Givi Monokey vs Monolock... and speed limits
Discussion
I got pissed with the stupidly small BMW top box on my bike and bought a 47 litre Givi Monolock box. Haven't fitted it yet though. Apparently there are two types of Givi box, Monolock and Monokey; Monolock being cheaper. I can't remember what the other differences are but a talk with the salesman at the shop convinced me that neither should end up bouncing down the motorway.
The box turned up today and I'm so-so about it. The lock is pretty crap. Combined with a bit of flex in the box lid, it looks like an invite for someone to try and break into the box. Also I opened up the instruction manual and it says not to exceed 120km/h with the box on.
So the question is:
If I exceed 120km/h, will the world end? Are the Monokey boxes also 120km/h?
This isn't the first time I've had a big top box on a bike, but it's the first time I've had a Givi box.
Do the more expensive Givi Monokey boxes have a better lock?
A bit of review reading says maybe the the lock is still crap; one thing you can say about the BMW box is that it has 4 point metal latches vs a single point plastic latch on the Givi
The box turned up today and I'm so-so about it. The lock is pretty crap. Combined with a bit of flex in the box lid, it looks like an invite for someone to try and break into the box. Also I opened up the instruction manual and it says not to exceed 120km/h with the box on.
So the question is:
If I exceed 120km/h, will the world end? Are the Monokey boxes also 120km/h?
This isn't the first time I've had a big top box on a bike, but it's the first time I've had a Givi box.
Do the more expensive Givi Monokey boxes have a better lock?
A bit of review reading says maybe the the lock is still crap; one thing you can say about the BMW box is that it has 4 point metal latches vs a single point plastic latch on the Givi
Edited by Iminquarantine on Tuesday 20th October 10:55
I’ve always used Monokey and had no problem, including with very heavy loads. I had a look at a Monolock once and it did seem to be very flimsy in comparison, including the mounting method. Hate to say it but I guess it really is a case of “yer pays yer money.....”
Edited by CAPP0 on Tuesday 20th October 11:08
^ I think you mean the monolock looks flimsy? I was thinking about returning the monolock last night and buying a monokey, but looking at the reviews it still has only a single point plastic lock which isn't that strong. Maybe I'm just fixating about the lock needlessly. My last bike had factory luggage, but I think it was still made by Givi (going by the identically shaped key) and still had a single point plastic lock.
Suppose it depends how often you leave valuable stuff in the topbox in a place it might be likely to be broken into. FWIW I've had the same Givi monokey box since 2001 across different bikes, it's never been broken into yet, but I'm not parking it on the street in London every day either.
2wheelsjimmy said:
What about getting the givi trekker?
I have one and abused tinder years, no issue. Inc flat out on my blackbird.
How do you find the lock/rigidity on the Trekker? I have one and abused tinder years, no issue. Inc flat out on my blackbird.
I think I'm leaning towards sending the cheaper Monolock back. The whole deal is flexible enough that it looks like an invite to steal stuff as opposed to someone actually targeting your bike.
BTW any girlfriend pics from your Tinder abuse?
Edited by Iminquarantine on Tuesday 20th October 13:20
I've got a monokey. It used to adorn my SV650, and now it lives on ym FZ1. ive had it 14 years.
I regularly go...fast...with it.
No issues. And I exceed the 10 kg limit as well.
Oh and on an FZ1 yu're absolutley 100% NOT supposed ot have a 45 litre monokey else the bike implodes and you wipe out half of europe.
17,000 miles later and everything is still ok.
I regularly go...fast...with it.
No issues. And I exceed the 10 kg limit as well.
Oh and on an FZ1 yu're absolutley 100% NOT supposed ot have a 45 litre monokey else the bike implodes and you wipe out half of europe.
17,000 miles later and everything is still ok.
Monolock are more aimed at scooters and commuter bikes, and they don't go as big as Monokey boxes and tend to be less heavily built. Having said that I wouldn't expect either to deter a scrote - they'll have either sort jemmied open in seconds.
I've got a Ventura system on my R1 and two Givi plates, a Monokey and a Monolock. Monokey for going away for the weekend, euro-thrash, camping and Monolock for commuting, although it won't hold a laptop.
I've never really bothered about the speed rating on either except on a German autobahn but that's a one off case really - there isn't anywhere else ever that you are going to be going more than 90mph max for more than a few seconds with or without luggage on. The days of tanking through France (or anywhere) all day at 100mph are over.
