opinions on Givi luggage

[theMattyDubs]

Rhino Lined saddlebags, thats awesome! haha thanks for those links, all I'm finding on ebay are $850 bags with high shipping and egregious $25 handling charges.

[Craig Wagner]

Originally Posted by theMattyDubs

Rhino Lined saddlebags, thats awesome! haha thanks for those links, all I'm finding on ebay are $850 bags with high shipping and egregious $25 handling charges.

Yeah, the Rhino-lined bags seemed a little odd, but I understand his point, bags get scratched pretty easy. And the black would pretty much go with anything.

When I was looking for bags on eBay I tended to use the following as my search criteria. People describe their stuff in so many different ways, I found this caught most of them.

honda (vfr800,interceptor,vfr) (saddlebags,luggage,bags)

[theMattyDubs]

I'm actually thinking about those bags with the rhino lining if they don't get too expensive. Thanks for the search criteria, I never find anythingwhen I search. I wish I could figure out the sporttour.com 3 piece package but without pictures I'm easily confused.

[Craig Wagner]

Originally Posted by theMattyDubs

I wish I could figure out the sporttour.com 3 piece package but without pictures I'm easily confused.

It would be basically like what is pictured below (picture taken from twistedthrottle.com). This is the PL166 side rack (as opposed to the PLX side rack for the V35s), but the general appearance would be the same.

Personally, in the past I've spent two weeks on the road with soft saddlebags on my YZF600R. Unless you're going to be on the road for weeks I don't think a trunk is necessary.

[RedRover5683]

When I ordered my 2007 VFR800A through my dealer, Givi top-case and side-cases (along with the required mounting brackets) were listed as a dealer option specifically for the VFR, which I purchased. (See my photo gallery.) The side-cases are exactly color-matched, while the top-case is glossy black, which is fine with me.

At any rate, the only complaints I have about these Givi products are with the top-case, which include the following:

1) When the top-case is attached to its mounting bracket, the bottom of the case sits ~45" above the ground, and it's highest point (right behind the passenger backrest cushion), is ~56" above the ground. In my opinion, the top-case is thus situated much too high, which in turn makes the rear of the bike potentially very top-heavy.

If you begin loading up the top-case with various items, the bike will of course become evermore top-heavy. Now add in a full tank of fuel, along with a rear passenger wearing full gear (my Sargeant leather saddle's pillion cushion is a good 1.5-2.0" higher than mine) and you then have a very precariously top-heavy motorcycle. I know this from firsthand experience, in which the rear tire (Metzeler ME4) stepped out during a lowspeed turn under these exact same conditions a few months ago. I firmly believe that the rear top-heaviness of the bike was a major factor.

You may not notice how top-heavy the bike is with this ladened top-case until you try leaning the bike more quickly and assertively in either direction to the point where all of this top weight (as well as the weight of fuel sloshing around in the tank) may suddenly shift and throw itself into the equation a second or two later, and then it may quickly throw the bike off-balance, big-time.

I say again, have a look at the photos in my gallery. Why hell, that massive Givi top-case is so high that I could just as well mount on the back of my bike a bowling ball that's 45" off the ground, and then expect the motorcycle to handle well in the corners, especially with a rear passenger.

2) The Givi top-case that came with my motorcycle is way too large in terms of its size and volume for my needs and preferences, but I didn't realize this until I saw it firsthand, rather than in a catalogue. (I wasn't shown any smaller choices, by the way.) Now I know better. As it stands now, I feel that my particular Givi top-case is fit only for storing very light items such a sweater, a fleece jack, etc. Beware of placing any heavier items in it and then expecting stability. I'd just as soon get rid of my top-case if I can find a smaller alternative that still offers a padded backrest for a pillion rider.

3) I've found that the mechanism for closing and securing this 'clamshell' top-case is very awkward, tricky, and troublesome to operate. You can't just close and 'click down' the lid of this Givi top-case. Oh no, that would be too simple and easy. Instead, this requires a 3-point, complex maneuver which I find to be rather absurd. (Live with this top-case a while, and you may agree with me.) The end result of this case's awkward closing mechanism is that until you figure it out (lots of fun) you may think its closed until you start riding, only to eventually find that cars behind you are beeping their horns at you in an effort to signal to you that your top-case is in fact open and the lid is bouncing up and down, while your belongings are spilling onto the road and flying about in the wind behind you. Never assume that this top-case is closed and locked until you try prying it open with your hands. If it won't open, it may well be shut.

[Buckwheat]

Someone asked if the OEM hold a full face helmet. Yes, they do. My large size full face fits however snuggly and has to be turned just the right direction.

I mainly love these bags for the convenience factor. I agree the bike is better looking without hard bags but it's tough to go anywhere without needing some degree of storage space. My small laptop & bag easily fit for the daily commute to work. It's amazing how many groceries can fit into these bags also.

My OEM bags are painted silver to match my '03 but I find they scratch fairly easily, especially if you aren't accustomed swinging your leg over the bike AND the hard bags. I think the contrasting colors of the Givi v35 cases look very nice and I expect the finish is probably more durable.

[kd4ysi]

im wainting a pair of the mono keys givi since ive alreaddy got the mounts they look good to