Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Jiffy Bumpit on June 17, 2011, 02:21:46 PM
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Hey y'all,
I'm a new member to the forum. I only had about 3-4 posts on the old forum before it crashed. Anyways, I had bought a 2009 Connie (ABS and in the superfast Black) back in April and the farklin has begun. Back on topic. When I was a Burgman owner I was turned on to Bestem top boxes. They make a 41liter box that comes in 4 colors (Black, Silver, Red and a dark Blue that was almost identical to my Suzuki's Blue). You get them on ebay from 'cruiserbackrest'. Thay are 69.99 + 20 shipping. They are very good build quality and I had my box on the Burgman for 3 years. I was going to buy one for the connie and found their 929 box. It's non-painted (Black ABS plastic) but it's 46 liters. Same price! I just thought I would pass this info along. Oh, both boxes have bult in LED lights (not terribly bright though).
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More pics.
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How did you mount it?
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this is the E55, the largest they make. let's try this, new trunk and murphs bar risers.
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It looks almost exactly like the JC Whitney/Sears box. Can the 46 liter hold two helmets?
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It pretty much is a JC whitney top box, Dad has the bestem and I have the JC Whitney, a little different on the outside and the bestem has a brake light built into it where the JC doesnt (but you can make it have em like I did) All in all I like both, and both are the same thing.
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this is the E55, the largest they make. let's try this, new trunk and murphs bar risers.
Sexy looking bike FT! Lose that potato launcher though bro... ;)
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I went with the kawasaki/givi box because I just couldn't bear putting a $69 dollar box on my C-14.
I am used to the box and bags on my Road King, which are a lot more substantial than these.
Upon inspection of my new (used) box, I would by a JCW or Bestem. They are about the same quality and fit as the kwak/givi.
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It looks almost exactly like the JC Whitney/Sears box. Can the 46 liter hold two helmets?
I think it depends on the helmet size/style . I wear a Scorpion EXO 900. Plus I have a big tater :). I don't think 2 of those helmets would fit.
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How did you mount it?
The Bestem comes with a 'Universal' mounting plate with hardware and 2 brackets. What I did was get 2 pieces of scrap aluminum flat bar 1.25" wide X .25" thick X 12.1875" long. (3/8" flat bar would have been better). Anyways, since the grab handles have a taper towards the rear, the two pieces have to be cut and trimmed to different lengths. I transferred the bolt pattern of the OE luggage rack to the flat bar; drilled the holes with one of thosed 'stepped' quick bits (since I didn't have a bit that would drill a 'squared' off hole), then I drilled and tapped 4 5/16ths holes in the flat bar for the bolts (grade 8 that I bought from Advanced auto). Since the flat bar was only a 1/4" thick I had to use 4 1/2" flat washers underneath them to shim them flush with the grab rails.
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More pics
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Nice and affordable. I really like my Givi E55 and willbe putting lights in it eventually but that looks like a very good way have a suitable box on a budget.
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Q: Anyone install the Bestem or JCW with Phil's rack?
The price is so low hard not to buy it and try it....
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I had the Bestem on a V strom. cheap is what it is. Functional, but I wouldnt put it on my Connie. Givi E55NT is the trunk of choice.
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I bit and ordered one. It may not look as slick as the Givi's, but its not atrocious by any means either and can't complain for the price. Thanks for the pics and writeup on the bracket too. Looks straightforward enough, but its still nice to see someone else's work to go off of.
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Ditto' Glideman
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Still likin' my Sears/JCW box which looks suspiciously like the Bestem. Fits great with the Phil's rack too.
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I just got mine last week and mounted it up and so far I like it. Sure the lock mechanism isn't the smoothest in the world, but it works and is tight. Overall the quality seems good and since I only plan on using it on trips, I don't care that its not color matched. Isn't black fastest anyways? Perhaps it will give me a few extra mph :P
For under $90 shipped including the mounting plate I can't complain.
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I also have the JCW Box and love it! I only use it for trips and it does the job.
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Isn't black fastest anyways? Perhaps it will give me a few extra mph :P
:thumbs: 8)