Hello All,
I have a Givi rack and topbox installed on my 14. Obviously, if I didn't have the topbox, my girls could use the stock grab rail with one hand as intended, but with the topbox installed the grab rail is obstructed.
Has anyone come across any aftermarket or robust DIY solutions for adding pillion handles to a 14?
Thanks, J
Something like this perhaps 🤔
Velcro !!
Just asked the wife if she uses the grab handle, I never take the topbox off. She said yep, all the time. So your girls should still be able to use it J.
I recommend lots of donuts, get those side handles happening!
Just grab the rail from the front not behind. At least that's what a pillion once told me she did when I still had the Givi fitted.
I have a ventura rack on mine, no top box, but I strap a day pack to the rack. The factory grab rail is still accessible by the pillion, just palm up instead of palm down, grabbing the rail from between the top of the duck tail and rail instead of over the top of the rail.
Thanks for all the input. I had tried grabbing the rail myself, but didn't account for the fact I am almost twice the size/weight/heft of my three regular pillion passengers, lol. I found it an uncomfortable hand hold and then never actually asked my girls to try it. Will revisit the issue soon, thanks all.
Quote from: GSXKING on Sunday, 18 August 2024, 06:47 PMSomething like this perhaps 🤔
Thanks for this. Your post actually reminded me that I have one of these belts (diff brand) that my girls used to use on longer trips, thought not recently.
In actual fact, once I remembered the belt, it dawned on me that I actually had two of them - the one I initially bought came with faulty/broken clips and they sent me a replacement.
One of my daughters tested the grab handle using the methods recommended in this thread. Found it was OK, but felt a bit twisted and didn't think it would be good for a longer journey.
So I found the faulty belt in storage, cut it into pieces and fashioned the possible solution pictured below. Will get the girls to try my DIY solution properly soon and report back.
Thanks again. Ride safe, J
If all else fails just bungee cord the pillion to yourself 😳
The engineer that I bought my bike from made plate for the Givi box to attach to, he then had a bar that ran behind the original grab rail and out by the sides for handles each side of the pillions back. My description is bloody awful sorry. Think like a 'U' shaped rod running pararell to the seat and the bottom of the 'U' attached to the topbox base. I will try and put it back together so I can take a pic for you. It is certainly DIY as he had to cut the Givi base plate up to get it to sit on his plate nicely.
Quote from: Class— on Saturday, 24 August 2024, 12:25 PMThe engineer that I bought my bike from made plate for the Givi box to attach to, he then had a bar that ran behind the original grab rail and out by the sides for handles each side of the pillions back. My description is bloody awful sorry. Think like a 'U' shaped rod running pararell to the seat and the bottom of the 'U' attached to the topbox base. I will try and put it back together so I can take a pic for you. It is certainly DIY as he had to cut the Givi base plate up to get it to sit on his plate nicely.
Thanks for sharing this. If it isn't too much trouble, would love to see a pic, even if it is pieces. Did you ever use the pillion handles and, if so, how did your pillion find them?
My ex never used the love-handle / velcro belt, despite suggesting it could be useful because she said she had no confidence in it. When i had the Givi pannier/top-box system fitted, including the side-pods she hung on to the side rails.
My current partner uses the side rails as well, although she's only ridden pillion a couple of times (why would she?.... she has a Street Triple herself !)
Quote from: j_rider on Saturday, 24 August 2024, 04:51 PMQuote from: Class— on Saturday, 24 August 2024, 12:25 PMThe engineer that I bought my bike from made plate for the Givi box to attach to, he then had a bar that ran behind the original grab rail and out by the sides for handles each side of the pillions back. My description is bloody awful sorry. Think like a 'U' shaped rod running pararell to the seat and the bottom of the 'U' attached to the topbox base. I will try and put it back together so I can take a pic for you. It is certainly DIY as he had to cut the Givi base plate up to get it to sit on his plate nicely.
Thanks for sharing this. If it isn't too much trouble, would love to see a pic, even if it is pieces. Did you ever use the pillion handles and, if so, how did your pillion find them?
Im trying to sort the photos out and resized them to 2mb like the forum states but I think the settings have changed as it now says 1mb max.
will be right back :D
Ok I think I have this using imgbb. The bike is my commuter and its raining non stop up here so please excuse the dirty bike :whistling: :lol:
The bike with the Givi side rack with the DIY plate holding the 2helmet Triumph back box
(https://i.ibb.co/ZYpxLvc/Full-rack.jpg)
Note the extra two struts for load bearing.
(https://i.ibb.co/k0BF4Ry/IMG-2388.jpg)
They go into the frame and take weight off subframe.
(https://i.ibb.co/v1wXv6H/IMG-2398.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/m0hLzx4/IMG-2399.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/thKZ9mM/IMG-2397.jpg)
The "U" bracket making the handles
(https://i.ibb.co/XSzXTP9/IMG-2390.jpg)
Connected to the DIY plate.
(https://i.ibb.co/phzTrgg/IMG-2392.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/tqKMSX3/IMG-2391.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/rvtsf0N/IMG-2393.jpg)
The modified Givi base plate so it sits flat on the DIY plate.
(https://i.ibb.co/8X6V2tk/IMG-2394.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/x2fyjKC/IMG-2395.jpg)
The Givi 1helmet back box sitting higher due to the extra plate and the pillion handles.
(https://i.ibb.co/TKQ8PL6/IMG-2396.jpg)
I hope that answers some questions, I am a few beers in and watching the Motogp on catch up so please give me some slack if my pics dont work :)
Nice work mate
Oh I'd love to take the credit for it all but unfortunately that was all done by the former owner who was an engineer by trade and had his own very large lathe in his shed amongst other tools. I was instantly wanting to get rid of the top box completely when I was buying it but I've kinda come round to the practicallity of it. I have taken the extra pillion handles off as I never have a pillion. His wife was very happy with the extra handles and loved being on the back. They were both used to trips to Europe and used this for their last trip to the EU. I am tightening everything up as he did like a soft smooth ride as she was always on the back.
I hope the pics give anyone an idea of a mod for their pillions.
I do like the triangulation on that rack. Givi racks always snap just by the grabrail bolts if overloaded due to a designed in weak spot. I bet that one never will.
Quote from: Class— on Monday, 02 September 2024, 07:51 AMI hope that answers some questions, I am a few beers in and watching the Motogp on catch up so please give me some slack if my pics dont work :)
Thanks so much @Class— for taking the time to sort out the pics and the descriptions of your bike's pillion handle solution. Much appreciated and has given me some good ideas.