Panniers

Hi all
Has anyone fitted givi panniers to their 8th gen? Am trying to decide between ordering the genuine honda panniers,or going with the givi v35. Are the givis a good fit, do they sit wide on the bike etc etc?
Cheers
Laurie

 

One of the issues I see is the mounting hardware for the Givi units. Whereas the genuine bags "leave nothing behind" when they are removed, the Givi units leave a big, ugly set of braces.

 

I have a VFR1200 and they use the same OEM panniers and mounting setup. In hindsight, I wish I would have gone the Givi route. The are more durable in the sense I don't care if I scratch hard black plastic. I got a scuff right away on the OEM ones and was pissed for weeks. Also, the Givi are larger, cheaper, and can be swapped between other bikes if you own more than one or decide to move to a different one. The Givi mounting kit doesn't bother me though since I can't see it when I am riding.

 

That rack system for the GIVI's comes off real real quick though, so not so bad.

 

That's pretty slick ... been thinking about ways to make my 6th gen Givi racks 'quick release' without leaving an ugly mess behind.

 

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/news...otech-krauser-five-stars-which-to-choose.html

 

None of those reviewed are the rapid racks pictured in ants post btw.

 

Hi Laurie,

I looked at the oem paniers and top box and simply couldn't justify the cost. The local dealer took five hundred bucks off them and I still saved a grand by going with a set of Givi monokeys. (I also went to a different dealer, and got far better service.

V47 top box and V36 panniers, all keyed alike.
I'm very happy with them as they match the black bike fine. They aren't as neat as the OEM product and they do leave the frame on the bike. I can live with that as it's all black and fairly unobtrusive. I know the OEM ones all go off the ignition key but for the extra grand I don't mind carrying a second key in my pocket, as they're all keyed alike, it is only one key.

One of the Givi badges fell off on the way home from the dealer though.

These pics should show the configuration and stand off reasonably well.

 

Profound apologies for treading on holy ground. I will spend the remainder of the week in a hair shirt and numerous self flagellation sessions.

 

Givi customer service is top notch, contact them with a picture of the case without the badge and maybe the receipt as well. I'd wager they will send you the replacement for free.

 

Thanks marriedman, I'll give that a try.

 

Thanks for the feedback fellas, i reckon i will stay with soft luggage for now.
Laurie

 

If I ever get an 8th gen, I think the Givi 35's on a rapid release system combined with the OEM top box setup would be best, though that top box setup is absurdly overpriced.