Bestem Top Box

My box is doing great......just finished a SS1K and I couldn't be happier. Thinking about buying a second one "just because".

Of course I had to paint that hideous orange plastic around the middle a matching flat black.

IMO, after the trouble of mounting it so my Smuggler works with it, it's simply the best bargain ST13 farkle I've purchased.

Not the best looking, not the best quality, but wow.....what a deal.

It even comes with a decent liner ferchristsakes!
 
One word about the mounting....I did invest some time and pinched another posters idea.

I custom made a plate in the exact shape of the stock plastic plate using nylon cutting board.....painted it flat black with Krylon fusion paint....and made a second plate the shape of the "bestem" mount plate. sandwiched the two with a little offset to the back and viola!!! solid, solid mount, not bad looking and my Smuggler works too !!!

I'll take some pics once I get some batteries for the camera.....damn Nikon that takes AAs left me stranded tonight.
 
Someone mentioned 'hideous orange' and the fact that it's not the best looking. They are talking about the bigger one. The one I have is model 2012 (I think), a little bit smaller, and a better fit for the bike, IMO. I have a black '06 and this black box looks like a factory option - if you didn't know better.

It has a gloss black top, with a matte black bottom half - just like the side bags. And you know how the bags have those 3 little embossed strips...the top box has the same thing...not exact but close enough. If I had a black ST I would be grabbing one of these while they are at this price. I've seen the same box on websites for over $200. The only cheesy part is the 'backrest'. If I had someone riding pillion all the time that would be replaced.

Mine has about 1000 miles on it, some of it in torrential, monsoon downpours on the highway...dry as a bone inside.
 
The 2012 series will fit on the ST1300. I originally ordered the 929 and had to return it. The mounting bracket doesn't seem to be compatible.
 
you're right....I have the bigger one, whatever that model number is.

If I remember correctly, I wasn't convinced there was a color that would work well with my 03.
 
psalonis said:
One word about the mounting....I did invest some time and pinched another posters idea.

I custom made a plate in the exact shape of the stock plastic plate using nylon cutting board.....painted it flat black with Krylon fusion paint....and made a second plate the shape of the "bestem" mount plate. sandwiched the two with a little offset to the back and viola!!! solid, solid mount, not bad looking and my Smuggler works too !!!

I'll take some pics once I get some batteries for the camera.....damn Nikon that takes AAs left me stranded tonight.
Click to expand...

I just received my top box last night, very nice quality for the price. A buddy had a Givi on his Councours, the Bestem is certainly not as nice as the Givi, but it will be just fine for me. I was wondering about mounting the bracket, not wanting to damage the stock parts, so I can return the bike to stock at some time. I like psalonis's idea above, I'm gonna try that.:)
 
I bought one of these and have mounted it on my 04. I am very happy with it so far. I recommend that you go with the black. I called and was told that the colors are not an exact match so you can either go with black or get a color that does not match. The box has a ton of room in it. I did have to drill new mounting holes but other than that it is a steal!
 
To Givi: Your posting is arrogant twaddle. I have had a set of very expensive Givi bags I bought two years ago for my Honda 919. Seventeen thousand miles of normal touring use later, they are still attached to the bike, but the finish is shot, and every time I take the topbox off, the cheap bumpers underneath it fall out and get lost. As a result the top box rattles all the time. Givi is not worth the inflated price. After having Givi bags, I can say that the Givis are worth about what Bestem are charging for their boxes - and Bestem is throwing in a liner and lights?

Givi, you can talk about cheap knock offs, I have rarely encountered a more cheaply finish product that my Givi bags. I wish I had that 800 dollars I spoent for my Givis back, I'd buy Bestems all around and save some loot. BTW the ads said 'monokey' but I have two different keys for my panniers and top box.

Givi would be better off reducing their outrageousy inflated prices and improving their quality, maybe throwing in lights or a liner, than trying to bad-mouth their competition. I am looking forward to my Bestem arriving and I will be in a position to post a direct comparison between the Bestem on my ST1300 and the Givi on my 919 after a while.
 
I'm confused???

on Ebay they are $59.99 for the 2012 (42L) Top Box

on Bestem's web site the price is $299.99.

Why????


Also,

Can a different backrest be installed?

Thanks for any info.


Jay
 
WaterlooJay said:
I'm confused???

on Ebay they are $59.99 for the 2012 (42L) Top Box

on Bestem's web site the price is $299.99.

