Vfr1200 And Traffic Filtering

Hi all,

I was just wondering...

How hard is it to filter traffic by VFR1200 with OEM panniers on?

What is the total width of the bike with them on? (I guess wider than the two ends of mirrors)

Are Givi V35 panniers narrower then the OEM ones?

Any suggestion for narrower brand of panniers with decent look? (similar to the OEM and V35)

Thanks.

Hi all,

I was just wondering...

How hard is it to filter traffic by VFR1200 with OEM panniers on?

What is the total width of the bike with them on? (I guess wider than the two ends of mirrors)

Are Givi V35 panniers narrower then the OEM ones?

Any suggestion for narrower brand of panniers with decent look? (similar to the OEM and V35)

Thanks.

I shall let you know next week.

We're off on an annual get-together in Harrogate and will no doubt have to filter up the A1.

Just take care when filtering, because the panniers are a lot wider than the outside of the mirrors, that's why the Police VFR1200's have slimmer cases on than stock VFR1200's.

I lane split (as we call it in Cali) quite a bit. No problem really as long as you're aware of the extra width...almost exactly 4" (100mm) per side. I've found if you use the mirrors as a gauge, and add a bit of clearance, you'll fit. There was an earlier post on this, which included a picture showing a string running parallel from the mirror edge back to the pannier, giving a visual on the pannier width. You can read up on it here: http://www.vfrdiscus...h-oem-panniers/

Yes they are a bit wider than the mirrors but are a nice snug fit and I suspect more narrow that after market luggage. I haven't found them a problem to filter with but of course you do need to remember they're there :laugh:

Biggest problem I have with filtering is when the Mrs. is on the back. She absolutely hates filtering and gives me constant 'acceptable speed' bulletins :rolleyes:

Darn, unfortunately in Virginia it is illegal...

Top case only is much easier to negotiate through dense traffic, even if you don't filter.

V35 is just slightly wider than OEM. +1 on a top case.

When filtering thru on stopped traffic, proceed with extreme caution. I went down once, when someone opened the passenger door.

good way to lose a leg

Just take care when filtering, because the panniers are a lot wider than the outside of the mirrors, that's why the Police VFR1200's have slimmer cases on than stock VFR1200's.

Any idea where can I find panniers fitted on Police VFR1200's?

[image: 7382439732_ecbdeaef48_b.jpg]

I have Givi's, and I don't think I would be lane splitting! !!

Just take care when filtering, because the panniers are a lot wider than the outside of the mirrors, that's why the Police VFR1200's have slimmer cases on than stock VFR1200's.

Any idea where can I find panniers fitted on Police VFR1200's?

[image: 7382439732_ecbdeaef48_b.jpg]

Its ok to put the smaller lids on the panniers, but you won't be able to carry hardly anything in them, it would be a total waste of time. Lets face it the police are not likely to be going away on holiday on their VFR1200's are they. :smile2:

What windscreen is that? Anyone any ideas?

What windscreen is that? Anyone any ideas?

+4

I lane share in NYC traffic almost every day with my 8th gen, which may be about as wide, I'm not sure. The first day I had the bike I was navigating around a bus, felt the back of the bike jump several inches sideways, ended up with a big black mark from the bumper of the bus. Now I remember I need to turn like I'm driving a pick-up with duallies.

The cases make the bike wider than a Gold Wing and yeah, add a couple of inches to the mirrors and if you're trying to avoid an open car door, swing really really wide or else. DAMHIK. Good news is now I have cases without those fugly reflectors. :)

Corbin has slim lids for the C14.  Dunno if they have them for VFR1200.

I need to paint the lower legs of my screen black like that.

I just don't filter with the panniers. I will occasionally split the lanes when traffic is stopped and I'm severely overheated, but otherwise will just wait it out. With just the topcase, it's no different than with any other bike, although I haven't been in Cali for a while, and never on a VFR12 while there...

- Dan

They somehow look like Honda Integra's side cases to me...

Corbin has slim lids for the C14.  Dunno if they have them for VFR1200.
 
 
I need to paint the lower legs of my screen black like that.

And the edge trim is a nice touch too. I think both will be on my weekend To Do list.

BTW, are those vents on the front fender?

Corbin has slim lids for the C14.  Dunno if they have them for VFR1200.

I need to paint the lower legs of my screen black like that.

I'd rather just buy that screen if someone knows what it is.

Corbin has slim lids for the C14.  Dunno if they have them for VFR1200.

I need to paint the lower legs of my screen black like that.

I'd rather just buy that screen if someone knows what it is.

It looks like my Givi...

http://www.revzilla....CFVckgQod_EcAWA

I'm pretty happy with it.  No buffeting at all.  Absolutely smooth air stream hits me right about eyebrow level.  I'm 5'8 with 32 in inseam...

Corbin has slim lids for the C14.  Dunno if they have them for VFR1200.

I need to paint the lower legs of my screen black like that.

I'd rather just buy that screen if someone knows what it is.

It looks like my Givi...

http://www.revzilla....CFVckgQod_EcAWA

I'm pretty happy with it.  No buffeting at all.  Absolutely smooth air stream hits me right about eyebrow level.  I'm 5'8 with 32 in inseam...

Nope that's not the Givi. Had one on my bike until recently and there is one now on my wife's 2012. The Givi is taller than the one on the cop bike and the cop bike shield has angles as it comes around. The Givi is oval the whole way through. The one thing they have in common is that rubber lip around the edge.

Being that it is the Special Escort Group of the Metropolitan Police, they probably went with the PowerBronze screen.  The lip contour fits.

Don't think I'd want to buy yet another screen just to have the lower painted.  Might not be a bad idea for those looking to buy an aftermarket screen.

[image: 7382439732_ecbdeaef48_b.jpg]

[image: 51VvkgrPJsL._SX425_.jpg]

What about some pictures of your VFR in Dubai?

Palm trees,

Desert,

Camels,

Sky scrapers

The works!  :beer:

a tinted Zero G shield is cheaper than the OEM replacement

What about some pictures of your VFR in Dubai?

Palm trees,

Desert,

Camels,

Sky scrapers

The works!  :beer:

I don't think there is any, but mine is in its way waiting to be loaded in NJ port, it should arrive late June. :warranty:

Loading my VFR1200
Loading my VFR1200

Not to question your ability to load a motorcycle safely onto a truck/van... but that right there has the makings of the next YouTube "Motorcycle Loading Fail" video.  :happy:   :beer:

Not to question your ability to load a motorcycle safely onto a truck/van... but that right there has the makings of the next YouTube "Motorcycle Loading Fail" video.  :happy:   :beer:

I was not there while pick up, I am 7000+ miles away , Just let them deliver it to me saftly. :wheel:

Lane splitting is a particular skill set you learn living in California, not for the faint of heart but I doubt I would ride much if I couldn't do it in slow or stopped traffic. Side bags make tight filtering in the city difficult on any bike but out on the freeways I see folks here in Cali lanesplitting on Goldwings when there is room. Someone mentioned it's a good way to lose a leg which is kinda ironic, it's not like riding a motorcycle is a safe undertaking to start with. Done properly lanesplitting will save time and decrease the chances of being rear ended in the city. The CHP endorse the practice and have released guidelines on how to split safely. Those guys split all day everyday on big wide bikes very, very well.

My bad... apparently calling a governor a "venomous festering c**t" and "hope her spine fuses" is perfectly acceptable in these forums.  Duly noted, for the record. 

Ride on.

My bad... apparently calling a governor a "venomous festering c**t" and "hope her spine fuses" is perfectly acceptable in these forums.  Duly noted, for the record. 

Ride on.

Thank you for having taken the effort to verify this.

At least keep the name calling to polite social conversation protocol. This is a family oriented discussion group.

Please.

I don't like lane splitting or filtering. I have to be on high alert.

It can be pretty tight in places. I'd rather ride the minimal traffic mountain twisties.

A while back I had 3 days of continuing education classes to do near LAX.

