Hello everyone,
I was wondering what would be better to look into buying first, a seat or some luggage? Corbin sells a combo w/backrest for about $700 roughly and Givi has their set up with E21 sides and a E36 top w/backrest for about the same $700. Im debating only because my 7yr old has done some riding with me in the past on a sportster and a honda shadow both with backrest both no longer in my garage. I feel that the three bag set up will be more secure for him but the Corbin would be better for me. I have other kids that like to ride out to the coast with me in the summer so +1 on the seat upgrade. On the other hand, i commute to work and the E21 hard cases would be perfect for storing rain gear and misc stuffs... so +1 there. I have considered other options such as a sargent seat, but no backrest... so -1.
Anyway I cant decide so i thought i'd turn here to you all for a little feedback. What would you buy first?
Edited January 9, 2013 by 1fatdaddyGet the luggage & send the seat out to be modded.
Tried a Corbin seat with backrest recently two-up. Couldn't wait to reinstall my stock seat. Get the luggage.
No ad but check davidsilverspares for nos Honda hard bags. Scored 6 gen cases for $402 shipped.
I am not sure what your budget is but with some tedious shopping you might be able to afford both! Check craigs list and score a deal on some lightly used luggage for your Gen 5. I have seen them for as little as $300. Some good deals to be had and most of the time they are as good as new. There are always Sargent seats floating around there and ebay as well. There is even one in the classifieds right now that is "like new" for far less than new. I purchased a Sargent for my Gen 5 and love it. My butt is allergic to Corbin seats. You might be able to get both but just be patient. Always good deals in the off season! Good luck!
Liking the feedback guys, thanks. I did think about shopping for some deals on CL and ebay but figured that when i have money in hand nothing would be around. I never did consider buying used luggage. I will be on the look out for it now though. I probably could get both slightly used for about that same $700....
1fatdaddyLiking the feedback guys, thanks. I did think about shopping for some deals on CL and ebay but figured that when i have money in hand nothing would be around. I never did consider buying used luggage. I will be on the look out for it now though. I probably could get both slightly used for about that same $700....
I have a used 5th gen Corbin seat I am going to put up for sale this week in the classifieds. I had it recovered about a year ago by a local seat place. PM if you are interested.
wera803I have a used 5th gen Corbin seat I am going to put up for sale this week in the classifieds. I had it recovered about a year ago by a local seat place. PM if you are interested.
PM'd sir
texasvfrNo ad but check davidsilverspares for nos Honda hard bags. Scored 6 gen cases for $402 shipped.
texasvfr, I checked out the site http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/ and didn't find any bags for the fifth gen. Don't think Honda made OEM bags for gen 5.
1fatdaddyHello everyone,I was wondering what would be better to look into buying first, a seat or some luggage? Corbin sells a combo w/backrest for about $700 roughly and Givi has their set up with E21 sides and a E36 top w/backrest for about the same $700. Im debating only because my 7yr old has done some riding with me in the past on a sportster and a honda shadow both with backrest both no longer in my garage. I feel that the three bag set up will be more secure for him but the Corbin would be better for me. I have other kids that like to ride out to the coast with me in the summer so +1 on the seat upgrade. On the other hand, i commute to work and the E21 hard cases would be perfect for storing rain gear and misc stuffs... so +1 there. I have considered other options such as a sargent seat, but no backrest... so -1.
Anyway I cant decide so i thought i'd turn here to you all for a little feedback. What would you buy first?
On the other hand you can look at Sargent seats for ~$325 new on ebay, used for less. I have a Corbin on my 5th gen, my son has a Sargent on his. We are both very happy with our seats. I use soft luggage becasue I only use it several times a year on long trips.
I was not under the impression that Givi still sold the mounting hardware and brackets for the 5th Gen. Let me know how it turns out.
You cannot overestimate the practicality and useability of a top case. Having a bike without one is like having a car without a trunk. Get one with a backrest, you won't regret it.
There's a set of Beetle bags in the classified section for 450. I'm not selling, don't know what they come with, or the condition, but that's an option.
My brother has a 5th gen with Corbin seat and the backrest, and both he and his SO love it!
joneillI was not under the impression that Givi still sold the mounting hardware and brackets for the 5th Gen. Let me know how it turns out.
They do actually. I emailed them asking for a quote. This was their reply.
Thank you for contacting GIVI motorcycle accessories. We appreciate the interest you have shown in
our products. Please see all options listed below.
VFR800 98-01
FZ257 Topcase mounting hardware $178.00
PL257 & FZ257 Sidecase mounting hardware $341.00
PL257 & FZ257 Three case mounting hardware $341.00
The V35 will not fit this hardware.
Orders can be placed through your local motorcycle/accessories dealer.
Best Regards,
GIVI USA
I have been a Cobin fan in the past & I bought one with backrest again for my VFR so my daughters could ride with me. While I don't hate it, I certainly don't like is as much as my past Corbins. I say get the luggage.
My wife and my girls all like the secure feeling of a topcase with a backrest behind them. The nice thing about the Givi topcase is that it easily transfers to any bike that has luggage rack. All you have to buy is a relatively inexpensive mounting plate. I also have a Sargent seat on both bikes and really like that for comfort under the buns. Any funds left over can go to getting any missing gear for your little one...
I've had a Corbin seat and Beetle Bags on my bike for many years. My GF bought her own 2000 VFR, so rear passenger comfort isn't nearly as important to me anymore. I've used a backrest with the Corbin seat and I've also used a Givi trunk with a backrest pad on it before.
Her comments were the Corbin backrest sat a little further forward on the bike, giving less passenger room, but was comfortable. The trunk sat back giving more room, but seemed to bounce when hitting bumps. If she wasn't leaning back against the pad, it would hurt after a while. Normally she would lean slightly forward, so really didn't care for the trunk. The Corbin backrest was ultimately more comfortable for her.
Grayv3Get the luggage & send the seat out to be modded.
Agreed. Personally I would spend the cash on the luggage you want. I just had my stock seat modded by Spencer Seat Mods and it turned out great. I had him add the Supracor layer and the difference is amazing. It was only $75 for the work plush shipping to and from Florida....so roughly $100 total. Great deal!
LUGGAGE! I had a Corbin and luggage for my 4th gen and the luggage was one of the most useful things I did to that bike over the ten years I owned it. I sold the Corbin to another member here because it was NOT comfy at all for me. It felt like a 2x6 between my legs and angled my jewels right into the tank. My wife asolutely hated it because the passenger section was angled sharply toward me and she spent her whole day pushing back up to where she was suppose to be. I'm not sure if it was the steeper angle of the seat design or the slick leather surface but we got rid of that after just two long rides. The first thing I bought for my '07 when I bought it this past fall was a Givi trunk. Momma likes the backrest and I like the storage.
Get whatever seat you find comfortable. You'll either love or hate Corbin. The stock 5th gen seat is actually pretty good in my opinion. I got a Sargent 6th gen seat for 1/2 price because packing peanuts melted to the seat. Took an hour or two to get it back to perfect.
Make sure you get the Wingrack II with the crossbar if you go for GIVIs. Not sure what SW Motec has to offer. Hepco Becker offers racks for every honda bike ever made except the 90-09, excluding the crossrunner and crosstourer.
I acually just recovered my stock seat about two weeks ago. It suits me. I'm going to go for the luggage set. I can't find the wingrack kit for the 5th gen anywhere. Seems like everyone is out of stock. www.casporttouring.com has the 3 rack for a good price.I think this is what i will be ordering.
http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/Honda_VFR/PL257_FZ257.html
I kinda like the E21N's and the E36NJ from there also.
You may want to think about larger bags. On trips, I keep the top case relatively free, so that it will swallow one or two helmets and gloves at stops. I have a 45 liter Givi top case. I can fill my 36 liter side cases easily, when two up. Here in the desert, I carry lots of water, tools, tire patch kit, oil, inflator, etc. A little closer to civilization, would probably lighten up, but when I'm on roads, where I see another vehicle every half hour, I like to be self-sufficient. YMMV.
I bought a Givi monokey rack about $155, and the large JC Whitney Chinese knock off top case for $45.
Rack was designed for the bike (5th gen), and the case locks onto rack like it was reverse engineered for it. Seems solidly made. :beer:
Sargent's seats are the way to go.
Givi gets my vote.
VFR4Lee
I bought a Givi monokey rack about $155, and the large JC Whitney Chinese knock off top case for $45.
Rack was designed for the bike (5th gen), and the case locks onto rack like it was reverse engineered for it. Seems solidly made. :beer:
So you are saying the JC Whitney knock off case clips into the Givi baseplate? If so, do you have a link for the type of case you purchased?
Thanks.
I seem to remember some past seat discussions re Sargent vs. Corbin. Trend was that larger, heavier butts matched Corbin better and lighter butts favored Sargent. My butt is quite happy on my Corbin. I understand the Sargent also works better for those shorter in the inseam. I only know what my butt knows -- you know what I mean.
Givi, definitely.
gr8vfr
Sargent's seats are the way to go.
Givi gets my vote.
I have both. I think both fit me about the same.
Sargent's customer service is far superior to Corbin.
I had to give up on Corbin, for twenty years they were my perferred seat.
I got my first Corbin for a 1987 Hurricane 1000F and have had about a dozen Corbins since but recently, NO WAY!!!
I went through the same thought process few days ago and decided to get the OEM side bags and top case for my 6th gen. The seat is next on my list, probably next year.
I use my bike mainly for commuting, so it is convenient for me to have the bags so that I can pick up some stuff and don't have to take the car out to go to the near by grocery store. This gives me more opportunity to ride my bike :)
I also thought about getting the soft bags and the seat, but I like the looks of the hard bag and with the top box back rest, my wife can be comfortable if she wants to ride with me.
2thdr
VFR4Lee
I bought a Givi monokey rack about $155, and the large JC Whitney Chinese knock off top case for $45.
Rack was designed for the bike (5th gen), and the case locks onto rack like it was reverse engineered for it. Seems solidly made. :beer:
So you are saying the JC Whitney knock off case clips into the Givi baseplate? If so, do you have a link for the type of case you purchased?
Thanks.
Exactly. Snaps and locks. They must have bought a Givi and made a mold from it or something. At least the bottom where it connects to the Givi base plate, cuz it locks on and off easy, but while on it's not going anywhere.
Went through 100 mile ride of twisties, with getting in and out of town, and a bit of freeway Sunday. Got up to about 85 - 90 actual, 100+ indicated a few times. No vibration, no feeling of wind catching it or weird aerodynamics, no problem throwing a leg over the bike like with a tail bag on the back seat. If I didn't see the corners of it in the mirrors, wouldn't now it was there. I would like to compare it to a Givi box side by side, can't be as nice. Bought a VFRD button off Cafe Press to replace the iron cross, and a 30" roll of reflective Duck tape from Waldomart to go under the long red not reflective lens for $3. Only a short test and still have to do those mods, but so far so good. :wink:
It is item # 277022 in case link no workee.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/22-1/2in-w-x-16-1/2in-l-x-11in-h-large-matte-black-travel-trunk/p2010969.jcwx?skuId=346517&filterid=d59528y1998j1u0
Just sold my corbin beatle bags to a member here. I loved the looks fit. They literally looked like a stock 5th gen hard bags should look. If they were detachable I would likely have kept them. I have one of Ken's Solo Racks and a top case. I find that and a decent size tank bag will get you through most weekend ride situations carefully packed. I've taken a full two changes of clothes a 1 man tent and sleeping bag and inflatable twin mattress with some creative bungee work. Top case is the hot ticket. Key removable luggage is the only way to go IMO.
I've gone through two corbin seats. Extremely well made. Butt for comfort the Sargent seat is the best of the two for my money.
Top case is the hot ticket. Key removable luggage is the only way to go IMO.
Forgot to add, wish I had one of these when I had no cage, only a bike.
Some loaves of bread would have not got squished,
and a few things that slipped free of the bungees over the years might still be in my possession. :goofy:
VFR4Lee Bought a VFRD button off Cafe Press to replace the iron cross, and a 30" roll of reflective Duck tape from Waldomart to go under the long red not reflective lens for $3.
That's kind of stupid on their part. Are you saying that it is a reflector but not very good or it is merely decorative and no reflective properties?
Does that lens pop off and go back on with the tape under it relatively easy?
marriedman
VFR4Lee Bought a VFRD button off Cafe Press to replace the iron cross, and a 30" roll of reflective Duck tape from Waldomart to go under the long red not reflective lens for $3.
That's kind of stupid on their part. Are you saying that it is a reflector but not very good or it is merely decorative and no reflective properties?
Does that lens pop off and go back on with the tape under it relatively easy?
Do you have any recommendations for a good reflective tape? I just bought the OEM Red hard side cases and want to put some reflective tape.
Yes, the red lense on the JC Whiney trunks is just that, a red lense with a strip of white paper underneath. IIR, there are just a few small phillips head screws that hold the lense on the trunk. Remove the lense, put some reflective tape in place of the paper and replace the lense. I did this on my last VFR and painted the nasty dull orange strip that runs around the front of the trunk, level with the lense. I used a satin black Krylon rattle can and it was a good match with the rest of the case. I also mounted it using a Ventura Pack Rack with the tall hoop removed and the JC Whiney mounting plate attached. It all worked fine for me for 3 cross country trips. Addicted2tc has the bike/trunk now but here is a pic of it prior to her taking over.
[image: tn_gallery_581_5735_1608229.jpg]
[image: 100_2127_0012_012.jpg]
2thdr
VFR4Lee
I bought a Givi monokey rack about $155, and the large JC Whitney Chinese knock off top case for $45.
Rack was designed for the bike (5th gen), and the case locks onto rack like it was reverse engineered for it. Seems solidly made. :beer:
So you are saying the JC Whitney knock off case clips into the Givi baseplate? If so, do you have a link for the type of case you purchased?
Thanks.
2thdr, I do believe that the JCW trunk will fit onto the Givi base. This is the link for two sizes of JCW trunks. The one pictured above on my old VFR is the LARGE size. I figured that if I was buying more space, why not go big!
http://www.jcwhitney.com/garage-pro-universal-motorcycle-travel-trunks/p2010969.jcwx?filterid=c14603u0j1
Sounds like a good buy then, at less than half the cost of the Givi B33. I already have a ginormous E46, but wanted something smaller for solo trips.
Mailman has it right. The lens unscrews easily from inside the case, and has white paper behind it.
Black paint on the orange stripe, I like that. :beer:
Was also wondering how soft saddle bags would looks with the hard top case.
Not bad, so thanks for the pic.
I was supposed to post this a while ago but wanted to make sure i actually liked the bags i bought. I do, these things are great! I did get them in early March i believe. I do plan on getting a top box that can hold at least one full size helmet. Meanwhile, I'm loving the warmer weather.
[image: post-26606-0-95550300-1364919913.jpg]
I purchased a medium and a small buttbuffer for my cb 2 years ago, the're great for long trips. IMO I would get the luggage and a set of buttbuffers. My 5 gen VFR has a sargent seat and I still use the buttbuffer for long rides
Anymore people out there with an opinion on Spencer seat reworking? For the $100 cost it's hard to pass up. I had a sargent on my 02 and wasn't a fan, same goes for Corbin. WAY overpriced for minimal improvement IMO
Russell All Day Long seat is going to run me $605 plus shipping there and back. I feel like I am being robbed :ph34r:
Edited July 7, 2014 by 30BonesI bought my givi bags local to save shipping. Paid $220 for two e36's, then bought the sw motech rack from twisted throttle. Best money I ever spent on the bike but that's because it came with a Corbin. : )-
30Bones
Anymore people out there with an opinion on Spencer seat reworking? For the $100 cost it's hard to pass up. I had a sargent on my 02 and wasn't a fan, same goes for Corbin. WAY overpriced for minimal improvement IMO
Russell All Day Long seat is going to run me $605 plus shipping there and back. I feel like I am being robbed :ph34r:
Well I got my seat back from Spencer last night. Looks superb! Got to ride to work today, only 20 miles, but I feel a fair more supported and didn't get into the tank like I did in the past. Will see of the improvements when my wife is on with me. Looking forward to breaking it in and years of enjoyment.
I opted for the Supracore on both sections. Spencer is a super easy guy to do business with and the turnaround was fast. UPS was slow as mole-asses getting it there and back, but the work itself took only a few days.