Aluminium Topbox assumptions

[MarkH]

I've had my Givi Trekker 58L box for about 6.5 years, still looks about the same as when I got it. It was on my previous bike when the bike was written off, but the case is still fine and I didn't want to pay again for a new one for the new bike.
I probably would have paid for a new Trekker 58L if the old one had been damaged in the accident and could not be used anymore, but damn, the new Trekkers have gone up in price a lot since I bought mine back in '18.

[nerrrd]

Thanks for the advice, I’m going with the 46 litre Trekker Dolomiti, it’s not as rugged as the full blown adventure cases but should still have the same packing advantages and be pretty durable (hopefully).

[SaferRides]

I went from plastic Givi cases to SW-Motec aluminium cases. They certainly can carry more, but I also discovered the downside. The flat forward facing sides increased fuel consumption remarkably. From around 20 km/l down to 18 km/l or less, and that also dropped the max range on my VStrom from around 400 km down to around 350 km. However that was a small price to pay for the convenience of carrying more gear on my regular trips from Alexandra to Hamilton.

The real cost was in demerits on my licence. With the plastic cases a cop's stalker radar would pick me up at around 500 to 600 m. With the aluminium cases the same radar unit could pick me up at over 1 km, as I discovered on the long straight road heading into Farlie.

I have now gone back to plastic Givi cases on my latest Vstrom.

Interesting. Flat aluminium certainly does make a good reflector. I wouldn't have expected that much difference in fuel consumption though.

That's a long trip to be doing regularly, but takes in some good roads.

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[Jantar]

Interesting. Flat aluminium certainly does make a good reflector. I wouldn't have expected that much difference in fuel consumption though.

That's a long trip to be doing regularly, but takes in some good roads.

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That long commute 4 times a year was the reason I was not very active on this forum for a number of years.

[nerrrd]

So I'm now a month or two down the track and the top box is working well, it's exactly the right size to fit two (countdown) shopping bags side by side (not the giant Pak'n Save ones) which is all I really need. It feels tough and durable and still looks shiny.

Hardest part was making some aluminium brackets to adapt the Shad rack I already had to fit the Givi top plate, but so far it's all holding together well.

Only disadvantage I've found is the lack of handles for carrying off the bike. I've been using some luggage straps on the plastic tie-down anchors on the lid as stand-in handles, but I'm slightly concerned about breaking the anchors if there's too much weight in the box. There's a universal Givi handle you can buy for $50 but you have to drill holes to install it, which I'm not keen on doing.

[F5 Dave]

Two points. Aluminum brackets are far more prone to vibration cracks and luggage will wobble very quickly in the wind. Just be sure it's thick enough. Steel is a wonder product in that regard. Bit heavy though.

2nd. Countdown? Rich bitch! Next you'll be all like, well I've changed to New World as they carry my shopping out to my limousine.

[nerrrd]

Two points. Aluminum brackets are far more prone to vibration cracks and luggage will wobble very quickly in the wind. Just be sure it's thick enough. Steel is a wonder product in that regard. Bit heavy though.

2nd. Countdown? Rich bitch! Next you'll be all like, well I've changed to New World as they carry my shopping out to my limousine.

Thanks, I’ll try to keep keeping an eye on it – it’s 3mm thick (bought from Bunnings, so top quality stuff).

Hmmm, maybe that explains the dirty looks I get wandering around Pak’n Save with my Countdown bags (although in the bizzaro world that is Central Auckland, the ratio of Pak’n Saves to Countdowns is about 1 to 50, and some things are actually cheaper at Countdown).

[nerrrd]

So I’ve recently noticed that the top case rack that I’m using has a horizontal tilt, in that the left arm is about 5mm lower than the right where the top case plate attaches, meaning the top case has the same fall to the left when installed.

I’ve loosened all the bolts to see if I could straighten it up and retighten everything but I can’t get it to move in the right direction. Everything feels solid enough, but now I’ve noticed it it’s bugging me. Might have to add some spacers to level it out.

It’s unlikely to be bending under the load, right?

[BMWST?]

So I’ve recently noticed that the top case rack that I’m using has a horizontal tilt, in that the left arm is about 5mm lower than the right where the top case plate attaches, meaning the top case has the same fall to the left when installed.

I’ve loosened all the bolts to see if I could straighten it up and retighten everything but I can’t get it to move in the right direction. Everything feels solid enough, but now I’ve noticed it it’s bugging me. Might have to add some spacers to level it out.

It’s unlikely to be bending under the load, right?

surely thats due to either variances in the brackets or the rack they bolt to is not level

[nerrrd]

surely thats due to either variances in the brackets or the rack they bolt to is not level

I think so, the brackets go in flat under the oem grab handles, then there’s a ninety degree return which the supports attach to, so there’s plenty of room for variation.

Was thinking that a long crow bar inserted under the low side and above the high side could potentially twist them into alignment, but knowing me I’d probably damage something in the process. A spacer would be safer.