Effects from top box?

LFarling said:

Really?

When I was shown how to ride sometimes I had to cross this 8 lane bridge and no mater how calm the day it always seem to be blowing on that bridge. I complained to the person teaching me how to ride and he showed me to hang one knee out in the wind. I know sounds crazy but by putting one knee into the wind it would compensate for the wind and help keep the bike tracking strait. I though he was nutz. It works and to this day I use that technique if I get into heavy winds. Sometimes you need to figure out which knee helps the most keeping your tracking strait but it does work.
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Yep, that helps.

Thanks for the comments everyone! Bought a new RT today with the small top box. It was still in the crate when I left the dealer - hope to get it home next week.

Good for you!

jeffshoaf said:

Thanks for the comments everyone! Bought a new RT today with the small top box. It was still in the crate when I left the dealer - hope to get it home next week.

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Enjoy your new ride!

John

Top Case for RT

I bought a used 2012RT and it didn't come with a hard case so I immediately bought one (US$1,000!) and had it keyed to bike. I've had a Goldwing for 12 years and the top case held a lot. What is interesting is that you can take them off on the RT, so occasionally I would have it off while riding here and there getting ready for a trip, and I couldn't help noticing the bike had some extra pep, and much less top heavy (I am inseam challenged at 27"). It is hard to ignore the weight of it when you pick it up off the bike. I've come to realize I'm hauling all that extra weight (it must be close to 20lbs just for the case). I've got a 2018 rt on order and I'm getting a nice custom top plate made for the back area, and I'm just going to strap a nice 28liter dry bag back there along with my cooler. More storage, less weight, and lower to the ground. I don't think I'll go back to the top case, and if it works out good with the new machine, I'll be selling the top case for the 2012 and installing another luggage rack for a large dry bag.

Just put the bike on the side stand before loading

If you take it on a trip and load up the luggage be sure to put it on the side stand before loading. It can be difficult and tricky bucking it off the center stand fully loaded, and if there is any gravel you may lose your footing and dump the whole thing on its side like I did once. Trying to keep a loaded top heavy bike upright when it starts to go is very very hard. I learned my lesson.

ajaxthegreater said:

. . . if there is any gravel you may lose your footing and dump the whole thing on its side like I did once. Trying to keep a loaded top heavy bike upright when it starts to go is very very hard. I learned my lesson.

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Very true. I hate gravel.

You guys need to carry less stuff!

azgman said:

You guys need to carry less stuff!

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Yep, and the "no effect" argument gets less and less persuasive.

(Notwithstanding that a lit, lined, centrally-locked and color-matched 20 lb. hard box makes for high priced accommodations for a pair of Frog Toggs and an extra pair of gloves - or an empty place to stash a helmet when you stop.)