Hello all,
Finally came the day when I gave up and decided I wanted a top case on my GS.
If anyone is interested in how to do it and what to buy, here goes:
-I went straight to the Givi/Kappa (they're the same maker, Givi being the one a bit more upmarket, let's say) luggage line, which seems to be the most common around.
I know there are others out there but to be honest, I don't know much about.
-Find the right supporting brackets (left-right) which fit the GS 500.
Givi makes two sets for the GS:
524F (GS500E, 1989-2000)
526F (GS500, 2001- ; GS500F, 2004-)
Easy choice. I have a '01, so it was a 526 for me.
-Find the top case you like most.
As many of you might know, Givi/Kappa has two product lines: Monokey and Monolock.
Monolock is a bit cheaper maybe.
I found a nice deal on eBay for a Kappa K35NT Monolock black case, shipped home in a couple days.
-Then, get the right mounting plate.
Each top case (usually) comes with a universal plate, only good if you already have a rack which you can screw the plate on.
(Hepco-Becker SW-Motech makes an aluminium rack which is small, neat and beautiful but costs like 140 USD... no thanks.)
Other than that, you won't use that plate and get a proper one instead:
if you have a Monolock case, you will have to get a MM Monolock plate; with a Monokey case, the 526F can receive a M2 or M3 Monokey plate, the difference between the two (as far as I know) being the material, aluminium for M2, nylon for M3.
Having a Monolock case, I went for a MM plate.
-Now it's time to mount everything on. Here's how I did on my '01.
Take off seat, take off grab handle, unlatch seat lock cable.
(Tip: put a couple pieces of tape on the latch holes. You'll thank yourself later if you forget to reattach it and try to put the seat back on...)
Unscrew the four bolts keeping the tail plastics in place, then take them off carefully (the plastics). You might want to unscrew one of the tiny Phillips screws holding the unnamed small plastic piece above the rear light, between the tail sides, so as to have more wiggle room.
Then, mount the two auxilliary omega-shaped brackets near the tail light; don't put the two main left-right support brackets on just yet, put back on the tail plastics before. Ask me how I know...
After you put the tail back on (reattach the seat cable lock now!) and the main Monorack supports (don't tighten the screws all the way yet), it's time for the mounting plate to join the game.
My MM comes with a couple joints you fit on the tip of the Monorack brackets; once they're on, you can fix the mounting plate up there, tighten all the screws and bolts, put the covering caps on, and you're done.
And now...the best part:
you can finally fit your top case and be ready to go!
Here's a couple pics (worth more than a thousand words):
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb174/rizz9000/th_IMG-0062.jpg) (http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb174/rizz9000/?action=view¤t=IMG-0062.jpg)
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb174/rizz9000/th_IMG-0061mod.jpg) (http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb174/rizz9000/?action=view¤t=IMG-0061mod.jpg)
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb174/rizz9000/th_IMG-0060.jpg) (http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb174/rizz9000/?action=view¤t=IMG-0060.jpg)
Givi says that the rack can get a maximum load of 5 kg (11 lbs), with a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).รน
Compatibility:
Despite being different brands, a Monolock plate will fit a Monolock case anyway (same goes for Monokey), you'll have noticed that I have a Kappa case with a Givi plate and brackets. Works perfectly. (So far...)
Overall cost (Europe):
-Case: 57,00 EUR (71,50 USD) off eBay, it normally goes for like 75 EUR
-MM Plate: 36,00 EUR (45,20 USD)
-526F Monorack fittings: 48,00 EUR (60,25 USD)
My dealer got me a nice discount on plate+rack (70 EUR total), so I was set back by 127 EUR (not bad)
If you get to find them, the Kappa code for the Monolock MM plate seems to be MKN, whereas the Kappa equivalent for the Monorack fitting system is K5260. (per their web site as of now)
Overall it seems a solid set. Guess I'll have time to find out...
PS: Kappa, Givi, Monolock and Monokey are registered trademarks of their respective owners.
This post is for information purposes only.
Enjoy
That looks like a Kappa 35 liter monolock case you have, nice size I think for a GS500. I put a 33 liter Givi Monolock on my 02 GS which is the same as your bike except for the color. I already had a Suzuki luggage rack on my bike so the included base plate bolted right on the rack. I had to add some supports because the frame member the rack mounts to was cracking. It's been on there solid as a rock for 6 years and 70k miles now and has never leaked a drop in the heaviest of rains. Case has really held up well and it's the cheaper Givi model.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GiviRackPics.jpg)
You're right Jack, it's a 35-litre Kappa case.
At first I thought about getting a 30-litre Givi unit but I was afraid it'd be too small, I could've only put my helmet and gloves in there.
The 35-litre takes my helmet and there's space left for some more stuff.
I read about your original Suzuki OEM rack - and the cracking mounts - and that's also why I went straight for the Monorack route ;)
Hey guys,
I'm looking to get a topcase specifically a e370(40L) or e470(47L). I'm afraid the e470 is going to be too big and has low weight limits, but I'm afraid the e370 might be too small.
Since you guys have 33L and 35L topcases I wanted to know if you could fit a helmet with over pants in it. I have a large shoei helmet and if I bought the e370 and all I could fit was a helmet I would be very disappointed.
In my topcase (35 lt) I can fit my helmet (Nolan N102), my mesh jacket, and my small back protector.
With a bit of care of course, it's a tight fit but I don't have to push the lid closed, either.
For comparison purposes, my Nolan is an L size (IIRC) and is of the "flip-face" type - which usually makes for larger overall dimensions, compared to a full shield of same size.
Best thing you can do is go to a MC shop and - if the guy is kind enough - ask to try and fit your helmet and pants/whatever in there.
Or just the helmet, that's what I did.
A 30 lt Givi case would only take my helmet in, nothing else.
I ended up buying the topcase via eBay, not the same model but by then I knew how much room I'd need.
This said, I'd bet you could comfortably stuff your helmet and overpants in a 40 lt.
Hope it helps!