Bestem Top Box

[Mileater1950]

I know it's not the Hondaline box but if you're looking for a good deal on a budget top box Cruiserbackrest has their $299 boxes on ebay right now for $59.99 + $20.00 shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Quic...098183294QQcategoryZ35580QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Bob

 

[vossman]

Wow, that's a steal.

 

[Blrfl]

Not a bad-looking box, either, and with liners and a brake light it's even more of a steal.

--Mark

 

[Pete]

I really wonder about the actual quality of this box. It might be too good of steal, if you know what I mean. "If it looks to good to be true...."

 

[Blrfl]

Hmmm, I'm also not sure I see a bolt hole pattern in the mounting plate that looks like it would fit the ST. I dunno; for $80 shipped, I could probably turn around and sell it for what I paid for it if I don't like it.


--Mark

 

[Mileater1950]

:excited:Got it today and it's better than expected! 1 week from Bestem to CA and the gloss black matches purrfectly! Run another very similiar looking brand on my STrom and they are almost equal in quality.

Happy in CA

Bob

Will post pics when i install this weekend

 

[Blrfl]

Hmmm... Their auction says one day, four hours and three of 'em left. Wonder if I should hurry and decide if I want to try one.

Which version did you get? (I'm guessing the 42L since you said gloss black.)

--Mark

 

[goalie]

Hmm, these appear to be identical to the boxes found here:

http://www.mutazu.com/products.php?cat_id=6&menu=Detachable Series&s=prod.php

(formerly customcyclegear.com)

The ebay price from cruiserbackrest.com is about half that of the above... and includes a liner.

The model 929 (45L) and 2012 (42L)... I've been looking to pick up one of these to accommodate the laptop and workout gear I typically lug around on my daily commute. The red color of the 42L seems to match my '05 ST fairly well (at least it looks that way from the pictures at the website).

I'm curious how well-sonctructed and durable it is, and if I would feel comfortable with it as a backrest for my wife. I currently have one of the stealth backrests on the ST and ideally I would like it to remain... a little extra security.

The good thing is the company is local to me... I'll see if I can swing by and take a look at their products when I buy... price is too good to pass up.


Whit
:biker:

 

[RTETR]

I bought a silver 2012 for my wife's GS650... good quality and far better than I expected for the price. I figured I couldn't pass it up even if only to use the liner.

 

[Blrfl]

I just nailed down the last one, which will be the 46L flat black model.

Now all I have to do is figure out where to relocate my satellite antennas.

ETA: It's interesting to note that Mutazu asks $115 for the 929, so CB must be getting a heck of a markup on those if they're the same product.

--Mark

 

[2dogs]

I've been "On the fence" for a while, wanting a top box but didn't really want to spend $500 + for the Honda line box or $60-$80 less for the Givi.
So I ordered on of these flat black 46L boxes. With the free liner, the LED brake light and the attached back pad it sure seems like a heck of a deal. Too good to be true?
Time will tell.
I'll post when I receive the box, get it mounted and try it out.
I'll be at Moonshine if anyone is interested in seeing it.
I hope you other guys will post as to the durability/usability of this box too.

Dave

 

[2dogs]

Got the "Tbox" from cruiser back rest today!
That's 3 days from order to I have it in my hands. Not bad.
The box came with brake light , a back rest (such as it is), mounting hardware, instructions and a Bestem logo ballistic nylon liner with carry handles and a shoulder strap (funny it says Givi on the bag it came in and on the invoice)???
I've heard that all these boxes are made by Givi.
This is a flat black 45 or 46 L box in the pic above that Mileater1950 posted.
I hope to get it mounted this weekend.
So far I'm very happy the quality is pretty good , better than I expected!


Dave

 

[Blrfl]

Is there a carrying handle that pops out or a ridge somewhere to tuck your hand?

My 929 has been shipped and should arrive Tuesday. I'm hoping one of the sets of holes on the bracket will fit the ST so I don't have to have anything custom fabbed. I'm encouraged by Bob's report, and for $79 delivered, this was a killer deal. I'll take the flat black finish... No paint to scratch!

(funny it says Givi on the bag it came in and on the invoice) I've heard that all these boxes are made by Givi.

Givi does make the Honda box and, of course, its own brand. I'm inclined to think the 929 is a good knockoff of the Givi E460, because even though the box is a dead ringer, the baseplate is arranged differently than Givi's. Since it's the same shape, the liner is probably Bestem's Givi liner. I also noticed that the mounting plate has the same "ADIO" logo on it as the boxes Mutazu is selling, so that and the identical model numbers pretty much confirm they're the same article.

