Givi or Hondaline

[mattiesettlement]

I am going to order a topbox for my ST1300. Right now I am probably going to buy the colour matched blue hondaline box. I realize both are made by Givi but I think that the hondaline topbox looks like it belongs. The downside of the hondaline topbox with the light is the price, I think around $499 for the topbox and $369 for the spoiler/light. plus the hondaline comes with mounting plate and backpad, the givi doesn't. The Givi E52 is a little bigger, the black one comes with the integrated light and is a lot cheaper, I found it for $264 in flat black with a built in brake light. And $65 for the mounting bracket and $56 for the backpad. What do you all think? I haven't seen either topbox in the flesh, just pics. :confused:

Thanks!

[beastie]

I had a Givi V46 with brake light. Bought it due to the price. We saw the Honda box on a couple of bikes and it looked so good and so much a part of the bike, that after a few months, I sold the Givi and bought the Honda. It looks sooooo much better. I am now waiting for the spoiler. Nothing wrong with the Givi and if you like it go for it. I just like the more integrated look of the Honda box.

[Killtimer]

I only use a top case when my wife's with me, which isn't that often so I kept my old 46 L flat black Givi. Use it on the KLR as well. Holds two full face and is a bunch cheaper. My advice? If you're going to leave the case on, go with the OEM for the looks, if you're only going to use it from time to time the Givi will save you some serious money.

Steve

[Kennedy]

No comparison between the two. The Honda one just looks like it belongs there. I don't have the light for mine yet because of the $$ but may be over the winter. I was tempted to get the Givi because of the price but got to break this bad habit of mine of doing every thing twice and just order the one you wanted to start with. Where you getting it from, Cruiser back rest or from the UK.?

[mattiesettlement]

Yeah, I agree the oem does look like it belongs. I think I am going to buy from cruiserbackrest. I am thinking that I will be leaving it on my bike most of the time anyway.
Thanks :D

[AgSTreak]

Just a note- the back rest on the GIVI is a waste of money per the posts I have read and the arm rests on the Hondaline can be inconveniently located according to some. IMHO the Hondaline looks much better. Enjoy!! :wink:

[crazykz]

The price was the factor for me plus I like the features of the Givi. I added the backpad (not so good), the luggage rack, and the LED brake lights. The handle design and the on/off mechanism work great.

Curt

[The Highwayman]

I have a Givi E460 in grey on my 2003 ST13 and it looks great I think. It isn't colour matched, but is very close. From a safety perspective I like the big wide reflector strip on the Givi.

I only use it as a backrest with a passenger or on a multi-day tour. I don't have it on for weekend runs.

I could go either way on the looks, haven't seen the Honda box live only pictures but I don't think it looks signifcantly better in pictures I've seen... just different.

But cost was a major factor for me, my Givi setup was less than $300 Canadian (the E460 was a showroom model on sale for $200) vs. about $650 Canadian plus shipping and duty, etc for OEM.

[Bones]

The Hondaline bracket and the Givi bracket are not interchangeable. However I understand that the Givi bracket fits more than one Givi model.

I have the Givi E52 with the integrated brake light. The whole set (minus the backrest) was just over $300 to my door. I opted to put the major cost savings over the Honda box into long trips, which are the only time I use a top box. My ST is silver and the Givi plain black with silver stripe goes very well (see my avatar).

One advantage of the E52 is it will easily hold 2 fullface helmets with room for a bit more. You can also get parts if you ever need them with a call to Givi's US office in North Carolina.

Bones

[dannyk]

I agree with the back rest pad also the small luggage rack not being worth the money. I purchased them for my 1100 and wish after I got them that I wouldn't have spent the money on them.

[jsg999]

I bought the Honda box from Plano Honda. Looks good, and the wife is happy with the back rest. I looked at the Givi first, and didn't think the color was good for my 2004 ST.

[Fireball18]

I have the color-matched Give E52 top box and love it. While the Hondaline box looks a bit more integrated, the Givi definitely holds more. And the accessory brake light kit only cost $40.00! The other benefit of the Givi setup is that you can fit different trunks to it. The one for the Hondaline is unique to the Hondaline box.

