Thanks everyone for all the good info on this. One question; how well does the top box hold up to pillion using it as a back rest? It sounds pretty sturdy, just worried it won't hold up to a pillion using it. It sounds like most of the riders using this top box are solo riders.
Bestem Top Box
- Thread starter Mileater1950
- Start date
It attaches sturdy enough in my opinion. The real issue for pillion use though is the "backrest" that's attached to the topbox. It's really kind of a joke.
But I did see on some web page last summer that there was a nice replacement backreset pad that looked like it would fit nice. I can't remember where I saw it but I'm sure you could dig it out without too much trouble.
But I did see on some web page last summer that there was a nice replacement backreset pad that looked like it would fit nice. I can't remember where I saw it but I'm sure you could dig it out without too much trouble.
Yeah, thats what I've been hearing, the little pad on there sucks. But if I remember correctly I've seen several websites with replacement pads and the price wasn't too bad either. I was just worried if a pillion leaned on it if it would snap.
Anybody have info on a replacement (better) back rest for the Bestem?
A few posts down "ST1100 Bestem Topbox" I have some info regarding the backpad. My wife took one look at the Bestem backpad and said "No way".
As others have said, the Bestem 929 box is basically a copy of the Givi E460. So I bought the Givi E79 Backpad (~$40), even used the template that came with it, perfect fit and much better looking than the Bestem pad.
Next I took off the ugly bright orange trim sections and painted them satin black, now it's looking good. Whoohooo! Now if the snow would just melt.
As others have said, the Bestem 929 box is basically a copy of the Givi E460. So I bought the Givi E79 Backpad (~$40), even used the template that came with it, perfect fit and much better looking than the Bestem pad.
Next I took off the ugly bright orange trim sections and painted them satin black, now it's looking good. Whoohooo! Now if the snow would just melt.
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juddspaintballs
Dual Sport Touring
Just put on my 2012 today and took my fiancee for a ride. She said she was quite comfortable (probably because she's only 22 and has padding in the back of her jacket too).
Does anyone know if the 2012 silver match's the 07 silver ST1300? 
Has anyone posted pics illustrating the 2012 brake light wiring hook-up on the ST1100?
Thanks.
Thanks.
After reading through this thread more than once and fretting about saving for the Hondaline Topbox @ ~ $800 + wing and brake light, went ahead with a purchase of a Blue Bestem 2012 Topbox.
The buy was via eBay.ca. The cost to me was $69.95 USD. Living north of the 49th parallel, the converted cost was $70.08 CAD + $8.09 Duty +$25.00 shipping to Canada. Delivery took 11 business days by USPS Air Mail. Delays are common in cross boarding shipping. It all depends on the folks at Customs.
Bestem Powersports contact information via eBay at the time of purchase was;
Bestem Powersports
2190 Flintsone Drive, Suite D-E, Tucker, GA 30084
Email: cruiserbackrest@gmail.com
Telephone: 678-534-5793
Taking the advice and wisdom of many on this thread, integrated the several suggestions including the following.
1.) Created a Topbox base template out of acrylic cutting board using the Bestem metal base & Honda stock plastic plate (see thread #48). This has a double benefit of not having to drill a hole in the bike/stock plastic plate, and can later reinstall the Honda stock plastic plate if the ST is ever sold.
2.) Painted the acrylic bits with Krylon black satin finish
3.) Wire termination – integrated into factory brake light wiring (see thread #39, #41). I terminated the Bestem wires directly into the wire block instead of using quick connectors. I terminated the Bestem blue wire to the ST’s green wire, and the Bestem yellow wire to the ST’s yellow/green wire. The wire pairs were zip-tied and taped over with electrical tape prior to reassembly. The picture is a bit fuzzy but hopefully good enough to get the idea across.
4.) The red plastic locking mechanism on the topbox seemed a bit flimsy to me. As a ‘belt and suspenders solution’, added a bolt, washer and butterfly as a peace of mind security backup to better secure the topbox. (Some of the roads in my area will test the best kidneys any time of year.)
