Best Hard bags for 6th Generation

I've read through many posts and there is no clear consensus on saddle bags.

I want to add hard bags to my '07 VFR for the occasional overnight/weekend trip.

My research so far points to either the GIVI cases (generic styles of 41 ltrs each) or the GIVI/OEM style 'contoured' bags.

I feel the generic style cases which do not follow the contours are more practical, but will stick out wider than OEM style.

Please provide any real world stories to support your pick.

Thanks.

T

 

Well, I don't have any experience with any other than the Honda factory bags, but I love them. They hold a full face helmet (of a smaller shell size, mine fits, my friends XL EXO 1000 does not). They have one integrated lock that both locks them to the bike and locks the bags closed (no, the bags don't fall off when you open them, you gotta lift the handle to remove) very well designed and integrated system IMO. They are tough as nails as I have dropped my bike on mine and just some scuffs no cracks or binding or other malfunctions. Brackets are all but invisible when bags are off. Really, aside from the obsene cost for them, I have nothing bad to say about the factory bags. If you have a question I didn't answer, ask away and I'll be happy to hit cha back.

 

I went with the OEM ones as well. I've gotta paint match em but for now they are functional. I've only made a few trips with em an love em. I can fit just about anything except my laptop in them. Installation is a snap, the look is great, they are very secure and very well built. They are bigger than you think by looking at them. I'll be using them daily and for daily use they are probably bigger than needed. One thing I've learned though from my Shadow is that you can never have too much space. For the price you can get used OEM ones, I think they are the best bargain for the best look on the bike. You'll never know they are there when riding either.

 

OEM all the way providing you can get them without breaking the bank. They are excellent bags, quality is good, they look good, functionality is good and above all they act as great sliders. :twitch:

 

I have the factory saddlebags with the trunk. Other than the cost, which knocks you on your butt, they are excellent. As the others say ... you can fit more in them than you think. My girlfriend and I did about a week going down the Oregon coast last year and thought the cases offered enough room for an even longer trip. Mine are colour matched to my bike. I was close to getting the givi cases but I was lucky and found someone willing to part with them used. They are a snap to get on and off the bike. They work great with the mirrors. You do have to watch how much you put in the trunk because the front gets a bit light when you are riding two-up with all the compartments stuffed. I can actually get my 15" HP laptop in the saddle bag when I go to work.

If you have the extra money go for stock.

Not sure how to include pictures ... email me and I will send you a couple of pictures fully loaded while on the Oregon trip.

 

I bought the OEM when I bought the bike. The dealer gave me 20% off list, it was still 800 bucks. I use the bags like suitcases when I travel. Easy on and off when going into a hotel. They take a while getting used to when trying to pack and unpack in the hotel room. The lanyards that keep the bags from flopping open when on the bike make it hard to pack when in the hotel. You have to get used to packing them upright instead of laying them flat. On the bike the lanyards are perfect. The bags open just enough to be easy to load and nothing falls out. Someday I will figure out a good way to unhook and rehook the lanyards. When riding with the bags on, you never know they're there.

 

Went with the Honda bags as well. Hold my lid, a Joe Rocket Carbon. Tight, but it does close. I haven't gone on any real long trips or overnighters since I've had the bike, been busy at the home. They do hold quite a bit of stuff.

 

Honda OEM.............................Work great for me for many years
Hall all type of stuff from every day to multiple days trip.

 

Keager, YOu need to get out more offen perhalf SLO 2010...................lol
This will test your OEM bags if they can stand for a long hall...............

 

I've got the OEM bags, too. They hold a lot (1 12 pack of bottles per pannier), but they do stick out a bit. I don't know if I'd want the bike any wider than it is with the Honda luggage, for what that's worth.

 

I also went with the Honda OEM bags, I got a 20% discount coupon shortly after I purchased the VFR, that made the price $800. The quality is top notch all around: the bags are sturdy, large, and light (much lighter than my FJR's bags), the mounting system is very substantial and very easy on/off, and they color match the bike.

I am extremely satisfied and would make the same decision again.

 

On my last VFR I had the Givi V35 side cases and the Givi E55 top box. The side cases are big and can hold a full face helmet. Top box was huge and can hold two full face helmets and other stuff at the same time. I could have used it as a garage and parked the bike in it at night. You can also get lights for the cases so they work with your normal lights for greater visibility. The V35 do stick out a little more than the OEM bags. They are waterproof. I have ridden in a downpour for 5 hours and the cases inside were dry. ( bugs still make it inside which is strange but are dead. Must get squashed).
I have just bought another VFR800 ( I am not a fan of paying $19200 including tax for the VFR1200, that bike is not worth that kind of money). I have managed to get a set of OEM top box and side cases for $900 so I will get those instead.

 

I also am a big fan of the OEM cases. So much in fact that I am adding the Top Case in the next week or so.

I have a Large Arai that fits in a side case when needed. Hope to use the Top Case for essentials (rain suit, extra gloves, tool case, helmet storage) when on the weekend trips.

 

I got my OEM, cases and stay kit, in June 07 from Rick ROUSH Motorsports for $804 shipped, where the local shop wanted $1600. Except for a little problem here and there during the install (See Post #20), I love the cases and the way the stay kit blends into the VFR's lines.

 

I have the Givi V35 bags. I've had them for 2 years now and they seem to hold up pretty good. I've rode through every kind of weather and have never had wet clothing when I stop at night. Capacity is more then enough for a weekend of longer. Two complaints about the bags are; 1. they do stick out quite far, and 2. the plastic straps that hold the flap when the bag is open is a bad design. The straps are just attached by a small screw into plastic which I found out the hard way can pull out if loaded heavily. On the good side, installation was easy, and the ease of the bag function is great. Unlock the bag, push a button, and carry into the hotel for the night. This ability alone makes my buddies envious of them. Definately glad I bought them.

 

I do not have the bread to spend on OEM bags. I bought the generic bags from E-bay and give racks total under 300 bucks and i think they look great and have held up very well seem to be waterproof also.Yes they are black but I think they look cool, but I like cheap stuff They turn the VFR into a grocery getter. In my opinion you can't go wrong with these generic bags wilburj

 

:bump::bump:

 

My OEM bag set-up!

 

Why thank you Maggot, nice pics man. Allthough, I was kinda ribbin Wilburj cause I wanna see his setup and give the starter of this thread the benifit of a visual for his arrangement as he seems to be in the market for bags. :bump:

 

I know. I just thought I'd throw some pictures up there!