The state of OEM 6th Gen saddlebags in 2024

I thought my experience in obtaining OEM hard luggage might be informative/useful for others, because things have apparently changed over the years since the bags were in production.

When I bought my '07 Anniversary Interceptor a little over a month ago, I knew I wanted hard bags.  I was unsuccessful in locating an Anniversary RWB bike with OEM Honda bags, so once I got it home, I started researching.  I pretty quickly decided that I wanted the OEM Honda bags... even though they are basically Givi bags, the mounting brackets tuck them in better, and shape integrates better with the bike. 

Option #1 was to look for used bags (eBay, etc), but I couldn't find anything, so I started researching part numbers.  I was able to find the part numbers for the brackets and bags pretty easily, and discovered that there were originally two separate part numbers for the brackets (side mounts and center brace) and additional part numbers for the bags.  I was able to track down the center brace on eBay, and found what I believe to be the last set of side brackets in the US at a dealership in Ohio.  I was also able to order the bags new from Honda, and was told at the time I got one of seven sets of blue bags left in the US.

Side brackets:  08L41-MCW-1000W

Center brace:  08L41-MCW-800B (number no longer in Honda's system)

Blue bags:  08L41-MCW-1E0

To my great surprise, the bags purchased under the part number above included all the mounting brackets!  None of my research had indicated that would be the case, but then again, almost all the threads I found on the subject were at least 10 years old...  All in, it's not a bad deal, and only about $200 more than buying the current production bags and brackets from GIVI (not including my extra brackets... LOL).

TLDR:  there are still some OEM bags out there, and the blue ones, at least, come with the mounting brackets.

On to the rest of the story...

When I started installing the mounting brackets it was immediately apparent that they were not going to fit with my Delkevic exhaust.  The mounting arm that bolts to the center bracket behind the license plate is angled to match the triangular OEM muffler and wouldn't clear the oval aftermarket muffler.

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I am fortunate enough to have the ability and tools to do some fabrication, so I cut off the offending mounting arm, and modified the center brace so the stay would be horizontal instead of angled, and thus clear the muffler.  Then I welded everything back together.

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The rest of the mounting procedure was easy bolt-up, per the instructions.

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Since I also have an Interceptor with GIVI bags in the garage at the moment*, here's a comparison back to back....  The Honda bags are about 6" narrower overall.

OEM Honda:

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GIVI:

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* My BIL was shopping VFRs at the same time I was, and after a couple deals fell through, I put him onto a bike here in AZ that was my back-up plan if the deal on the one I bought fell through.  He ended up making the deal, so I picked up the bike for him and am storing it until he can do a fly-ride or have it transported back to WI.  So for now, I have double parked VFRs in the shop...

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Sweet Jesus, that a wide load! lol

I tried running with the three bag setup a few times. Not my bag. Just the top. I'd love two briefcase side bags...

14 hours ago, bmart

Sweet Jesus, that a wide load! lol

I tried running with the three bag setup a few times. Not my bag. Just the top. I'd love two briefcase side bags...

I don't do as much touring as I used to, but I do like the utility of hard bags, even around town.  I think the widest setup I've had was a 1st gen VStrom 1k with Givi bags... definitely needed a 'wide load' placard!

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I had Givi 'cruiser bags' on my 'Busa and that was a really nice setup.  Much narrower, and top opening.  Had to pile more stuff on the seat, but it was a surprisingly good touring mount.

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I run just a small top box on my FJ-09 occasionally, and that was a nice compromise, but the factory bags on that were pretty narrow, so I usually just ran the bags.

Man that RWB paint scheme is the bomb.

Nice job on the brackets. When I have my VTEC out on the road I usually just use one pannier. I'd considered getting some Delkevic cans for it so thanks for the info on clearance with the pannier mount!

45 minutes ago, fabio222

Man that RWB paint scheme is the bomb.

Even better with a coat of pearl white on the wheels 😉

12 hours ago, fabio222

Man that RWB paint scheme is the bomb.

Nice job on the brackets. When I have my VTEC out on the road I usually just use one pannier. I'd considered getting some Delkevic cans for it so thanks for the info on clearance with the pannier mount!

The round Delkevics that come with the VFR package will clear the bag mounts without modification.  Looks like the OP bought a couple of their different short cans to go with the middle Y junction pipe from Delkevic...which is pretty cool.

They are the Delkevic "X-oval" cans.  I wanted something a little different than their round cans.  They weren't listed as an application for the 6th Gen VFR on Delkevic's site, but most of their mufflers have the same inlet dimensions so I was going to mix/match parts.  I then found the X-oval set as a VFR application on their eBay store.  IMHO they do look a little better than the short round cans on the 6th Gen.  They sound fantastic.

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Interesting.  I also got mine from their eBay store and I'm pretty sure that wasn't an option at the time.  I am good with the looks of the short 8" cans especially since I have my bags on all the time, but I had to buy their "even quieter" baffles from them because they were way louder than necessary with the catless VFRD header.  Would have liked 10" as an option just for that, but wasn't sure enough of overall length under the tail without seeing one that it would be worth buying another two exhausts and trying to unload the two 8" versions, etc.