In the end, approximately 4 hours of time went into measuring, cutting, dry fitting bits and pieces, painting, and running the brake light wires. Time well invested for a nice, inexpensive topbox and backrest while saving well over $700 for other goodies.
The 2012 can accommodate my Shoei RF-1000 (size XL) plus a 35mm digital SLR camera bag.
Thank you all for your experience and sharing of information. It greatly helped me add the first farkle to my blue ST1300 Monster!
Over the winter, I do plan on changing out the backrest for something that is more eye appealing and that will add more comfort for my SO.
Hopefully the pictures help out. They attempt to show the Bestem metal base mated to painted acrylic cutting boards prior to assembly on the bike, the wire termination, the belt and suspenders butterfly, the ST and the brake lights at night.
The buy was via eBay.ca. The cost to me was $69.95 USD. Living north of the 49th parallel, the converted cost was $70.08 CAD + $8.09 Duty +$25.00 shipping to Canada. Delivery took 11 business days by USPS Air Mail. Delays are common in cross boarding shipping. It all depends on the folks at Customs.
Bestem Powersports contact information via eBay at the time of purchase was;
Bestem Powersports
2190 Flintsone Drive, Suite D-E, Tucker, GA 30084
Email: cruiserbackrest@gmail.com
Telephone: 678-534-5793
Taking the advice and wisdom of many on this thread, integrated the several suggestions including the following.
1.) Created a Topbox base template out of acrylic cutting board using the Bestem metal base & Honda stock plastic plate (see thread #48). This has a double benefit of not having to drill a hole in the bike/stock plastic plate, and can later reinstall the Honda stock plastic plate if the ST is ever sold.
2.) Painted the acrylic bits with Krylon black satin finish
3.) Wire termination – integrated into factory brake light wiring (see thread #39, #41). I terminated the Bestem wires directly into the wire block instead of using quick connectors. I terminated the Bestem blue wire to the ST’s green wire, and the Bestem yellow wire to the ST’s yellow/green wire. The wire pairs were zip-tied and taped over with electrical tape prior to reassembly. The picture is a bit fuzzy but hopefully good enough to get the idea across.
4.) The red plastic locking mechanism on the topbox seemed a bit flimsy to me. As a ‘belt and suspenders solution’, added a bolt, washer and butterfly as a peace of mind security backup to better secure the topbox. (Some of the roads in my area will test the best kidneys any time of year.)
In the end, approximately 4 hours of time went into measuring, cutting, dry fitting bits and pieces, painting, and running the brake light wires. Time well invested for a nice, inexpensive topbox and backrest while saving well over $700 for other goodies.
The 2012 can accommodate my Shoei RF-1000 (size XL) plus a 35mm digital SLR camera bag.
Thank you all for your experience and sharing of information. It greatly helped me add the first farkle to my blue ST1300 Monster!
Over the winter, I do plan on changing out the backrest for something that is more eye appealing and that will add more comfort for my SO.
Hopefully the pictures help out. They attempt to show the Bestem metal base mated to painted acrylic cutting boards prior to assembly on the bike, the wire termination, the belt and suspenders butterfly, the ST and the brake lights at night.
Attachments
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Does anyone know of a rack that will fit that bestem box?
No rack is needed.
It comes with a mounting plate for quick release.
Mounting plate bolts directly onto ST.
It comes with a mounting plate for quick release.
Mounting plate bolts directly onto ST.
Blrfl
Natural Rider Enhancement
I think he meant a rack like what you'd mount on top of a top box to lash on more stuff.
The larger box (Bestem 929) is a very close knockoff of the Givi E460, so any rack that fits that should fit the Bestem. I guess you could buy a Givi E81, but that's almost the same price as the box.
--Mark
The larger box (Bestem 929) is a very close knockoff of the Givi E460, so any rack that fits that should fit the Bestem. I guess you could buy a Givi E81, but that's almost the same price as the box.
--Mark
Can someone post a picture of the mounting plate without the box attached? How does it look? I can't tell how wide it is from the various pics around the 'net. The size of the 929 plate actually looks smaller than the size of the 2012 plate in the pictures I can find. Is this true? Thanks...
STDaveNW
Dave
Instructions? lol I did not get an either.
