Honda bags or no

Well here is the situation guys.
I'm looking for a larger bike than my vfr800.
And the VFR1200F is on the list.

But that brings up the question of should I get the VFR1200 bags or not.
I already have 1.75 sets of Givi e360's, that's one complete set, one complete bag (bought on ebay), and the remains of one crashed bag (the bottom slots are torn out).

In my mind then either the honda bags have to be 100X better than the givi's or I can't justify buying them for just the one bike.

So please guys, give me your opinions of the honda bags (compared to the Givi's if possible).

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 24 May 2011 - 10:38 AM, said:

Well here is the situation guys.
I'm looking for a larger bike than my vfr800.
And the VFR1200F is on the list.

But that brings up the question of should I get the VFR1200 bags or not.
I already have 1.75 sets of Givi e360's, that's one complete set, one complete bag (bought on ebay), and the remains of one crashed bag (the bottom slots are torn out).

In my mind then either the honda bags have to be 100X better than the givi's or I can't justify buying them for just the one bike.

So please guys, give me your opinions of the honda bags (compared to the Givi's if possible).


Buy the Honda bags, the fit and finish is far better than anything you'll get aftermarket. But your going to have to pay the extra for it.

[image: View Post]NorthernVFRDave, on 24 May 2011 - 10:48 AM, said:

Buy the Honda bags, the fit and finish is far better than anything you'll get aftermarket. But your going to have to pay the extra for it.


Well I keep hearing that, but can I get some specifics? Are they bigger?, is the interior shape better?, is the case lined? is the locking/mount system better?

As I said I already have givi's that I could just switch between bikes. They are a bit worn, but I can easily get them cleaned up and custom painted this winter, so their appearance is not a major detraction.

I mean the difference between buying the bike with or without the bags is pretty big (even more since I have to pay dealer prices for them as the oem bags would be financed with the bike).

I guess the other thought is what makes them so much better, that I would want to buy them and store them for the trips where I would take the 1200 over one of my bikes? What pushes them into that "have to have" category

The bike has nice clean integrated mounts for the factory luggage. Why would you want to add a big ugly framework to mount aftermarket bags? Also the factory bags will key to your ignition.

Factory 7th gen bags won't fit a helmet, unless you have a very small head.

I love being able to toss my helmet and stuff in my 6th gen bags when I get to work.

[image: View Post]phobe, on 24 May 2011 - 11:14 AM, said:

The bike has nice clean integrated mounts for the factory luggage. Why would you want to add a big ugly framework to mount aftermarket bags? Also the factory bags will key to your ignition.

Okay the factory bags will open with the ignition key, that's a help.

as for the big ugly framework, that goes on and off so very easily and leaves only a couple of tabs.
Here is a shot of just the tabs.
[image: Posted Image]

Add in that those rack mounts run $265+plus shipping (something I can afford outside of the financing) and its tough to justify the OEM bags.

I guess the issue I keep having with this is paying all the money for the honda bags when they will only fit the VFR1200F.
The Givi's I already own fit my bikes and can fit most bikes I might buy.

That was why I asked that makes them 100X better than a set of Givi's. So far the only things posted are the matching paint and the locks are matched to the ignition key.

If you are just using them for trips, I would use the GIVI bags. The factory ones are a ton of money and it sounds like they are smaller since you cannot even put a helmet in them. If you plan to leave them on the bike all of the time, spend the extra and get the factory bags because of the looks.

The OEM bags look nicer (subjective), they are better designed to fit the bike and are less utilitarian (one size fits all - GIVI), but ultimately they are both made by GIVI anyway. So either way you get quality, I just think the Honda bags fit better and look better than the GIVI.

I'd vote with your wallet. If money is no object - Honda bags. If you already have the bags and need only the mounting hardware - GIVI.

Either way it's the best investment for touring and riding I've made for my bikes. Couldn't live without the hard luggage.

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 24 May 2011 - 11:46 AM, said:

Factory 7th gen bags won't fit a helmet, unless you have a very small head.



My Scorpion Exo 200 (3/4 helmet) fits fine in the honda top box, without the liner bag. I sprung for the honda panniers, box, and liner bags for all three. The finish on the hard luggage just adds a whole lotta sexy to my girl who is too (sexy) already. I love that I can undress her for the slim, slinky, and sporty look (without ugly skeletal racks screaming for attention), or lay on the bling and have look forward to whatever I can fit inside. :wub:

Did I type that out loud?...

The top box will fit a helmet (unless you've got a giant grape on your shoulders), and I hear (though I haven't tried) that you can fit a helmet in the left pannier as well; the right is a bit smaller due to the exhaust clearance.

They are NOT 100x better than the Givi, and are most likely smaller overall. The fit & finish is nice though, as is the keying. The top box floats which helps keep things inside from rattling apart probably, but not a big deal. The panniers will fit nice and tight against the bike, nicely integrated into the flow and without sticking out too far. here in California, that's a big deal as I *really* like to be able to split through traffic.

The bags do not have any kind of liner(s) though one is available for the top box ($$$). I actually like that you can't close the bags unless the key is in them, nor can you leave them unlocked (unless you leave them physically open).

