Bestem Top Box

ksievers,

I told them I had an '08 ST and the one they sent matches so well, you'd think it was factory. Here is a picture. Hope this helps.

JohnConner
:biker:
 

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Just finished my installation of the silver (fastest color) Bestem 2012. Thanks to everyone on the forum who input suggestions for the installation. This made it a lot easier. The only problem that I ran into was running my battery down. The electrical connectors that I purchased were for a larger gauge wire. I thought that I could make it work and fiddled with it a little too long with the lights on. So now the battery is charging with my NEW charger. Got the M/C charger at Walley World for $21.00 even.

The box looks great on the bike, and as stated earlier the color is really close. The Bestem 2012 Top Box looks like it came with the bike. For $70.00 I am very impressed.

:D Ride Safe!

Karl
 
I have installed one on my silver 2007. T-box 2012.
I did in fact use two 1/4-20 X 1.25 bolts with wingnuts on the inside to insure no disconnects. The color of silver is a little lighter but not bad. I find myself using this case the most. The problem is I took my girlfriend out and that back rest was very uncomfortable for her. I need a retrofit. I called those jerk offs at Calsport and would not give me the time of day. Because it was not a Givi. So, My question what padded retrofit model can I use on the 2012? I would rather leave her home than take the box off. lol
 
I just received my 2012 in gloss black, it has a dimple about the size of a dime right in the middle of the top, is this normal? Cruserbackrest says it is.

Thanks
 
Update on my Bestem 2012 top box that was installed on 10/22/09. The box is performing fine, but the paint has faded quite rapidly. Note that the bike is garage kept. Went from being a pretty good match of the digital silver, to a gray color. :(


Ride safe
 
Hmmm....

I installed mine about a year ago (June/July) and haven't had any fading problems. Mine is 2008 RED and it is garage kept.

JohnConner
:rd13:
 
Finally got my 2012 installed just last week. I haven't filled it yet... much.
Since my bike IS my primary transportation I do ride it to get groceries and stuff from Lowe's and other stuff. And yes, I have stuffed a 24 can case of Diet Cokes in it from Walmart just the other day.

Here is my thread with link to the install instructions I wrote up for the ST1100. There was VERY LITTLE information about installing the 2012 on the ST1100.
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85807

 
It's really down to the choice of:
1- do you need the more space of the 929?
2- do you prefer the better looking color match of the 2012?

Search for other threads in this forum and you should be able to find many relating to the color question for the ST1300 with pictures. Just search on terms Bestem t-box.

When I was packing for my camping trip to LOC-STOC last week I did notice the smaller storage with my 2012 compared to the Givi e52 that was on my last bike, but I was able to locate the FEW items that didn't go into the t-box to the saddlebags instead. Not a show stopper for me. The 929 is not as much bigger as the e52 was. 52 liter vs. 46 liter vs. 42 liter. I still pack too much stuff and the 42 liter was enough.
 
First Post...
Thanks for all the input on the Bestem Top Case, along with all the other posts on Shads, CooCases, Hondaline cases, tank and tail bags. After reading this thread, I decided to go with the Bestem 2012 and use the difference to fund next summer's trip. Hoping to run to Birmingham, West to Tx, up to Iowa, and back to PA. With a son in college, the price was right:cool:
I checked the www.bestemusa.com website several times; they appeared to be out of Red 2012 Top Cases; so I finally used the contact us form to ask them when they would get Red ones in and how close the red was to the 2008 Red. Mila, their customer support person, said it wasn't an exact match; but, they have been told it was close... and they just got a few in. I hopped on it and orderd it a week before Christmas and had it within a few days. It arrived slightly damaged. Again, I wrote to Mila and within hours she responded ...I will have a replacement ship out for you tomorrow afternoon with a return shipping label for the one you have. That same day,today, I got a UPS Tracking number. BTW, the case looks like a home run.
 
I got one of the plain black 2012 boxes for Christmas. Mounted it up like rsj987 did since the hardware with it is really only made to secure it to an existing rack. rsj987's method uses the hardware, some extra hardware, and a phenolic cutting board. I did that, and it feels pretty secure... but I do think I will try to find a Honda rack for it and transplant the mounting plate to that.

Great box for the price. Of course, it was a gift to me, so that's always a great price!
 
I ordered a Bestem 929, and got it installed today. Looks really great with the matte black on my 07 silver ST. They apparently have changed the backrest pad, it's not the cheesy one from years past. It's alot more visually attractive, and looks like the Givi pad. Had had a pillion on there yet, but it looks like it would be comfortable. I'm very impressed with the quality of the box, the plastic is quite thick...and not flimsy like you'd expect for the price. The added brake light is a nice touch, too. The mount looks very sturdy, but I will probably add the extra bolt through the case, just for piece of mind. I'd hate to lose it on the road somewhere.
 
I put the silver bestem top box on a little more than a year ago. Considering it only cost $66.00 it was a steal. The color almost matches my 03 ST, and it hasn't faded at all. Most of the time I use the top box and leave the hard bags at home. Except when touring. I put the security bolt into the rack using a wing nut so no tools are required to remove it. The lights add some extra visibility but I haven't come up with a creative way to cover the dimple.
 
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I am looking at the bestem Top Box for my Black 1996 ST1100, is there any mounting difference between the 929 and the 2012? and for what you pay, and what you get, how would you rate it? i dont need anything flash, the bike lives in the garage, and my other half and I take it out only once a month due to our work commitments.

Cheers

Graham
 
Graham,

I think both boxes use the same base. I had to rig up an adapter plate like rsj987 did using a phenolic cutting board. (still need to pop it off and paint it black, tho!)

It's a good box, haven't had any problems. Pretty good value for what I got it for - free. It was a Christmas gift from the 'rents. But still only cost $70.
 
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