Hard Bags? Why?

Was curious to the hard bag thing I keep reading here. Whats the big deal, hard Bags? why does one like em? what do they do for you? Whats the deal guys? I don't get it. Personally on the 6th they ruin the lines of the bike IMO. they don't come across as being user friendly either, then there's the cost, so what with why one thinks they have to have hard bags? is it a trickle down from BMW owners? Just asking.
Not that it matters as on 4th gen they were not really an options, But I tell you what, those Cortech soft bags in My Opinion are way better than any hard bag could ever be. that and they even look better and come off with out effecting the bike, no ugly brackets left behind. so whats what guys? Thanks :wink:

 

I bought soft bags for 75 bucks to see how much I would use them and to see how much more I would need. So far they have been all I need. I am taking a long trip this weekend-Fri though Mon. This should test them.
I had thought about hard/beetle bags for the look and durability, but so far these cheapo soft bags have done the job.

 

Personally, I love them for several reasons.
1: Large Capacity
2: Waterproof
3: Lockable helmet and stuff storage
4: Great on long trips, easy to take off and on
5: Stable load carrying
6: Givi's V35's look good. They have the same agularity that the bike has.

I ride my bike a lot on longer trips (>10,000 kms this year so far) and cant imagine doing it with soft bags. You can fit SOOOO much more in a hard bag than an equivilant sized soft bag as you can compress the load a lot when you close the lid.

I think soft bags dont look very good myself. My color matched hard bags look like less of an afterthough that dirty old soft bags.

My $0.02

Wesley J

 

I agree w/Wesley. Also, soft bags scratch your paint, the load is bourne by your bodywork, which eventually cracks, the zippers blow out eventually, they are not waterproof enough for those of us who ride every day, they are slow to get on and off the bike (hard bags come off in 5 seconds), hard bags are lockable...

I put a second set of givi brackets on my knock-around Dual Purpose bike and now my hard bags transfer from VFR to D-P bike (in 5 sec) when I want to make a grocery run (OK, so its really a beer run).

Biggest downside is the up-front cost. Looks? I think they look great.

 

I think they actually look really good. They look like part of the bike rather than something added on...
They are very secure.
They are waterproof.
They are user friendly especially if you get the soft bags for the inside.
They act as great sliders... :tongue:
They will last forever unless constantly used for the above.
They match the paint.
They have a large capacity.

I don't like the look of soft bags, they look messy, they look like add ons which they are, I don't think they protect what is inside all that well. I imagine you could lock the zippers or something....

The Hardbag option was one of the purchase reasons for me, so I am full on bias.

 

I've got Cortech soft bags as well as Givi hard cases. The primary reason I got the hard cases was security. Admittedly they aren't as secure as the trunk on a car, but I can put my helmet in one and jacket in the other and be pretty sure they will still be there when I get back. I also got the SW-Motech Quick-Detach racks so when everything is off the bike there are only three small steel tabs showing.

 

I don't like them, but I see how useful they are.
me? I don't do multi-days rides so I don't need them. A tank bag and/or a tail bag is enough for me.
But if I was into multi-day trips, I would get them.

 

I wouldn't trade my hard bags for anything. I think the wife's opinion would be the exact same. Tons of room for 2 people's luggage. They look amazing and are secure and easy to remove. I actually stopped by the Givi vendor at Americade and complimented on how great they were. All the guys I ride with at first made fun them but after a quick demo and 2 days of riding in the rain they were immediately looking for the equivilant bag to fit their bikes!

 

They're cool

Maybe not cool, but they're practical. I am paranoid and the fact that they lock makes me feel good. The factory bags for the '02 and up are very user friendly and they are painted so they look OK. If you do any long distance riding they are invaluable. The trunk looks kind of dumb, but I will probably get one someday when I have a bunch of "extra" money. It too will probably prove very useful. I have a set of soft bags for my ancient CB750 which do work good, but the do F up the paint a bit. Also if it rains and you forget to put the covers on them they will eventually leak and the take forever to dry out. Like'em or hate'em is a personel preference.