I've got a Ventura system on my R1 and two Givi plates, a Monokey and a Monolock. Monokey for going away for the weekend, euro-thrash, camping and Monolock for commuting, although it won't hold a laptop.
I've never really bothered about the speed rating on either except on a German autobahn but that's a one off case really - there isn't anywhere else ever that you are going to be going more than 90mph max for more than a few seconds with or without luggage on. The days of tanking through France (or anywhere) all day at 100mph are over.
What about mounting plates? The bike already has a rack for the too small BMW box. Givi make a universal mounting plate for about £40 which obvs I could move around if I change bikes and still need that top box. Or there is a Givi bike specific mount to go on the rack for my bike for about double the price.
Here's the bike specific one
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
and universal https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
I'll put whatever needs to go in the box, in the box but that bike specific plate has a small load rating of only 6kg. The box must weigh 3kg empty, so that means if I followed the directions I'd only be able to put 3kg in a Trekker case. The Trekker case has a much higher load rating of 10kg?!?
Here's the bike specific one
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
and universal https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
I'll put whatever needs to go in the box, in the box but that bike specific plate has a small load rating of only 6kg. The box must weigh 3kg empty, so that means if I followed the directions I'd only be able to put 3kg in a Trekker case. The Trekker case has a much higher load rating of 10kg?!?
I have monokey panniers and a monolock topbox, having had a monokey top box on my previous bike. The monokey definitely feels sturdier and more securely mounted than the monolock but to be honest either would be relatively easy to break in to.
On the speed thing, it depends on the bike to a degree, but weight and drag high up on the back of the bike reduces weight on the front, my previous bike used to want to weave with the top box on at speeds where it was stable without, but that was at speeds which would be illegal on the road. My current bike doesn't seem to have the same problem, at least not as speeds I've taken it to, but I do have the back end of the bike raised slightly which might make a difference.
On the speed thing, it depends on the bike to a degree, but weight and drag high up on the back of the bike reduces weight on the front, my previous bike used to want to weave with the top box on at speeds where it was stable without, but that was at speeds which would be illegal on the road. My current bike doesn't seem to have the same problem, at least not as speeds I've taken it to, but I do have the back end of the bike raised slightly which might make a difference.
I’ve used the Monokey topboxes for many years.
They are very robust and secure. I’ve loaded them up way over the specified limits and taken them to speeds of well over the ton with no issues.
Cheeky plug: As it happens I’ve got a V56 Maxia 4 sitting in my garage surplus to requirements at the moment which I am shortly to put up for sale on ebay. It’s a bit scuffed here and there but in overall decent nick. I’d let it go for less than half the new price so if anybody’s interested please let me know.
They are very robust and secure. I’ve loaded them up way over the specified limits and taken them to speeds of well over the ton with no issues.
Cheeky plug: As it happens I’ve got a V56 Maxia 4 sitting in my garage surplus to requirements at the moment which I am shortly to put up for sale on ebay. It’s a bit scuffed here and there but in overall decent nick. I’d let it go for less than half the new price so if anybody’s interested please let me know.
Most top cases say 10kg limit, some only 5kg.
Depends on the bike but with some you just need to be a little bit careful with the throttle if you have a lot of weight in there hanging a long way behind the rear axle line. To much too quick & you can turn the thing on its head.
Some top case racks are only held on with some 6mm bolts hence speed & weight advisories. As to what is really safe speed wise, its one of those things where you really wouldn't want to find the limit!
Depends on the bike but with some you just need to be a little bit careful with the throttle if you have a lot of weight in there hanging a long way behind the rear axle line. To much too quick & you can turn the thing on its head.
Some top case racks are only held on with some 6mm bolts hence speed & weight advisories. As to what is really safe speed wise, its one of those things where you really wouldn't want to find the limit!
FazerBoy said:
Cheeky plug: As it happens I’ve got a V56 Maxia 4 sitting in my garage surplus to requirements at the moment
How much were you thinking for the case, FazerBoy and is it the one with red or smoked colour inserts?---
I sent the Monolock case back yesterday so I'm trying to figure out what to buy next. The Givi Trekker 52 is up there but also maybe this expandable Shad case:
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
I only need the full capacity of a case when I'm parked as I like to leave my bike gear in the bike. This would allow a smaller profile case while riding. Or maybe it just too much flaffing to adjust it, I don't know.
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