[Kennedy]

The price of the spoiler is out ragous although I do want it. From England it works out to $426.00 CDN +++. Cruiser back rest works out to $476.00 CDN +++ again for us in Canada. You think its easy being Canadian?

[Pansmiker]

The only time you will need the extra capacity of the Givi is when stopped to hold gloves and a helmet or on the move for bulky light items such as thermal linings. IMO the handling will be affected by weight carried high up and rearwards.

I work on the simple theory of the more room you have the more you bring!

Paul

[Bones]

Interesting that I use the Givi box for exactly what Paul suggests...to hold a helmet, gloves, riding pants, etc. It's typically empty while I'm riding, and usually home unless it's a multi-day trip.

I think most people would agree that the Honda box looks better and costs more. The Givi box holds more and costs less. Consider what matters more to you and make your purchase. You won't be disappointed with either box, particularly since Givi makes each one.

[beastie]

I had a Givi V46 and liked it fine.
I now have a Honda box and like it fine.
They both will hold 2 full-face helmets.
Both are a perfect color match.
I was up to 125 (indicated) with the Givi. No apparent stability problems. I have not gone that fast with the Honda box. I do like the style and position of the Honda box better. That's why I bought it. It looks like it belongs, whereas (IMO) the Givi looked like an afterthought. I was fortunate to find a buyer. Swambo also like the Honda box better. That was the determining factor.

don auSTin

[Fireball18]

I usually ride with the E52 Givi mounted, and I've never experienced any instability problems with it, due to size, wind resistance or the weight of it. I've been up to 130 mph with it and no wobbling or other instability. While I probably don't need it absolutely for short day trips, it's proved well worth the money on longer trips. For me, the extra stuff I'd clutter up the tank bag with goes in the trunk, leaving the tank bag pretty much empty so I don't have to fish around for stuff. I usually carry my stash of mini discs in there, as well as tire gauge, flashlight, cleaning rag, spare glasses case, notebook and pen, and not much else. And I always have the option of riding without the trunk if I wish.

[GRN]

I looked at the Hondaline, Krauser, and Givi's... for me the choices aesthetically were 6 one, half dozen the other... all pretty ugly on the ST13 IMO. Went with the E460, brake light, back rest and rack. Came down to bang for the buck - will use it for comuting, flyfishing adventures, and trips, rest of the time it will stay home. The backrest does seem a bit high, but my wife likes it better than nothing (not as much as the hondaline we had on the 1100...), and I hear "HEY... CHILL OUT!!!" a lot less with somthing behind her!

[AgSTreak]

I thought mine was going to be part time. Found out I really like the added security of a high up brake light and a lockable place to put my helmet and tankbag. Yes they both fit fine. :D

[GRN]

You can go the Dave Silver route to get the Hondaline, or look at others... I just installed the Givi E460, paint matched with brake light, rack and pad for significantly less $$$, and am actually very pleased with it's look (coming from me who thinks they are all pretty ugly :p: ). Build quality and fit/finish are top notch, and the highly visable wrapping reflector is a huge + IMO. If you do go with Givi, don't trust the drilling templates... I guess italian metric is a little different or somthing :confused: , I had to make some adjustments to the templates before I drilled to match the rack, backrest, and wiring port for the brake light... not a big deal if you catch it BEFORE you drill :eek:

[RCookster]

I ordered the Hondaline Top Box from Cruiser Back Rest. Got it quickly. It is indeed top quality. Wife likes the backrest pad. Color matches perfectly. Installation not difficult. Some postings indicate that some have lost their topbox while riding, so always doublecheck prior to riding - especially after having unlocked the case for any reason.

[Carl_T]

US based source Factory topbox (http://cruiserbackrest.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21)

[ROBERT MCCLAIN]

I just bought a new GIVI gel pad backrest from Twisted Throttle. They carry the original hard pad plus this new gel one which feels great. They must be reading this website.

