Alternatives to my OEM topbox? Lomo hard case?
Discussion
I've got a topbox for my bike and love the practicality (and personally don't mind the looks), but I believe plenty of people despise them. (black-k1 I'm looking at you here 
) I need to carry my laptop, mouse, lunch, disc lock, keys etc. on regular journeys. Want it to be either secure or easily removable.
I've borrowed a Kriega US-20 from a mate and have found it an absolutely bloody faff if I want to leave the bike anywhere other than work or home. It's got more straps than Fräulein Helga's Punishment Palace in Hamburg, and many similar alternatives seem to be the same.
I could bolt a Lomo waterproof hard case to the rack that looks shallower and neater than a top box and is just as secure. Are they less offensive than an OEM cube to the haters? Or can someone recommend a 20 litre tailbag that removes easily without leaving a snake's wedding of straps behind?
What do the rest of you do that aren't using an OEM topbox or a Kriega-style strappy bag?
PS. No rucksacks thanks!
) I need to carry my laptop, mouse, lunch, disc lock, keys etc. on regular journeys. Want it to be either secure or easily removable.I've borrowed a Kriega US-20 from a mate and have found it an absolutely bloody faff if I want to leave the bike anywhere other than work or home. It's got more straps than Fräulein Helga's Punishment Palace in Hamburg, and many similar alternatives seem to be the same.
I could bolt a Lomo waterproof hard case to the rack that looks shallower and neater than a top box and is just as secure. Are they less offensive than an OEM cube to the haters? Or can someone recommend a 20 litre tailbag that removes easily without leaving a snake's wedding of straps behind?
What do the rest of you do that aren't using an OEM topbox or a Kriega-style strappy bag?
PS. No rucksacks thanks!
Edited by threadlock on Wednesday 26th March 13:48
I use a Givi topbox when necessary. Sounds like what you need is this: https://www.givi.co.uk/news/plate-trolley-s410
which works with a variety of Givi cases and bags (not rucksacks).
which works with a variety of Givi cases and bags (not rucksacks).
I agree with your comment about Kriega, waste of time and they break too, don't live up to the hype these days.
I've got a couple of top boxes I bought from eBay, I don't use mounting plates and all the nonsense bits of plastic, I use a rubber matt and bolt the top box directly to the KTM rear aluminium plate with rubber bushes and the rubber matt inbetween, with four M10 bolts and nylocks. It moves the top box forward and much lower and stops it looking like something flying along behind the bike. Also makes it hard to steal. I use a dry bag inside if I have anything valuable in there. On long trips I use a nylon strap around it and the KTM plate, as a security measure and in case the top comes open, probably not necessary.
I've got a couple of top boxes I bought from eBay, I don't use mounting plates and all the nonsense bits of plastic, I use a rubber matt and bolt the top box directly to the KTM rear aluminium plate with rubber bushes and the rubber matt inbetween, with four M10 bolts and nylocks. It moves the top box forward and much lower and stops it looking like something flying along behind the bike. Also makes it hard to steal. I use a dry bag inside if I have anything valuable in there. On long trips I use a nylon strap around it and the KTM plate, as a security measure and in case the top comes open, probably not necessary.
KTMsm said:
I CBA with messing about and didn't want the size of a top box
So I bolted a Dewalt drill case to my KTM - worked fine
I've seen others use everything from Peli cases to tool boxes
Those Lomo boxes look like Peli cases
I'm sure there's a joke here about attaching a toolbox to a KTM somewhere, but seeing as I'm in a good mood I'll leave it So I bolted a Dewalt drill case to my KTM - worked fine
I've seen others use everything from Peli cases to tool boxes
Those Lomo boxes look like Peli cases
Edited by KTMsm on Wednesday 26th March 15:48
Whilst I haven't met helga or visited her particular establishment I don't really understand the faff re the krieger kit. I use a 20l for the commute and it's on and off in about 20 seconds shoulder strap attached and it converts into a messenger style bag..
Downside of the krieger 20 L is a bit tight at times, and the contents gets squished a bit when strapping down and you lose the pillion seat.. but then you dont have the additional weight of a top box or frame permanently attached. Just do what works for you.
Fwiw my krieger is mounted thus:
Downside of the krieger 20 L is a bit tight at times, and the contents gets squished a bit when strapping down and you lose the pillion seat.. but then you dont have the additional weight of a top box or frame permanently attached. Just do what works for you.
Fwiw my krieger is mounted thus:
I held out for years not wanting a top box, then had a bike which wouldn't take a top box, then swapped to another bike and ended up with a top box. My long suffering husband had ended up just putting my stuff in his top box when we rode, and I was using a Krieger on the pillion seat.
Honestly it's all so much easier - stuff just lives in the top box now which comes on every ride, and it's so easy just to pop it open and put stuff in there. Laptop bag or whatever you need for work. No impact on filtering, you cant' even see it when you're riding (usually, I do catch a glimpse occasionally), and you get used to how it looks on the bike.
Wish I'd done it years ago ! I went for a Trekker.
Although also - Kriega shouldn't be a mega faff - I used one (forget which size) and it just unclipped, folded the shoulder strap out, and was then a shoulder/messenger bag. Fitted my MacBook in it and a few bits.
Honestly it's all so much easier - stuff just lives in the top box now which comes on every ride, and it's so easy just to pop it open and put stuff in there. Laptop bag or whatever you need for work. No impact on filtering, you cant' even see it when you're riding (usually, I do catch a glimpse occasionally), and you get used to how it looks on the bike.
