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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: idle on November 23, 2016, 03:54:58 AM

Title: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: idle on November 23, 2016, 03:54:58 AM
I wanted to ask if there was anyone on this forum that was able to fit a large pelican box to zero's top rack? I need basically 1 big storage container - is the only option to custom make a rack?
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Erasmo on November 23, 2016, 04:03:38 AM
How much litre do you need? Givi monokeys can be huge.
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Say10 15FX 16FXS on November 23, 2016, 04:41:00 AM
You could mount a sidecar frame with a giant case on it!
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Chief_Lee_Visceral on November 23, 2016, 04:56:08 AM
I have both adapter plates and the mounting grid areas are same. You have to buy the monokey plate to go with a monokey Givi model but they will mount to the rack on the bike the same way..
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: clay.leihy on November 23, 2016, 06:03:09 AM
And if you want to go with a pelican or other box, you can get just the rack from Zero, without the Givi stuff.



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Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on November 23, 2016, 07:15:25 AM
Just buy the top rack and bolt or weld a plate made for the Pelican to it. http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_7&products_id=187 (http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_7&products_id=187)

For what it's worth, Happy Trails has a very sturdy side rack for the Zero. http://www.happy-trail.com/find-your-bike/zero-motorcycle/su-side-racks.html (http://www.happy-trail.com/find-your-bike/zero-motorcycle/su-side-racks.html)
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: benswing on November 23, 2016, 07:23:56 PM
With an adapter plate you could put a 46 L Givi monokey case on top. That's what I use.


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Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Delnari on November 24, 2016, 12:40:04 AM
With an adapter plate you could put a 46 L Givi monokey case on top. That's what I use.


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I had a 58L Givi Monolock Outback top case on my BMW that I sold.  So you can keep the Zero Givi rack and go with a case this size, but be careful of the weight load.
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: madcow on November 24, 2016, 04:22:04 AM
With an adapter plate you could put a 46 L Givi monokey case on top. That's what I use.


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If I'm right, Brian T Rice uses the GIVI E55 Maxia III.
It has 55l but has to be installed with a monokey adapter plate.
Offers quite a lot of comfort features like remote control, break light, interior light etc.

Even if you buy it used, it still costs a lot (w/ and w/o the options).

SW-Motech also offers an adapter plate and large top cases if I'm right. Usually at a lower price but they don't seem to be as premium as GIVI.

Anyway, I guess it won't be to difficult to find someone who welds an adapter plate for the zero an a pelican case.
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Quiet rider on November 24, 2016, 04:31:08 AM
Get a trailer. 60lb dog; can hardly notice. Hollow axle helps but not mandatory. www.moto-mule.com (https://www.facebook.com/MotoMule)
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161123/868ba36cce19a6d11c056e84608dc1c4.jpg)
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: ElectricZen on November 24, 2016, 04:55:22 AM
I have a Givi E55 Maxia top case.  If wanted to go with a cheaper option, I considered using a pelican case.  Could work easily.  If you wanted a soft bag.  Moskomoto.com would be my choice as they have steel core straps available so you can lock it to the bike. 

Or as mentioned a trailer.  Trailtail.com works for me.  USD to CAD is strong, you would get a good deal!

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Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on November 24, 2016, 07:01:28 AM
If I'm right, Brian T Rice uses the GIVI E55 Maxia III.
It has 55l but has to be installed with a monokey adapter plate.
Offers quite a lot of comfort features like remote control, break light, interior light etc.

Even if you buy it used, it still costs a lot (w/ and w/o the options).

That's right - I also added the passenger backrest and top grill rack to it (both secondhand). I got one used on Craigslist over 5 years ago and kept it after the motorcycle it was on was totaled, using it on my V-Strom and DSR. The Maxia is a nice case, and it particularly helps that individual parts can be ordered and replaced separately, over the long term.

SW-Motech also offers an adapter plate and large top cases if I'm right. Usually at a lower price but they don't seem to be as premium as GIVI.

Anyway, I guess it won't be to difficult to find someone who welds an adapter plate for the zero an a pelican case.

SW-Motech side cases have been adapted to the Zero side rack (one set of TraX and I added one of those soft Aero bag sets) with plates. I usually see adapters for other plates to mount a Givi case rather than vice versa, but they should be available if you dig around a bit. I stumbled on this just now which is curious:

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/dryspec-h36-topcase-package (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/dryspec-h36-topcase-package)
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: idle on November 24, 2016, 08:00:14 AM
Thanks all, I'm leaning towards the givi monokey trekker 58 liter case @ https://www.amazon.com/Givi-OBK58B-Outback-Black-Liter/dp/B00OPR2H7S/ (https://www.amazon.com/Givi-OBK58B-Outback-Black-Liter/dp/B00OPR2H7S/)

I had no idea givi's got this big - is there any consideration I should take for such a big case? For example are there any non-plastic mounting plates that fit zero's top rack or does the plastic one do fine? thx

I had a 58L Givi Monolock Outback top case on my BMW that I sold.  So you can keep the Zero Givi rack and go with a case this size, but be careful of the weight load.

Is the primary concern for weight the nylon/plastic mounting plate? (E251 universal) I'm assuming that plate is the weakest part in the setup.
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Shadow on November 24, 2016, 09:30:14 AM
Is the primary concern for weight the nylon/plastic mounting plate? (E251 universal) I'm assuming that plate is the weakest part in the setup.
The OEM Zero top rack is fastened by the seat bolts, and a couple of small screws;  It has a rubber cap bumper thing that allows the most rear weight to be distributed down onto the tail plastics. It is not a sturdy or robust rack. The E251 universal plate notably interferes with the function of pillion grab rails feature of the top rack.

