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[turbojet]

Got my top rack for my 2016 DSR.  There were no instructions with it but install was simple.  Remove the seat (unscrew the torx bolts on either side, not the allen head bolts).  Pull the seat off and fit the frack over the bike frame (remember to install the rubber number where the rack rests on the rear fender).  Two small allen head bolts go through the frame holes then replace the seat and screw the torx bolts back in through the rear rack frame (see pix).  To install any GIVI box get the universal monokey (part E251) top case plate and mount it as shown in the photo.  It uses 4 bolts with clamps that will fit any rack almost.  I went with the bigger V46 top case as I have used this on a variety of bikes and for me gives the best size/function ratio.  Cheers!

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

Nice writeup and photos! This took me about 15 minutes when I've done it, mostly to position the Givi plate.

One note I want to tag here: once you have a top case, when you need to remove the seat bolts, it's a good idea to either remove the case or empty it of anything heavy (like an Elcon charger!) or you might wind up causing a little sag in the bars, especially if you go ride it around without the bolts.

[Killroy]

Does Givi list the internal dimensions or the external.

I'm trying to get a smaller Monolock that will fit a laptop bag that is 18-19 inches by 11-12 inches deep.

Yes, its a big CAD laptop.

[Kocho]

Thanks for the photos and write-up! I got the rack on order, but have not decided on a case yet. Can you snap and post a photo from the rear too, from some distance, not very up-close to show the size of the box mounted? I wonder how big of a box to get - yup, bigger is more useful, but I don't want something huge either.

How does it ride with the box? Can you feel it?

[David S]

I just ordered this which i should get sometime next week, the dealer told me if they installed it i would be billed for 2 hours for 190$. Im assuming that is a rip off and I can do it myself?

[Kocho]

How hard can it be to put 8 bolts? In the Zero owners manual you can see the location and torque values for the 2 bolts that hold the seat in place. They need to be removed and reinstalled to hold the rack. Plus two more bolts near them. Then 4 more to hold the plate to the rack. Depending on which Givi (or other brand) box you get, the plate may or may not be included. Can you do  it yourself? Only you can tell. Is it worth $190 at the dealer to install it for me? Definitely not! I don't think it should take the dealer more than 15 minutes to install. If $190 is the cost including the rack and installation, then it's almost reasonable. If it is just installation, then a rip-off in my opinion.

[turbojet]

Super easy to install the rack.  Remove the two torx bolts (2 minutes), take the seat off (20 seconds) and fit the rack over the fender and the front mounting holes (these will be under the seat).  Screw the two supplied allen head bolts in (1-2 minutes) then refit the seat (30 seconds) and put the torx bolts in and tighten them down (3 minutes).  The GIVI universal top case mounting plate is also very easy to install and gives you multiple positioning options.

[turbojet]

I forgot one step.  If you are the average motorcycle mechanic then the rack install will involve drinking 3 beers.  ! to get started, 1 after you take the seat off to ponder the complexity of the machine and its wiring and then 1 when you are done to congratulate yourself on a job well done.  Depending on your speed then this will add 1-15 minutes to the install.  The GIVI top case mount is probably a 2 beer job so get a six pack just to be safe. Cheers!

[gingerjet]

I just ordered this which i should get sometime next week, the dealer told me if they installed it i would be billed for 2 hours for 190$. Im assuming that is a rip off and I can do it myself?

$190 to install a $400 rack is a ripe off.  You may have to buy a couple of tools but if you can handle a screw driver you should be fine.

[Kocho]

Rip-off it is, but one might need a little more than a screwdriver - I could not remove the torx bolts with a screwdriver (with a torx bit, of course) as they were too  tight from the factory. Just not enough leverage for me. With a 4" angled torx wrench (included with my soft luggage) it was very easy. It also helps to have a torque wrench to tighten things to spec, but I think by feel is probably OK if one has handled enough bolts of similar size...

I just ordered this which i should get sometime next week, the dealer told me if they installed it i would be billed for 2 hours for 190$. Im assuming that is a rip off and I can do it myself?

$190 to install a $400 rack is a ripe off.  You may have to buy a couple of tools but if you can handle a screw driver you should be fine.

[David S]

Hah thanks for the responses, before ordering i assumed I would be able to do it on my own, when he told me it would take 2 hours I thought it was probably a rip off but didn't know if it actually was difficult.

[gingerjet]

Rip-off it is, but one might need a little more than a screwdriver - I could not remove the torx bolts with a screwdriver (with a torx bit, of course) as they were too  tight from the factory. Just not enough leverage for me. With a 4" angled torx wrench (included with my soft luggage) it was very easy. It also helps to have a torque wrench to tighten things to spec, but I think by feel is probably OK if one has handled enough bolts of similar size...

I just ordered this which i should get sometime next week, the dealer told me if they installed it i would be billed for 2 hours for 190$. Im assuming that is a rip off and I can do it myself?

$190 to install a $400 rack is a ripe off.  You may have to buy a couple of tools but if you can handle a screw driver you should be fine.

Nothing in my response said you just need a screwdriver.  But if you can handle one you can deal with simple adjustments or add ons to the bike.  In the future - actually read what you are responding too and people won't call you out as an arrogant ass.    For the record adding a top box or a wind screen can be done with a set of tools that is less than $20. 

[Kocho]

You must be a cyclist

In the future - actually read what you are responding too and people won't call you out as an arrogant ass.

[benswing]

The top rack is pretty easy to install including the adapter plate for monokey boxes.  I really like my 46L box.


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[Kocho]

My dealership installed the rack for me (no charge, they had the seat off already for some other repairs, plus I had not asked for it to be installed as I was planning to do it myself, so he dropped the charge - sorry, did not ask what the charge would have been if I had paid it). He told me they had to drill under the seat to put it. I wonder if on the '15 SR the holes are not there for the two allen head bolts like on your '16 DSR? I doubt it, since the frames are the same. Probably the dealership is mistaken (or trying to justify the attempted charge) and indeed there was no drilling needed at all?

Super easy to install the rack.  Remove the two torx bolts (2 minutes), take the seat off (20 seconds) and fit the rack over the fender and the front mounting holes (these will be under the seat).  Screw the two supplied allen head bolts in (1-2 minutes) then refit the seat (30 seconds) and put the torx bolts in and tighten them down (3 minutes).  The GIVI universal top case mounting plate is also very easy to install and gives you multiple positioning options.