Coming from the Valley the best route was the infamous 405.

Took about 45 minutes each way on the bike for 2 days.

On the third I took the cage and drive time doubled. 

Shoulda took the VFR. :wink:

In a few weeks I plan a trip to AR. Planning to try and avoid that kind of traffic.

But if not, I may filter through. Doubt my CA plate will help if I'm stopped. Oh Vell. :squid:

I don't like lane splitting or filtering. I have to be on high alert.

It can be pretty tight in places. I'd rather ride the minimal traffic mountain twisties.

A while back I had 3 days of continuing education classes to do near LAX.

Coming from the Valley the best route was the infamous 405.

Took about 45 minutes each way on the bike for 2 days.

On the third I took the cage and drive time doubled. 

Shoulda took the VFR. :wink:

In a few weeks I plan a trip to AR. Planning to try and avoid that kind of traffic.

But if not, I may filter through. Doubt my CA plate will help if I'm stopped. Oh Vell. :squid:

I hear it's hot there this time of year. Maybe you can write about it in the Good Luck Stories thread when you get back. :)

My bad... apparently calling a governor a "venomous festering c**t" and "hope her spine fuses" is perfectly acceptable in these forums.  Duly noted, for the record. 

Ride on.

Thank you for having taken the effort to verify this.

No need to thank me.

I'm not sure whether I'd filter if it were legal here, but I'd be tempted.  I haven't had to commute any distance to work for more than a decade, but in that time traffic into and out of the city--despite more lanes on the freeway and bridges--has slowed to a crawl.  It's gridlock at certain times in the morning and afternoon "rush."  Traffic in the city and the suburbs is also at a standstill at times. There are those here now lobbying for "lane filtering."  (Notice how, in typical Canadian fashion, we've taken the U.S. "lane splitting" and the British "filtering" and come up with a third term ...)  Apparently London is frequently gridlocked and filtering is well established there.  There are a couple of moto "vloggers" I check out from time to time on Youtube who take filtering to a high art.  My favourite is Royal Jordanian.  He posts frequently and doesn't talk much.  Here's a recent vid:

[video: https://youtube.com/embed/Lpb2ryMUjU0?html5=1&fs=1]

Another is Baron Von Grumble who talks non-stop while filtering, often about nothing to do with motorcycles.  He works a bit blue and sometimes whines (whinges) excessively, but he is hilarious.  Here's an older vlog in which he discusses his filtering philosophy:

[video: https://youtube.com/embed/nJy10pBhJCw?html5=1&fs=1]

I don't like lane splitting or filtering. I have to be on high alert.

It can be pretty tight in places. I'd rather ride the minimal traffic mountain twisties.

A while back I had 3 days of continuing education classes to do near LAX.

Coming from the Valley the best route was the infamous 405.

Took about 45 minutes each way on the bike for 2 days.

On the third I took the cage and drive time doubled. 

Shoulda took the VFR. :wink:

I'd rather ride the minimal traffic mountain twisties too.  The problem is that to reach those mountain twisties I first have to deal with miles of gridlock, hell and mayhem, and then deal with more of that on the way back.

Lane sharing is not for everyone.  It is a demanding activity.  But even where it's legal and even expected and provided for, it's not required.

While lane sharing and filtering is not legal here in NYC, in recent years fellow motorists here have become exceptionally, delightfully cooperative.

Sometimes they too ride.  Sometimes it's because people genuinely want to be nice, know that stop-and-go traffic is an uncomfortable and dangerous suck-fest for us and fully understand it won't impact them in the least.  Sometimes it's because they're nervous nellies who don't like having such vulnerable people and machines nearby and just want us to be elsewhere.  And sometimes it's because they don't want to take any chances on getting their ultimate driving machines scratched up by an incompetent squid.

The side cases on my 8th gen have definitely curtailed some of my lane sharing.  They do make the bike wide in the back and are not nearly as forgiving of contact as my old color matched RKA saddle bags.  And the lane spacing is not as generous here as it is elsewhere.