Hi Folks... I've been lurking here quite a bit but have not posted much. Now I'm looking for your advice.

We are gearing up to ride from Eastern Canada through South America starting this fall (2008). I say we as we'll be riding 2-up on our '06 R1200GS Adventure.

I've read the various threads about the pros and cons of topboxes. And I can appreciate why some (if not most) would counsel against having one. However, my significant other would feel more comfortable leaning against something solid. And I'm all for keeping her as comfortable as possible. If she's happy, I'm happy.

From the reading I've done, this South American trip will be about 80% hardtop and 20% loose dirt/gravel/salt.

I was considering adding the Hepco-Becker Gobi, but as I was reading this forum tonight, it hit me that this might be too large. The danger, as I see it, is that topboxes can add a lot of weight up high, raising the center of gravity. That's obvious. But with the Gobi's 42 liter capacity we might be tempted to pack too much that high. Also, I understand (from reading this forum) that this box is not the lightest. So we'd already be starting at a disadvantage.

We have the BMW OEM R1200GS Adventure panniers. Not the greatest, but we will give them a test this summer before we leave in September.

Taking into consideration the above, what would you suggest we use as a topbox.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Robert

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