Bestem TopBox installed on an 07 ST... with pics!

acdntlpoet

acdntlpoet

Joined
Apr 30, 2007
Messages
10
Location
Beaverton, Or.
Bike
2007 ST1300A
Due to a few people asking, I figured I'd post a new thread with regards to my install of the Bestem top-box as sold by CrusierBackrest.com and can be found on ebay for ridiculously low prices.

I received mine on Wednesday, and installed it yesterday. Following are some pictures and comments on the box:

normal_IMG_3336.JPG


While the quality is no where near GIVI standards, for the "frugal" consumer, this box may well be a good solution. I know it will be for me, especially after my loving wife gave me that "seriously close to too much money being spent on too many farkles" look today...

First thing I noticed when I opened the box it came in was the size. I was a bit surprised at how large 36 liters really is. Mind you it isn't too big, but it was bigger than what _I_ had expected. That’s fine.

normal_IMG_3343.JPG


No worries...let' move on...

The next thing I noted was that it is indeed a tad flimsy. ABS plastic construction will do that for you. I wouldn't trust this thing as a full-fledged backrest, but it WILL give my wife that extra bit of security she is looking for. Just don't put your full weight against it. There's no telling how that will end.

Thirdly, the silver is a bit lighter than the '07 ST1300 paint. Do I care? Nope. I'm not THAT vain... it is close enough that most people wouldn't notice and it isn't so bad that it is distracting or obviously wrong.

While it is advertised as having LED brake-lights, they didn't appear to be LEDs to me. Rather they looked like LED -style- incandescent bulbs, but maybe that is just my ignorance showing again.

The install was easy, though I haven't yet tackled the brake-light hook-up.
The mount plate needs 2 new holes drilled out. You'll note that the image shows 4 new holes... ALWAYS remember: measure twice, drill once...

normal_IMG_3349.JPG


All in all, I am very pleased with this purchase. The install took me all of an hour to do from unpacking it to the final wipe-down with a microfiber cloth. I haven't yet road tested the install, however once locked on, the top box feels very secure on the mount plate and I am confident that it isn't going anywhere.

You can check out the rest of my photos here: http://www.waywardcelt.com/Coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=43

Enjoy!
 
Brad Felmey said:
I have a Bestem installed on my ST1100, and I just made a 2200 mile trip to Seattle with it fully loaded up on camping gear, and with a complete set of tires velcro'd to it. Not a problem in the world with sturdiness.
Click to expand...

OK you two just cost me $79.00 delivered. Have been looking at a box for a while, need a place to put the Stich when parked.

I will post when I get it installed.

Bill in STockton.
 
Shoot, I just ordered the JC Whitney black trunk box for $69.00 with free shipping and no tax-but its basic black on my 03 Silver STeed. Only ordered it two days ago-how very inconsiderate to wait until today to post this;-)

I too am the frugal type and always appreciate posts like yours with creative ways to save a few bucks, so I can put the money in the "tank" and ride!

Machog
 
Louie Louie said:
Outstanding PoST!
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yeah, well, YOU'RE to blame for the post! without asking for it, I may not have run out, taken the pics, and posted when it was still fresh in mind... :bow1:

For the rest, glad to help you spend.... a little bit less ;)

Next us is going to be my MIT-100 install once the fuse block comes in. I am also getting the Electrical Connection's Turn Signal Conversion Kit in the same shipment, so expect a run down on that along with the tail light hook up from the top box at the same time. I wouldn't expect it for another two weeks at least though... gotta get the stuff first then wrap my mind around all the electrical stuff.
 
Got by box today, will mount tomorrow. Not top of line but sure not crap, for the price it is a real deal. I plan to use only on trips. Will post pictures later.

Bill in Stockton
 
This is cheap enough for me to buy one and just use it for long trips.
Currently I have a Stealth backrest which I leave on all the time. It's no big thing to remove the backrest, just loosen one allen bolt and it's off but there is a special insert that remains in the rack that came with the backrest. It replaced the stock insert so the backrest could slide into it. It looks very much like stock, uses the same bolts.

Questions: Does anyone have experience mounting this Bestem box-mounting plate onto a Stealth rack insert? Any problems? challenges?

