[abhi_tjet]

I am a bit late but a hearty congratulations Axe77 on the Multistrada and for a beautiful ownership review of the same. You truly got the best of both the worlds in form of Tiger 800 and Multi 1200.

Looking at the feature list of your MY 2017 bike, it seems apart from design, even features are also evolutionary. It got almost everything since start.
Let those beautiful pictures come timely as your ownership further progresses.

[Axe77]

RATTLY TOP BOX FIX

My bike had come with a handy SW Motech (SWM) Alu rack / base plate over which I’d been meaning to install an SWM top box. In order to install this, you need to install an adaptor plate over the Alu rack. Went ahead and ordered both adaptor plate and the box from Big Bad Bikes Bangalore.

The problem was that despite a perfect install, there was an unbearable rattle coming from the entire unit. To a point where I was loathe to use the box at all. I took the bike to Zubin in Bandra to help resolve this with some sort of rubber cushioning to absorb the sound and the rattle and also reduce the play (although play seemed non existent at install there somehow was still a lot of movement while riding.

The box is still easy enough to remove and install but the noise is entirely gone now. Will update as it sees time and miles pass as to how robust this solution is but for now its completely eliminated the noise issue.

Set 1 - the BEFORE pics

View of just the base plate with the adaptor plate on top. Note the all-metal mounting points, which exacerbate the sound somehow, given the lack of rubber bushing.



View from the underside of the installed setup.



Set 2 - the AFTER pics

A rubber mat was placed between the Alu rack / base plate and the SWM adaptor plate.



A rubber bumper has been put on the four mounting points as well to further insulate as well as make the mounting of the box more secure.



The final result with the top box installed. While we were at it, we put some reflective stickers as well on the all-black top box. It followed my usual approach of red at the rear, yellow on the side and white reflective on the front facing portion.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by wandering_soul

Can you please shed some details on the aluminium top case. Did you see any issues during ride with stability or handling? I am looking to buy one for my on the way 850gs. Primary use is to keep the riding gear safely in the box while going around after parking the bike.

Shifting this here for convenience. If you scroll up you will find a brief review of my SWM top box including some rattling issues I faced initially and the solve.

Having said that, I realised that my original install itself was a little imperfect and it was finally some adjustments in the original installation screws that did the trick. The top box is perfectly stable since then without any rattling.

Givi has a really wide range of top boxes and you could consider either these or SWM. I was constrained to remain in the SWM family since my preferred and installed side panniers were from SWM but if you’ve not installed anything yet, I’d recommend have a look at Givi first. Their range of top boxes is FAR more elaborate than Givi.

[wandering_soul]

Originally Posted by Axe77

Givi has a really wide range of top boxes and you could consider either these or SWM. I was constrained to remain in the SWM family since my preferred and installed side panniers were from SWM but if you’ve not installed anything yet, I’d recommend have a look at Givi first. Their range of top boxes is FAR more elaborate than Givi.

Thanks a lot for the details, I will definitely look at Givi. I still dont have the bike delivered, so nothing installed as of now. Your thread is definitely something I will bookmark.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by wandering_soul

Thanks a lot for the details, I will definitely look at Givi. I still dont have the bike delivered, so nothing installed as of now. Your thread is definitely something I will bookmark.

You can also have a look at post #6 in my detailed Tiger ownership Review, where I discussed my entire luggage solution. While the top box and side pannier kit was OEM, its made by Givi and as good as a givi kit review. It might also give you a broader idea of what kind of luggage set ups you’d like for longer touring.

This below is another recent thread which details accessories installed and it includes his discussion on Shad - another popular brand should you wish to consider it.

[100Kmphormore]

Great thread, Axe77! Nice to see shumis Mukti here and it's covering the miles as how he used to. How's the handling with the topbox? I observed you used to have your topbox on with the Tiger but not so on this? Does it affect the handling in ghat sections to a bothersome extent? Do keep posting your rides here!

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by 100Kmphormore

How's the handling with the topbox? I observed you used to have your topbox on with the Tiger but not so on this? Does it affect the handling in ghat sections to a bothersome extent? Do keep posting your rides here!

Sorry for the delayed response. Slipped replying to this earlier.

I actually took a while before I finally managed to zero in on a top box and buy it. Which is why a lot of my older pics are without a top box while more recent ones have it on.

Now that I’ve got it, its on the bike almost all the time, specially in the city. In fact, very often, I have the semi-rigid side panniers on as well as there really isn’t place to keep them at home and if I’m really not keen on taking them on a ride, I move them into the boot of my car and put them back on while the bike is parked. Else I just ride with them.

