givi top case caution

Dear SW adventurers,

I just said goodbye to my second 52 Litre givi top case in 9 years - I have lost both to the same problem - something breaking down internally in the locking mechanism. As you may know there are a lot of working parts to make the handle pop, and case lock on etc... . I noticed on my last box a piece of small black plastic fell out of the lock area and then a few days later it refused to lock properly.

After my humpty dumpty inspection I discovered two small dislodged springs at the bottom of the assembly and the support for them had broken (guessing that was the small piece of plastic that came out.

Is there anyway I can prevent this for future givi top cases? My only guess is lubrication and being really careful when closing/opening. I read here someone had a top case for 15 years, I love givi top cases but am beginning to fear them and that is not good.

Kindly, happy fall riding y'all - watch for them wet leaves

Kevin

I suppose the lifespan of a top case isn't really years, it will be opening and closing cycles.
That said I usually reckon on a top case taking 5-8 years of abuse before something breaks inside for Givi or Kappa, cheapo unknown makes die in 2 or 3 years, my Honda case on the SW is as old as the bike - 16 years and still fine.

I guess it's easy to abuse something like a top box without realising it. Damage can also occur if the top box is fastened too rigidly to the mounting. It should be allowed some freedom of movement to absorb road shock and vibration etc.

My top box has no identifying marks apart from '2012' moulded into the chrome bit at the rear. I've never heard of that brand but it was on the bike when I bought it 7 years ago and still works fine.

I mounted it on rubber 'door stops' and I oil the locking mechanism quite frequently. Maybe that's why it is lasting so long.

Just my ten bob's worth.

Replacing broken, damaged, or missing parts from Givi top boxes and panniers like hinges, locks, bungs, etc. shouldn't be a problem because Givi sell a large range of spares and replacement parts for all their Givi/Kappa luggage.

They're pretty easy to source too, motorcycle dealers that sell Givi products usually have a large catalogue of spare parts they can order for a specific top box or panniers.

A quick look on eBay here showed numerous sellers of replacement lock, brackets, bungs etc for Givi.

Thank you all for your perspectives, no I don't treat it abusively but I use it ALL the time, so it has gone through many cycles, I guess I just thought if you pay a lot for something it should last forever but that is not realistic I've come to realize.

I'm surprised my 2009 SW has lasted this long as I use it constantly and am grateful for its dependability.

concerning replacing buckle systems I'll seek that out next time, but yes I am intimidated by certain process/repair attempts.

Kevin

"Damage can also occur if the top box is fastened too rigidly to the mounting. It should be allowed some freedom of movement to absorb road shock and vibration etc."

Yes at least some rubber well nuts at some point of installation. I don't run a top case on the Silverwing,  really no need for me, but did on my 300cc scooters, I learned looking at "Robots"/Vespa videos that you should install heavier or extra handlebar weights to dampen the vibrations, actually some Vespa oem accessory top cases come with a set of heavier weights, in any case I added 4oz on each side of old fashioned/actual "lead" wheel balancing weights inside handlebar in addition to stock steel ones, worked great to reduce handlebar and top case resonance and vibration, there's a long winded reason why it works, but it does.

I rarely take mine off; perhaps I should look for signs of stress.
My E52 was good as new before I sold it - at least structurally. The silver plastic trim was showing signs of age.

Here's a photo of my Hepco-Becker top case that got that got knocked off by an 8-point buck many years ago from my FJR at about 25 MPH.  We both walked away, and I kept it on 2 wheels barely. Some damage to bike and my right knee was sore for a week.  

Good case still use it nothing broken just a little road rashed.

I see a bit of movement when I wiggle my Givi E55 on it's Monokey rear rack. When it's locked on fore and aft, the top box is sitting on four rubber bungs cushioning it from vibration.

It obviously works as I've had the E55 since late 2010 on the Silver Wing and now my Forza and it's as good as new.

IMHO a maxi scooter without a large top box limits it's capabilities. I found it very frustrating having to wait a few months until Givi developed and then manufactured the carrier rails to attach a Monokey rack when I bought my Forza 300 four years ago.

My 1998 E-46 box, over 500,000 miles on various bikes/ scooters. I drilled bottom of box 6-8mm bolt, as security bolt---stops movement and my worry of box falling off with dog in it should be standard feature.