Q: I’ve just fitted a top box (maker’s name withheld because my brother sells them) to my 2005 Aprilia Caponord. I’ve wanted to fit one for a while now because my backpack gets wet in the rain and I live just outside Durban where it tends to rain a lot. So it seemed like a good idea to fit a waterproof carrying device.
The fitment of the accompanying brackets in the kit was relatively easy, if not a little fiddly, but I came right in the end. So then it was time to go and out test the new ‘box on the open road.
As soon as I get to 140km/h the bike has now developed a constant weave, which is a bit unnerving, and I didn’t feel like going any faster to see if it disappeared at higher speeds.
So, is this trait common when one fits a top box and more importantly is there anything I can do, or try, to cure the problem?
Corbus.
A: If the top box you’ve bought isn’t primarily designed to fit this particular bike problems, like this, can occur. Also, there’s probably a label, or sticker of some kind, on the ‘box, advising on speeds after fitting it. So it might pay to find that.
Also, if a pillion sits on the back it sometimes stops this ‘weave’ because it smoothes out the airflow after it passes over your body, try that? Also, move your body position backwards and forwards whilst riding to see if that improves things. But as a rule you’re going to have to keep your speeds down, live with it, or take it off when not really needed.