Wish I'd done it years ago ! I went for a Trekker.
Although also - Kriega shouldn't be a mega faff - I used one (forget which size) and it just unclipped, folded the shoulder strap out, and was then a shoulder/messenger bag. Fitted my MacBook in it and a few bits.
A top box may be practical but it messes with the dynamics of the bike. It is located in the worst position to add weight, drag and a big flat surface for cross winds. There are alternative solutions that work, I know as, after 47 years of riding, including many years/miles of commuting and touring, I've never found the need for a top box.
That said, if you want one, get one! If a top box works for you that's great. Don't worry about what other people think.
That said, if you want one, get one! If a top box works for you that's great. Don't worry about what other people think.
black-k1 said:
A top box may be practical but it messes with the dynamics of the bike. It is located in the worst position to add weight, drag and a big flat surface for cross winds. There are alternative solutions that work, I know as, after 47 years of riding, including many years/miles of commuting and touring, I've never found the need for a top box.
That said, if you want one, get one! If a top box works for you that's great. Don't worry about what other people think.
Oh come on, you always bang this drum. In 20 years of riding with topboxes, including two weeks ago on the autobahn for many hours, you have to be going significantly above 100mph before you get any issues. And that example was on a FireBlade, not a bloody great GS designed for one. That said, if you want one, get one! If a top box works for you that's great. Don't worry about what other people think.
There is an engineering truth in your point, but who in the real world, in the UK, does above 100 mph every day with a top box? Bike cops on job bikes?
I have a top box (yes really) on my big scooter (it gets worse), and as others have said for minimal faff they are unparalleled.
One area where they have been an issue, and for some reason scooters are worse for this, is the vibration that can go through the top box, so if carrying a laptop I recommend it is in some sort of additional padding.
One area where they have been an issue, and for some reason scooters are worse for this, is the vibration that can go through the top box, so if carrying a laptop I recommend it is in some sort of additional padding.
Marquezs Stabilisers said:
black-k1 said:
A top box may be practical but it messes with the dynamics of the bike. It is located in the worst position to add weight, drag and a big flat surface for cross winds. There are alternative solutions that work, I know as, after 47 years of riding, including many years/miles of commuting and touring, I've never found the need for a top box.
That said, if you want one, get one! If a top box works for you that's great. Don't worry about what other people think.
Oh come on, you always bang this drum. In 20 years of riding with topboxes, including two weeks ago on the autobahn for many hours, you have to be going significantly above 100mph before you get any issues. And that example was on a FireBlade, not a bloody great GS designed for one. That said, if you want one, get one! If a top box works for you that's great. Don't worry about what other people think.
There is an engineering truth in your point, but who in the real world, in the UK, does above 100 mph every day with a top box? Bike cops on job bikes?
I wish you many more happy miles on whatever bike at whatever speed with whatever "attachments" you feel work for you. For me, the important point of your post was There is an engineering truth in your point. You, me, anyone, may not notice the negative impact on dynamics in day to day riding, but it doesn't mean it's not there. black-k1 said:
Good for you! I wish you many more happy miles on whatever bike at whatever speed with whatever "attachments" you feel work for you. For me, the important point of your post was There is an engineering truth in your point. You, me, anyone, may not notice the negative impact on dynamics in day to day riding, but it doesn't mean it's not there.
Although if you can't detect a difference - then in real terms, there isn't one I wish you many more happy miles on whatever bike at whatever speed with whatever "attachments" you feel work for you. For me, the important point of your post was There is an engineering truth in your point. You, me, anyone, may not notice the negative impact on dynamics in day to day riding, but it doesn't mean it's not there. I have one of the massive KTM top boxes on my 1190 it's literally a big slab sided aluminium box
Common sense says it's a terrible idea but I've never had an issue and I've ridden the bike with and without it - over 100mph and there's no detectable difference
The potential issues re riding dynamics with a top box are going to be bike/ suspension/ rack/ box/ terrain / riding style/ weight of contents specific. So it comes down to personal preference. I'm a tart so it's as much a looks thing and I'm quite happy packing light/minimalist and leave lots of kit/ clothing at work rather than carry it every where. There will be no single right answer. I know it's doesn't appear to be a popular concept but it is possible to have different opinions on somethings yet all can be right.
MDUBZ said:
The potential issues re riding dynamics with a top box are going to be bike/ suspension/ rack/ box/ terrain / riding style/ weight of contents specific. So it comes down to personal preference. I'm a tart so it's as much a looks thing and I'm quite happy packing light/minimalist and leave lots of kit/ clothing at work rather than carry it every where. There will be no single right answer. I know it's doesn't appear to be a popular concept but it is possible to have different opinions on somethings yet all can be right.
black-k1 said:
Bob_Defly said:
I don't understand the issue, why do you care what anyone else thinks?
Absolutely! It's what works for you that's important. 
Who are you and what have you done with black-k1??black-k1 said:
A top box may be practical but it messes with the dynamics of the bike. It is located in the worst position to add weight, drag and a big flat surface for cross winds. There are alternative solutions that work, I know as, after 47 years of riding, including many years/miles of commuting and touring, I've never found the need for a top box.
Ah, normality has been restoredThanks all for the replies. I do like a top box, but I'm aware that I'm already triggering a percentage of the riding population by being on a GS (850) and I was trying to avoid needlessly offending the rest of you.
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