Is it Bestem mounting plate something you would want to leave on once you attach it? I see it would block access to that one allen bolt that holds the Stealth backrest.

Lastly: I don't see the red box available in the the ebay vendors site. Where do you go to chose the red one?
 
I wanted mine to match the faster blue model :04biker: , but they said in the advertisement it was a different shade of blue than factory. So I purchased a can of the factory color spray paint & can of clearcoat for around $50 at www.Colorrite.com . I just bought the one they offered with a smooth top, instead of textured, and repainted it. Picture in the Avatar. I only have about $140 in it total and satisifed with it. The only thing I am not crazy about is the backrest and I am looking for some material now, that is close to the Sargent Carbon Fiber seat, and plan on making something that looks a little better. The quality seems decent for the price, and probably the only thing that looks a little flimsy is the two side cords that keep the lid from opening too far. Looks like 100 pound fishing line, however if it breaks, would still be easy to replace with something stronger.

I went the easy route on hooking in the LED brake light as I don't like to cut wires. What I discovered was the easiest method was to run the two wires down under the pillion seat and back to one of the rear brake light bulbs. You can look in the MOM, but you need to remove the saddle bag, and the black part of the rear fender the tag is attached too, which was 4 screws I think, using the wrench in the tool kit. Takes about 10 minutes to get to the light bulbs this way to change them out.

Once you get to the light bulb, just unplug the connector. It was three wires, as it's a combination running/brake light, but have someone hold the brake handle, and touch the two wires from the LED panel from the box onto two of the three wires and see which combination lights the LED. I think it was a combination of the middle and one outside wire, but try them for yourself to be sure its the brake light and not running light. Just squeeze the brake a couple of times to see for sure.

After you determine which of the two wires you need, you will see the connector has three "V" shaped connections, for lack of a better description, one for each wire.

It looks something like V V V

To keep from cutting wires, strip each of the two wires coming from the LED panel about 1/4 to 1/3 of a inch, and then lay them into the correct "V"

Something like this if it was the left & middle wires:


| |
V V V
| |

Then all you have to do is just press the plug back into the socket and it's done. You can always trim the exposed wire to suit your own install, but I really did not want to cut any wires. It's been going fine for a couple of weeks like this. I had a buddy check the brightness of the LED's and they are no much at all in the daytime, but anything helps at night.
 
A while back I bought the J.C.Whitney Travel Trunk:

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12067&highlight=whitney

However, it seems the follow-up post about its failure disappeared in the Great Crash of ought seven.

Mine failed big time. A large split appeared and I sent it back.

Consequently, SWAMBO insisted I get the Honda box, and it fits two helmets plus other stuff.

gonzo
 
Just a quick update to this thread... I finally wired up the tail light in the Bestem top-box. Seems bright enough, though not overly so. I do wish they were a tad brighter, but they ARE bright enough to get the job done. More pictures and videos of the rear lighting can be found in my electrical installs thread posted last Friday here: https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25646

Still very happy with the top box. Next on my to do list is to swap out the backrest. Other than that, I think I'll be done fiddling with the box :)
 
Oh, you guys are killing me I ordered one also and received it today. This keeping up with the Joneses, thank god nobody talks about cars or houses.
 
No way would i ever deal with CruiserBackrest.com again. :)

IMO, there's no substitute for the original Pan-European Top-Case (But don't get me started on the spoiler costing $385!!! - sheesh!).

Now that finewest found a local supplier for Saddle and (as of monday) the top box bag there really won't be a reason to go to BestemUsa (Aka Cruiserbackrest.com) again. :)


Anyway, good luck with the cases!

<D>
 
dmulk said:
No way would i ever deal with CruiserBackrest.com again. :)

IMO, there's no substitute for the original Pan-European Top-Case (But don't get me started on the spoiler costing $385!!! - sheesh!).

Now that finewest found a local supplier for Saddle and (as of monday) the top box bag there really won't be a reason to go to BestemUsa (Aka Cruiserbackrest.com) again. :)


Anyway, good luck with the cases!

<D>
Click to expand...
Well of course there is no matching it, I dont think anybody said the Bestem is better but a better for your money buy. $79.99 :shrug2: $900.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom