I decided to upgrade from the cheap 46L collapsible Instacrate from Costco and move to a weatherproof and locking top case. There are some no-name options designed to be used as top cases that you can find on sites like Aliexpress, eBay, or Amazon for cheaper, but I've had good luck with Givi. Their aluminum cases are sturdy and their support is good if you ever need to order a specific part like a replacement gasket.
Parts used:
If you're in Europe, these may be branded under Givi's other name, Kappa, in the K-Venture line.
Monokey is Givi's system where the lock cylinders are easy to remove and replace so that you can have multiple Givi cases (panniers, top case, tool box) all using the same key, even on different bikes. I probably won't make use of it on the CT125 unless I decide to mount their S250 Tool Box somewhere: https://giviusa.com/products/s250-tool-box
I decided on the 58L rather than the 42L (which also looks like a great option) because I think I'll make use of the extra space on grocery hauls and camp gear, I tend to pack a little more luxuriously on moto camping trips vs backpacking. It is worth mentioning that a good chunk of the volume is also in the lid, I don't know the details for the 58L but for the 42L the lid holds ~9L and the bottom holds ~35L according to this YouTube video:
If you want to see the 42L and 58L compared on the CT125, this is a good video for it (in Japanese):
The 42L Givi case he has in the video is an official accessory for the Africa Twin and reads "HONDA" on it instead of "GIVI" which is pretty cool but maybe not worth the official Honda accessory price markup. It is missing some of the exterior mount points on the lid and has a different backrest than the Givi branded 42L.
Tools used: socket wrench, 10mm socket, 12mm socket (only necessary if you're mounting it in the forward position using the Daytona brackets), Phillips screwdriver (PH1), 5mm hex key (only necessary if you're mounting it in the far rear position using the universal mounting brackets), and blue threadlocker
Givi E251 Universal Monokey Top Case Adapter Plate:
"Special Carrier for GIVI (Monokey)", Daytona P/N: 18928
Far rear mount position
This mount position used only the Givi E251 Universal Monokey Top Case Adapter Plate parts. The front two bolts thread through two of the M6 holes already pre-drilled in the rack. The rear two bolts pass through two of the universal clamp brackets that are included which brace against the bottom of the rack. With the bolt passed through the top, it was difficult to fit the nut onto the bottom of these without bending them a bit first. Be careful not to bend them too much in the center where the bolt goes through, because if the shape of that hole changes it can strip the threads off the bolt. This can also happen if you over tighten the nuts on the bottom of the bolts.
There are square slotted washers that hold the plastic base down under the bolts, they can be arranged to be adjustable left-to-right or up-to-down. I found that having the top ones be left-to-right and the bottom ones be up-to-down let me get it centered on the rack, following the instructions of mixing the two directions within each row resulted in a crooked mount position. Note that the plastic base hangs over the rear of the rack and so will the case once mounted.
The Givi E158 backrest pads were shipped as a separate part than the case itself. It's two pads, one goes above the hinge, one below. They come with double sided tape already staged on them so you just need to peel the plastic off the other side of the tape, line it up to the case, and stick them on. Here it is mounted in the far rear position where it hangs off the back of the rack, and the backrest is not within reach for the rider. A benefit to this location is you have some room in front of the case where you could strap down some loose items, maybe tent poles that are too long to fit inside the case (mine fit fine inside), or you might be able to fit the smallest size passenger seat, though I don't think there's enough room for that to be very comfortable. I scrapped this position because I didn't like how far rear the case sits for aesthetics, weight distribution, backrest reach, and because I didn't like the universal clamp brackets having been bent into position, they might bend more over time making the mount system loose.
Forward mount position
This position ditches the universal clamp brackets and requires the "Special Carrier for GIVI (Monokey)", or your own DIY bracket. For the Daytona brackets you will remove two bolts that are recessed in the rack, attach the provided rubber pad stickers to the brackets to prevent rubbing damage to the paint, attach the brackets by putting two of the longer bolts provided and their spacers into the holes you removed the two original bolts from, and then installing two more bolts provided into two of the M6 holes already pre-drilled in the rack.
