[RJN2112]

I've given thought to a top box..... but I really don't like how far off the back of the bike they stick. As I don't ride 2 up, I'd much rather have whatever weight I would put in such a box to be ahead of the rear axle. Side bags aren't as painfully far aft, as they can fill in the space behind a passenger's knee.... Does any mfg offer a mounting kit that can slide a top box forward, over the passenger section of the seat?

 

[CrazyBiker]

Create a custom mount yourself on your stock seat or get a separate stock seat modify it just for touring purpose. On FZ1OA people modify the passenger seat pan.

 

[RJN2112]

Thanks for the idea.

Between the grab rail mounts, and whatever is under the seat the muffler mounts to, there has to be plenty of bolt points to set up a bracket off of. I'd be willing to bet it's possible to make the hard mount and slide the stock seat in and out without disturbing it.

If it could be done so you could slide the mounting plate for the top box aft to the 'typical' site, you could leave it permanently and cover both scenarios.

One of the reasons I bought the -6 was due to how narrow it is with the underseat exhaust. When I saw the first set of Givi luggage mounted to another FZ-6, it looked really wide to me. That bike's brackets looked like they had been built for a bike with a side muffler, and minimally adjusted to work with the -6. The bags were at least 8" off the sides of the bike.

That made me think of a top box a lot more favorably. As I have used my saddle bag mounted on the passenger seat so much, it makes sense to set something up that is more secure and has a bit more carrying capacity.

 

[CrazyBiker]

See this thread post up pics of your FZ1's set up for touring - Page 4 - FZ1OA Message Board
for GraniteGray setups and striz's setups.

 

[RJN2112]

See this thread post up pics of your FZ1's set up for touring - Page 4 - FZ1OA Message Board
for GraniteGray setups and striz's setups.

I'll have to create a membership to view those. Thanks, I'll get to that some time today.

 

[Cap'n]

When I saw the first set of Givi luggage mounted to another FZ-6, it looked really wide to me. That bike's brackets looked like they had been built for a bike with a side muffler, and minimally adjusted to work with the -6. The bags were at least 8" off the sides of the bike.

wait What?

(I know we tend towards the hyperbole sometimes but) the bags are only about 3" off the exhaust cans, or at least the stock cans. And there's not a whole lotta wasted space in there, if you look at it. May not change your mind any, but I figured some reference photos couldn't hurt incase anyone else is wondering later...

And before someone chimes in with "on what planet are you getting 60 mpg?" I've done 62 mpg, without bags, once. That qualifies. (smile)

 

[RJN2112]

Cap'n,

This setup was back in 2005, and looked likeit had been on the bike for a while. (I beleive it was a 2004 model) It was definitely a wider setup that what you have there.

It was so obnoxious looking to me, I started haunting other bag manufacturer sites, looking for something that 'fit'. Really put me off Givi, at least for saddle bags.

Hepcko-Becker had a much tidier setup a couple of years ago.... at least as 'tight' as what you have there.

 

[Cap'n]

Ah.

Well, if you order givi's nowadays, this is what comes in the box. So if that's tight enough for you, it leaves givi as an option. Those are E21's on the sides (smallest option I think) and the E52 maxia up top (biggest option). I cannot recommend the solas 3M tape treatment enough, either. It really helps the bike appear as a "wide" object to distracted drivers, instead of a tall skinny one to be ignored (like trees, mailboxes, etc). Anywho.

 

[RJN2112]

The big topbox, narrow side bags set up is more appealing to me; expecially if it's tucked in to the sides of the bike. As I wear an XL or XXL helmet, I'm leery of side bags that would be big enough to stow a helmet that size in.... the top box solves that one quite well, and if I don't need it I still have whatever tools and essentials I would keep in the side bags.

I do cringe at the thought of 3 half racks of beverages in the top case in it's standard location.... that's 3 gallons of beverage, assuming they are 12 ounce containers. 20+ lbs behind the tail light is pretty far aft.

I was dutifully impressed by the photo of fire wood sticking out of every orfice.:bowdown

 

[Cap'n]

I use the left side bag for my "rain or cold weather" gear (pull-over armored pants, heated rainproof full-sleeve liner, heated rainproof gloves that plug into the jacket liner, and a neck gaiter). That stuff is light, and is always in there so I never have to think about the weather. The right bag is usually empty, and the top box is too, unless I throw the tank bag in there to keep it safe. I want to take some of the bags off for better gas mileage (wind resistance) sometimes, but the brake lights and reflectives are such a help that it out-weighs anything else.

Plus sometimes you go somewhere and the storage comes in handy. I got a queen-sized Aerobed in the top box a few weeks back. It's almost exactly the same size, no shoving or bulging at all. My buddy was *sure* I'd need to strap it to the back seat, but it just slipped right in there.

 

[n00dle]

perhaps this can be made to accept a box...

 

[RJN2112]

I had something like that in mind, Noodle....

Some of the Paris Dakar R100GS had the passenger section of the seat replaced with a cargo rack..... That would be the bomb; especially if you could lock on a P Pad if needed.

 

[fhfr436]

I put a set of Hepco-Becker pannier racks and a top rack. I've yet to jump in with both feet to buy luggage yet though. I will buy Caribou Cases (modified Pelican 1550's) for the side racks, but haven't yet decided on my topcase. I may also do a Pelican. I can get a H-B latch to mount on a case myself for a reasonable cost.

 

[fhfr436]

Some of the Paris Dakar R100GS had the passenger section of the seat replaced with a cargo rack..... That would be the bomb

Unfortunately for us, the BMW's are made with a 2-piece seat that allows the removal of the pillion seat and installation of a rack.
I have been trying to figure a way to put a rack in place of the rear seat myself. My latest idea is to remove the "shelf" of my HB and get a custom cargo plate made. Another option would be to just modify a stock cargo plate (like Happy-Trail) intended for another bike model.

 

[fhfr436]

I put a set of Hepco-Becker pannier racks and a top rack. I've yet to jump in with both feet to buy luggage yet though. I will buy Caribou Cases (modified Pelican 1550's) for the side racks, but haven't yet decided on my topcase. I may also do a Pelican. I can get a H-B latch to mount on a case myself for a reasonable cost.

Photo:

 

[fhfr436]

Unfortunately for us, the BMW's are made with a 2-piece seat that allows the removal of the pillion seat and installation of a rack.
I have been trying to figure a way to put a rack in place of the rear seat myself. My latest idea is to remove the "shelf" of my HB and get a custom cargo plate made. Another option would be to just modify a stock cargo plate (like Happy-Trail) intended for another bike model.

... like this one from Touratech: