Beetle Bags, GIVI, HondaLine?

Hello All;

I'm looking at hard luggage options for my Yellow Y2, and it seems like these names come up alot. My Local Honda shop is so lame at providing info on HondaLine, that I'm not likely to go that route.

Can I add the beetle bags and a GIVI top box?
Or is better to go all GIVI?
The beetle bags look nice but OUCH are they $$$$.

I'd like to hear from both camps, before I part with the $$$
Thanks

 

Beetle Bags are all looks. If you don't need much storage space then they are probably your best bet. Problem is, they aren't readily removed from the bike & any piece of scum with a screwdriver can get into them in 5 seconds.

If you actually want functionality, meaning you can pop the bag off & carry it inside, Givi is your only real choice for hard luggage on a Y2K.

These are more likely than not going to be my Xmas present:
http://www.givi.it/caschi_borse_bauli_accessori.asp?CO_ID=39

KC-10 FE out...

 

Thanks KC-10 FE

Good review of the GIVI. I like the detachable cases. Any comebacks from the BeetleBaggers ?

 

Hello KC-10FE

What color would pick for your yellow Y2K? I've got the same. Will you post pics when you get them? Thanks:smile:

 

GIVI also has a new bag out called the V35. Looks like a variation on the Honda bag. Not sure if they are available in North America yet but they look pretty good. Not quite as clunky as most bags. I found them through a google search. Not cheap though especially if shipping from the UK (420 UK pounds plus shipping).

 

I haven't seen the Bettle bags in Person for the VFR, but I have seen them on other bikes. Don't know if my concerns would apply to the VFR bags. I wouldn't get them. The interior shape severly limits their carrying ability. Also the size of the opening on the ones I saw was very small, again limiting their usefullness. They are also I think fiberglass instead of plastic, which isn't as resiliant to damage.
Plus, personally I am just not a fan of Corbin from seat buying experience.
But it will come down to how often you will use them and for what.
The GIVI and Honda are both great. The Honda's are mo' $$ but look a little more integrated. The Givi's are a little cheaper, but not cheap, but look more like an add ons. Plus the Givis can go on any other bike you own or will buy in the future. Making their price more reasonable. You would only have to get the rack for any other bike.
I went with the Honda's, purely for asthetics and they came with the bike.

Spike

 

If I do get them, it will be the E41's & I will definitely post pics. I'm planning a run of the entire Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Parkway next year and my Cortech Sport Saddlebags just aren't big enough. I'm only planning on the side cases since I can't stand how all of the hard trunks made for the VFR hang the trunk way out over the end of the bike. I'm sure this is not good for handling and center of gravity/balance. I never, ever ride with a passenger so I don't need the bag way out over the end of the bike. In fact, I would like it over the passenger seat to act as a backrest for me.

I'm planning on having the silver panel of the bags color matched to my bike & then I having a KC-10 painted on the panel.

This photo only with a F-22 not a F15 or F16.

KC-10 FE out...
:biggrin:

 

I like my beetle bags

I can get plenty o' shit in my beetle bags on my 95. I'd rather carry less shit than look like one of the Beverly Hillbillies.:biggrin:




From good Conservative Alabama.... keeping people down since 1819... Conservatism works! We're # 49!

 

KC,

I'll put in my vote for GIVI, good stuff, very solid, I have owned 2 sets (different bikes).

As far as putting the trunk where the passanger seat is... it isn't that difficult, and is much cheaper. My friend did this to his Seca II and I watched him do it. Before I go into how he did it (rather easy), I must say that it did not work out to be a backrest as he intended... because of the forward lean when riding a bike, the only time he would touch it was at a stop with no hands on the bars.

To accomplish this you need a mounting plate for the Givi, instead of mounting this on your existing luggage rack (that you don't have anyway), you remove your stock seat and drill 4 holes through it (make sure to seal it up so moisture doesn't get into the foam). He had to use a small triangle of dense foam (from an old boogie board) covered in black vinyl to steady it up and raise the angle.

Honestly, it looked kinda weird, but the center of gravity would definately be better. He ended up switching it to a rear rack later and liked it better (also easier to swing the leg over).

Good luck, you will never go back to soft luggage. I did the BRP to Skyline this year, it was incredible, It was the best trip I have ever taken, camped everynight. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

quema

 

I haven't gotten the tail bag for the new VFR yet, but I have had one on my last several bikes so I have a little info on it. For daily driving, if I needed luggage space, I always mounted the tail trunk on before the saddle bags. Just much much easier to use in real life. Open it up, move stuff around, grap what you need, lock it up and you are off. Also, being in CA, I don't worry about it when lane splitting like I would the saddlebags. Comparatively the saddlebags are just more of a pain to load and unload, since pretty much what ever is in them wants to fall out. Not a HUGE deal obviously, but the tail trunk is just easier.
I never put a whole bunch of weight in them though, for obvious reasons. Some books when I was in school, or now my lunch and a few work papers, that is it. I am sure I would feel the difference at the track, but on my commute, I don't even notice the difference. Well, on the FJR, at high speed, the wind didn't like the tail bag, even when it was empty. Just the wind going over the shape made the bike feel a little unstable at like 90-100+.
When I go for fun (read more agressive) rides on the weekends, I don't usually have the tail pack, as I don't normally need it. On the occassion I do need it, it is filled with very light stuff, like an electric vest or differnt gloves, if I expect the weather along the ride to change -- due to route or time. So the weght is negligible.
When I have gone on longer trips, where all 3 bags were used, I specifically pack to put the lightweight stuff in the tail pack rather than the saddlebags. It usually works out too, since that tends to be stuff I want to be able to get to quick if needed anyway, & again the tailpack is easier to get stuff in and out of than the saddlebags. I am talking stuff like lighter and/or warmer gloves, sweatshirt, electric vest, camera, neck gaitor, etc. Also usually a snack bar and realitively heavy bottle of Gatoraide, just in case.

Spike