As you can see it now sits more forward with the universal mounting plate not hanging off the rack. It sits a little higher since the adapter brackets are under it, but because the universal clamp brackets (flexible) are not used it's a more secure feeling mount.
The case simply slides into the front tabs on the mounting plate, and then locks down on the rear one. You must turn the key to the unlocked position and then pull a lever on the rear of the case to release it from the mount. With this forward mount position the backrest is in a good spot for me to lean back a tiny bit on paved roads to rest against it. Off-road the rear case bounces a little so you probably don't want to lean back against it, but this isn't a problem for me in my regular riding position.
I'm happy with the forward mount position and will likely keep it there.
For capacity reference, here is the 58L case loaded up with a roomy MSR 2-person tent (including poles), Nemo closed cell foam sleeping pad, a 2-person ultralight tent, a 1-person ultralight tent, and trekking poles that collapse into 3 sections. Then there's still more room on the inside and outside of the lid.
Concerns with the Givi 58L
58L still not enough room for you, or want something wider so you clip mailboxes with it? This guy has the 100L answer:
Parts used:
- Givi Outback 58 Liter Monokey Top Case + Backrest Pad in Silver: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-outback-58-liter-monokey-top-case?sku_id=1329656
- Givi E161 Trekker Outback Elastic Net: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-e161-trekker-outback-elastic-net?query=E161&sku_id=1143024
- Givi E251 Universal Monokey Top Case Adapter Plate: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle...p-case-adapter-plate?query=E251&sku_id=937616
- Here is the manual for it: https://www.cyclegear.com/assets/0002/4953/givi_e251_universal_monokey_top_case_adapter_plate.pdf
- Special Carrier for GIVI (Monokey): https://japan.webike.net/products/24577162.html
- This is made for the CT125 rear rack and lets you mount it in a forward position without modification, you don't need this if you're mounting it far rear, or if you plan to make your own mounting brackets.
- This is made by Daytona Corp (Japanese motorcycle parts and accessories manufacturer) and is part number 18928
- You can also buy the Givi Unviersal Monokey Top Case Adapter Plate and this part bundled together: https://japan.webike.net/products/24577161.html
If you're in Europe, these may be branded under Givi's other name, Kappa, in the K-Venture line.
Monokey is Givi's system where the lock cylinders are easy to remove and replace so that you can have multiple Givi cases (panniers, top case, tool box) all using the same key, even on different bikes. I probably won't make use of it on the CT125 unless I decide to mount their S250 Tool Box somewhere: https://giviusa.com/products/s250-tool-box
I decided on the 58L rather than the 42L (which also looks like a great option) because I think I'll make use of the extra space on grocery hauls and camp gear, I tend to pack a little more luxuriously on moto camping trips vs backpacking. It is worth mentioning that a good chunk of the volume is also in the lid, I don't know the details for the 58L but for the 42L the lid holds ~9L and the bottom holds ~35L according to this YouTube video:
If you want to see the 42L and 58L compared on the CT125, this is a good video for it (in Japanese):
The 42L Givi case he has in the video is an official accessory for the Africa Twin and reads "HONDA" on it instead of "GIVI" which is pretty cool but maybe not worth the official Honda accessory price markup. It is missing some of the exterior mount points on the lid and has a different backrest than the Givi branded 42L.
