Givi/similar top box mounting system how-to?

[kari-star]

I need some help understanding how givi systems mount onto motorcycle racks - I don't have a rack on my DRZ at all, so I'll have to buy one, and I'm not sure what I should get!

So, I'm planning to get a top box (or HAT box, as I prefer) to go on back - probably this size (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/209/562/). I need something lockable and waterproof because 1. backpack full of laptop to work inhibited me on potentially rainy days last year, and I don't like inhibition and 2. I have meetings in NYC frequently in the evening, and that 1 1/2 hr drive home would be SO MUCH NICER on a bike.

but I'll also have to get a rack to put the box onto - and I'm not sure if I should get something really nice like this expandable one (http://ruggedrider.com/products.html) (and a small woman-owned business!) or this pretty pretty alumninum one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-DRZ-400S-SM-KAWASAKI-KLX-SR-S-REAR-CARRIER-RACK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3355630ac1QQitemZ2 20475886273QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories# ht_500wt_1033), or if I should just get something cheap (http://www.newenoughhp.com/dual_sport/luggage_racks/tci_products/adventure_touring_borrego_rack_suzuki.html).

I've never seen a givi/top case mounting system, so if I understand it correctly, for the monolock system you semi-permanently screw on the mounting piece to your rack, and that means you never get to see your pretty rack again, because it's got this big piece of plastic on top of it. Do I have it right? should I just get the cheap rack?

PS never have I used the word RACK so much on the internet. :lol:

edited to add: I am pretty sure on the dirtbagz (http://www.dbzproducts.com/)for longer trips - they're just about the right size: not to big! not too small! and the supports are low profile for when they're off-bike.

[KCDakar]

I have to leave 5 minutes ago for work...

So real quick. The aluminum one looks good to me as it comes with a four point contact. The expensive one did not until you got the extended model. The cheap one will bend on you from the sounds of it, at least in the long run. I have more to say just no time...

The hat box inside dimensions are not on the bottom but at the middle of the box. The bottom is small and your computer will not sit level unless you put something inside to hold it up higher.

Rats! I need to go! :w2:

[kari-star]

KCDakar, THANK YOU. that's such great information. I was looking at the photo of that cheap one and thought.. it really doesn't look like it connects in enough places!

I'll have to put my work clothes under my laptop in a hat box, then... it will cushion any bouncing! :):

[BlueLghtning]

Ooh, you hit my favorite topic! Racks! :roflmao:

LOL, I love hard luggage and put racks and hard cases on just about any bike I own. Sarah and I even had racks fabricated for our Ninja 250's since no one made one we liked so we could put givi boxes on them.

Let me go see what you posted and I'll be back in a bit with my thoughts.

[BlueLghtning]

Does the DRZ have a support beam under that rear fender about 2-3" back from the seat? It appears some of these racks are relying on this as their main support and I'm not sure how strong that is?

[BlueLghtning]

I'm trying to find out from my buddy what rack he used to have on his DRZ SM. That thing was massive and very strong. We had to pick the bike up for him in MS on our way back from CO after our TAT trip and he got ran over by a truck. :( He survived and the bike & rack were amazingly in great condition after the accident.

This rack was stout and I was very impressed by it. You can see that it comes way down near the foot pegs to mount which really helped make it sturdy. The only thing is that raised part in the back might get in the way of putting a case on it which is you ultimate goal. You can tell this rack was designed with hauling soft luggage, but it might work for a case. IIRC, they had different models of racks too that might work better, just got to get their name.
http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/2009-Dan-and-Sarah-2-week/HM2009-Truck-In-071109/1009896/719879082_qQtpq-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/2009-Dan-and-Sarah-2-week/HM2009-Truck-In-071109/1009894/719878299_Xdyto-L.jpg

These are some pics when he was selling the bike. I don't think it was that much and was a really good looking rack, but it may or may not work for what you want.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/tnomud/DRZ/984e5162.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/tnomud/DRZ/a9874878.jpg

[kari-star]

Does the DRZ have a support beam under that rear fender about 2-3" back from the seat? It appears some of these racks are relying on this as their main support and I'm not sure how strong that is?

oh, I don't know! I'll have to peek under her skirt when I get home.

