[DougInKY]

My adapter plate from Bestem came in today. It appears to be of a good quality steel with a black powder coat. It has holes on it to mount a Bestem Tbox 2008, a Tbox 2012 and a Tbox 929. It also has holes to mount to a Burgman 400 or a Burgman 650 with the difference lying in the hardware that is shipped with it. Looks like a really good kit to me.

I have a 2009 Burgman 650 Executive that comes with the backrest. I googled how to remove my stock backrest and found instructions at http://www.max.grenkowitz.net/?topic=789. Taking the back-rest off is pretty straight forward. Just follow the instructions. Took me about 10 minutes. Imagine my surprise when I found all the necessary holes present in my tupperware after I removed my passenger back-rest. No removal of any tupperware needed. Nice.

I checked that the spacers fit in the pre-drilled holes that were there after I removed my passenger backrest. Yep, they fit just fine.

I stopped for the evening as the heat index at 7PM was 97 degrees and I have to remove the box and the stock mounting plate for my Tbox from my V-Strom. The stock steel mounting plate that came with my Tbox 929 is needed for this install and I was loosing light too as the sun was going down. It goes on over the adapter plate that I got this evening from Bestem. I will tackle removing the needed plate from the V-Strom and finishing the install on my Burgman in the morning if it's not raining.

I will continue with this thread after I finish up tomorrow.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky

 

[DougInKY]

Oh, I forgot. Here is a link to Bestem's page for the adapter for the 650 Burgman.

http://www.bestemusa.com/Bestem-T-Box-M ... _2083.html

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky

 

[LeDude]

I have one of those on the way, they seem to have done a nice job.

They also have one for the 400.

 

[DougInKY]

I can see that I need to learn how to post pictures here. Thanks LeDude.

 

[DougInKY]

And I finished the install this morning. Took me about an hour. The actual install part only took about 30 minutes on it's own. The rest of the time was spent on removing the box and plate from my old bike (a V-Strom) and getting tool out and cleaning them and putting them back where I will know to find them. That is of course, one of my roll around tool boxes in my shop. I did the work outside under my shade tree in front of my garage - too hot in my shop (no air conditioning there yet). Anyhow...

The process is straight forward. Just follow the instructions they send you with the adapter. Make sure you refer to the drawing they send you of the plate that shows you where the bolts go. Otherwise it might take you a while to figure it out as this plate is for both the 400 Burgman and the 650 Burgman and for most of Bestem's T-Boxes. A nice touch was the nylock nuts they send you for the kit. One thing I did add was a washer to go under the head of the front bolt for the plate. Other than that, I just used their kit.

What do I think of Bestem's plate? I feel it is a quality kit to adapt the Burgman series motorcycles sold here in the states to allow you to carry a Bestem T-Box. It fits the 2008, 2012, and 929 T-Boxes. A good buy from my vantage point. Bestem has always been prompt in shipping product and if somehow something is missing from your kit all it takes is a call to Bestem and they will make it right.

Total time for install: About an hour to an hour and a half from start to finish for someone that has always worked on my own motorcycles. I didn't hurry and took plenty of breaks to sit and look and think.

 

[DougInKY]

A couple of pics of my Burgman with the Bestem 929 mounted...

http://kdskinner.smugmug.com/Other/Burg ... 1.19-M.jpg

http://kdskinner.smugmug.com/Other/Burg ... 1.51-M.jpg

Namaste'
DougInKY

 

[Sharkey]

Looks good. Price seems very affordable. I guess I'll have to order one now..........

 

[MJR]

Wow that looks huge. A bird go dookie on your bike.

 

[LeDude]

A couple of pics of my Burgman with the Bestem 929 mounted... Namaste' DougInKY

Nice job... Nice Bike...

Looks good. Price seems very affordable. I guess I'll have to order one now..........

best value on the market for now, hard to beat the quality and price.

 

[DougInKY]

Wow that looks huge. A bird go dookie on your bike.

Yeah, that is the price you pay for a huge shade tree that overhangs most of your driveway.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky

 

[Chaplain KC]

Did this adapter plate fix your droop you mentioned in another post?

 

[DougInKY]

What I did was to get some steel washers and longer bolts from my local Lowes. Stacked, I think, four on each of the back bolts to get the box more level. Works good and I am happy with the mod I did. A person could also get some tubing of the proper diameter and cut it to the length needed. I read (I think on here) that Bestem is now supplying longer bolts and tubes with the adapter plate now.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky

 

[Chaplain KC]

Plate mounts very low and easy

I mounted my 929 on my 650 Exec but I bought the additional mounting plate from Bestem. When I put it on I used the 2 spacers for the rear bolts but not the front one. It made the box lean back. On the front I tightened the bolt enough to make it level and THEN I tightened the 2 back bolts. You have to alternate so you get it right without distorting the mounting plate. Then I put on the base plate for the 929 and it really kept the box low to the bike. I like the look. I will probably go back and cut my front spacer to fit and then install it but right now this set up is very solid. If anybody is considering a top box, I highly recommend 1 stop shopping at Bestem USA and buy the box and all attachments from them. Great to deal with and the quality of the 929 is greatly understated in my opinion.

 

[Baron]

I had one of the boxes on my ST1100. It’s a GREAT box and would by another in a second. I love the liner too.

The only thing that you really want to be careful of are the hinges. Under normal use they are no problem at all. However, get a piece of jacket or other foreign object stuck during the closing process and you risk blowing out the whole hinge (translate: destroying the box and separating it in two).

 

[Chappy]

I have one of those on the way, they seem to have done a nice job.

They also have one for the 400.

I just had one of these show up (no instructions) how does this fit?

 

[winginit]

Chappy have you drilled the holes in the plastic yet, if not pull the cover and the back side is premarked, you will see the points in the frame where the bolt will be installed.

 

[LeDude]

I just had one of these show up (no instructions) how does this fit?

check out this DIY, it should help DIY-Bestem Mounting Plate

 

[DanB]

Thanks for the write-up Doug. Following in your footsteps and ordering too. Did you pay extra for the upgraded lights and foam liner? Think I've heard it said to get admore led's instead.

 

[Scooter_Maniac]

I'll chime in here. While I just got the standard lights, I did spring for the insert. It gives a much more finished look inside and things don't rattle. It is not foam but, sort of a formed, compressed felt.

 

[DougInKY]

Thanks for the write-up Doug. Following in your footsteps and ordering too. Did you pay extra for the upgraded lights and foam liner? Think I've heard it said to get admore led's instead.

I have the lights from Bestem in the box, plenty bright. I also got the liner for the box, well worth it IMHO as the liner will keep things from rattling around in the bottom of the box and it gives the box a premium look as well. I am very happy with my Bestem trunk.