Please see: Luggage Rack Installation (http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Common_Modifications#Luggage_Rack_Installation) on Zeromanual.

Even a 47L Givi (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-v47nntfl-47l-tech-hi-viz-top-case) like I'm using will quickly encase enough mass to be concerning. (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=6112.msg46613#msg46613)
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on November 24, 2016, 10:13:58 AM
Is the primary concern for weight the nylon/plastic mounting plate? (E251 universal) I'm assuming that plate is the weakest part in the setup.
The OEM Zero top rack is fastened by the seat bolts, and a couple of small screws;  It has a rubber cap bumper thing that allows the most rear weight to be distributed down onto the tail plastics. It is not a sturdy or robust rack. The E251 universal plate notably interferes with the function of pillion grab rails feature of the top rack.

Please see: Luggage Rack Installation (http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Common_Modifications#Luggage_Rack_Installation) on Zeromanual.

Even a 47L Givi (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-v47nntfl-47l-tech-hi-viz-top-case) like I'm using will quickly encase enough mass to be concerning. (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=6112.msg46613#msg46613)

Agreed. I've had the top rack retaining bolts make a "ping!" sound just as I hit a ledge at high speed approaching the Dumbarton Bridge; it turned out that the bolt heads had broken off and I had to tap and extract them. I ride a lot on rough highways, so most won't see that level of daily wear. That's on my 2016 rack, whereas my 2013 rack with the small E340 case Zero sells is still fine.

I've upgraded the bolts retaining my top rack so a cylindrical socket head and used soft metal washers to spread the dynamic load, and on the tail tab I used pad cushions made for sliding furniture around to ensure that the "tongue" of the top rack rests on the tail normally so it doesn't wave around like a lever on those mounting bolts.

I am not a fan of the Zero tail design, and would like the engineers to anticipate tail loads more robustly some day, but given that it takes 15 minutes to install, running to the hardware store for better bolts, washers, and pads to compensate for the design is not the biggest deal in the world. Just make sure that tongue sits on the tail plastics so it doesn't wave around.
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: clay.leihy on November 24, 2016, 11:40:36 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161124/f3461135a0057093850e05a80adbd5a9.jpg)
(image from Adventure Rider forum)

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Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: clay.leihy on November 24, 2016, 11:55:15 AM
My FX came with the rack and I put a $25 Fleabay Made in China special on there for my commuting needs. Of course the cheapie is disintegrating so I bought (and just received) a Givi E26 with brake light for $70. Looks great and is now installed. For capacity, my XL HJC CL-MAX II just fits.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161124/5f420316a0c9652ba4918874bb27b9b4.jpg)
Aside from taking the fender apart and putting it back together (for the wiring, takes about four hands) install was dead simple.
I think I'll get rid of that red sticker though.

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Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: togo on December 08, 2017, 01:14:44 AM
Get a trailer. 60lb dog; can hardly notice. Hollow axle helps but not mandatory.

Hey, QuietRider, that doesn't look like an electric motorcycle, is that just for example?  Do you have a picture of it actually in use on an e-moto?

Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: heroto on December 08, 2017, 07:59:06 AM
Pics of ICE's towing trailers and hauling heavy loads? Really?
As a Zero newbie, it would be much more helpful to learn which aftermarket luggage options work and which don't.
For example: saddlebags.
Please!
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: togo on December 08, 2017, 08:15:22 AM
Pics of ICE's towing trailers and hauling heavy loads? Really?
As a Zero newbie, it would be much more helpful to learn which aftermarket luggage options work and which don't.
For example: saddlebags.
Please!

Here you go:

https://zeromanual.com/index.php/Zero_Aftermarket#Luggage

We collect what we learn there.
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: ElectricZen on December 08, 2017, 10:19:31 AM
Pics of ICE's towing trailers and hauling heavy loads? Really?
As a Zero newbie, it would be much more helpful to learn which aftermarket luggage options work and which don't.
For example: saddlebags.
Please!
I am not aware of luggage that doesn't work with a Zero though I have had the same concern.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171208/3b60251b1f1ba72cfc884fd1610a5129.jpg)

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Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Shadow on December 08, 2017, 11:18:00 AM
Moderator edits to this thread:  Added width to img tags. See our FAQ (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=6690.0) and thanks for contributing!
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Erasmo on December 08, 2017, 05:19:46 PM
I've done a few thousand kilometres with my pelican case last month and I love it, 2 cases of beer no problemo.

(https://i.imgur.com/Yl9s1nB.jpg)

It is based on the original top case mount with an added strut:

(https://i.imgur.com/F5aX21F.jpg)
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Richard230 on December 08, 2017, 08:39:44 PM
It is based on the original top case mount with an added strut:

And a shorter lever arm, which likely makes even more of a difference to how your luggage rack performs.  (Such as fewer wheelies.   ;)  )
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: Aikirob on January 05, 2018, 03:52:49 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZhcJhVBTVM
please watch my video on how to make your own custom side saddles and you'll see just how easily you can make something custom for VERY cheap.
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: 42Cliffside on January 20, 2018, 09:01:16 PM
I like the giant loop saddle bag thing, it can take lots of weight, even strapped on external. It's easy to keep tight and stable through the tube in the frame, looped 'round the bracket

The pics are of a big bag of dog food held by the top strap, and a 18pack of rolling rock in the side pod, you can fit one in each side and a 12 pack in the center if you really wanted. It comes with 3 dry packs which have come in really handy as liners in my other commuting backpack.

this is the smaller of the 2 bags of this type they make, the bigger one may fit even better as the U shape is a bit bigger and might fit over the seat even better..
Title: Re: Not satisfied with luggage options from Zero
Post by: 42Cliffside on January 20, 2018, 09:03:01 PM
here is the 18 pack