I have to say, I am embarrassingly underschooled in motorcycles and how they work - esp. carborated models. I plan on getting the service manual and reading it as if it were a delicious novel.

[kari-star]

that looks like the cycleracks (http://cycleracks.com/index.php) model - I KNEW there was a reason for taking notes when I did obsessive research!

http://cycleracks.com/images/DRZ400Newjpg.jpg

the DRZ400 photo doesn't do a good job of showing where the lower support ends but the top of this rack looks exactly like your friends.

also - YIKES, I'm glad your buddy is ok!

edit: the cycleracks model is about as much as everything else costs - so it's a good price, esp. if it's going to be super strong. re: the givi mounting, though - will it work? the monolock materials say it fits onto a "tubular" rack, which makes me think: like, totally tubular! awesome!

[BlueLghtning]

Sorry, I got pulled off for something for work.

First off, if you are going with Givi boxes and racks, I would strongly suggest you get a "Monokey" box vs a MonoLock" box. What's the difference? The main difference is their mounting plate. The Monolock boxes are generally smaller boxes and more aimed at scooters and smaller loads. If you are carrying a laptop, I would definitely get the Monokey boxes. Another reason is that Any of the racks you see for the bigger touring bikes are "monokey" boxes and once you start investing in Givi boxes, its nice to be able to move them from one bike to the next. Sarah and I have 9 givi cases (and all of them are Monokey ones). The only thing is you might have to buy the monokey plate separate, but its probably worth it in the long run. There are a couple different monokey plates to adapt to any rack also.

Here's a good description.
The following is from the cyclesaddles.com website:

"The most asked question here is: "what is the difference between a MonoKey case and a MonoLock case"? Simply stated, the MonoKey series is the top of the line series with a more substantial mount, more features, and better quality construction. MonoKey mounts are sold seperately.
The MonoLock cases are generally a smaller and lighter top case with a smaller mount and lock up. Consider MonoLock cases for "light duty" applications. MonoLock cases are sold with a universal mount included."

[BlueLghtning]

that looks like the cycleracks (http://cycleracks.com/index.php) model - I KNEW there was a reason for taking notes when I did obsessive research!

the DRZ400 photo doesn't do a good job of showing where the lower support ends but the top of this rack looks exactly like your friends.

also - YIKES, I'm glad your buddy is ok!

edit: the cycleracks model is about as much as everything else costs - so it's a good price, esp. if it's going to be super strong. re: the givi mounting, though - will it work? the monolock materials say it fits onto a "tubular" rack, which makes me think: like, totally tubular! awesome!

Yep, that's it. He said he had a really good experience with them.

That rack is a bit of overkill for just attaching a givi plate to, but it might work. It really depends on how high that bend is in the back if it will get in the way. Its definitely not the best setup for attaching a hard case to the rack.

[BlueLghtning]

To touch on the racks you listed. This one looks cool, but I think in this slim down version, its pretty useless and pricey. It looks like its a 3 pt mount with the 2 mounts behind the seat and I assume a support bar that goes under the fender. At 6lbs+, this thing is pretty heavy and stout. That's a good bit of weight back there just for the rack.

http://ruggedrider.com/images/products_sport01_big.jpg

This expanded version of the above does add some sort of support underneath (not sure if it actually attaches to the bike or just attaches to the other side), but it seems way over kill for just attaching a hard case to and very pricey. I actually think the way this rack is designed with all those little circles will make it very tough to attach a universal givi plate to it. It doesn't really have any true exposed tubular parts on the bottom of it where you could attach to.

http://ruggedrider.com/images/products_adv01_big.jpg

The pretty aluminum ebay one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-DRZ-400S-SM-KAWASAKI-KLX-SR-S-REAR-CARRIER-RACK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3355630ac1QQitemZ2 20475886273QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories# ht_500wt_1033) I think would actually work okay, but I sort of have my doubts if that is actually the S/SM model they are showing? I almost wish it used that existing mount under the fender instead of this setup? Everything I see seems to suggest the E model uses those extra points right behind the seat while the S & SM model don't. IIRC, I don't think the E model has the full subframe, so that might be why they need those extra mounting points? It looks like the S model most definitely has a support beam under the rear fender.

For example, check out the differences between the E rack and the S/SM rack on this page. - http://www.cyclebuy.com/shopping/promoto/racks_suz.htm#SUZUKI_Motorcycle

Did you check out this ebay rack ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-09-DRZ400S-DRZ-400-RACK-AND-TOOLBOX-SET-DRZ400-400S_W0QQitemZ400099997995QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotor cycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5d27d1792b)? I actually think this one might be perfect for attaching a universal givi plate to, especially since its a tubular rack. Its supported like the majority of the other ones you are looking at.


That cheap rack (http://www.newenoughhp.com/dual_sport/luggage_racks/tci_products/adventure_touring_borrego_rack_suzuki.html) you listed I think actually might work out nicely. I think its about all the support you need and is a nice tubular rack that makes it easy to attach a givi plate to. Its hard to tell how beefy it is though just from pics?

Again, it appears to use the seat bolts and the rear subframe mount
http://www.newenoughhp.com/image/path/21615/drz400a.jpg

http://www.newenoughhp.com/image/path/21616/drz400b.jpg

This guy with the Tom Slick Rack (http://perljam.net/motorcycle/drz/tom-slick-rack/) is doing exactly what you want to do with a real thin rack and then mounting a givi Monokey plate to it. It looks to only use the 2 side mounts and then the subframe mount under the fender. I guess that is stout enough to carry the weight.

http://perljam.net/motorcycle/drz/tom-slick-rack/small/pict2331.jpg

http://perljam.net/motorcycle/drz/tom-slick-rack/small/pict2336.jpg

Here's the givi plate
http://perljam.net/motorcycle/drz/tom-slick-rack/small/pict2362.jpg

And with a pretty big box attached to it
http://perljam.net/motorcycle/drz/tom-slick-rack/small/pict2368.jpg

http://perljam.net/motorcycle/drz/tom-slick-rack/small/pict2376.jpg

[BlueLghtning]

BTW, just in case you weren't aware, JC Whitney and other sellers on ebay sell knock of givi trunks. I've seen the JCWhitney ones in use and they really aren't too bad. Not quite the quality of the Givi's, but at about 1/3 the price for the large cases, its worth it. Some people on the Strom boards also claim the JC Whitney cases fit on Monokey Givi racks. These cases also come with their own universal mounting plate too! The plate's probably are the weak point to them. The givi's plates are much nicer.

- http://www.jcwhitney.com/Glossy_Motorcycle_Trunks?ID=12;0;0;0;100001;Produc tName;0;0;0;0;2010970;0;0

http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/product/images/large/G_20998G_CL_1.jpg

[gypsyangel]

oh, I don't know! I'll have to peek under her skirt when I get home.

I have to say, I am embarrassingly underschooled in motorcycles and how they work - esp. carborated models. I plan on getting the service manual and reading it as if it were a delicious novel.

LOL I have yet to read a full service manual. I learn about bikes as I maintenance them or if something breaks or needs tweeked. Usually it's when something breaks though. After 7 years I've either gotten good at fixing things or gotten good at breaking them. However you wanna look at it :;):

[kari-star]

Sorry, I got pulled off for something for work.

ha! if you're like me, you gotta work to ride. no apologies necessary for that! :D:

LOL I have yet to read a full service manual. I learn about bikes as I maintenance them or if something breaks or needs tweeked. Usually it's when something breaks though. After 7 years I've either gotten good at fixing things or gotten good at breaking them. However you wanna look at it :;):

I'd say... you are good at identifying areas where you need more practice, and making it happen?