I haven’t found a significant issue using a top box since I’ve been using one all these years on the Tiger as well. I don’t think I corner carve to an extent that it impairs handling.

The bike has seen miniscule miles in the last couple of months because I’ve just been caught up with too much other stuff. Either traveling or busy with something else on weekends. Hopefully will manage a morning ride this Sunday if everything else goes to plan earlier in the week.

[Axe77]

Been struggling to find time to ride too much the last few months with something or the other being prioritised over. Finally had a nice Sunday run if nothing else followed by a nice coffee later in the day at a city cafe.

My luggage panniers have been banished from the house - they’re now in “always on the bike” mode in my parking. I move them to the car boot most times I’m riding and then put them back on the bike when its parked. Decided to take them along this time. Good to ride once in a way with the panniers on, so one is used to the dimensions and added width.

We found a nice spot somewhere towards Jawhar this time - really scenic roads leading up to an even more scenic spot, made even more beautiful thanks to the monsoons.

The line-up


The spot: absolutely gorgeous location.




Returning back. The monsoon gear is finally in good use. That’s a Rynox overlayer jacket combined with the Decathlon rain pants.




Finally let go of the rain overlayer post breakfast. That’s the Revit Sand 4 jacket. The Decathlon rain pants stayed on - don’t want to deal with handling the muck on the white riding pants.


At my favourite local cafe in the evening.

[100Kmphormore]

Originally Posted by Axe77

I don’t have the option to wait since I’m without a big ADV at the moment but you should use your Tiger 900 for another year and make this a 2025 upgrade.

You sold your Multistrada?

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by 100Kmphormore

You sold your Multistrada?

Yup. Sold it about a week or so ago. Was just over 64,000 clicks at the time I sold it.

Will upgrade to a replacement litre class ADV some time this year. The scrambler is a handy stop gap bike too so I’m never really without a bike at any point.

[100Kmphormore]

Originally Posted by Axe77

Yup. Sold it about a week or so ago. Was just over 64,000 clicks at the time I sold it.

Will upgrade to a replacement litre class ADV some time this year. The scrambler is a handy stop gap bike too so I’m never really without a bike at any point.

That’s the end of another ownership review, loved your updates. Was it the “fear of the aging Italian”that made you replace it, or you have been waiting for the 1300GS/Tiger 1200? Going by your posts you do not seem to be that interested in the V4S.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by 100Kmphormore

That’s the end of another ownership review, loved your updates. Was it the “fear of the aging Italian”that made you replace it, or you have been waiting for the 1300GS/Tiger 1200? Going by your posts you do not seem to be that interested in the V4S.

Thank you.

I don't think I'll ever own any primary adventure bike (specially the more premium they get) beyond 5 - 7 years of age, whether I buy it used or new. Its just better to roll them over after 5 - 6 years.

The 1200S did its bit in being pretty spectacular and gave me a taste of what a Ducati is like. It was also fairly reliable other than one outlier breakdown that I suffered while riding out long. But otherwise I'd still take it out today for any long ride in a heart beat. Its been kept and maintained really well in that sense.

But its time to move on to a newer ADV. I doubt I'll even consider a 1200 Tiger - would prefer the 900 RP to it any day. I had always imagined that I'd move on from Tiger 800 to a 1250 GS. The Multi 1200S was a sort of unplanned detour along the way and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I also stretched it a hint since the 1250 was on the verge of migrating to the 1300. Else ideally I'd have done the swap sometime 2023 H2, if I had still been with the Tiger.

Actually the V4S is spectacular but my biggest issue with it is the tank range (= to more frequent stops). When the bulk of your riding group is on GS 1250s, Tiger 900s etc, with tank ranges that are 320 - 350 kms, its really inconvenient to need a fill every 200 - 220 on your Multi. Breaks the overall rhythm. I'm not saying we ride 300 kms non stop but you don't want to keep combining riding breaks with a fuel fill.

Secondly, I feel the Tiger, GS etc just feel much nicer for stand up riding while you're off road. The 1200 S never felt as comfortable on that but maybe the V4S might feel better since its got a 19" front.

For now, the Scram 400 means I'm not without a bike for Sunday rides etc. In the next 3 - 4 months hopefully I'll again have a litre category ADV as the primary ride. The Scram I will actively consider swapping for the next gen 390A if its everything I'm hoping it to be. As a light, fast "beater" off-roader for the gnarly stuff.