Hard Bags

What options are available for hard saddle bags for a '98 VFR? Anything? All I really need is a place to put my Dell laptop (10" x 12" I think) for commuting. Room to put a small briefcase etc would be a much wanted bonus. I have my '98 VFR up for sale, mostly because of the bags issue. Is there some aftermarket option that would work as well for me as getting a later model with the hard bags?

 

GIVI bags. They are darn near indestructible, water tight (mine have never leaked even in hours of very hard rain). Some folks think they are pricey, but not really. They will last forever and are just so incredibly convenient! For pics of my 98 & 01 VFR's with GIVI stuff, see here:

http://sfriday.com/present.htm

I now run the E21 top loading side bags instead of the massive E360's. Check the picture of the red VFR at the top of the webpages, that is the 01 with the E21's.

 

Yeah, I just found those while digging around on the net. What is the mounting like? Is there an ugly mess when they're off? Are they easy to mount/dismount? Did you need to modify anything to put the mounts on? Anything else I should know before pulling the for-sale sign and getting these? Oh, and were can I find the dimensions for them? Like I said, I really need them mainly for my laptop, a small portfolio, and misc work type stuff. It needs to be very easy to just pop on and off. thanks - bob

 

Howdy,

Mounting the Wingrack II on the VFR takes all of ten minutes. It attaches where the grab rails attach and to the underside of the passenger footpegs, 6 bolts total. Some people think the rack without the bags is totally fugly, personally, I don't think it looks that bad. It does not stem the flow of compliements from non-riders. However, I find that I never remove the rack. It is just too convenient to have the bag on all the time hehe. You could also go for the solo tail rack. It has a cleaner looking install. Unless you have a giant laptop, it should fit in the E21's with a little padding to protect it. You could almost get a desktop in the E360's or E50 Maxia!!

Get the GIVI stuff from AZMotorsports. They give a 10% discount to VFR list members, just note your membership in the comments section when you place the order. I got all my stuff for about $600 and it was worth every last penny!!

 

Thanks for the tip on VFR list discount. BTW, fugly is a good word to describe the wingrack. I just don't see that thing in my future. LOL Some guy is supposed to come buy my BMW tomorrow. If he shows, I'll probably go ahead and order the E21s and the TubeRacks. What about painting? I'm tempted to use ColoRite rattle-can primer and paint on the lids to semi-match my VFR. Any thoughts?

 

Try www.MandP.co.uk & search for catalogue # 500753, SW Motech fitting kit for Givi hard luggage. Much better looking than the fugly bits, just wish I'd seen it before I invested my hard earned on the wingrack and fitting kit for my bike. Not heard any reports of fit/peformance though.

 

Life is good. I got my shipping notice today! 8)

 

Howdy,

If you paint the bags, I'd sure like to see pics and comments on the results! I know the Wingrack is Fugly, but it has saved the right side of my VFR twice! Once while mounted on my 98 and again on my 01. It is quite robust and can take a beating. It still looks new after two falls on the same side!

Adios,

 

Well, the bags and stuff came in today. The bags look nice in flat black. The mounts are just stupid. NFW that PL257 is going on my bike! Does anyone make an alternative to that, or do I need to fab one myself? All I want is the E21 bags, I have no use for a top box. It looks like all I have to do is bend and shape a piece of 3"x1/8" steel (which I have) and use the standoffs in the PL257 kit. Any alternatives (other than taking a sawzall to the PL257)?

 

Well, sawzall it was! It's actually a pretty nice installation. I just cut off the main arm for the topbox just behind the grabrails. The PO had chopped the fender, and the crossbar was in the way. So I just drilled the crossbar and mounted the plate to that. I'll try to get the pics on my website soon.

 

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That was thoughtful of you moto, but I believe this thread is from 2003. Hopefully the initial poster has taken care of his hard bag issue by now. :smile: