Keep snapping bolts

[triman11427]

I use my bike for commuting as well as off road, touring etc. As such I ride with a Givi Trekker top box all the time and everywhere I go. It's attached to the bike with a SW Motech luggage rack. In the span of 6 months I've snapped 2 bolts off the rack. What's been your experience with top box durability as well as racks. I need to make a change and personal experiences are valued opinions.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I don't run a top box, but why don't you grab some grade 8 or 12 bolts or even some TI bolts and be done with it...

 

[JRE]

Are they snapping from normal use or tightening them? If the former, Pro Bolt has titanium bolts for just about any application and if the latter then I see a torque wrench in your future.

 

[arjayes]

I use my bike for commuting as well as off road, touring etc. As such I ride with a Givi Trekker top box all the time and everywhere I go. It's attached to the bike with a SW Motech luggage rack. In the span of 6 months I've snapped 2 bolts off the rack. What's been your experience with top box durability as well as racks. I need to make a change and personal experiences are valued opinions.

I have the Trekker 46L top box on the AltRider rack and have had no problems. I've ridden with it off-road but nothing too crazy, and I normally don't carry much in it (use it mainly for helmet storage when stopped). It shakes a lot but nothing has broken yet.

 

[triman11427]

Re: I Keep snapping bolts

I spoke to Twisted Throttle who sells the rack. They claim the box and rack are rated for........16lbs, including the weight of the box!(which is 11lbs) ::025:: Can you imagine? What's the point? Anyway, I was told if I use a stronger bolt that may cause damage to the subframe because the bolts are engineered to break before any critical bike parts. I was also told they see more broken bolts from NY riders than they do from people traveling to Alaska. Apparently pot holes are more damaging than washboard roads. I think the Altrider is a better set up and I'm looking to buy one. I've posted a WTB on the appropriate area on the forum. I have some time so I'll see what comes my way.

 

[Maxified]

Alt Rider sure makes some durable stuff. I went with Givi because I have been using the same monokey top case & side bags for several years & different motorcycles. I've had no problems with a 52 liter top case with 35- 40 pounds of gear in it. Even put in a case of beer & ice for a short jaunt from the country store to the camp ground. Only downside I've noticed is a heck of a back draft with the big top case on.

 

[markjenn]

Off subject, but overloading a top box has much more serious issues than over-stressing bolts and mounts. That much weight up high with such a long moment arm aft of the CG does evil things for bike handling and at the extreme can contribute to loss-of-control accidents. Yamaha goes so far as to prohibit use of the top box (even empty) with panniers because of stability issues. Whatever the weight limits of your top box system, I'd make it a point not to exceed them (short beer runs notwithstanding), and if possible, use it only for relatively lightweight side-of-the-road incidentals. That's how I use mine.

- Mark

 

[jimbob]

It's attached to the bike with a SW Motech luggage rack. What's been your experience with top box durability as well as racks.

I'm running the SW Motech luggage rack as well with a TraX top box. No issues...

 

[triman11427]

Now the more pressing issue is removing the sheard bolt from the bike. So far a bolt extractor hasn't worked and I've tried to wedge a flat blade screw driver head into a hole I started. That didn't work either. It's gonna be a long day.

 

[Koinz]

Now the more pressing issue is removing the sheard bolt from the bike. So far a bolt extractor hasn't worked and I've tried to wedge a flat blade screw driver head into a hole I started. That didn't work either. It's gonna be a long day.

If a bolt extracter hasn't worked, try a reverse cut drill bit. If your lucky it might bite and spin the bolt out with little effort. I got lucky using one many miles from home once.

 

[JohnB]

Hello 11427, 11757 here. I have the Motech rack with their adapter plate to mount either my 40 or 50 liter Hepco Becker trunk. No problems, so far. But, I generally don't ride with the trunk full. I use it to store my helmet, jacket and gloves when I stop and to carry a few extra clothing items in case it gets cold or wet. So, I don't have much in it while I'm riding.

 

[EricV]

Now the more pressing issue is removing the sheard bolt from the bike. So far a bolt extractor hasn't worked and I've tried to wedge a flat blade screw driver head into a hole I started. That didn't work either. It's gonna be a long day.

Use a dremel cutting disk to cut a slot in the bolt, if there is enough clearance. If no clearance for that, squirt it with some liquid wrench, wait 10 minutes and try the next size up bolt extractor, if you can. Heat comes next, carefully.

 

[autoteach]

I have had very little luck with helical bolt extractors. Try a torx bit pounded into the drilled hole.

 

[Maxified]

MarkJenn brings up a good point about putting too much weight in the back. One does not want to off set the CG balance of the vehicle. If I recall correctly, the UK had trouble with their police ST1300's because of the extra weight they placed aft. A very light front end might affect handling. Fortunately for me, the AltRider crash bars & belly pan plus me being a large chap help keep the some weight forward. ;D

 

[markjenn]

Basically, don't be like this guy....

- Mark

 

[Ramseybella]

Oh come on!!
With that big lump of iron under the gas tank?
But I to tend to carry a big load on the back, with the front 21" in gravel i can feel it.
I need to start moving it forward to the passenger spot but I load heavy stuff in the lower part of the side cases as well.
Duffel bag mainly has Sleeping bag, tent, cloths and a can or two of stove gas.
The POS OEM plastic wonder platform went adios a long time ago.

 

[frez]

Off subject, but overloading a top box has much more serious issues than over-stressing bolts and mounts. That much weight up high with such a long moment arm aft of the CG does evil things for bike handling and at the extreme can contribute to loss-of-control accidents. Yamaha goes so far as to prohibit use of the top box (even empty) with panniers because of stability issues. Whatever the weight limits of your top box system, I'd make it a point not to exceed them (short beer runs notwithstanding), and if possible, use it only for relatively lightweight side-of-the-road incidentals. That's how I use mine.

- Mark

I think I've found an excuse not to carry my wife...

Seriously though, if 50 pounds in a top box upsets the cg of a bike so much to be a problem, the bike has bigger problems than the top box.

 

[BravoBravo]

Off subject, but overloading a top box has much more serious issues than over-stressing bolts and mounts. That much weight up high with such a long moment arm aft of the CG does evil things for bike handling and at the extreme can contribute to loss-of-control accidents. Yamaha goes so far as to prohibit use of the top box (even empty) with panniers because of stability issues. Whatever the weight limits of your top box system, I'd make it a point not to exceed them (short beer runs notwithstanding), and if possible, use it only for relatively lightweight side-of-the-road incidentals. That's how I use mine.

- Mark

I have often wondered about the position taken by Yamaha on use of a top box in conjunction with side panniers. I have not taken mine off since I purchased the bike, and pretty well always have my Trax side cases on as well. I have never noticed any stability issues. I always keep only very light objects in the top box, and it really strikes me as odd that Yamaha says we should not use the top and side cases together. This is the only bike I am aware of that comes with such an admonition, and I have to wonder if this is the result not of a rational engineering analysis, but an overly nervous legal department.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Ron15S10]

Saw the same warning on the FJR and I'm sure it doesn't stop with just these two models. Haven't seen this warning on Honda or haven't even heard of such warning on Suzuki's/Kawi's, etc.

 

[BravoBravo]

Saw the same warning on the FJR and I'm sure it doesn't stop with just these two models. Haven't seen this warning on Honda or haven't even heard of such warning on Suzuki's/Kawi's, etc.

Interesting. I did not know that the FJR came with the same warning. Must be exclusively a Yamaha thing. A buddy of mine bought a new GS last year with all the factory boxes. No such warning on it either.

Bruce