Still using a heavy rucksack while riding?
If so, it is time to upgrade your motorcycle luggage.
A motorcycle top box (also called a hardtail bag or top case) is an excellent way to add lots of extra storage to your bike and keep items secure.
The best motorcycle top boxes can be pricey investments, though.
Here’s what you need to know to get the best quality top box for your money.
Givi V47NNT Monokey Top Case
Roomy, Sturdy, Lightweight
Oozing with quality throughout, this 47l box is perfect for commuters and day trippers.
Givi E300N2 Monolock 30L
Affordable Monolock Alternative
Cheap but still offers the reliability you'd expect with Givi products.
5 Best Motorcycle Top Boxes Reviewed
Read on to get the lowdown on our favourite products.
Givi V47N Monokey Top Case
This 47-litre box from Givi seems to be the sweet spot in capacity for many riders. It will fit a lid easily with plenty of space left over for boots, clothes, etc.
Fantastic build quality is a given with Givi, and this box is no exception. From the smooth opening action to the foolproof locking mechanism, everything just works.
It uses the excellent Givi mounting plate (you’ll have to buy this separately), which allows for quick release and is exceptionally stable when the bike is moving.
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Pros
Lightweight yet sturdy- Fully waterproof
- Quick release fixing system
- Max load 10kg
Lightweight yet sturdyCons
- Need to buy separate mounting plate
- Givi quality comes at a price
Need to buy separate mounting plateGivi E300N Monolock Top Box
If you aren’t ready to shell out a lot of money for a Monokey Givi top box, the Givi E300N is an affordable Monolock alternative. It is very cheap but still offers the reliability you’d expect with Givi products.
At 30 litres, the top box will only hold one helmet and some small items. There aren’t any straps or pockets inside, so you’ll have to be careful when opening the case to ensure everything doesn’t fall out.
Some people did report problems when trying to fit it to their bikes. However, Givi is a popular brand, so you should be able to find bike-specific mounting advice online.
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Pros
- Affordable
- Sturdy construction
- Good waterproofness
Cons
- Might have trouble fitting it to some bikes
- No internal straps or pockets
Givi Trekker Monokey TRK46N 46 Liter Top Box
This is one of the most popular motorcycle top boxes by Givi. People mostly love it because of its cool opening and partitioning method. You can either fully open it on the hinge or open just part of the lid – which is useful if you are trying to get small items out of the top box without spilling everything all over the road.
I also appreciate that the key has to be in the cylinder to lock the top box. This way, you can’t lock your keys inside.
Some people love the aluminium style of the Trekker case. I find it too boxy looking and don’t like how rain falls on it. It seems you’ll either love it or hate it, though.
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Pros
- Fits two helmets plus other gear easily
- Sturdy mount
- Secure locking mechanism and construction
- Straps for securing items in place
- Can’t lock keys inside
- Completely waterproof
Cons
- Pricy investment
- Isn’t the most attractive top box
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Givi V56N Maxia 4 Monokey Top Case
The Givi Maxia has a 56-litre capacity, making it one of the biggest top boxes you’ll find. You’ll easily fit two helmets plus some clothing and spare bits. It doesn’t cost much more than the smaller Givi top boxes, so it is worth buying this case if you need lots of storage.
As you’d expect from Givi, the design of the top box is very nice. It has a document pocket and elastic belts for securing items. The handle folds right into the case.
A hinge mechanism inside the top allows the lid to stay open while you load it. The top box is easily removed so that you can use the case like large luggage.
My only issue with the Givi Maxia is that it can be locked without the key in the cylinder, meaning you could lock your keys inside. As a forgetful person, I’d rather not have this risk.
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Pros
- Holds tons of gear
- Affordable compared to similar products
- One-handed opening
- Shape directs rain away from pillion
- Document pocket and straps
Cons
- Could accidentally lock keys in box
- Size affects handling at high speeds
Why Would You Want a Motorcycle Top Box?
A lot of people hate motorcycle top boxes because they “ruin” the aesthetics of the bike. I’m a very rational person, though, and the practical benefits of top boxes outweigh the aesthetic argument.
