top box choices

[Hoghead]

I am thinking of mounting some Pelican 1550, Seahorse 720, Storm 2600 or SKB 3I-2015-7B-E panniers just as soon as I decide what side is most appropriate. See my related post asking opinions on which is the best choice
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums...ad.php?t=21764

The next thing is a matching top box and I think that I would like something a little larger than the pannier. I see posts where guys have used the same box as the pannier, but has anyone used a larger Pelican style cases as a top box on a Versys?
If so which make and model?

It would be nice if it was big enough to hold a full face helmet, but do not want it looking like an oversized breadbox hanging out over the rear
like a pimple on its butt

I do not ride with a passenger so I am thinking to move it forward so that weight is not hanging over the rear axle

[weljo2001]

Heres a link with a seahore set-up,,,, http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums...light=top+case

You can do a search and come up with alot more.

[Hoghead]

I searched all the threads today and found this one and several more using the same pannier as a top box
I was thinking of something a little larger for the top box

Maybe something like this - a Pelican Storm 2720 @ 190.00:
24.6 x 19.7 x 11.7 with wheels and a telescopic handle. Using a 60.00 Caribou top box mount one could unlatch it and wheel right into the hotel.
No weight given
0.5" short of fitting my helmet

http://www.casesbymasco.com/product-...arge-Case.html
http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=...=i&item=000371

The Seahorse 920 is 24.2 x 16 x 10.1 so a bit smaller which might look a lot better as a top box and costs only 70.50
Same wheels and telescopic handle as the Storm so the same mount for easy hotel check in
Not a lightweight at 16 lbs with foam so lets guess 14 without?
Will not fit my helmet
http://www.casesbymasco.com/product-...e920-Case.html

[kojack]

I recommend seahorse. I used them on my KLR and ran one over with my F150 to test it. passed with flying colors. and 1/3 the cost of the pelican.

I am using the Jc whitney cases on my v this year. if that dont work im going with touratech zega pros.

[goat12]

Well- I use the Pelican Storm 2600 as my topbox. You won't get a helmet into by any means, but it does provide ample trunk storage. T give you an example I use this backpack:

And able to fit it entirely into my topbox for my daily commute. When I need more storage space I fill the topbox up, and then attach my filled backpack to the topbox itself using the shoulder and cross-straps. Makes for a rather versatile luggage system, imho.
I think any conventional pelican style case you can get that will fit a helmet would be rather large on the bike. I feel like the 2600 is about as big as I'd be comfortable having on there. Amazing quality, though. Never have to worry about anything getting wet or build quality.

[Hoghead]

I am thinking to move the top box forward as I never carry a passenger.
This will move the weight forward so that it is not behind the axle and should lessen any detrimental effect on performance.

What is the overall width with the Seahorse 720's mounted as panniers?

[Hoghead]

Helmet = 14.25 x 10.75 x 10.5
Bike width at rear grab handles = 18”
Bike width at rear with yet undecided panniers unknown but hopefully less than or equal to the bars
Bike width at bars = 32.5”
Bike width at mirrors = 34.25”

Pelican style top boxes to fit my full face Bell Star:

Pelican Storm iM 2750 = 207.00
No weight listed but likely around the same as the others
Wheels and telescopic handle
OD = 24.6 x 19.7 x 14.4
ID = 22 x 17 x 12.7
http://www.casesbymasco.com/product-...arge-Case.html

Pelican 1620 = 207.00
24.5 lbs less foam
Wheels and telescopic handle
OD = 24.8 x 19.4 x 13.9
ID = 22 x 17 x 12.56
http://www.casesbymasco.com/product-...1620-Case.html

Seahorse SE1220 = 130.00
27 lbs with foam, so lets guess 25
Wheels and telescopic handle
OD = 28.2 x 22.3 x 15.1
ID = 25.5 x 19 x 13
http://www.casesbymasco.com/product-...1220-Case.html

There no doubt are more to choose from but I am in Thailand so have to shop on-line and buy sight unseen. .

Looks like the Storm 2750 or Pelican 1620 gives me the helmet capacity at the smallest footprint but I like the price of the Seahorse 1220

The big concern is if any of these are just too big and will look out of proportion. I think the answer to that is yes and I will have to give up on the helmet criteria but would appreciate any comments
If the big box is out then this Seahorse in post 3 seems the ticket:

Seahorse SE920 = 70.50
OD = 24.2 x 16 x 10.1
ID = 22.24 x 13.66 x 8.49"
Same wheels and telescopic handle
16 lbs with foam so lets guess 15 without?
http://www.casesbymasco.com/product-...e920-Case.html

[kojack]

seahorse 720s are really close to the 1550 pelican...not that wide at all....add 14" to the width of your bike. give or take.

here is my KLR with 720 side cases and a 540 top case. worked great. I loved the setup.



here are my new cases for my v. all 3 cost me 136 bucks shipping inc.

these are the JC whitney cases. 2 large for side cases and one medium for a top case. build quality is better than I thought.