The backrests do look pretty cheesy, but they appear to be held on by the four bolts in the top cover. I'll bet the Givi E79 backrest would be a bolt-on replacement.

--Mark

 

[2dogs]

There is a recessed area above the lock that makes for a handle. I believe your right the liner is a Bestem/Givi.
I haven't tried to mount the box or line up the base plate yet so I'm not sure about the bolt holes being a match for the ST rack. I hope to have time tomorrow to get at that.
I would like to replace that back rest with a better /softer larger one.
(It is held on with 4 bolts)
Where is the best priice on a replacement pad?
Dave

 

[Mileater1950]

Ok, got it mounted and it looks like it was made for the STeed! I used the stock mounting holes by drilling 2 new holes in the plate using the black plastic pad as a template and used shorter bolts in the back. Haven't got the brake light to work yet because I was trying to tie into the hyper-lights but for now it is just fine. So for me this was a great $79 investment.

YMMV,

Ride long!

Bob

 

[birdie_xx]

Hi All,



I work certain shows for GIVI USA , and more likely helped some members of this board at Daytona Bike Week, Americade,'Hoot and Biketoberfest shows over the years....



Seeing this thread and the GIVI name mentioned, I forwarded the link to my boss at GIVI and he wanted me to post his comment, FYI........

GIVI USA ’s Official Word

Re: Recent Thread relating to Bestem USA /Cruiserbackrests/Mutazu Products Top Trunks

GIVI USA would officially like to inform all of you involved in this recent thread that these trunks and accessories are NOT GIVI products and are NOT endorsed, manufactured or distributed by GIVI. These products like many others that appear initially through e-bay are Asian knock off products that are inferior in every way to the genuine GIVI items.

GIVI products manufactured and tested for over 30 years are fully compliant to many of the world’s motorcycle safety standards and are backed up by GIVI’s own warranty and customer service support. These products shown in this thread are knock off and very often counterfeit versions of the GIVI and other manufacturers originals, these products are not made by motorcycle enthusiasts and not tested by motorcycle enthusiasts for the everyday rigors of riding. These products utilize poor quality materials in relationship to GIVI in both their trunks construction and more importantly the mounting hardware, with this said it is therefore very easy for them to justify their inexpensive pricing.

I would like to thank you for understanding GIVI’s position in this matter and advise you to be cautious when buying these type of products that they will not only satisfy your requirements but meet the safety standards and rigorous requirements of daily motorcycling.

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Collins

Chairman, GIVI USA Inc

Cheers,

 

[Blrfl]

...are NOT GIVI products and are NOT endorsed, manufactured or distributed by GIVI. These products like many others that appear initially through e-bay are Asian knock off products that are inferior in every way to the genuine GIVI items.

Tell him we pretty much figured the former and will be the judge of the latter.

--Mark

 

[RTETR]

As promised here are some pics of the 2012 case I bought for the GS.

Great value for my money however I would say that yes, slightly cheaper build than Givi but hey, it was $60.00 with liner and LED brake lights!

 

[Blrfl]

My 929 arrived Tuesday, and this evening I had a chance to take it out for a good, long look-see. The short story:

I've seen the real GIVI E460 in the flesh. This box isn't it by a long shot, but I knew that going in. The box material feels like ABS, and the fit of the parts is actually pretty decent. The trim isn't much to write home about, but if you're just after a place to stash your helmet when stopped, it'll probably do just fine. It's still leaps and bounds better than a milk crate and doesn't seem to be a complete disaster, either.

I've decided to return mine, though, because the mounting hardware won't adapt nicely to the ST. The plate snaps onto the bottom of the box very securely, but it has a triangular punt in it, probably for structural rigidity. Unfortunately, it's right in the spot where I'd need to add holes for it to fit the ST as I wanted. I did like the liner they sent with it and will probably buy a set of their saddlebag liners.

So, Paul at GIVI, if you're reading this, your company will probably be getting some of my money, either directly in an E460N or indirectly in the form of a Hondaline box. You guys do make good stuff, I don't think there's any debating that. Once in awhile, the knockoffs get it right, and somebody has to guinea pig them. I probably wouldn't have tried it out if CB didn't have such a good return policy.

--Mark

 

[Blrfl]

:bump

[-]I took some more detailed pictures of the 929 and put them up here.[/-] (May, 2015: Photos were lost in a server crash several years ago.)

--Mark