Top Box Turbulence

[jrocket16]

I was wondering if anyone else experiences high turbulence when riding at higher speeds with the Hondaline top box installed? I was on my way to Knoxville a couple of weekends ago and took my top box with me. At around 80 and above it gets really unstable, mainly around big trucks. I was just wondering if anyone else is having this problem.

[GodFather]

I was wondering if anyone else experiences high turbulence when riding at higher speeds with the Hondaline top box installed? I was on my way to Knoxville a couple of weekends ago and took my top box with me. At around 80 and above it gets really unstable, mainly around big trucks. I was just wondering if anyone else is having this problem.

I haven't felt any real problems except when I've put too much stuff in the box (i.e laptop and other heavy items), but then again I usually try not to go over 80mph when I have the topbox full. I do notice more of a "drag" on all freeway speeds whether or not the top box has items in it.

Of course, we should probably heed the warning inside the box advising not to travel at speeds above 80mph with the topbox attached.

[TLTONEY]

Nope! I have not had any turbulence problems. I do have my rear suspension set just shy of hard. I have the Honda Top box and a ClearView GT large wind screen.

Trey
:biker:

[EdsST]

none here that I recognize - mine is on all the time

[RTETR]

I just moved from a Givi E52 to the Hondaline case and I have to say that while I used to feel the Givi back there I wouldn't be able to tell you if the Hondaline is there or not.

I had first installed it having mixed up the order on the rubber vs. vynil washers but now that I have the intened 1/2" lateral play the case is excellent.

Do you have the lateral movement on your install?

[skidlid1300]

I do notice a little wobble. Not real bad though, mine is on most of the time...

[Rob Hephner]

When you box is mounted, does it shift from side to side about a 1/2-inch or is it solid?

[tommyboy]

My Givi is mounted in the standard way, no play. I seldom exceed 80 mph, so I have not had any issues. I have never ridden with the top box off.

[Zrider]

I have the Givi V46 Top Box and have exceeded 85 - 90 mph on C470 in West Denver with no noticeable turbulence. I have read of issues on other forums regarding the Honda Line Top Box and wondered why it's available in Europe and not in the USA. When I purchased my 06 last October requesting a Top Box, I'd just assumed it would be the Givi.

[Actionfigurejoe]

Yes, I had a near fatal high speed wobble with the top box installed. I've since remove it and installed a soft tail bag. Handling has improved and the high speed wobble is all but gone except in certain wind conditions.

[Torch]

If installed correctly the Honda top box shifts side to side as designed..:07biker:

[ConqSoft]

I just did almost 900 miles over the last two days with lots of crosswinds, big rigs, and windy mountain passes with my Hondaline top case and didn't have any issues.

[nm6r]

Read the label inside the Hondaline top box.

We always ride 2-up and have never noticed a difference with or without the top box. Of course, the aerodynamics 2-up would allow a smoother air flow compared to riding solo with a top box.

It makes sense when riding solo the top box would experience buffeting. Just like when riding 2-up and the passenger is sitting upright against a backrest or top box (away from the driver), the passenger experiences buffeting.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[DeSTy]

I notice slight 'wobble' when in dirty air with the top-box installed. I think the choice of windscreen plays a part in this issue.

The stock screen brings the passing air around and behind the rider, to the point where a number of people, including many motorcycle mag reviewers have commented that it feels like you're being pushed from behind by the wind. If the screen installed is wider, the envelope around the rider is also wider and trails further back, so it may make it around the top box.

The stock screen envelope closes before the topbox which is where the slight instability is found. With a pillion onboard, filling the space between rider and top-box, the issue disappears, as the closing air continues all the way down the bike and around the rear of the box.

[RTETR]

The stock screen envelope closes before the topbox which is where the slight instability is found. With a pillion onboard, filling the space between rider and top-box, the issue disappears, as the closing air continues all the way down the bike and around the rear of the box.

This is why I moved to a 2+2+ screen and added 1/4" spacers to lift the screen and add more air between it and the bike. For me regardless of 2 up or solo the ride is great without knowing the topcase is even there.

[GPT]

If installed correctly the Honda top box shifts side to side as designed..:07biker:

I think that I have installed mine correctly and it has no play. There are plastic inserts in the nuts that if you do not thread through it will be loose.

[ConqSoft]

It's supposed to be loose. If yours doesn't move side to side then you installed it incorrectly.

[ccryder]

My top box moves a little. I have the top box with spoiler (if that matters) and have not experienced any severe handling on the ST. I do get a little "dancing" in dirty air but nothing that is (IMHO) dangerous. I have been running my top box for over 60,000 miles and at speeds from 40 to triple digits. It is not uncommon to tour at 80+ fully loaded and two up.

Neil S.

[MATTHEWS]

My top box moves a little. I have the top box with spoiler (if that matters) and have not experienced any severe handling on the ST. I do get a little "dancing" in dirty air but nothing that is (IMHO) dangerous. I have been running my top box for over 60,000 miles and at speeds from 40 to triple digits. It is not uncommon to tour at 80+ fully loaded and two up.

Neil S.

+1 on this experience!
I think it is the spoiler improving stability! :D

Dirty air can be EVIL Dirty AirYou just have to learn to dance with the devil!!!