...but no, they are not 100x better. if pure utility is your measuring stick, there is no way to justify the price of the Honda bags.

Honda Australia keeps giving the OEM bags *and* topbox away for free with new VFR1200's here. Tells me a lot about how many they're selling.

FWIW, I borrowed some Nelson Rigg soft bags for a trip and they did just fine. Not sure what the retail price is though.

[image: View Post]superfunkomatic, on 24 May 2011 - 01:06 PM, said:

The OEM bags look nicer (subjective), they are better designed to fit the bike and are less utilitarian (one size fits all - GIVI), but ultimately they are both made by GIVI anyway. So either way you get quality, I just think the Honda bags fit better and look better than the GIVI.
I'd vote with your wallet. If money is no object - Honda bags. If you already have the bags and need only the mounting hardware - GIVI.
Either way it's the best investment for touring and riding I've made for my bikes. Couldn't live without the hard luggage.

Well I knew that the both the 6th gen and 7th gen bags were givi pieces, that's part of why I wanted to know what made them so special compared to the Standard Givi models.
As for investment, I really getting the feeling that I should just buy the SW-Motech racks when I get the VFR1200F instead of spending big bucks on a set of bags that will only fit on one of my three bikes.

But I definitely agree with you, hard luggage for a sport tourer is a must. I just did a ride with a bunch of guys from the old VFR mailing list, running around Wytheville VA area. I hit frog drowning rain on the way down and more of the same on the ride home. The guys with soft luggage were all scrambling to make sure that their plastic bag ('liners') had stayed shut and did not leak. I did not even worry, I just carried my two e360's into the room and cracked them open for dry clothes.
Point of fact the only piece of luggage that I had that got soaked through and left me with wet stuff was my tankbag. Even its rain cover did not keep out the water.
I think I'm going to be trying one of those wash in durable waterproofing treatments to see if I can't get it to stay dry.

[image: View Post]Saint, on 24 May 2011 - 02:36 PM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 24 May 2011 - 11:46 AM, said:

Factory 7th gen bags won't fit a helmet, unless you have a very small head.

My Scorpion Exo 200 (3/4 helmet) fits fine in the honda top box, without the liner bag. I sprung for the honda panniers, box, and liner bags for all three. The finish on the hard luggage just adds a whole lotta sexy to my girl who is too (sexy) already. I love that I can undress her for the slim, slinky, and sporty look (without ugly skeletal racks screaming for attention), or lay on the bling and have look forward to whatever I can fit inside. :wub:

Did I type that out loud?...

First off, check the photo I posted above. Can you see the rack mounting tabs?? those tabs (three on a side) each take a 1/4 turn fastener to mount the racks.
takes about 30 seconds to put them on, then you can mount the bags. Its quick and easy to strip the racks off with the bags and have a sleek look.
I use the same system on my VFR800 and when the racks are off, no one notices the three tabs.

[image: View Post]ZenMoto, on 24 May 2011 - 03:22 PM, said:

The top box will fit a helmet (unless you've got a giant grape on your shoulders), and I hear (though I haven't tried) that you can fit a helmet in the left pannier as well; the right is a bit smaller due to the exhaust clearance.
They are NOT 100x better than the Givi, and are most likely smaller overall. The fit & finish is nice though, as is the keying. The top box floats which helps keep things inside from rattling apart probably, but not a big deal. The panniers will fit nice and tight against the bike, nicely integrated into the flow and without sticking out too far. here in California, that's a big deal as I *really* like to be able to split through traffic.
The bags do not have any kind of liner(s) though one is available for the top box ($$$). I actually like that you can't close the bags unless the key is in them, nor can you leave them unlocked (unless you leave them physically open).
...but no, they are not 100x better. if pure utility is your measuring stick, there is no way to justify the price of the Honda bags.

Well as for functionality, my bags also require the key to close and also the key to remove them from the mounts, so that is not a honda only feature.
Also, I can run either bag on either side, so while my last full face helmet just fit in the givi's I could put it on either side.
Also, if I get the correct adapters, I could always add the third e360 as a topcase to the rack I have for random packages and a better passenger grab rail.
I don't run a topcase though, and I doubt that I will.

So thanks for the input guys, looks like I'll be calling twistedthrottle for the racks as soon as I get the new bike home.

I have the SW Motech EVO racks on my KLR and they are slick. They do literally take a minute to remove. Use the extra money for other farkles or on your trip.

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 24 May 2011 - 10:07 PM, said:

[image: View Post]superfunkomatic, on 24 May 2011 - 01:06 PM, said:

The OEM bags look nicer (subjective), they are better designed to fit the bike and are less utilitarian (one size fits all - GIVI), but ultimately they are both made by GIVI anyway. So either way you get quality, I just think the Honda bags fit better and look better than the GIVI.
I'd vote with your wallet. If money is no object - Honda bags. If you already have the bags and need only the mounting hardware - GIVI.
Either way it's the best investment for touring and riding I've made for my bikes. Couldn't live without the hard luggage.

Well I knew that the both the 6th gen and 7th gen bags were givi pieces, that's part of why I wanted to know what made them so special compared to the Standard Givi models.
As for investment, I really getting the feeling that I should just buy the SW-Motech racks when I get the VFR1200F instead of spending big bucks on a set of bags that will only fit on one of my three bikes.

But I definitely agree with you, hard luggage for a sport tourer is a must. I just did a ride with a bunch of guys from the old VFR mailing list, running around Wytheville VA area. I hit frog drowning rain on the way down and more of the same on the ride home. The guys with soft luggage were all scrambling to make sure that their plastic bag ('liners') had stayed shut and did not leak. I did not even worry, I just carried my two e360's into the room and cracked them open for dry clothes.
Point of fact the only piece of luggage that I had that got soaked through and left me with wet stuff was my tankbag. Even its rain cover did not keep out the water.
I think I'm going to be trying one of those wash in durable waterproofing treatments to see if I can't get it to stay dry.

[image: View Post]Saint, on 24 May 2011 - 02:36 PM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 24 May 2011 - 11:46 AM, said:

Factory 7th gen bags won't fit a helmet, unless you have a very small head.

My Scorpion Exo 200 (3/4 helmet) fits fine in the honda top box, without the liner bag. I sprung for the honda panniers, box, and liner bags for all three. The finish on the hard luggage just adds a whole lotta sexy to my girl who is too (sexy) already. I love that I can undress her for the slim, slinky, and sporty look (without ugly skeletal racks screaming for attention), or lay on the bling and have look forward to whatever I can fit inside. :wub:

Did I type that out loud?...

First off, check the photo I posted above. Can you see the rack mounting tabs?? those tabs (three on a side) each take a 1/4 turn fastener to mount the racks.
takes about 30 seconds to put them on, then you can mount the bags. Its quick and easy to strip the racks off with the bags and have a sleek look.
I use the same system on my VFR800 and when the racks are off, no one notices the three tabs.

[image: View Post]ZenMoto, on 24 May 2011 - 03:22 PM, said:

The top box will fit a helmet (unless you've got a giant grape on your shoulders), and I hear (though I haven't tried) that you can fit a helmet in the left pannier as well; the right is a bit smaller due to the exhaust clearance.
They are NOT 100x better than the Givi, and are most likely smaller overall. The fit & finish is nice though, as is the keying. The top box floats which helps keep things inside from rattling apart probably, but not a big deal. The panniers will fit nice and tight against the bike, nicely integrated into the flow and without sticking out too far. here in California, that's a big deal as I *really* like to be able to split through traffic.
The bags do not have any kind of liner(s) though one is available for the top box ($$$). I actually like that you can't close the bags unless the key is in them, nor can you leave them unlocked (unless you leave them physically open).
...but no, they are not 100x better. if pure utility is your measuring stick, there is no way to justify the price of the Honda bags.

Well as for functionality, my bags also require the key to close and also the key to remove them from the mounts, so that is not a honda only feature.
Also, I can run either bag on either side, so while my last full face helmet just fit in the givi's I could put it on either side.
Also, if I get the correct adapters, I could always add the third e360 as a topcase to the rack I have for random packages and a better passenger grab rail.
I don't run a topcase though, and I doubt that I will.

So thanks for the input guys, looks like I'll be calling twistedthrottle for the racks as soon as I get the new bike home.

You already have usable bags so why spend the extra - makes no sense to me. It's LUGGAGE!
Later when you are flush with cash you can spring for shiny new factory ones if you can't live without them.

[image: View Post]majordomo490, on 24 May 2011 - 11:52 PM, said:

You already have usable bags so why spend the extra - makes no sense to me. It's LUGGAGE!
Later when you are flush with cash you can spring for shiny new factory ones if you can't live without them.


that was where I was coming from, but I just wanted to ask those who already bought the Honda bags, just in case they had some super duper not found anywhere else feature.

Later when I'm flush with cash again, I'll get some thing else and be happy.
I'm certain that I can live without the Honda Bags.

[image: View Post]Saint, on 24 May 2011 - 02:36 PM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 24 May 2011 - 11:46 AM, said:

Factory 7th gen bags won't fit a helmet, unless you have a very small head.



My Scorpion Exo 200 (3/4 helmet) fits fine in the honda top box, without the liner bag. I sprung for the honda panniers, box, and liner bags for all three. The finish on the hard luggage just adds a whole lotta sexy to my girl who is too (sexy) already. I love that I can undress her for the slim, slinky, and sporty look (without ugly skeletal racks screaming for attention), or lay on the bling and have look forward to whatever I can fit inside. :wub:

Did I type that out loud?...


Sorry, I should have clarified that I meant the side bags. I forget the exact numbers right now, but the 7th gen bags are much smaller than the 6th. IIRC, the 6th gen bag sizes are 35/45 liter (side/top); the top bag on the 7th gen is 35 liter, same as 6th gen side bag. That explains how it fits one helmet while the 6th gen top case fits 2.

I have the Honda bags because I use them all the time and never really need to take them off. The LH pannier will take my full face helmets, but not my flip-front.
I would suggest you stick with the Givi if you are just going to use them occasionally.
Al