OP
OP
Many Thanks Fellas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Backrest or Topbox
- Thread starter Red-On-Rockwell
- Start date
I owned a 2001 GL1800a until I traded it for my 2007 ST1300a in 2007.
I originally bought the Pirates Lair backrest for my ST for when my son rode with me (my wife hasn't been on a bike with me since our kids were born). My then 15 year old son liked the backrest and I found it to be of very high quality and it looked good on the ST.
But, I found that I was missing the extra lockable capacity while on trips, as opposed to what I had on my Gl1800. I began looking at topboxes. Givi vs Hondaline. I decided on the Hondaline, although it is slightly smaller than the Givi 52 liter box, I think the Hondaline Pan topbox is 46 liters or so. The Hondaline just looks like it belongs on the bike, you can see it in my pic. The PAn topbox includes a back pad. The Pan topbox backpad is not as soft as the PL backrest pad, but my son ALWAYS ATTGAT and his jacket has a spine protector pad which rest against the backrest so no big deal if the pad is a little more firm.
The added convience of the lockable storage more than makes up for the extra cost of the Pan topbox vs. the PL backrest.
Two friends of mine got the Givi 52 liter topboxes for their bikes around the same time I got my Pan topbox. Both of them have had pieces of their mounts break (replaced under warranty) and both have intermittent problems with the the light conections in their Givi boxes. their tailight are almost always either out or blinking on/off. AND bigger is not always better. Everyone considering these topboxes needs to consider how much bulk they are willing to have up high on the back of their bike as the bigger it is, the more it may effect handling at speed and in winds/dirty air. And there is a limited amount of weight you want to put out there, up high, behind the rear axle anyway. An individual choice to consider. I my case the Pan topbox was the obvious choice and one of my two Givi equipped friends now says he wants to get the Pan topbox. I will say that I wouldn't base my decision on the light connection issues that my frinds had with their Givi's. As the topbox is removable and I want extra rear lighting all the time, I have hyperlight LED brake and Hyper-Light LED turnsignals mounted on the rear of my bike, below the topbox...so topbox or not, the lights are still there.
As far as price is concerned: At the time I was buying, the Pan topbox cost me about $50 more than the complete Givi setup would have. With the Pan all the parts are included...mount, backpad, hardware and topbox. With the Givi you buy the topbox, then the backpad, then the appropriate mount for whatever bike you ride. You can buy the Givi stuff in the US whereas the Pan topbox comes from Europe, thus the exchange rate will be a factor for the Pan topbox. when I got mine the exchange rate was favorable and helped keep the comparative cost similar ($50 was not a big difference to me). About 2 months ago I bought a Schuberth C3 helmet from Germany and found the exchange rate was not a hinderance to me buying this very expensive helmet, which I absolutely love wearing. I have no idea what the exchange rate is like today, or what kind of prices Givi dealers may be offering now.
The Pirates Lair backrest is a really nice piece, just not a topbox. I sold mine a few months after I got the topbox...once I was sure the topbox would fit all my needs. Around local riding I usually ride without the topbox and just put it on for trips or longer rides. takes about a second to mount/dismount either the Pan Hondaline or the Givi topboxes....VERY similar mounting systems and keys look to be the same...I've often heard that Givi makes the Pan topbox for Honda, but Givi people I've spoken to deny this.
At 6'3" 250# I found the Wing to have less legroom than I needed, even after adding a taller custom seat. On The ST 1300 I am satisfied with the additional legroom it provides. OF course the Wing is the absolute most comfortable for a passenger, but that doesn't mean other touring and sport/touring bikes aren't also comfortable, just that the Wing is the King for passenger comfort...but not for this rider's comfort.
I originally bought the Pirates Lair backrest for my ST for when my son rode with me (my wife hasn't been on a bike with me since our kids were born). My then 15 year old son liked the backrest and I found it to be of very high quality and it looked good on the ST.
But, I found that I was missing the extra lockable capacity while on trips, as opposed to what I had on my Gl1800. I began looking at topboxes. Givi vs Hondaline. I decided on the Hondaline, although it is slightly smaller than the Givi 52 liter box, I think the Hondaline Pan topbox is 46 liters or so. The Hondaline just looks like it belongs on the bike, you can see it in my pic. The PAn topbox includes a back pad. The Pan topbox backpad is not as soft as the PL backrest pad, but my son ALWAYS ATTGAT and his jacket has a spine protector pad which rest against the backrest so no big deal if the pad is a little more firm.
The added convience of the lockable storage more than makes up for the extra cost of the Pan topbox vs. the PL backrest.
Two friends of mine got the Givi 52 liter topboxes for their bikes around the same time I got my Pan topbox. Both of them have had pieces of their mounts break (replaced under warranty) and both have intermittent problems with the the light conections in their Givi boxes. their tailight are almost always either out or blinking on/off. AND bigger is not always better. Everyone considering these topboxes needs to consider how much bulk they are willing to have up high on the back of their bike as the bigger it is, the more it may effect handling at speed and in winds/dirty air. And there is a limited amount of weight you want to put out there, up high, behind the rear axle anyway. An individual choice to consider. I my case the Pan topbox was the obvious choice and one of my two Givi equipped friends now says he wants to get the Pan topbox. I will say that I wouldn't base my decision on the light connection issues that my frinds had with their Givi's. As the topbox is removable and I want extra rear lighting all the time, I have hyperlight LED brake and Hyper-Light LED turnsignals mounted on the rear of my bike, below the topbox...so topbox or not, the lights are still there.
As far as price is concerned: At the time I was buying, the Pan topbox cost me about $50 more than the complete Givi setup would have. With the Pan all the parts are included...mount, backpad, hardware and topbox. With the Givi you buy the topbox, then the backpad, then the appropriate mount for whatever bike you ride. You can buy the Givi stuff in the US whereas the Pan topbox comes from Europe, thus the exchange rate will be a factor for the Pan topbox. when I got mine the exchange rate was favorable and helped keep the comparative cost similar ($50 was not a big difference to me). About 2 months ago I bought a Schuberth C3 helmet from Germany and found the exchange rate was not a hinderance to me buying this very expensive helmet, which I absolutely love wearing. I have no idea what the exchange rate is like today, or what kind of prices Givi dealers may be offering now.
The Pirates Lair backrest is a really nice piece, just not a topbox. I sold mine a few months after I got the topbox...once I was sure the topbox would fit all my needs. Around local riding I usually ride without the topbox and just put it on for trips or longer rides. takes about a second to mount/dismount either the Pan Hondaline or the Givi topboxes....VERY similar mounting systems and keys look to be the same...I've often heard that Givi makes the Pan topbox for Honda, but Givi people I've spoken to deny this.
At 6'3" 250# I found the Wing to have less legroom than I needed, even after adding a taller custom seat. On The ST 1300 I am satisfied with the additional legroom it provides. OF course the Wing is the absolute most comfortable for a passenger, but that doesn't mean other touring and sport/touring bikes aren't also comfortable, just that the Wing is the King for passenger comfort...but not for this rider's comfort.
STDaveNW
Dave
I have a top box and only use it when I need a cooler because frankly the bike looks better without a top box. I run a smuggler mostly.
Agreed, no topbox at all looks the best!
Gizmo
Dean
Speaking as the passenger, I will not ride without the Pirate's Lair backrest. It is very comfortable with my riding jacket and gives just the right amount of support in the correct places. It might take trying different options before finding the right fit. You might even be able to buy used with help from this site. Either way, have fun riding. You are right the ST is not a Wing, it is better (IMO). 
His Wife
His Wife