What's inside your Topbox?

Puncture repair kit is one of my top "must have items"

I have a GS 1200 and fitted the BMW back rest specially designed for the top box. I initially baulked at the cost and thought of designing my own but decided not to. What a pleasure for my partner who pillions with me. Money very well spent. I am not sure if the GSA Aluminium top box has a back rest designed for it.

Ater

I never use my topbox offroad because it's a plastic version and tends to take a bit of strain on the gravel; I prefer soft luggage offroad.

On road I always have a took kit, puncture kit and a leatherman (cheapie).  My laptop fits perfectly and in winter it also takes my wet gear.

It's perfectly dust proof and waterproof (you can even fill it with ice and the water won't leak out)

Hi Brian,

Welcome to the BMW forum, my goodness, you are spoilt for choice on rides in your 'hood.

I just returned from there and the unmetalled roads in the environs around George and the Southern Cape take some beating.

You are also spoiled as far as the Motorrad dealership.

Ray will and his team will give you many years of excellent service.

THE TOPBOX ESSENTIALS

puncture kit which must include  2 mushrooms. toss the glue the kit comes with an buy a small can from your local tyre shop. the lid has a brush built in. When not on the bike it should be in your fridge.

Spare tube- an 18" tube will fit the front or back if needed and you use this when a side wall gets damaged. Also in puncure kit- a wire brush to score the inside of the tyre- I'll send pics.

I'm on a ride tomorrow (today) and will lay it all out and post a pic.

an electric compressor

Some bungy cords or a cargo net

tow strap  min 4.5m long with webbing eyes, not steel eye (preferably 3 straps 1.5 meters long)

Small ground sheet 1m x 1,5 m or thereabouts to work on and keep parts clear of sand etc

tyre levers

small can of WD40 or Q20

25mm paint brush

500ml bottle of water mixed with detergent

jammer lappie

half roll of loo paper with a cigerette lighter in the doily ( you never bury loo paper, you burn it!!!)

(I also have a small gardening trowel for digging a field poo pit).

I have jumper leads

Tool kit with the tools needed for field work on your gS - includes the 17mm hex insert for lloosining the front wheel axle.

Hella plug to normal cig lighter socket adapter

bag of cable ties of the 3 main sizes,

assortment of zip-lok bags

roll of duct tape

Headlamp torch with spare batteries.

firdt aid kit - normal stuff but be sure to have some Cataflan and /or other anti inflamatoriy, strong pain reliever, anti0histamine, masquito repellent, surgical swabs

2 x 500ml still water + an energy bar or 6.

Rule No: 657 in Andy's "Book of Everything" says -

"... line the bottom of top box with  a bit of an old towl, pack the heavist items lowest.

.... pack a camping spounge pillow on top so as to squeeze the lid down to stop contents rattling around. Contents tah have room to rattle or jump around will disintergtrae gear, destroy packaging and make a mush mess f your topbox. Unless you pack it thight don't bother packing any of the above at all."

There are other option al items, but the above are the 'don't leave home without' items

Thanks for the comprehensive feedback Andyman. I already have a few items in the garage from my 4x4 days. Will start building up rest of the kit.

Just when I thought the Topbox would be good enough in terms of space, it seems like I will have to invest in the panniers as well This is of course for the ice as suggested by PeterO

Cleaned mine out today, found old sweetie papers and petrol slips...

Hi

I lined the vertical walls of my old top box with a piece of foam camping mat - I formed it into a rough square, and duct-taped it together, and nothing rattled around...

Used same stuff for the floor lining...

all removable...

liner doubles-up as a camping pillow!

Cheers

There's nothing in my topbox, I ride with Andy .

Thanks Tony

Andyman has given a good indication....

TopBoxes are ok for the tar. I cannot help but roll my eyes when a guy rocks up for a long distance trip with a TopBox…. They break or the mountings break…..something always breaks never mind the contents….

The Trax TopBoxes can be accessorised with a camera bag or normal bag insert to save your kit. I use Woolies Eco bags in my panniers but then I’m a cheapskate….even though I sell Trax!

And I do believe that they are not the safest things to travel with offroad either….and this includes hard panniers. If I do a gentle solo or have vroulief with me then panniers are ok but if riding with the boys I only use soft luggage….it just crashes better!

I use the Kriega 20lt/10lt combo as my tailpacks & fit an enormous amount of kit in….namely:

• 2 tubes
• 3 goose inserts packed with smalls- tools, tapes, bolts etc
• Puncture repai
• Medical Bag
• Tow Straps
• Kriega Tool Roll Etc.

The 10lt is used for a ‘what if’ compartment. A tankbag is also useful for all types of kit as well and every bike should have one! M2c