[SIMMER]

Doing a fairly long trip this summer and still debating in my head whether or not to take my 50L Yamaha top case or just go with a couple waterproof dry bags strapped behind me.

Love the ability to throw things like drinks, snacks and easily accessible items like gloves and stuff in a top case but wondering if I really need it ? I also use a tank bag and a couple of motech dry bags behind me for camping gear etc. Top case would ONLY be used for quick access stuff.

To any of you guys who have done long trips what are your thoughts?

Would be great to hear from people who actually used a 50L top case and then decided to either not to again or love it for whatever reason.

 

[Whooshka]

Top case. Nice to be able to throw your helmet/gloves in it when stopped for lunch.

Put a dry bag on the passenger seat.

 

[Oldjeep]

Topcase. It is always on the bike but for trips it is typically half empty so that I can toss the helmet in there at food stops, also keep anything I might need while riding in there - rain gear and a little cooler with some liquids/snacks. I added huge side luggage to take care of my other needs - not a fan of tank bags or strapping stuff to seats, but I am happy to stop if I need a snack.

That being said - I use a Kappa 52. Not a huge fan of the factory cases

 

[Rumblestrip]

Topcase and those said bags between it and the rider. Sort of a riders backrest kinda thing.
I had a Givi 50l then went to a Givi 47l. Just preferred the look plus we never filled the 50l full during the time it was on the bike.

 

[SIMMER]

I regret the 50L oem purchase. F$#k it's so big. Oh well. I'll use it I guess. I preferred the 39L but discontinued here in Canada. I should've waited and did more research.

Stuck with it I guess.

 

[mortenk]

I love my 50L OEM case and ride with it 99% of the time. The only reason I would not take it on a long trip is if I need camping gear etc. on the rack. I used to take three week trips through Europe and needed so much stuff that a top case wouldn't cut it. However, on my most recent 3-5 day trips it's a must have for everything I carry except my clothes which fit in the side cases.

 

[Oldjeep]

I regret the 50L oem purchase. F$#k it's so big.

It's so round

 

[Charles.Robinson]

Top case is a super-handy place to store drinks/snacks and the windex/cloth for cleaning the front visor (note the green thingie to the right). Also a good work surface for flipping open the laptop to book a room for the night a couple hours down the road. I'd never tour without one!

 

[natsmada4fjr]

I use the top-case when I am moteling it and don't need the rear rack for my large cooler of beer for when I go camping with my mates. Around town, the top-case rocks!

YMMV

 

[rbentnail]

For longer trips I use my top case for lighter stuff- rain gear, half cover, gloves, visor/windscreen cleaner- stuff like that. I have a big heavy Nelson Rigg Day Runner left over from my cruiser days that I strap down to the rear seat. Around town and day trips I leave the top case and rear seat at home & install a Smuggler.

 

[passx]

Just use a good really rack under it like the heavy aluminum rack or the givi 357 and Shad tube racks. Broken subframes do happen and are not fun to change. Nats ,not sure I’d be putting a heavy cooler of beer, ice & water on the rear rack, even with the goods racks I mentioned I’m not sure they are enough to prevent a broken subframe. Yamaha told me when I broke my subframe & added the heavy aluminum rack that they only recommended a max weight rating of 10lbs there. Add-In the high Cg and terrible handling and I think (my opinion) it’s a bad choice.

By the way, now that you’ve had your Ivan’s tune on your 2014 for a while, what do you about it ?

 

[twowheels]

I am not a fan, Don't like the looks of a big suitcase on the back, I use a small cooler on the rack and dry bags in front of it makes for a nice backrest.I do run with a tank bag.

 

[natsmada4fjr]

Nats ,not sure I’d be putting a heavy cooler of beer, ice & water on the rear rack, even with the goods racks I mentioned I’m not sure they are enough to prevent a broken subframe. Yamaha told me when I broke my subframe & added the heavy aluminum rack that they only recommended a max weight rating of 10lbs there. Add-In the high Cg and terrible handling and I think (my opinion) it’s a bad choice.

By the way, now that you’ve had your Ivan’s tune on your 2014 for a while, what do you about it ?

I have both Garauld's "stiffy kit" and the Givi 357 rack, so no worries about a broken subframe with some beer on the rear rack. Can't go camping without some beer! I haven't felt too much "terrible" handling with this setup.

Regarding the Ivan's tune, I simply love it and find that I seldom use any other mode unless I am riding in town in stop-n-go traffic, then I will switch to the "Touring" mode.

 

[FastPappy]

Just recently acquired a smuggler and since I've only been doing day rides been running sans trunk and bags. Previously ran fully bagged. When I was commuting I used to throw my cover in the trunk then when I got to work, helmet into the trunk, cover on the bike, reverse procedure on the way home. Trunk always had spare gloves, rain pants, microfiber cloths and other miscellaneous stuff. Just my 2cents.

 

[Oldjeep]

Just use a good really rack under it like the heavy aluminum rack or the givi 357 and Shad tube racks. Broken subframes do happen and are not fun to change. Nats ,not sure I’d be putting a heavy cooler of beer, ice & water on the rear rack, even with the goods racks I mentioned I’m not sure they are enough to prevent a broken subframe. Yamaha told me when I broke my subframe & added the heavy aluminum rack that they only recommended a max weight rating of 10lbs there. Add-In the high Cg and terrible handling and I think (my opinion) it’s a bad choice.

By the way, now that you’ve had your Ivan’s tune on your 2014 for a while, what do you about it ?

I run with a case of wine in my top case back from the store, never noticed it impact handling. Little harder to get it off the kick stand, so if you are a little guy it might make a difference.

 

[Mr_Ed]

I cab see puzzling over buying the case or not, but if I already have it (I do) then there's no question about using it. I carry a laptop computer that won't fit the panniers anyway, but the top case it just too convenient to leave sitting on a shelf.

 

[SIMMER]

MR_ED......what top case is that?

 

[RaYzerman]

My top case stays on all the time, has all the easy to access gear and a few tools like tire repair kit, etc. Rain gear, heated jacket liner and spare gloves.... I rarely go for a day ride, it's usually an overnighter/weekend/week long trip, and clothing items in the saddlebags. I try to keep things half full, most will pack too much crap you don't need. If I was camping, that would mean a dry bag on the back seat, but I don't camp any more either.

 

[SIMMER]

Thanks guys. Overwhelming response FOR top case. I will be packing a 35L dry bag for all my camping gear behind me. Top case will be all lighter easily accesible stuff. Sides will be 1/2 full with clothes (3days only) and a few essentials. I also have a tank bag for really accessible stuff. 1st trip on my FJR. I will do a dry run or 2 before I leave. Appreciate all the responses. Good site. 👍🏻

 

[Mr_Ed]

MR_ED......what top case is that?

It's a Givi Maxia 3. It's about 10-years old. The current model is a Maxia 4. It's a 56-liter and looks massive on the bike. I like to carry a bunch of stuff on trips that I don't actually need I only use it for trips. Otherwise, it sits on a shelf.