Tools used: socket wrench, 10mm socket, 12mm socket (only necessary if you're mounting it in the forward position using the Daytona brackets), Phillips screwdriver (PH1), 5mm hex key (only necessary if you're mounting it in the far rear position using the universal mounting brackets), and blue threadlocker
Givi E251 Universal Monokey Top Case Adapter Plate:
"Special Carrier for GIVI (Monokey)", Daytona P/N: 18928
Far rear mount position
This mount position used only the Givi E251 Universal Monokey Top Case Adapter Plate parts. The front two bolts thread through two of the M6 holes already pre-drilled in the rack. The rear two bolts pass through two of the universal clamp brackets that are included which brace against the bottom of the rack. With the bolt passed through the top, it was difficult to fit the nut onto the bottom of these without bending them a bit first. Be careful not to bend them too much in the center where the bolt goes through, because if the shape of that hole changes it can strip the threads off the bolt. This can also happen if you over tighten the nuts on the bottom of the bolts.
There are square slotted washers that hold the plastic base down under the bolts, they can be arranged to be adjustable left-to-right or up-to-down. I found that having the top ones be left-to-right and the bottom ones be up-to-down let me get it centered on the rack, following the instructions of mixing the two directions within each row resulted in a crooked mount position. Note that the plastic base hangs over the rear of the rack and so will the case once mounted.
The Givi E158 backrest pads were shipped as a separate part than the case itself. It's two pads, one goes above the hinge, one below. They come with double sided tape already staged on them so you just need to peel the plastic off the other side of the tape, line it up to the case, and stick them on. Here it is mounted in the far rear position where it hangs off the back of the rack, and the backrest is not within reach for the rider. A benefit to this location is you have some room in front of the case where you could strap down some loose items, maybe tent poles that are too long to fit inside the case (mine fit fine inside), or you might be able to fit the smallest size passenger seat, though I don't think there's enough room for that to be very comfortable. I scrapped this position because I didn't like how far rear the case sits for aesthetics, weight distribution, backrest reach, and because I didn't like the universal clamp brackets having been bent into position, they might bend more over time making the mount system loose.
Forward mount position
This position ditches the universal clamp brackets and requires the "Special Carrier for GIVI (Monokey)", or your own DIY bracket. For the Daytona brackets you will remove two bolts that are recessed in the rack, attach the provided rubber pad stickers to the brackets to prevent rubbing damage to the paint, attach the brackets by putting two of the longer bolts provided and their spacers into the holes you removed the two original bolts from, and then installing two more bolts provided into two of the M6 holes already pre-drilled in the rack.
As you can see it now sits more forward with the universal mounting plate not hanging off the rack. It sits a little higher since the adapter brackets are under it, but because the universal clamp brackets (flexible) are not used it's a more secure feeling mount.
The case simply slides into the front tabs on the mounting plate, and then locks down on the rear one. You must turn the key to the unlocked position and then pull a lever on the rear of the case to release it from the mount. With this forward mount position the backrest is in a good spot for me to lean back a tiny bit on paved roads to rest against it. Off-road the rear case bounces a little so you probably don't want to lean back against it, but this isn't a problem for me in my regular riding position.
I'm happy with the forward mount position and will likely keep it there.
For capacity reference, here is the 58L case loaded up with a roomy MSR 2-person tent (including poles), Nemo closed cell foam sleeping pad, a 2-person ultralight tent, a 1-person ultralight tent, and trekking poles that collapse into 3 sections. Then there's still more room on the inside and outside of the lid.
Concerns with the Givi 58L
- It's wide and catches a little more wind on an already slow bike, seems pretty negligible so far. The case is narrower than the OEM handlebars, so if you can squeeze the front of the bike through a tight spot (trees, cars) then as long as you steer it carefully the case will clear as well unless you hit an object at a different height than the handlebars. The case hangs about 3 inches off the rack on both sides. On the exhaust side this doesn't really matter because the upper exhaust shield protrudes slightly farther than the case does from the bike.
- The more space you have, the more likely you are to use it and over pack.
- Though I think most of the max allowable load weight numbers are determined by lawyers rather than direct numbers from engineers, with 58L you could end up with a lot of weight in there causing rear & top heavy issues as well as putting the plastic mounting plate at risk of bending or breaking.
58L still not enough room for you, or want something wider so you clip mailboxes with it? This guy has the 100L answer:
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