Shad SH52.. Aesthetically, I am quite happy with it.

 

Older Shad box, bought used years ago, goes on both my bikes, always.

 

I just bought a Shad SH48. I had one on my DL1000 and put one on my DL800. It's big enough for when I take my wife on a trip. That and a couple of saddle bags and a bag strapped to the top of the SH48. And sometimes a single wheel trailer in back.

But it will hold two full face helmets.

 

obviously to each their own... but having had a few bikes and having had a few trunks on the back - I favor having a simple dry bag duffel. On my new-to-me DL1050XT I thought about mounting a hard trunk, but I don't like the bulk, the looks, what it does in strong cross winds, etc., and the waterproof duffle works great for me. Easily removable, holds plenty, etc... When I do not need the storage, it's off the bike. Food for thought.

 

I’ve got a Givi Monokey 57 (I think) I wouldn’t go any smaller. I says it will fit two lids. But my Bell Mx-9 MIPS and the Mrs lid won’t fit together in there.

 

this is the oem Suzuki 37 L aluminum top box, identical to the SW Motech trax luggage. I have matching side cases for touring and like how easily this boxy case loads up.

 

another photo taken a week ago. Top boxes only are also fine for a 2-3 day ride. I believe my buddy has a 46l Givi.

 

46L Givi monokey. I have the 46L monokey sidebags as well, but I've never used them or wished I had them on. The top box holds a lot, which is good, b/c we carry a lot where I ride. The weather can cover all extremes in one day or 2-3 day ride, so jacket liner, heat controller, heated winter gloves, long underwear, rain gear, plus all the other stuff needed. I don't need to secure my helmet or jacket inside it when stopping for short periods. I sit it/them on the seat and run one of those self-curling cable locks through the visor opening and jacket sleeve and lock it/them to the passenger grab bar. At night it/they go into wherever I'm staying. I wouldn't go any bigger than 46L myself; it's got all the capacity needed and any larger would look really huge.

 

Hey sladep.I have the same windscreen,&bar wind deflectors.How are they working out,& in rain.
l’m laid up right now,and haven’t given them a good test.

Sorry for the hijack post.l have soft panniers,& prefer a dry bag on seat/rear rack.

 

Marjoram, I like the windscreen and hand wind deflectors real well. I run both screens on their lowest height and the wind is till a couple inches over the top of my helmet. I can push any speed and have a nice envelope. I'm 6' 0", 34" inseam. I have had it in medium rain and it worked pretty well. I think if it were pouring and I raised it all the way up, it would provide a decent tunnel. Get well and go ride!

 

I have the Outback Trekker 58L and I wouldn’t want anything smaller

 

I like my SH58X a lot. It's collapsible, so you can reduce the profile if needed.

SH58X Expandable Top Case

 

You're asking really tough questions based on the fact that opinions are the only way to answer your inquiries. Here's my opinion for what it's worth.....

Side cases over top boxes are the way to go on any motorcycle. The more weight that you add to the top side of your ride, the more difficult it will be to handle. This is a relative concept of course,...strap a loaf of bread to your passenger seat and you'll be fine. Strap your pet moose to the passenger seat and you've got a whole new issue.

Once you've determined that you need to go with a top box, your next concern is with aerodynamics. Foggettaboutit. I can't imagine that there would be any significant advantage from one case to another. Prove me wrong!

I am currently using Kappa K-Force 37 side cases and love the looks and capacity of these bags. Had a Kappa KGR 46 Top case that I decided was too bulky so now I'm using a smallish off brand leather top case. Once my piggy bank is filled up I'll pick up the Kappa K-Force 42L top case.

Hope this is somewhat helpful for you.

 

I went for the smallest that'd hold a helmet. I was commuting and that worked about right. Large enough to hold shopping if I stopped on the way home. SH44 ?

 

Have been using the same old beat up Givi Monokey top box on several bikes over 2-3 years. Not sure of the exact size, if I had to guess maybe a 40L? I think it's an older box, looked closely and never saw any label or size.

I tend to like a smaller to medium sized case. While I have no doubt having ANY sized top case makes me a nerd in the eyes of much of the cycling community, I like the looks of them - the really big cases look (to my eye, IMHO) very bulky and awkward on most bikes smaller than a GoldWing.

Also gets brutal windy out west. I've felt like having the top box made my bike get blown around worse on bad days. Thinking one of those really big boxes would be like a sail.

 

I suspect top box affect depends on front wind protection.

On my setup the side bags are definitely more noticeable. Feels like I'm pulling a parachute on acceleration. Sometimes the bike just has to be a pack mule 🙂

 

Otherwise I can't get my leg over the saddle 😁

 

For commuting, my backpack with laptop, lunch etc will fit in my 47 liter Kappa but will not fit in my 47.5 liter panniers (Happy Trail). Neither will a helmet fit in my panniers, so the trunk works best for commuting and trips.

I would think that the aerodymanically shaped trunks would be better than the square aluminum boxes in the wind.

 

My old (that won't quit) cheap top box I bought many years ago won't fit my new Shoei 2x helmet. I like having the top box on all the time and storing the helmet while running errands or touring. But I don't want it to big. The Shad looks to be about the right size but I need to see one first.

 

Here is a Shad SH48 on my 2014 DL1000

When I looked at this photo I realized that a lot of luggage looks the same from the side. The manufactures did to increase room by going out to the sides. So the sillouette from the sides looks about the same no matter teh size.

Shad and Givi both (Full disclosure, we are a Shad and Givi dealer) have top case that exapnds upwards when needed. These means you get a that small sillouette most of the time, but larger capacity when needed.

If a small sillouetee apeals to you, but you would like larger capacity when needed check out the GIVI WL901 and teh Shad Sh58x and SH59X

https://i.shgcdn.com/c2a5f43a-7bc7-4e77-8647-430ebf3efcb5/gif2video/-/format/webm/-/quality/lighter/

SHAD Motorcycle Top Cases | Expandable, Durable, Versatile

SHAD Motorcycle Top Cases feature a wide range of quick release removable top cases with storage capacity for at least one full face helmet.

www.shadusa.com

 

Thanks,
Didn't know they had expandable cases. Pretty neat.
I'll look at the sh46 and see if the helmet fits then order one from ya.
Thanks again. Still learning what's what on the DL.

 

I've got the 42L Kappa k-Venture (sister brand to the Givi Trekker I think) - great size for me, not too big, not too small, can fit a full face helmet, stuff for the day, not a big impact on handling. I never take it off, and then have side cases (37L Kappas) that come on and off for touring.

 

I have an EMGO top box (called travel trunk), square shape about 35ltrs give or take and can fit my helmet if its not too stuffed with other junk. Right size for me to commute, not too big. These can be found under various different brand names and come with a universal mounting plate which attached easily to my 2013 650.

 

I just use a $10 Walmart fishing bag, bungee corded to the factory rack.
4 separate zippered compartments, and holds everything I need for day trips.

 

there is something to be said for going minimalist! gets the job done and has little impact on the handling of the bike -

 

I went with a Canadian Tire waterproof tool box with a DIY mount.

Not a lot of storage space but I don't need a big box.

 

Here you go.

 

Great way to put our best photos with the excuse of showing the top box... 😂