South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

I was just gazing fondly at my KTM, thinking about luggage options…could it be possible to commute to construction jobs with a bike instead of a van???

Anyway, I was imagining a top box but I can’t figure out how I would get on and off the bike if there was one on the back. I can barely get my leg up and over the bike as it is, if there was a box my leg would bonk into it.

Those of you with top box experience, how does it work? Do you have to spring over the back like a gymnast? Drop down onto the bike from a balcony like an outlaw from the Wild West? Chop the right leg off at the knee and get a peg leg (this option suits my pirate aspirations)?

This post is likely pushing the boundaries of No Stupid Questions XD

I either do something that is roughly equivalent to a forward hopping front kick, or I just use the foot peg and climb on the bike while it is still on the side stand.

Both work, one looks cool, the other doesn't put extra weight on the side stand - your call.

I would 100% fall and break a hip if I tried the front kick method

I have had the same issue due to lack of strength and flexibility in my legs. I have to stand on my left leg and physically grab my trouser leg of my right leg and lift it clear of the seat, then kind of hop closer to the bike and drop it down to the footpeg.
Looks ungainly and to onlookers probably thinking I shouldn't be riding, but it's the only way I'm getting on it.

Sounds like a struggle. Do you guys run a full suite of luggage? Panniers and box?

Also what is in the pros column for box? Helmet storage?

Despite the appalling state of my hips and back I can still just about goose-step when I've the topbox fitted

Is this a 'Grey Ones' competition?
I too have knees, when I bend them it sounds like a demented goat chewing a tin can full of celery but . . . . . . . I can still get on the Triumph with a back box on by hanging on to the 'bars, leaning as far forward over the tank as possible and cocking the leg up and over the seat. Never collided with the back box yet. Hardly ever scrape the seat either come to that.
Don't forget to grab that front brake while you're doing it as it don't half get embarrassing if you push the bike off the side stand with one foot in the air! And no you 'orrible lot, it ain't happened yet!

Never had much of a problem with top-box. I find it is far enough back to not really get in the way. If I'm having a particularly inflexible day, then standing on the pegs to get on or off, is easy. I find panniers much worse, as they are further forward and can lead to getting your foot caught in the top of the box as you get on, and then completely unable to move.

Go into a dealer and try a bike with a top-box and see how you get on (literally)

The taller the bike the more difficult it becomes , but practice makes perfect , your joints become more flexible as you go on

Thanks all for your thoughts, interesting from Jase about panniers being more of a nuisance than a box. Good advice as well to try a bike with a top box at a dealer. I just kinda assumed there was only one way to get on the bike, I will have to experiment with the hopping front kick and the foot peg ascent...when no one is watching of course. Are there any exotic dismounts? Like the bicycle thing where you swing your leg over while still rolling then hop off looking all elegant?

Front brake on, stand on the left peg and swing your right leg over. Easy and very necessary when touring with loads of luggage.

I'd consider paniers first one up on a bike wit a top box usually unsettles the whole thing

Tvrv37 wrote: ↑May 17th, '25, 12:32 I'd consider paniers first one up on a bike wit a top box usually unsettles the whole thing

I'm the opposite.
The top box sits in your wind shadow so can make the bike less prone to buffeting at speed. Also it doesn't change the rear width so filtering isn't effected.

Though just having panniers looks nicer I think.

Jug wrote: ↑May 17th, '25, 14:19

Tvrv37 wrote: ↑May 17th, '25, 12:32 I'd consider paniers first one up on a bike wit a top box usually unsettles the whole thing

I'm the opposite.
The top box sits in your wind shadow so can make the bike less prone to buffeting at speed. Also it doesn't change the rear width so filtering isn't effected.

Though just having panniers looks nicer I think.

I'm unconvinced Jug. One up they cause drag as they are usually far enough away from you that they cause a secondary obstruction and drag unsettling the bike. Two up they act as you suggest. They also are but ugly with you having to fit an even uglier carrier.

Panniers rarely stick out further than your handlebars so filtering is unaffected.

It's down to the individual's taste, really.
My mate I travel abroad with loves having panniers and no topbox (ST1200, GS1250, V4 Mutistrada) but I always went with a topbox and tankbag. Stable at silly speeds on my 1190 Adventure (with decent tyres). I had panniers on my 790ADV and scraped the edges on a trip to Portugal. Only time the topbox touched down was when I dropped it