Pros
- Less wind drag than tank bags or panniers
- Doesn’t add to width of bike (better for squeezing through rush hour traffic)
- Are often waterproof
- Provide good protection for items like laptops and paperwork
- Easy to put on/take off
- Lockable
- Pillion can use as a backrest. Recommended reading – Ultimate guide to riding pillion
- You can strap other items onto the top box
- Doubles as a travel sink
Cons
- Higher load affects balance
- Can affect motorcycle handling
- Tend to be overloaded
Warning about Overloading
Many biker forums recommend going with larger top boxes because “you can always use more storage.”
Yes – having storage is great, but it can cause some problems if you go too large.
- Overloading: People tend to overload top boxes. Even the best top boxes have a max capacity of around 10kg. Too much weight can make your bike wobble and throws the centre of gravity off. Be careful!
- Difficulty Handling: Even empty top boxes will still add a lot of weight to your bike. If you have a small motorcycle, are going off-road, or go at high speeds, this can affect handling.
- Damage to the Bike: If you overload your top box, you could crack your rear frame. During off-roading, the stress from the top box can also break the sub-frame.
In short, don’t buy a huge top box for a tiny bike. And (regardless of bike size) never overload your top box.
How to Choose
Motorcycle top boxes range from ultra-cheap to expensive products by top brand names. Bear in mind that there is no one best motorcycle top box for all bikes. It depends on how you want to use it.
Top Box Size and Shape
As a general rule, you need to get a motorcycle top box that is big enough to fit the following items:
For solo riders, this means getting at least 37 litres. If you have a pillion or armour on your jacket, you’ll probably need at least 46 litres.
Be aware that the shape of the top box can affect how much it will hold. An awkward shape makes it harder to get items inside.
It’s easy to test how big of a top box you need. Just grab your gear and try to pack it up. Measure how much space it takes up in litres (I shoved my gear into a 50-litre cool box to gauge the size).
Fitting Method
To fit a top box to your motorcycle, you will need to have some hardware. First, you’ll need the mounting plate for the top box. This almost always comes with the top box – but check to make sure you don’t need to buy it separately!
Then you will need a bike-specific mounting kit for attaching the plate to the bike rack (if you still don’t have a bike rack, now is the time to get one).
I’ve heard of people using generic-brand mounting kits because they are cheaper than the bike-specific brand name ones. However, you’ve got to be careful about doing this. The generic kits don’t always attach well. You might end up with a wobbly mount.
Locking Mechanism
One of the main benefits of top boxes is that they can be locked, allowing you to leave your items behind with the bike. It beats carrying a motorcycle helmet with you around town.
Be warned that even the best boxes are still susceptible to theft. It only takes a teen with a screwdriver and some patience to separate you from your top box.
That said, the best top boxes will provide some degree of theft protection. In the video below, you can see how a thief unsuccessfully tried to break into a Givi top box.
The thief destroyed the lock in the process, but luckily Givi makes replacement locks.
Monokey vs. Monolock
Givi’s boxes feature their patented “Monokey” or “Monolock” system.
The Monokey system means you can use the same key for the lid and base plate. You can even match the lock to all of your other Givi Monokey luggage. This saves you the hassle of carrying an extra key. The Monokey lock is also much sturdier than universal mounts.
By contrast, Monolock top boxes use a universal mount, which can’t be used with Monokey luggage. You can’t reduce the number of keys required, and the locking mechanism tends not to be as sturdy.
The difference is well explained in the video below.
Brand Name vs. Generic Motorcycle Top Cases
I love brands like Givi for motorcycle gear. But, I also know that you can find seemingly identical gear by generic brands for a fraction of the cost.
Choose a Brand Name Top Box If:
- You store valuable items in your top box and don’t want to trust them in a cheap top box
- You park your bike in areas where it is vulnerable to theft
- You want access to spare parts
- You need good instructions on how to fit the top box
Choose a Cheap Generic Top Box If:
- Your budget can’t afford brand-name gear
- You only use your top box for storing your lunch on the way to work
- The product got lots of good reviews
Image Credits
Bike of Burden in Vietnam Flickr photo by graeme_newcomb shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license