Totally depends on the helmet style and brand. Different brands have different shell sizes and shapes. Some have visors, wind deflectors on the rear, etc.
I understand you'd prefer to avoid a topbox, but, as one who has ridden a few miles with both, I can tell you that the top box is a much EASIER solution. I take my wife into work on my NC quite often, ( and on my Honda Helix before that), and stowing her helmet and jacket in the top box is MUCH simpler and easier than stowing it in my ST1300, with huge side bags. I have a set of Givi Outback Trekkers, and to be honest, despite their obvious coolness, they are not that practical. I have hit my knee numerous times mounting the bike, and those bags are SOLID. Add to that, it makes mounting the bike very tough for my wife, so they stay home most days, and my top box goes with me often.
I second this. My bike looks so much better with its sidecases rather than my huge topbox, but the topbox is easier to load and unload, mount and dismount, and leaves a narrower footprint as well.
I realize you like what you like, and I'm not trying to change that. But, I'll mention that one reason I prefer top boxes over side bags is the wind resistance caused by the side bags. Side bags drop my fuel mileage by about 5 mpg, so I avoid the side bags unless I really need to carry a lot of stuff.
Well said
I have not done any high speed tests on the NC or the ST1300, but at 70-80 MPH, I have not observed any untoward or unusual behaviors. Mine is rarely loaded all that heavily. Mostly clothes or wife’s gear, or light groceries. I use a very reasonable Bestem top box, I’m pretty sure the Givi would perform better.
Nope...I have a top case, sometimes I carry a case of beer in in on my beer runs, and dont notice the weight at all.
The high center of gravity was a concern for me, but I dont notice it. I also have a 56liter
I am certain I have exceeded the recommended weight of my Givi 56 litre topbox on many an occasion, and never noticed an issue with a changed center of gravity.
Truthfully, as with a taller windshield, you can in some circumstances feel dire crosswinds/gusting. The advantage of a low-to-ground motorcycle is not to be found in the NC anyway ; }
Some people feel it's not safe to have anyone less petite than Barbie riding pillion. I myself have not yet found that I really notice.
