Review of 2002 oem hardbags

Hi folks,

Here's some links to a scan of a review of the OEM hardbags and heated grips.  This is from Two Wheels magazine, Australia.

If you're an Aussie, or have access to the magazine at a store, do them a favour and buy a copy or they'll probably get pissed at me for posting these!

Review - Page One
Review - main picture
Review - Page Two

Cheers,

Kaldek

Thanks Kaldek. And Yes those panniers DO make the bikes bum look big. :laugh:

Anyone using these bags yet?  My dealer will sell them at $1650 - 10% in Canadian dollars - really pricey for something I haven't even seen yet.  On the other hand I was prepared to buy them when I got the bike a year ago, and I did buy those overpriced heated grips from the UK (only half installed so I can't review them yet).  Any feedback, pictures, etc. welcome.

Wow a top bag?

joxer, Feb. 12 2003,09:25Anyone using these bags yet?

Yep.

http://www.sport-touring.net/mods/vfr_bags/index.shtml

I have the bags, top case, bag liners and heated grips on order from the UK.  All the merchandise including shipping was $1300 US.  They are due to arrive in about 3 weeks.

I can post pictures of the gear and assembly if anyone is interested.

When I bought my bike I was prepared to get all 3 cases.  That was late'01/early'02.  I ended up buying regular Givi stuff a couple months later.

I'm sure the OEM (which are Givi), and just like my Givi's are excellent.  The only thing I didn't like about them are the side cases open (down) but that helps to make sure stuff doesn't fall out.  

I'd think about getting them if they had a top part that opened instead of the side (I know, but then you wouldn't be able to put a helmet in --> use the topcase).  :goof:

So, considering it's Givi, its gotta be good.  :beer:

But they are kinda wide.

Yeah, I'm still not sure - great link to that writeup on getting them in from David Silver (that's where my heated grips came from too).  I've never used hard bags before, just Oxford panniers on my last bike and an Oxford tailbag on the current bike.  I'm also wondering how much it will affect the bike on the road wrt wind and buffeting.  Taking a quick look at david silver again I don't think I could save any significant amount considering how much it cost to get the grips ($330 once everything was said and done in Canuck bucks).

Newbie here  :p  , just wondering about those Oxfords panniers are/were they Sport Bags how wind resistant are they, do they flap enough to fly?  How dry did the contents remain during storms? How do they compare to Tour Master? Just full of questions.

I have the larger (I think that is non-sport) tankbag, the tailpack, and the sports panniers.  I only use the tankbag and the tailpack on the VFR, as the Panniers don't work as well there as they did on my old bike.  As far as non-hardbags go I think these are the creme of the crop.  They expand to hold an amazing amount of stuff and don't do a bad job in the retracted positions (http://www.oxprod.com has all the pics if you haven't seen that).  The rain covers work well and don't flap off even at somewhat illegal speeds.  The sports tankbag might be enough for me as I don't use the base bag at all with mine (as in leave it at home), and generally have the reamining portion in the retracted position.  The rounded shape of the sports one makes for less room for storing map info in the top area though.  I've run the VFR with the tailpack fully loaded on the interstate at an indicated 125mph leaned over into a heavy crosswind while passing a big rig along with my R1 riding friend, so it does function pretty well!

The article implies that some folks will put the bags on only when they need 'em, which leads me to the question...

How hard or easy is removing the bags? �

I really don't like how pudgy they make the bike look. � tongue.gif �For everyday use, I'd take 'em off and store 'em. � wheel.gif

But... when the missus and I travel somewheres, she's a-gonna want me to change into something respectable when we gets there. � :goof:

So... I'd be thrilled if takin' the bags off was a 15 minute job.

Anyone? �Bueller?

I can take my bags off in about 10 seconds each. Turn key, pop handle, pull off.

Now, taking the rails off would be a different story...

I studied the hardbags and finally decided to install GIVI instead of Honda because GIVI have a lot more space; maybe 10 litres more each case... very important on long trips.

No regret after all considering I went on a trip of 14,000 km... with the Honda hardbags I would have missed precious space; GIVI were perfect for my needs.

But Honda hardbags fit better on a VFR if we are talking about the look.

gilligan, Feb. 03 2004I studied the hardbags and finally decided to install GIVI instead of Honda because GIVI have a lot more space; maybe 10 litres more each case... very important on long trips.

No regret after all considering I went on a trip of 14,000 km... with the Honda hardbags I would have missed precious space; GIVI were perfect for my needs.

But Honda hardbags fit better on a VFR if we are talking about the look.

jeez man, how much stuff do you take with you?

hey how about the RKA. has anyone ever seen or used them. they have a 47 liter saddle bag with color graphics to match my 98 and a matching 3 point 16 liter tank bag, looks pretty cool, but are they as good as they look??

here's their site if you want to check them out; www.RKA-luggage.com wheel.gif when you entry go to photo gallery, click on honda and scroll down to see them on a 98. beer.gif

I just purchased the OEM hardbags and they work great.  I tend to pack heavy so it is a must have for me.