nights resting place :haha: .

 

[GalaxyBlue]

I have the Yamaha top box and love it! Dont let the drilling holes stop you... It really looks good and it IS stable to 130mph... Tested it!

Adam

 

[sparky3008]

Givi for me. No muss, no fuss, holds lots, looks aero.
Also, I've seen where some instability has been reported at high (110+) speeds with the Yamaha ... (If that matters to you).

My GiVi came from RLmotorcycles.com, good price, free shipping, very friendly, family run.

Seems RLmotorcycles.com is having a clearance sell on these.

SR346 top case mount $124.11

V46A900 Satin Silver $250.11

Replacement lids which are extra do have the 05 Galaxy Blue color available.

C46 Replacement lid for color match is B572 $57.42

I figured the Satin Silver would match the side cover which is silver, just a guess though.

Note the V46 will be tight for 2 L helmets depending on make and model. The E52 is bigger and will hold XL helmets.

https://rlmotorcycles.com/home/Accessories/givi_monokey.htm