[Andreas56]

Hi... just wanted to share with you my set-up... (I am a metal worker by trade so that certainly makes life easier) but I fitted these units to my bike being the E45 GIVI Monokey units... (The side panniers are new ones and the Top Box was purchased off eBay quite cheaply) what I wanted was that the side panniers to sit fairly high and slightly tilted so that my friend Lidia could actually rest her legs and thighs on them to make it more comfortable for her (not that she needs a broad base to sit on - d'oh! she's only 5' 5" - 60kgs ringing wet!)... which she reckons it makes her feel alot more at ease and is great!... What I also did was fitted and modified a Seat Concept base where I took out a 15mm slice out of the front and rear sections of the base pads and put in a 15mm Gel pad material that they use in the horsing industry and certainly helps a HUGE! lot than the standard seat arrangement.

You can see my by the photos on how they came out and I reckon they look pretty neat.... The Top box now has the same green reflective strip as the others too, and you'll notice to that I fitted indicators and brake lights into each pannier which connect very easily when taken off and also if you look, you can see I fitted and extra brake light (a Versys orginal) above the standard Versys rear tail light. What I did here was only connect that top brake light up to the foot brake switch so that means that I'm either when I'm hard braking (like arrrhhhh!!) or stopping full stop I use the rear brake to keep me stopped - then both lights show up (I use the front brake probably 80% of the time in my riding + I wired the rear light and brake light up together (in unisen) so they're even brighter than the standard brake glow - also used a special lense red clear paint to get rid on the clear taillight lense look too.... HATE!!! that look with a passion - brake lights should be RED ONLY!!! they're meant to be red for a reason not a look!

I know that this may not help if you can not manufacuter but thought I'd share you with what I had acheived... love the reflective look too... looks awesome!.... my bike is also been lowered 55mm in the rear (made my own lowering unit) and then 40mm in the front - even though I'm 6' tall - just preferred the lower centre of gravity in riding.....

Good Luck where you go with this... Happy New Year too.. thanks - regards Cathcya Andreas

[Stazjemo]

I had the Pelican 1450 as a trunk and 1500's on the sides. I liked the height and width, but wished they'd been deeper for more storage. Detailed pic's in my album.

[Hoghead]

More time today and discovered B&M cases, both of which fit a helmet:

BW-90 Photography Carrying Case = 120.96
Inside Dimensions = 14.76" x 10.03" x 10.43"
Outside Dimensions = 16.14" x 11.61" x 11.02"
Weight 8.8 lbs


BW-55 Carrying Case = 122.31 Caribou 34L Helmet size????
Inside Dimensions = 16.53" x 11.81" x 11.81"
Outside Dimensions = 17.91" x 14.37" x 12.40"
Weight 10.1 lbs

I think that BW-55 will strike the right balance between functionality and size but I wish I could see a bike with it fitted

[Hoghead]

Is it the top box or panniers that you wished were deeper?

The Pelican 1500's are pretty small for panniers and smaller than the cheap Seahorse 720's
If Pelican brand the 1550 seems to be the choice for panniers
I am waffling between Seahorse 720 at 48.00 ea and the Storm 2600 at 126.00. My cheapness says to go Seahorse

[Time]

Here's a photo of my KLR. I have a pair of 1520 for saddle bags and a 1600 for a top box Yea I can carry half the junk I own and a trip to the store is a breeze!

[weljo2001]

A little more expensive but looks good and is big enough....http://www.adventuremotorcycleparts....047-00-01.html

[Hoghead]

that Hepco & Becker Junior TC55 topcase looks the business and is pretty large at 55 liters.
I wonder if too large at 22.4" x 17.3" x 12.2

I also see a 40L one on this same site that might look more in proportion

http://www.adventuremotorcycleparts....040-00-01.html

[weljo2001]

Originally Posted by Hoghead

that Hepco & Becker Junior TC55 topcase looks the business and is pretty large at 55 liters.
I wonder if too large at 22.4" x 17.3" x 12.2

I also see a 40L one on this same site that might look more in proportion

http://www.adventuremotorcycleparts....040-00-01.html

Yea i like the looks and when i need a new case will go with that one. I started with a Givi V-46 but it was a pain to get my XL Helmet in. Went to a Givi E-55 and really like it. The extra spave comes in real handy.

V-46 Topcase

arril 004 by weljo2001, on Flickr


E-55 Topcase

007 by weljo2001, on Flickr

[weljo2001]

Make sure you have room for the pies...

IMG_1369 by weljo2001, on Flickr


IMG_1374 by weljo2001, on Flickr

[Hoghead]

the Givi E55 is 23.2" x 18.9 x 12.3" tall

Almost the same as the Pelican that I am worried is too big - perhaps not:
Pelican 1620 OD = 24.8 x 19.4 x 13.9

[Stazjemo]

Originally Posted by Hoghead

Is it the top box or panniers that you wished were deeper?

Both.

[cls]

I've had several of the trunk bags, as many of you have. The E55 is well worth it, IMO. The extra room is very nice and everything packs away faster and easier. That's all I'll use any more, if possible.