BTW, just in case you weren't aware, JC Whitney and other sellers on ebay sell knock of givi trunks. I've seen the JCWhitney ones in use and they really aren't too bad. Not quite the quality of the Givi's, but at about 1/3 the price for the large cases, its worth it. Some people on the Strom boards also claim the JC Whitney cases fit on Monokey Givi racks. These cases also come with their own universal mounting plate too! The plate's probably are the weak point to them. The givi's plates are much nicer.


I'd seen a bunch of those cases mentioned in my endless forum searches for the best drz-sized case... I'll have to get their information plugged into my dorky spreadsheet comparing the best cases for the job... :wootrock:

[BlueLghtning]

I'd seen a bunch of those cases mentioned in my endless forum searches for the best drz-sized case... I'll have to get their information plugged into my dorky spreadsheet comparing the best cases for the job... :wootrock:

LOL creating a spreadsheet comparing everything! :drool: :cloud9:

Gypsy thinks I'm nuts for doing that! :roflmao:

[msyzf2u]

Ooh, you hit my favorite topic! Racks! :roflmao:

LOL, I love hard luggage and put racks and hard cases on just about any bike I own. Sarah and I even had racks fabricated for our Ninja 250's since no one made one we liked so we could put givi boxes on them.

Let me go see what you posted and I'll be back in a bit with my thoughts.



My ears perked right up with this.... whom did you have do the fabrication for your ninja's..... would like to do this for my ZX10 and Ace.... have racks fabricated so i can use Givi Bags.... oh that would be swwwwweeeeet!

[Veda]

I have a JC Whitney case on a Givi rack/mount. I had to take a dremel to the case to make the mounting point a little wider to fit the rack, but it worked out fine.* From what I've read of the JC Whitney cases, being a cheap knock off brand their QA is not that good so you can have two of the same case but one has the attachment bit a couple centimeters further out than an identical case.

*Aside from the fact that my Givi rack broke free from my bike, due to the inferior hardware Givi included... :mghissyfit:

[BlueLghtning]

My ears perked right up with this.... whom did you have do the fabrication for your ninja's..... would like to do this for my ZX10 and Ace.... have racks fabricated so i can use Givi Bags.... oh that would be swwwwweeeeet!

We just had a friend do the fabrication that had a welder and was good with Aluminum.

This was the rack I saw that we liked and based it off this one.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Odd-Ends/Forums/Custom-Ninja-250-rack/Ninja250CustomRack1/634003442_QZn2H-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Odd-Ends/Forums/Custom-Ninja-250-rack/Ninja250CustomRack2/634003532_WnzBq-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Odd-Ends/Forums/Custom-Ninja-250-rack/Ninja250CustomRack3/634003612_CPmHM-L.jpg

I don't have finished pics, but this was when we were having the racks built for both Ninja's. They turned out really nice.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/My-Motorcycles/2003-Ninja-250-Green/Building-the-rear-racks/1000133/779695856_oKPP3-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/My-Motorcycles/2003-Ninja-250-Green/Building-the-rear-racks/1000138/779696787_SAJkM-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/My-Motorcycles/2003-Ninja-250-Green/Building-the-rear-racks/1000135/779696196_LQk3Q-L.jpg

[FJRider]

BTW, just in case you weren't aware, JC Whitney and other sellers on ebay sell knock of givi trunks. I've seen the JCWhitney ones in use and they really aren't too bad. Not quite the quality of the Givi's, but at about 1/3 the price for the large cases, its worth it. Some people on the Strom boards also claim the JC Whitney cases fit on Monokey Givi racks. These cases also come with their own universal mounting plate too! The plate's probably are the weak point to them. The givi's plates are much nicer.

- http://www.jcwhitney.com/Glossy_Motorcycle_Trunks?ID=12;0;0;0;100001;Produc tName;0;0;0;0;2010970;0;0

http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/product/images/large/G_20998G_CL_1.jpg


I have 2 of the JC bags that I have used on a couple of locations on my wingrack with no problem at all. I have had the bags for 3 years now I think

Denis

[msyzf2u]

Thanks BL, I'll have to look around and see what i can come up with :)