Why????


Also,

Can a different backrest be installed?

Thanks for any info.


Jay
Click to expand...

They often run a limited number at the reduced price, maybe as a loss leader? once ya buy the trunk, maybe folks order other stuff too, like I am now looking at a undertail for my wifes F4I from them. when thesetrunks are gone, they'll wait awhile then run the special again.

and yes the back rest is cheasyyy, I hope to change it out myself, but it will have to allow the box to still open from rear to front so it cant be too big.
 
I came across a site, maybe Givi's, that had backrests for topboxes that looked like they would fit. If I actually used it as a backrest I'd probably have looked into those.

Yea it is odd that you see these same topboxs elsewhere for way more $. The price differential makes no sense.
 
Flyboy909 said:
I came across a site, maybe Givi's, that had backrests for topboxes that looked like they would fit. If I actually used it as a backrest I'd probably have looked into those.

Yea it is odd that you see these same topboxs elsewhere for way more $. The price differential makes no sense.
Click to expand...

Yah and not even else where, cruiserbackrest.com sales them for $299 on their main web sight, and this is their EBAY store and it's 59.95??? you might think they were on close out, but their not, they'll sale so many, then wait awhile and then do it again. wish they would do that with the OEM Honda box!
 
I posted this on another similar thread -
_____________________________________

This is cheap enough for me to buy one and just use it for long trips.
Currently I have a Stealth backrest which I leave on all the time. It's no big thing to remove the backrest, just loosen one allen bolt and it's off but there is a special insert that remains in the rack that came with the backrest. It replaced the stock insert so the backrest could slide into it. It looks very much like stock, uses the same bolts.

Questions: Does anyone have experience mounting this Bestem box-mounting plate onto a Stealth rack insert? Any problems? challenges?

Is it Bestem mounting plate something you would want to leave on once you attach it? I see it would block access to that one allen bolt that holds the Stealth backrest.

Lastly: I don't see the red box available in the the ebay vendors site. Where do you go to chose the red one?
 
I am looking at purchasing one of these as well for my ST1100. Does anyone have this box on a ST1100? I am wondering if the spacing for the 4 bolts are the same between the 1100 and 1300.

Jeff
 
Has anyone mounted one the 2012 on a ST1100?

The mfg site says 36L, will a HJC flip helmet fit in there and the lid close?
 
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I'd ordered one some time ago, and just got around to playing with it this weekend. Some notes/comments:

1. I've got an '03 silver ST1300. The top case silver does not match the color/tint of the Factory finish...but it's close enough for me, especially at the cost!
2. As others have noted, the Case (made from injection-molded ABS) isn't as stiff as other products available which are made from SMC, Fiberglas, or other 'glas-filled and foamed resins. Should be adequate for my needs, though, as I'm looking mainly for bulk storage for commuting.
3. I'd ordered the smaller (model 2012) case. This didn't come with a liner, which is a bit of a disappointment... :(
4. The case did come with a chromed backrest with luggage rack...something that would fit on a cruiser-style cycle. What's the deal with this? :no1:
5. Also missing were "any" directions for installation...Again, what's the deal with this? :hun1:

Maybe I'm a bit mechanically challenged, but I wasn't particularly successful in mounting this...so I came back to this thread, seeking clarifications...ran out of time, so I just put the bike back together for now...

My mounting plate looks identical to the one shown on the post from "Mileater" on 1 April...I also got the 2 zinc-plated formed metal bars and the 4 bolts, each w/washer, lock washer, and nut.

I'm going to give it another try later this week or this weekend. Will keep you posted.

Cheddar
 
Bestem Top Box 2012 the small one

Questions for Bestem 2012 on ST1100 installers

Did you put the plate on top of the grap rail, put the rear bolts in the slotted holes and drill for the forward holes? Trying a dry fit, the seat is not removable when the plate is so attached. Guess the included brackets and/or spacers could be used.

I'll tackle is in the morning.

Comments, please.
 
Re: Bestem Top Box Install on ST1100

Just for information:

I used 1/4 inch acrylic plate for an intermediate plate , between grab rail and Bestem metal base plate. Attached the acrylic to the grab rail front holes. Attached acrylic and metal plate to the rear grab rail holes. Attached metal plate to ACRYLIC plate for rear mount. The stock seat can be removed with the box attached.

Applied some S100 spray wax and buffed. Done, looks good.

Will probably wire the brake light in the morning.
 
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