OEM panniers vs. Givi V35 PLX bags

Part of my debate on purchasing a VFR1200 rests on the luggage. Any input/experience/comments would be appreciated.

I'm a big Givi fan. Love their hard luggage for the durability, waterproofness, and overall quality. (Yes, I know that Givi MAKES the OEM cases, too).

VFR1200 with OEM cases: http://static.blogo....ccessori_06.jpg
With Givi V35 side cases ** (click the small pics to get larger ones): http://www.giviusa.c...A&mo=VFR-1200-F
** Also note above that I will NOT use the Givi mounts, but will use the SW-Motech mounts (see below).

Obviously, the OEM side bags for the VFR1200 look great, and they do not require any additional mounting hardware. But they are hundred more than the Givi V35 bags, and have less capacity as well.

The Givi V35 contoured bags appear to be more durable, and I don't know that I've met a piece of Givi hard luggage that wasn't rock solid and waterproof. The Givi's would also require additional mounting hardware, and I've been looking at the SW-MOTECH Quick-Lock Sidecarriers. These are tubular and mount to the bike with fasteners that, if you want, can be removed completely from the bike in a matter of seconds without even knowing that they were there:
http://www.twistedth...tview/5492/804/

Further, SW-Motech offers a top case rack that would work with my existing Givi E460 top case, in the event that I need more room:
http://www.twistedth...tview/5495/804/

Even with the extra mounting hardware, the Givi setup would come in quite a bit cheaper than the OEM stuff:

Honda OEM sidecases, top case, top case mounting bracket, pad: Best deal I can stroke on the $2,250 MSRP total price = $1,800.00.
Givi V35 cases, quick-lock sidecarriers + adapter plates + locks, top case rack + adapter plate = $970.00
(I have the E460 top case, so to be completely fair when comparing prices, add $208 to the Givi total to make it $1,178.00).

So in my case (pun intended!), my price differential is close to 50%!

No, the V35's don't look as clean as the color matched OEM cases, and they don't use the factory mount points (but I can remove the Givi sidemounts in seconds). But they are larger than the OEM panniers, and I perceive them to be more durable.

So the question is: Are the benefits (and drawbacks) of the OEM cases worth nearly DOUBLE the price of the Givi setup? Thanks for any comments.

[image: View Post]roadpilot, on 13 August 2010 - 12:15 PM, said:

So the question is: Are the benefits (and drawbacks) of the OEM cases worth nearly DOUBLE the price of the Givi setup? Thanks for any comments.



I have the OEM side cases and rear carrier, and a Givi universal mounting plate with E55 top case.

The OEM side cases are so damn good that I can't imagine using anything else... especially if I had to muck around with additional mounting hardware. They look amazing and attach / detach in 2 seconds.

The E55 topcase makes up for the shortage in space. Only drawback is I can't key the givi to my ignition key.

Pics and details of my setup in here: http://vfr1200fa.blogspot.com/

[image: View Post]phobe, on 13 August 2010 - 12:50 PM, said:

Pics and details of my setup in here: http://vfr1200fa.blogspot.com/

Oh, I know where your @#$% damn pics and details are ... you've been trying to talk me into this damn bike on the MCADX forums ... (diff user name there) :laughing6-hehe:

phobe -

The side bags are 6L smaller, but that's not a really a killer.

Have you been caught in the rain yet?
How waterproof are they?
Do they have the rubber seals like the Givi bags?

Can you compare the durability of the OEM bags to the actual Givi bag? Overall construction, locks, quality, workmanship.

I can get the OEM sidebags (only) for right about $1,000. The Givi setup for the side bags, mounts, adapters, and locks run about $800. So perhaps the $200 difference is worth it for the OEM side bags, and then I just pick up a SW-MOTECH top case mount and adapter and use my E460. Interesting ...

[image: View Post]roadpilot, on 13 August 2010 - 01:35 PM, said:

phobe -

The side bags are 6L smaller, but that's not a really a killer.

Have you been caught in the rain yet?
How waterproof are they?
Do they have the rubber seals like the Givi bags?

Can you compare the durability of the OEM bags to the actual Givi bag? Overall construction, locks, quality, workmanship.

I can get the OEM sidebags (only) for right about $1,000. The Givi setup for the side bags, mounts, adapters, and locks run about $800. So perhaps the $200 difference is worth it for the OEM side bags, and then I just pick up a SW-MOTECH top case mount and adapter and use my E460. Interesting ...



That'll be Bob then...

No I have not been caught in the rain but I've washed with a pressure washer and no moisture got through. Yes they have rubber seals and they close up very tight.

Locks, quality, workmanship, all excellent. The plastic and fittings on the OEM bags are thicker and harder than the Givi. The mounting arms are very sturdy and work beautifully.

If anyone would like an OEM topcase and brcket for about the price of Givi, I have one I'd sell for $600 plus shipping. MSRP is $1,100. Never used. And I'd even throw in the OEM bag liner to boot. I'll post a classified ad for it one of these days...

