One of the issues with having two bikes and only one hard top case is that it was a pain to switch them back and forth between the Gladius and XT since neither had a proper rack. Lucy has her own matching orange top case.
I am incredibly spoiled so Troubadour ordered a new top case and rack for Max. The smaller hard case I'd been using didn't have a rack so Brad would strap it down to the pillion seat giving me locking storage when needed. A Yamaha rack is also on order for the XT so that the old case can be affixed to it properly.
Last Tuesday the rack and B33NMK Monokey top case arrived and we installed it Friday afternoon.
It looked to be an easy install. Off came the seat.
Undo four bolts to take the grab rails off.
Attach Givi rack in place of grab rails using Givi provided bolts.
Attach base plate to rack with another four provided bolts. Place covers over the bolts.
And voila.....
The case was easy enough to snap into place. Here is the full view of it on Max parked in our driveway.
I rode with the top case the first time going to coffee Saturday morning and it didn't even feel as if it was back there. Mind you it only contained a few snacks and some water. It will come in handy for Monday June 17th and Ride to Work Day. It will be nice to have the capacity to carry my lunch, purse, and sandals to the office and lock my helmet in it if I want to.
While at Saturday coffee Dom from Redleg's Rides joined us on his Ural, aka Valencia, and we were able to have a nice visit with him. Our friend Gil rode his GPZ down from Portland and we recruited him to take a few pictures of the four moto-bloggers in attendance.
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| (Trobairitz, Troubadour, Dom, and PolarBear) |
We are hoping to get out for a ride this Saturday after coffee but we'll see. It is the height of allergy season and I haven't been doing too much outdoors except for sneezing and rubbing my eyes. Saturday is our only riding day of the coming weekend since Brad is teaching another Team Oregon class on Sunday. A ride to the coast to escape the valley grass pollen may be in order.
- Au Revoir
"Cooperation is the thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there." - Virginia Burden
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Nice piece of luggage, and the rack looks pretty sturdy, so you gotta have to make good use of it. How about packing a full fletched picnic including wine cooler instead of snacks.
ReplyDeleteI will have to skip the ride to work day since I am not working... is that a bad thing?
The rack was heavier than we anticipated so it should last a long time. Picnicking supplies sound great but the wine cooler would have to be full of iced tea or water as I don't drink a drop of alcohol when riding.
DeleteNot working is not a bad thing. Just ride for fun instead.
It's always exciting to add a new piece of gear to the bike isn't it? It extends our pleasure and increases our capabilities, and makes possibilities seemingly endless.
ReplyDeleteIt will make the overnight camping trips easier. Last year I was just able to strap the sleeping bags on the pillion seat and hubby had to pack everything else.
DeleteNice! I think you'll like having the extra storage, so convenient.
ReplyDeleteYes yes. It is nice not to have to ask Brad to open his cases so I can get water and/or my other gloves and such out of them.
DeleteHow could you put that on your bike until it had the correct accents? Maybe blue flames....
ReplyDeleteI noticed the box in the Dom's photo from a few days ago. But wasn't sure if I just missed something or forgot (either is very possible these days!)
Blue flames? Wouldn't that be a hoot. I already have my "Does not play well with others" sticker over the tail light. Isn't that enough?
DeleteYou didn't miss anything I've just not been in the blogging mood. Head too fuzzy with allergies.
Extra storage makes for better rides.
ReplyDeleteI remember the "allergy season" very well. Is it 99% of all grass seed is grown in OR? Or the valley specifically? Whatever, the Willamette valley is a curse this time of year. Do enjoy some relief.
Willamette valley is home to Linn County (as close as Albany 10 miles away) and is the claimed grass seed capital of the world. I don't know what percentage of the worlds grass seed is produced here but it even grows in the center of the road around here. It is like a chia road on that side of the valley when they harvest.
DeleteMy allergies were actually worse when we lived in BC. They'd last from March until September but the Rx meds I used are unavailable in the USA. Here my allergies last from mid-May until July 4th when they harvest. Short, but intense.
Trobairitz:
ReplyDeleteYou are going to just love the storage, and have a place to store your helmet safely when you park somewhere. I think this Givi rack looks much nicer with those more streamlined grab rails and black looks so tough
I like how you imported your photographer for that photo.
I put some of that non-slip counter stuff in my topcase so stuff doesn't slide around. I also added some white reflector tape too so a person in a Ford F-150 can see you
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Yes, I am looking forward to the convenience.
DeleteWe wouldn't have to import Gil if he hadn't of moved away. He and his wife both ride, but both found jobs in the Portland area. He still comes to visit every once in a while which is nice.
The center of gravity looks so high for the case. Does it affect the way the bike rides when it's loaded? Maybe it's just the angle of that last photo.