[Gonzo]

I also think the suspension setup probably has an effect. Now, I'm not sure I have mine set up to the optimum condition, but at least I have no wobble issues either solo or 2-up.

Generally speaking, I only have the windshield up at freeway speeds while 2-up.

I notice the shadow of my top box bounces a little up/down and I have worried about stress fractures.

Maybe Byron can chime in on this. He went for aftermarket suspension both front and back, and after that added the top box.

gonzo

[GPT]

It's supposed to be loose. If yours doesn't move side to side then you installed it incorrectly.

After installing, mine is snug. Should I have stopped tightening when the bolt hits the plastic inserts in the nuts? That leaves about 3/8" of thread showing.

Other than that, I can't think how else to install (very easy). I did leave the original plastic tail in place as well as per earlier post.

[ConqSoft]

It could be the order in which you installed the washers. The installation instructions are hard to follow. The plastic washers was what allow it to slide.

Check here: http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=221824&postcount=11

[SupraSabre]

I was getting buffeted around when passing big rigs, so I would lower the shield down anytime I went around one. Recently I bought a VStream windshield. Problem solved. I no longer have to lower the shield and I don't get that pushy feeling from the back... :biker:

[Jim C-G]

I just recently did a trip to the mainland with my GIVI 52 (which is always on). I was overloaded with laptop etc. (over Honda's advice for the tail) Main highway had posted 110kph (65mph?) Everyone was running 140 kph (85mph?) so I had to run 140-150 kph. Had lots of side wind - nothing that I overly noticed.. found that about 3 trailer lengths behind semis that I really noticed the dirty air. But I can remember the same at high speeds with old Beemer and CB750 (both had the same windjammer fairing and Craven bags/trunk). The olnly thing I really noted was that the semis were doing 140-150 kph, faster than "the old days" and that the dirty air was farther back and overall a little stronger than I had remembered. I was runing the CB750 until only 2 years ago - just had not had it on really high speed roads for a while. Anyway, got around most rigs quite quickly and that solved all problems.

[Byron]

I never ran the Honda topbox with the stock suspension. Without a topbox the suspension was dialed in and I did not experience any handling problems at any speed. I upgraded to a full Hyperpro suspension and then added the Honda topbox. I've been running the suspension with settings as supplied from Hyperpro. Without the topbox installed everything is fine. With the topbox installed I did run into a condition were the front end was starting to dance. I had high headwinds while trying to maintain 80 MPH. The combination of the speed and headwind was enough to cause the front end to get light. My immeadiate solution was to lay across the tank to add more weight to the front tire. That curred the problem. Tightening up the preload would have accomplished the same thing but I didn't want to stop.

[SupraSabre]

I never ran the Honda topbox with the stock suspension. Without a topbox the suspension was dialed in and I did not experience any handling problems at any speed. I upgraded to a full Hyperpro suspension and then added the Honda topbox. I've been running the suspension with settings as supplied from Hyperpro. Without the topbox installed everything is fine. With the topbox installed I did run into a condition were the front end was starting to dance. I had high headwinds while trying to maintain 80 MPH. The combination of the speed and headwind was enough to cause the front end to get light. My immeadiate solution was to lay across the tank to add more weight to the front tire. That curred the problem. Tightening up the preload would have accomplished the same thing but I didn't want to stop.

So what you are saying Byron is that you need to put the stock suspension back on your bike so you can "test" out these conditions everyone is talking about, right? :D

[TRICKYRIC5474]

The wash from big rigs is much more turbulent now than back in the old days. I've been around our family trucking business all of my life and with the modern aerodynamics of the cabs and especially those huge top of cab spoliers they create more dirty air than ever. Helps them with fuell economy, but it's hell on riders and even lighter cars and suv's.

[jerry]

big time wobble at 112mph

[gec343]

I've ridden my 03 St with Honda topbox w/spoiler well over 100MPH with no wobble. :03biker: :03biker:

[jfheath]

Hondaline top box is designed to have a bit of lateral movement in it. Mine does it. I dont know when, or what the advantage is. I thought that it had been mounted incorrectly, but I checked - it is a feature of the mounting.

I ride with top box on all the time. No wobble - though it does make a bit of difference in side winds. Best stability is achieved with pillion and top box. The air flow is smoothed out.

[gnorts]

big time wobble at 112mphExact same speed, GPS, sustained. Exactly no wobble. 190lb rider, 60lbs gear, luggage on pillion seat, oem topbox. Good PR's, 42psi, preload 2 turns past normal, damping 3/4 turn up from normal, shield down. Solid as a rock.:cool:

[Pete]

A week's worth of stuff for 2 people consisting of fully loaded side cases and a loaded bag strapped on top of each one for more storage, a loaded top box and a large fully stuffed tank bag. 180 lb rider and 120 lb pillion. Traveling interstate speeds at 80 plus mph the ST was solid. I'm exceedingly careful to make sure the weight is balanced evenly on the bike, and I adjust the suspension to the load. I expect to be blown around by truck wash, side winds etc...because...I'm on a motorcycle :).

No stability issues unloaded with the top box at speeds into the triple digits. The key is suspension setup.