I'm looking for a rack for a Givi box.  Does the GS500E take a different rack than the GS500F?  Most application charts say the F526 rack fits the E and does not list the F.  Here for example: http://www.helmetheadcycle.com/product/2262/givi-f526-suzuki-gs500e-2801-0429-monokey-top-case-mounting-hardware

But this ebay listing for the exact same part says that it fits the F from 2004-2009?

Here is another place that says the same rack fits E and F. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/841

There are lots of other sites that list it as only fitting the E, no mention of the F.

I'd like to order from HelmetHeadCycle because they are the cheapest, but their site doesn't say it will work on the F.  So if it doesn't I will probably have a hassle sending it back.

Thanks for any help.

In 2001 the tail changed. There was an "E" model sold in Europe until 2008 or so which was just a naked "F" (F = fairing)
1989-2000 is the old tank & tail. 2001 and onward is the newer tank & tail where "E" just means no fairing.
Don't confuse the "E" models. Go by the year. There was even a GS500E in the early 80's - a 4 cylinder and lower CC version of the GS550.

Quote from: adidasguy on January 28, 2011, 11:47:56 AM
In 2001 the tail changed. There was an "E" model sold in Europe until 2008 or so which was just a naked "F" (F = fairing)
1989-2000 is the old tank & tail. 2001 and onward is the newer tank & tail where "E" just means no fairing.
Don't confuse the "E" models. Go by the year. There was even a GS500E in the early 80's - a 4 cylinder and lower CC version of the GS550.

Ok so then a Givi rack that says it will fit a 2001 will fit a 2001-2011, right?

I second what adidasguy said.
Yes, 2001+ GS500/GS500F tails are one and the same AFAIK.

I'm not very convinced by the eBay listing...The Givi F526 kit normally only includes the Monorack brackets and screws and stuff. No Monokey-type plate included - it should be bought separately, Monokey or Monolock. Perhaps the seller is trying to sell plate & brackets together, dunno.
BTW the picture does not show the 526F kit actually - it just looks the generic "universal" Monorack kit to me. Better ask the seller.

You also might wanna take a look to these two posts of mine:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53091.msg599400#msg599400
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53281.msg603053#msg603053

Hope it helps.

Givi site IT says GS 500 E (01 > 04) / GS 500 F takes 526F rack.  Givi site USA says GS500 01-04 takes 526F rack and doesn't even list the F models.  No wonder there's confusion, the Givi sites aren't even kept up to date.  The 526F rack must fit all GS500/F from 01 on.  There's another rack for 97-00 GS500E still available but the rack for 96 and prior years has been dropped.   This has come up here before and nobody has figured out yet as far as I know why the 97-00 is different from the 96 and older.

ok, now I'm clear on that the rack will fit my bike, thank you.

But now I'm more confused about the rack itself.  So the F526 is not the only part I need? (besides a case, of course).  I need a top plate to go on top of the rack?  The twisted throttle site prompts me to select M3-Monokey or MM-Monolock when ordering, so it must come with the plate, right?  The one at Helmet Head Cycle says "GIVI F526 Suzuki GS500E (01-04) Monokey Top Case Mounting Hardware", so this one must come with the plate also I think.

The funny thing is I've been through all this before years ago when I owned a '97 GS500E but I don't remember all the details.  

Quote from: zirconx on January 28, 2011, 03:19:49 PM
ok, now I'm clear on that the rack will fit my bike, thank you.

But now I'm more confused about the rack itself.  So the F526 is not the only part I need? (besides a case, of course).  I need a top plate to go on top of the rack?  The twisted throttle site prompts me to select M3-Monokey or MM-Monolock when ordering, so it must come with the plate, right?  The one at Helmet Head Cycle says "GIVI F526 Suzuki GS500E (01-04) Monokey Top Case Mounting Hardware", so this one must come with the plate also I think.

The funny thing is I've been through all this before years ago when I owned a '97 GS500E but I don't remember all the details.  

You can use a GIVI E528 Mounting Plate commonly used for a V-Strom and mount any MONOKEY Topbox onto any rack, I put a V46 topbox on my honda SH150i with one..

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=54306.msg612253#msg612253

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on January 28, 2011, 08:31:50 PM
[...
You can use a GIVI E528 Mounting Plate commonly used for a V-Strom and mount any MONOKEY Topbox onto any rack, I put a V46 topbox on my honda SH150i with one..

Be careful mate, I'm afraid this cannot be done on a GS, the mounting plate you show only works when (as you did on the SH) you have already a small rack factory-mounted on a bike.

Cutting it short, to install a Monokey box on his GS, the OP WILL need:
-526F mounting kit (normally sold without a plate)
AND
-M2 or M3 Monokey top plate.

We used an SW-Motech rack from TwistedThrottle.com

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/238/210/

Quote from: simon79 on January 29, 2011, 02:37:37 AM

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on January 28, 2011, 08:31:50 PM
[...
You can use a GIVI E528 Mounting Plate commonly used for a V-Strom and mount any MONOKEY Topbox onto any rack, I put a V46 topbox on my honda SH150i with one..

Be careful mate, I'm afraid this cannot be done on a GS, the mounting plate you show only works when (as you did on the SH) you have already a small rack factory-mounted on a bike.

Cutting it short, to install a Monokey box on his GS, the OP WILL need:
-526F mounting kit (normally sold without a plate)
AND
-M2 or M3 Monokey top plate.

Im pretty sure this plate....



Will mount to this rack, the fastener locations are almost infinite, that was my point. If you have a rack from virtually any manufacture you can make a GIVI E528 Mounting Plate fit it.

I'm sorry nothing to do with your post but the Pic ^^^^^^ is that a pandabear next to the 500 on the tail?

Either that or even the PO painmeds are quite nice!

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on January 29, 2011, 07:35:23 PM
I'm sorry nothing to do with your post but the Pic ^^^^^^ is that a pandabear next to the 500 on the tail?

Either that or even the PO painmeds are quite nice!

Still see the panda?
Plez share teh meds with all of us that don't see the panda 

Great, I just ordered it.  Thanks for the help guys.

Here is my old GS500e from years ago, I had it decked out for traveling. Hope to do something similar with my F.