[image: View Post]ddr, on 02 October 2011 - 06:48 PM, said:

If anyone would like an OEM topcase and brcket for about the price of Givi, I have one I'd sell for $600 plus shipping. MSRP is $1,100. Never used. And I'd even throw in the OEM bag liner to boot. I'll post a classified ad for it one of these days...


Do you have the side panniers?

Thank you,

anbark22

I have the V35 Givi Panniers.

I try to avoid riding in the rain, not because I'm worried about the bike, but because Houston drivers have a habit of SPEEDING-UP in the rain,and they drive REALLY BIG Pickup trucks.

Last week I was caught in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning storm, with about 1 inch of rain in 10-12 minutes.
Had to slow to about 35 mph during the worst of it.

The interior of the V35s were bone dry.

Also, I've been up to about 120 with these bags, with no wobble, no vibration, couldn't even tell they were back there.

[image: View Post]anbark22, on 02 October 2011 - 09:19 PM, said:

[image: View Post]ddr, on 02 October 2011 - 06:48 PM, said:

If anyone would like an OEM topcase and brcket for about the price of Givi, I have one I'd sell for $600 plus shipping. MSRP is $1,100. Never used. And I'd even throw in the OEM bag liner to boot. I'll post a classified ad for it one of these days...


Do you have the side panniers?

Thank you,

anbark22

Unfortunately, no. They were on the bike when I totalled it and are now owned by the insurance company...

http://www.vfrdiscus...plx-what-color/

roadpilot, I would assume that you've seen this tread discussion already regaring the V35X bags?

I have the V35's and Givi's removable racks... they come on and off in seconds, and everyone (even those with factory bags) say they look great. I like the depth for holding a whole helmet, and although they're wide, it's hard to tell they're there. I love them... and if you shop around, you can have the bags, brackets all you need at your house for less than $800

I have also V35 side cases and the 43 litre backcase. All this with SWMotech removable racks. What I noticed though is that when you install the back rack there is no good handles for the pillion anymore. How have you handled that problem? I am now thinking that should I go to the metal shop and ask them to weld me the handles.

Here is my spin on it. givi is cheaper, the OEM panniers are keyed to your key and the right pannier has a heat shield to protect it from heat exhaust!! Not sure if the givi has it. I also change out my OEM exhaust and used an after market exhaust. This is where I think the OEM bags will win out. Jeff

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the OEM bags are good but way too small, go the Givi, at least for the top box!!!

i have been thinking about getting brackets made up so i can use my Nonfango bags and flog the OEM ones off but i think extra framework there all the time would look ugly.

Everyone tells me that my OEM panniers move around a lot, the locking mechanism is showing considerable wear

It boils down to what you want to pay for essentially the same product. I have the V35's and love them on my 6th Gen. No rubber seals but then any time I got caught in the rain I have never had a leak either and these cases have seen some miles.

If it were me I would go with larger vs smaller and best bang for the buck. I don't care that I could put a larger top case to offset the difference. What I do care about is being able to have the room to carry what I want/need when taking a road trip. But that is what I want and my Givi V35's and V46 top case allows me plenty of room and peace of mind in that area.

It's your money so do what you think is best. After all you are the one who has to live with what you decide. :fing02:

I've got the factory bags (all of them) and they have not leaked.

Here is my spin on it. givi is cheaper, the OEM panniers are keyed to your key and the right pannier has a heat shield to protect it from heat exhaust!! Not sure if the givi has it. I also change out my OEM exhaust and used an after market exhaust. This is where I think the OEM bags will win out. Jeff

The Givi DOES come with an adhesive heat shield for the bottom of the right bag AND they are mounted HIGH (from the photos it looks like the Givis sit about 2inches higher than the OEM bags).

The Givis are pretty wide, but are actually slightly narrower than the OEM bags on my Aprilia Futura (which are also made by Givi, although single-walled, and without a seal.

The ONLY advantage of the OEM bags IMHO is that they are color-matched and same-keyed. Otherwise, they're too expensive and too small. SInce I commute on the Honda every day, I need bags that will stand-up to abuse and aren't too expensive to replace. Givi it is.

I have the OEM side bags, and I REALLY wish I could get my helmet into one. I suppose it would fit in the top box, but I don't have one of those.

Reviving an older thread, but...

Here is my spin on it. givi is cheaper, the OEM panniers are keyed to your key and the right pannier has a heat shield to protect it from heat exhaust!! Not sure if the givi has it. I also change out my OEM exhaust and used an after market exhaust. This is where I think the OEM bags will win out. Jeff

I noticed you have TBR exhaust and what looks like GIVI V35.  How is the clearance?  I have TBR Titanium M5 on mine, which looks a bit different than yours.  I wonder how the V35 would fit?  I have the V35s already but am waiting on back-ordered SW Motech Contour removable rack.  I plan on painting the V35 to match the '10 red, similar to this white VFR.  I have the same E55 top case, but mounted on SW Motech Alu-rack instead, which looks better IMO.

[image: givi-honda-vfr1200f.jpg]

[image: top-case-givi-267fz.jpg]