ReplyDeleteI am used to having the other top case strapped on, only difference is this is over the rear wheel as opposed to being on the pillion seat. I'll just make sure it isn't packed to heavy. I didn't notice it being there on Saturday but there wasn't much in it. No difference in handling so far but I only rode 5 miles to coffee and back.
DeleteBeautiful Italian curvy top box - I'm most envious!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nikos, but I think you like all Italian curvy tops. wink wink, nudge nudge
Deletepolarbear? is that the green tshirt guy? :) who is this mr polarbear?
ReplyDeletei love the top box, it looks pretty light weight and its a nice shape for your bike. i need one too, but different style... let us know how you like it.
found mr polarbear, he's got a nice blog, i'll be following!.. family that rides together...i love it!
DeleteYep, PolarBear, aka Andy, is our good friend and Triumph Tiger rider extraordinaire. Glad you found his blog, I linked it i his name below the picture.
DeleteI really like the looks of the top box. I hadn't paid much attention when Brad ordered it, just let him have at it. He has good taste.
Top boxes are the first thing I look at when considering a motorcycle. Completely practical unobtrusive when riding and parking. A motorcycle without a top box is a dominatrix without a whip.
ReplyDeleteWell, doesn't that just paint a picture. Nice analogy. It made my chuckle.
DeleteLook at Max - He's so purdy now! Have fun Monday! I'll be thinking of you :o)
ReplyDeleteShiny because of the new top case AND Brad washed it for me last week. Yep, spoiled I am.
DeleteA topcase is nice. Love mine. Givi makes a nice system that is easy to switch between bikes and it looks good. Good choicw
ReplyDeleteThe Givi system seems to be well built and sturdy. The rack is more heavy duty than we anticipated.
DeleteHubby gets all the credit for choosing so well.
Nice - it looks awesome on Max! Nothing beats a good topcase for storage.
ReplyDeleteThanks dar. I've really liked the other top case when it has been on the bike so it will be nice to have one just for Max.
DeleteYou are really going to enjoy that box....the Givi accessories are first rate. The box on the Helix is a (sort of)copy, following my theme of low-budget touring and it has been satisfactory.
ReplyDeleteYours will be above and beyond that. Just don't forget to secure it before each ride...I know someone that every once in awhile forgets.
I've been impressed with the quality so far. Our other top case is a low budget option too, but Brad ordered this one and spoiled me. Early birthday/anniversary (August) present perhaps.
DeleteHmmmm do you forget to secure the top case perhaps? No..... Note to self to check it.
Oh, and there weren't many options for racks that will fit a Gladius so we had to go with what we could. They were only imported for 2009 so options are limited. They are bringing them back for 2013 so hopefully companies will get on the after market bandwagon.
DeleteYou'll never regret getting the topbox - they are so handy. That mount looked like a nice easy fit - some of the ones I've fitted were a bit more of a challenge.
ReplyDeleteSo I have to ride to work on Monday?
We were surprised at how easy the rack was to install. Brad even let me install it, he just tightened up the bolts a little tighter after.
DeleteDo you normally ride to work or do you need to commute. I'd be riding rain or shine, right now it looks like Oregon rain but it is only 3 miles.
Nice, it looks a long way back over the centre point of the back wheel. Be careful if you load it with heavy items, could be inviting some tank slappers on rough roads.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping the weight won't be too bad if loaded. I was thinking of mentioning tank slappers after Geoff had a post on them quite a while ago. What did he call them? "Tank slapper inducing top cases"
DeleteOne thing I did like about the other top case strapped to the pillion seat is that is was on the seat and not behind the bike. It felt a part of the bike instead of being out behind it. But on the other hand it also made mounting a bit more difficult. had to contort the leg a bit to it get over the bike.
Trobairitz - Nice Racks! (sorry, I couldn't resist that ;) Nice boot too. Enjoy the new luggage.
ReplyDeleteHA! You have no idea how hard it was not to title the post "Check out my new rack". I kept thinking to myself "use your filter, use your filter" I am glad I am not the only one with that sense of humor.
DeleteNow to see what junk I have in my truck.........
The top box looks very nice!
ReplyDeleteAllergies....? This is the worst year I've had ever...you have my full sympathy.
Yeah, allergies suck, but I muster right along. It's not as bad as they have been some years.
DeleteThat looks great Brandy! Big enough to hold all your goodies and easy to install. How much fun is it to get new presents for your bike :)
ReplyDeleteYes Brenda it was a win win. Like you said big enough to hold all my goodies and easy to install. Couldn't be simpler. The back end looks a little more streamlined without the silver grab handles too.
DeleteBrandy, having a topcase rocks. Standing at the topcase sorting things before and after a ride is a peculiar pleasure I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pleasure because you are either anticipating a ride or enjoying the after glow of having been on one.
DeleteNot peculiar at all, unless of course you're nekkid.