Seeking top case advice

I'm taking a tour in the Silver Wing next month. I'm not sure the underseat storage + dry bag strapped to the seat will be enough.

Previously, I had a Givi V46 on my FJR. Great case, but I feel like it's a bit too wide. I don't want it to be wider than the rear end of the 'Wing.

I was thinking about the 33 L Shad case, but read of some quality issues with Shad. Rattling, lock falling out, etc. I was tempted anyway, because users said there's room for a full face helmet + shoes and a couple other things. Givi really seems to nickel and dime us for all that is needed to get it mounted up though, don't they.

I read another post where someone suggested just bolting a Home Depot toolbox to the back rack. Aside from being ugly, toolboxes are generally not made from UV-resistant plastic. I don't think I want to go that route, but I AM open to less expensive top cases than Givi or Shad, as long as they work fine and don't rattle around.

What's a good middle solution?

...or should I just bite the bullet and get another Givi? My Silver Wing is black, so any of those black ones would look good.

On my first Silver wing there was a top box fitted, it says Honda on the centre part. When I  bought  my new Silver wing three years ago I transfered the  top box , the back plate has four marked places to drill out for the base fitting. Both bikes were black, and the top box is silver with black edging, in my opinion it adds to the looks of the bike, I fitted an additional brake light into the box as well. I just checked my top box, the lower half is matt black the top lid is silver.

I bolted a pelican-style box to the rear rack. Its not exactly a toolbox... It is very durable and waterproof. I used a few rubber washers to mount a piece of plywood (painted black) first then the box on top of that. It is very secure and doesn't rattle at all. The look is not for everyone but it is very convenient and inexpensive. The knock-off pelican case was around 40 dollars.

How about Givi V47? It´s as wide as V46, but it follows the lines of Silver Wing very nicely and has the same theme. You´re able to get led brake light to it, too.

When you need to carry things, who cares how it looks?? Givi box and rack works best----my Givi E46 has been on several bikes, 19 years old over 500,000 miles and still working...but heavy.
Bolted directly to rear wing---Tool boxes/Rubber Made work great used them on several trips to AK. Bestem motorcycle rear boxes, work and are cheap

I put a Bestem box on the back of my second Silverwing and was pleased with it. Much less expensive than a lot of the competition and well made.
http://www.bestemusa.com/T-Box-2012-42-Ltr_c_1302.html

john grinsel wrote:

When you need to carry things, who cares how it looks??  Givi box and rack works best----my Givi E46 has been on several bikes, 19 years old over 500,000 miles and still working...but heavy.
Bolted directly to rear wing---Tool boxes/Rubber Made work great used them on several trips to AK. Bestem motorcycle rear boxes, work and are cheap

Thanks for the link to Bestem boxes. They're $45-72, about 1/4 the price of a Givi. Are Givis 4X better? Are Bestem rain-proof and UV-resistant? The 42L one linked even comes in gloss black, without the need for buying a gloss black plate.

John: Well, YOU care about looking sharp, since you've got a Givi instead of something cheap, right?

That V47 is a sharp case, but a little too wide for my taste on the Silver Wing.

Pelican-style case is a great idea, but no locking quick release, which I really came to appreciate on the V46 I used to have. I took it off for local riding, and put it on for touring or day trips.

I just ordered a Bestem 42L. It might be a LITTLE on the wide side, but it seems to have everything:

+ A vote of good quality from my fellow Silver Wingers
+ Good reviews on their site
+ Quick-release
+ Gloss black paint at no extra charge
+ Mounting hardware at no extra charge
- Shipping @ $36 (!)

Even so, it wound up being $107 instead of $250.

But money well spent :-)

I have a Givi monokey 40L topbox. Love it. Get monokey because they can carry heavy weight and interchangeable between scooters.