 

Get them and you will kick your self in the jimmy for even starting this thread. You will wonder how you ever survived with out them. I can go to a restaraunt and take home leftover with out fear- you can clean the hard bags out with a paper towel. it can rain cats and dogs- your stuff stays dry. Cops don't pay as much attention to you (not joking). The bike handles great with them full. peace of mind that they won't fall off or get caught in your back wheel.

did I mention you can lock your helmet inside!?!? and your jacket and gloves? going to the mall or home depot is a breeze, and you hae space to take stuff home!

 

WeselyJ just about nailed it with the exception that on the older bikes they do kinda look out of place & ghay :ncb:
The use of soft smaller bags on the sportier profile earlier models look much better in my opinion.

The Givi's on my (My daughters now) 6th gen look sharp & match the bike.

But my Triumph Sprint, they came with the bike , & not only match the lines & color the bike is set up with a give-pivit that allows the Paniers (what there really called ) to move a little side by side to help with balance in the turns :tongue:.

I bought the matching trunk that matched & it pivots side by side as well to allow movement of the passenger to lean with you while still using the back rest attached to the trunk.

& again the big plus is there Water :rain: /snow :smow: proof as tested by me personally since I ride year round :vtr2:


Most importantly, I seem to be left alone By LEO's with the Side Paniers on vs with them off, you just don't come across as a punk/racer/squid with them on to the LEO's :tongue:

 

There's also the man factor. I went to Home Depot, picked up a new belt sander, threw it in the Givi's and pulled a wheely. Yup, I'm a man....

Wesley J

 

One thing I really like about the hard sidebags is I can fit a fully loaded good size backpack in there, and then when I get to work, I can just take out the backpack and put my helmet and gloves inside.

I got the hard sidebags, and, after using them for a couple weeks decided I need the trunk too. It increases the versatility of the bike so much for going to work, doing errands, etc. Not that errands are the reason I got the bike, but verses driving the cage on a nice day, I'll take the viffer! However I liked the look of the bike without the hardbags and esp the trunk more than with them on. They are very convenient to use, very easy on and off (though it leaves the naked brackets behind when off.

 

The hard bags are great for long tours and for around town. As well - to paraphrase WesleyJ - they are great for the "girl factor". I can throw my purse in the side case, stop for an errand - out comes the purse and the helmet gets locked up. Wheelies optional.

 

I'd like to see photos of these hard bags in action please, show em with gear, how they open. how they unlatch off the bike, etc. Be great to read a good write up since there's quite a few sold on em. Thanks LOL I'm still not sold on em, doesn't really matter as my 4th gen didn't have a Hard factory option, it's more a sport sport bike anyway, hard to envision that not messing up the bikes lines, LOL just look at those Givis So soft bags for me are working. I just see this as being a very user friendly topic "I'M NOT Bashing Hard Bags!"

 

Here is a start, Hard Luggage - VFRwiki

I also have a bunch "on the bike" photos in my gallery. There is even one with a helmet inside.

 

Hard bags are not for everyone or every occasion, they are just fantastic when the need arises.

Also, porcupine mentioned the trunk. Fantastically useful on longer rides. I stick my rain gear, snacks, extra gloves, clear shield, coffee thermos etc in there for super easy access. My mount puts it right behind me and messes up the weight balance less than conventional mounts.

 

Reading this thread finally made me take the plunge. I order my new oem hard bags on wed, July 3. I will let you know how long it takes.

 

I am a fan of my hard cases. OEM, with the top case just added two weeks ago. I never even considered soft. Last two years I had been riding my brothers R1100 RT with full luggage and it could carry anything and I got used to that. I commute to work 75 miles and occ want my laptop. The side cases were not big enough for the lap top so the top case is perfect. All are color matched Black pearl. Love the look and top case makes for a better 2nd up riding position for my girlfriend who is new to riding, she really appreciates the case being there. Better able to convince her to take longer trips with capacity to carry stuff. Just another 2cents

Al

 

I for one hate the way they look on such a good looking bike.

BUT,
I definitely see how useful and convenient they would be as I try stuffing my little tank bag and then try to figure out how to strap down my backpack now that I removed my grab rails. I guess it really depends on your intent for the bike.

I am a commuter/ weekend trip type rider. On those weekend rides I ALWAYS think there has to be a better way. And I guess there is. maybe some day. For now a tank bag and backpack with a rain cover work just fine for my short weekend trips.