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Rodan, 4/7/2024 at 9:51 AM

Blue bags:  08L41-MCW-1E0

To my great surprise, the bags purchased under the part number above included all the mounting brackets!  None of my research had indicated that would be the case, but then again, almost all the threads I found on the subject were at least 10 years old...  All in, it's not a bad deal, and only about $200 more than buying the current production bags and brackets from GIVI (not including my extra brackets... LOL).

Just wanted to say thanks for the info and great photos.  The comparison shots showed me I needed to go for the Honda brackets even it was a bit more expensive.

With the info you gave on the brackets coming with the bags under that part number and google hit at revzilla I ordered a set even though I have a red 2003. Throwing cash at the luggage over time hunting for anything used meant I was installing everything like a week and half later. I think I'm going to be happy with this option. Thanks for the awesome post.

If you get some white wheels that sucker would be pretty cool and patriotic!

Is anyone looking for red side cases right now? I have a lead on some but I have a 5th Gen. If it helps anyone out I can be an intermediary, nothing on top for me just helping out.

They don't look pristine but not bad from the 1 photo. He does state that the brackets aren't included, only the bags.

Hello VFR Owners, man do I miss my 1998 was one of the best bikes I ever had! Had in close to 20 years....don't even want to get into why I sold it 😞 Anyway I have a set of Hard luggage I think they were called Beetle Bags...?? Good shape, have the mounting hardware will clean up and take pics if anyone is interested. Attached is a stock photo of what they look like. Text me if you like I am in the Nashville area 615-414-3419 Scott

I sometimes think about buying another 6th gen.  But when I browse sale listings online I mostly look for bikes with the OEM saddlebags.  I don't think I'd want to go through the exercise of having to find a set now, especially if I wanted them color-matched to the bike.

Rodan, 4/7/2024 at 7:51 AM

...it was immediately apparent that they were not going to fit with my Delkevic exhaust.

I was mor fortunate when fitting oe luggage to my 2009 w/ Leo Vince cans. They are oval shaped but with a smaller cross section, and they orient with the long axis at a slight angle off horizontal.

Superflex, 8/7/2024 at 1:21 PM

Hello VFR Owners, man do I miss my 1998 was one of the best bikes I ever had! Had in close to 20 years....don't even want to get into why I sold it 😞 Anyway I have a set of Hard luggage I think they were called Beetle Bags...?? Good shape, have the mounting hardware will clean up and take pics if anyone is interested. Attached is a stock photo of what they look like. Text me if you like I am in the Nashville area 615-414-3419 Scott

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 I remember it was really cold that morning.

Lorne, 8/8/2024 at 9:05 AM

I was mor fortunate when fitting oe luggage to my 2009 w/ Leo Vince cans. They are oval shaped but with a smaller cross section, and they orient with the long axis at a slight angle off horizontal.

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I looked for a used set of the Leo Vince cans for a while...  they're a great looking set.  Couldn't find any so I bought the Delkevics.

Superflex, 8/7/2024 at 1:21 PM

Hello VFR Owners, man do I miss my 1998 was one of the best bikes I ever had! Had in close to 20 years....don't even want to get into why I sold it 😞 Anyway I have a set of Hard luggage I think they were called Beetle Bags...?? Good shape, have the mounting hardware will clean up and take pics if anyone is interested. Attached is a stock photo of what they look like. Text me if you like I am in the Nashville area 615-414-3419 Scott

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Yes, Beetle Bags made by Corbin.  I had a friend who had a set on a Blackbird.  They were well integrated into the bike, but not being removeable and the odd shape of the hatch made them a little less convenient for traveling.  They were also very expensive at the time.

Yours appear to be for the 5th gen.  Maybe put a post up in that section?  They won't fit a 6th gen.

They were a great example of form over function...the opposite of the older Givi setup E42/E36 (I have). 

I kept the lid of the 6th gen bags I McGyvered on my 4th Gen.

Here at the start of my Baltics tour after being made redundant in 2016

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You win some, lose some. It is all the same to me.

- Lemmy

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Pretty cool how you made it fit the 4th gen! How did the frame work behind the pannier???

He said McGyvered, so obviously it was chewing gum wrapper, a magnesium bicycle seat post and a hair pin.

Am on the Isle of Man at the moment, back end of next week.

Will dig out some images. The "build" post got lost in one of VFRD's meltdowns over the years.

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1 hour ago, Dutchy

Am on the Isle of Man at the moment, back end of next week.....

Will be there next month for some meetings. Gotta find a "hire bike" and make the lap, visit some pubs, museums and eat supper at the Creg !!!

A quick question regarding the panniers - both OEM and Givi: How do they mount up on the Gen 6's if you've got a fender eliminator or tail tidy? It appears from the photos that they affix to the OEM license plate / fender.

Thanks!

Barry