topbox or panniers?

[Guest]

Not sure if this is the right place to put this

I was wondering what the pros and cons of panniers VS top boxes are, as I'm looking at getting one or the other of them for my new bike (a Honda CBF600), I know that panniers need to be loaded equally and can only hold smaller things but other than that I'm not too sure, I prefer the look of them to a topbox though (not that that should come into it )

At the moment I'm using soft luggage, but ideally I'd like something I can leave locked on the bike.

[Korben]

Dunno too much about luggage, but would assume that a tob box without panniers is gonna make filtering easier, and I suspect you are more streamline... I guess...

[Guest akey]

I have both, the panniers hold more between them, but they are can also make the bike a bit wider which may be a consideration if you do lots of town riding or filtering. Panniers will need a rack to mount them to and they are overall more expensive than a topbox (usually around £70 - 100 for the frame and then the panners start at £100 a pair).

top boxes are often smaller overall but are easier to fit if your bike already has a rear rack, if not then you will need a rear rack to fit the top box to. Top boxes are also usually cheaper, if only because you only need one!

Have a look at the Givi website to give you an idea of costs etc (although there are cheaper alternatives around).

Personally I tend to use the top box for day to day commuting and stuff then fit the panniers as well if I need to take more.

[techno]

I would take top box over panniers!

[bbobeckyj]

I got the same bike from new, I had a Honda oem topbox 45l fitted when I bought it.

It keeps two helmets plus a bit of soft stuff like gloves or whatever stuffed around them. I found that it was more than enough space for commutes to work, or days out with the girlfriend on the back, unless she starts shopping.

I'm planning a summer trip to France etc so I bought a Givi side rack kit with two 42l boxes for the touring side of things. But it did not fit with the oem top box frame. My only complaint with it.

So I ended up buying a Givi to box rack too. I haven't got around to fitting either of the Givi racks yet so I don't know, but I am hoping that the oem top box will fit the Givi rack.

The two links are the cheapest I found for the Racks and basic boxes respectively. The racks are usually cheaper than the boxes.

If you decide to get a top box alone I will almost certainly have a spare oem Honda topbox rack for the CBF600, and maybe the box as well. PM me if you're interested.

[Roadtorque]

Panniers hold a lot more in weight & luggage with the centre of gravity lower down,

a top box is higher up, so to much weight will affect balance on corners

[Guest]

I was looking at the OEM Honda ones when I bought the bike, never priced them though, might have a look at a givi one too, enough space for a helmet and my waterproofs would be fine, just to save me from having to carry them when off the bike

might be interested in yours bbobeckyj, mine is a '09 (or is it 08?) model, would it be the same

[bbobeckyj]

The official Honda accessories page for the CBF600

The 2008 is the same model, the only change is a new colour option since I bought it.

[Mightycaz]

Are all top boxes compatable with most bikes? Im supposed to be going on a few courses in the next month or so and am thinking about gettin myself one! I presume that you just buy a rack to fit the bike and then get a top box to fit the rack?

[Guest]

Are all top boxes compatable with most bikes? Im supposed to be going on a few courses in the next month or so and am thinking about gettin myself one! I presume that you just buy a rack to fit the bike and then get a top box to fit the rack?

topbox's fit to a set plate i.e All Givi boxes fit the Givi plates,

so you would either need a full Givi rack (arms and plate) or a standard rack for your bikae and bolt a plate onto it for the box.

I prefer Panniers and a tank bag, but it depends on what you plan on carrying, how often and whether you plan on taking it off when you get there, or leaving it on..

MC your bike would look better with a set of throw over panniers than a box.

also, if you have problems with vision with your mirrors, then it will be even worse with a box.

[Mightycaz]

Thanks walnie, ill start having a look at costs ect when i get my bike back from the shop.

[Guest akey]

Are all top boxes compatable with most bikes? Im supposed to be going on a few courses in the next month or so and am thinking about gettin myself one! I presume that you just buy a rack to fit the bike and then get a top box to fit the rack?

topbox's fit to a set plate i.e All Givi boxes fit the Givi plates,

so you would either need a full Givi rack (arms and plate) or a standard rack for your bikae and bolt a plate onto it for the box.

 

 

Just a quick word of warning, not all givi topboxes fit with the same plate, I know this as my givi monolock topbox does not fit on my mates givi plate (for the E52 I think, mine is a much smaller topbox) so its worth having a quick check.

However all givi panniers do fit on all the racks - wierd but true!