Bob

[nackSTer]

No comparison between the two. The Honda one just looks like it belongs there. I don't have the light for mine yet because of the $$ but may be over the winter. I was tempted to get the Givi because of the price but got to break this bad habit of mine of doing every thing twice and just order the one you wanted to start with. Where you getting it from, Cruiser back rest or from the UK.?
Bit the bullit and just ordered one from Cruiser back rest. I think you summed up the reason for spending the extra on the hondaline. I think I might have regretted getting the Givi, although buying the spoiler/brakelite might be a little harder to swallow. Think I might do something like this (http://www.moccsplace.com/images/blight/blight.htm) instead.

Curt

[newbornst1300]

Bit the bullit and just ordered one from Cruiser back rest. I think you summed up the reason for spending the extra on the hondaline. I think I might have regretted getting the Givi, although buying the spoiler/brakelite might be a little harder to swallow. Think I might do something like this (http://www.moccsplace.com/images/blight/blight.htm) instead.

Curt
Mine arrived right on schedule today from Cruiser Backrest. Great service and the box is a perfect match for the bike. The spoiler is a bit overpriced though and I am looking at some other options as well. Up here there is not much difference in the pricing between the E52 and the Hondaline. Interesting though is the similarity between the two in the keys and the straps. To me it looks like Givi actually makes the box for Honda.

[sherob]

To me it looks like Givi actually makes the box for Honda.

They do :)

[markosde]

I just went with the Glossy Black & Tail Light Kit, mounting kit, Case liner (Protect my Laptop) and Bag....I saw a few pics and though it looks nice enough for the few times I use it on long trips and definitely wanted the 7 extra liters of trunk space....Just my .02 cents...

[malanclay]

Can the Hondaline box be keyed to match the Bike? In otherwords use the ignition key like the rest of the mike.

[sherob]

Can the Hondaline box be keyed to match the Bike? In otherwords use the ignition key like the rest of the mike.

No... a completely different key... looks like a hot pepper :hotpepper

[Bones]

No... a completely different key... looks like a hot pepper :hotpepper

That's cause it's a Givi key, cause it's a Givi box even when it says Pan European.

[TLTONEY]

I prefer the factory top box, but it is a lot of $$$. I had it up to GPS verified 126mph loaded for a four day trip (closed course ;) ) with no stability issues at all. Now if you have one of the slower colors, you may not have all the aerodynamic enhancements that we enjoy on the :biker: (being the fastesST color), so you may encounter stability issues :D .

Trey
:biker:

[Computer Nerd]

Is the European price for the Honda box the same??

Maybe a European buddy can mail one over for a needy yank? :)

[johnSTamela]

I just checked out the Cruiserbackrest site and find more options for the 1300 than my 1100.:( Having not seen a 1300 in person, there must be physical reasons why the 2 top boxes are not compatible? On the bright side, the top box for the 1100 is cheaper!:money1:

[Bones]

I just checked out the Cruiserbackrest site and find more options for the 1300 than my 1100.:( Having not seen a 1300 in person, there must be physical reasons why the 2 top boxes are not compatible? On the bright side, the top box for the 1100 is cheaper!:money1:
John, I believe I read that the ST1100 and ST1300 share just one common part: the handle you grab to hoist the bike up on the center stand.

Ride safe in Bosnia!

[1TallTXn]

Looking at TwistedThrottle.com and CruiserBackrest, there's not a huge price difference.

E52, matte black, brake light, backrest(firm) and mounting bracket: $416.61
Hondaline box in sliver (includes backrest and mounting bracket): $509

Thats less than $100 difference. Sure its some money, but not much when you are already looking at spending $400+.
The V46 would knock off about $20 and adding the brakelight/spoiler to the Hondaline would add $400 :eek:

[NickO]

I just installed my Hondaline Top box. I ordered it through David Silver Spares. Even with the shipping from England, I was able to get it cheaper. It shipped from England on Thursday, 3-15 and UPS had it at my front door on Monday 3-19. Amazing that it got here faster than if I had ordered it from here in the states.

[STOnkin'aussie]

no disrespect - but try as i may - i just cannot take to the look of the givi aftermarket top box. perhaps someone can post me some pics to get my mind right? :confused: