Question concerning luggage option for 8th Gen

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by Alchemist87, May 24, 2021.

  1. Alchemist87

    Alchemist87 New Member

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    Okay guys, you'll have to forgive my ignorance on this one, but I'm stumped and floored by all the seemingly endless information out there about side bags

    • Lets start off with the soft case variant: I like that they are relatively cheap compared to hard case, but I'm curious about how these things attach to the bike. I get that they typically just get thrown over the seat(or under the seat), but do they just smack around underneath the bike while riding? Are side brackets necessary for these to work? It seems like every picture I see on revzilla, and so on, doesn't have any kind of bracket system in place to prevent the bags from swinging inward(under the tail) while riding. Or swinging out for that matter.
    • Hard case issue: First of all, these things are CRAZY expensive!! Once I do find a system I like, it's "Get this system for this case, BUT ONLY if you're getting top rack." Vice Versa. "Monokey V### only works with GIVI PL###." Vice versa again. I'm thoroughly and utterly confused!!! I feel like I'm running in circles when I'm looking at side luggage options.
    • And why the heck is EVERYTHING sold out for an 8th Gen VFR?!?!?!
    Overall, I'm just looking for suggestions at this point. Like these for example(Link below). I like these! And they're CHEAP! I see no bracket system. What is preventing these things from swinging in and smacking up against each other like a set o' ... Well... I'll keep things "G" rated!

    https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/tour-master-elite-saddlebags?sku_id=1017399

    I'm not going to be on the road for weeks on end. Two day ride here and there, maybe 3, and that's it. I'm trying to find luggage options for under 200 bucks.. Is this possible? Will I have to buy a plethora of mounting hardware just to make something work?

    Thank you all in advance and I'm looking forward to your responses!
     
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  2. philois1984

    philois1984 New Member

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    You could forget the pannier option and go with something like the Kriega dry bag system. Only if you don’t have a pillion though. They secure easily and I think look pretty good. That said I do have the Honda hard cases, and yes they are crazy expensive, but they are so easy to fit and remove and they are lockable. They also look pretty good. In my mind they were worth it. I also recommend the Ohio Mach 5 back pack, very comfortable, I hardly know I have mine on. The only draw back is in very hot weather it makes my back a bit hot and sweaty. D480D7E4-B2EE-428F-A1CD-1762841B83BD.jpeg
     
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  3. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Over the years and several different bikes I went through most of the side case(pannier) variants, so can offer a few thoughts on their relative merits.

    In your price range throw over soft luggage is probably the only realistic choice of brand new kit.

    However second hand OEM luggage does come up from time to time in small adds on eBay, Craigslist and the likes, and some sites can be set up to alert you when something suitable appears which can be a good way for finding OEM panniers as if they are in good condition they can be sold in hours of being listed.

    As for relative merits...

    A dry roll/sack strapped across the pillion seat is super cheap just don't expect it to be there if left unattended for long as anyone can release whatever bungy straps you used to attach it in a few seconds.

    Pannier style - throw over side cases - are normally the cheapest new option - but tend to have relatively limited storage volume. The big downside is anything made largely of fabric may not keep stuff completely dry during heavy rain, and when the bike is left unattended, any stuff inside the panniers is obviously not very safe/secure.

    As for installation - throw overs typically involve adjusting for length and then passing support straps below the seat which is then reinstated to keep the panniers reasonably tight against the side of the bike. After a round Europe trip on my old Suzuki I noticed the straps had left serious marks on the seat and rear fairing panels. In short cheap is not alway ideal.

    Honda OEM hard cases (are made by GIVI for Honda) and tend to be very robust, well designed, waterproof and integrate neatly with the bike - indeed for 7th/8th Gen models, no extra mounting frame is needed as they fix directly to the bike frame. This makes them easy and quick to clip on/off, and have decent key locks ensuring any stuff inside remains secure. If you do buy OEM panniers you will also need to buy a suitable lock set for each pannier which any decent locksmith can then match to work with your bike key. Adding internal soft bags makes packing and loading even easier so if you are planning loads of trips they are worth the investment. If you plan two up touring and need more carrying capacity there is also a matching OEM top box system which bolts in place for the hand grips for the pillion and the topbox then doubles up as a back rest - sort of GoldWing armchairstyle.

    Aftermarket hard luggage (from GIVI, Kappa, Shad, Held... etc) offers most of the advantages of OEM at a lower price because they tend to use a universal hard side case design which can be attached to numerous models with a bike specific mounting frame which tends to be sold separately. Typically the mounting bracket/frame system ends up being bolted (semi permananently) to the bike. The combination of frame and cases means they tend to extend further out from the bike - making aftermarket kit noticeably wider than the OEM solution. When the side cases are removed the mounting frame rather spoils the looks of a bike - and whilst you could unbolt it completely after each use - most people quickly give up on that idea.

    It sounds like you are busy planning trips - so we look forward to seeing a ride report and some photos, as it looks like the usual suspects - Long, Anne Marie and Randy are all hiding.

    Take care ATGATT.


    SkiMad
     
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  4. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    Your chances of getting 8th gen luggage in the right colour and also a great price are about zero.
    Simply put, you will see 10 x as much luggage for the 6th gen than the 8th. The 8th gen is a great bike - my brother has one - but very few ponied up the 2k to buy the luggage set. He's been looking for 3 months.
     
  5. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Hmm - Once again it really is about finding something in your price bracket.

    If price was not a factor, right now HGB a Honda main dealer in Ruislip still has for sale a set of new 2014-2020 VFR800 panniers available in White together with a set of locks. They are listed right now on eBay at £600 so already down a fair bit from the original Honda price (RRP £850) - but still pricey. The weird bit is the pannier has been listed as for a VFR800x model which may be putting people off, but later in the listing they quote the precise Honda part numbers which you will find are also in the official VFR800F accessories catelog.
     
  6. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I know - I told him to buy them.... the same day he got the bike.
     
  7. rhoderage

    rhoderage New Member

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    I have a 6g that I bought 9 years ago and was in the same boat. My previous bike (EX500) had a set of Cortech soft tail bags, the 3 piece tail unit. The bags were well made and fit well, but were generally too small, not lockable-secure, and the straps did lightly scuff the rear tail fairing (and over time I suspect would increase).

    Seeing pics of the VFR hard luggage made it an easy decision... the price was the killer, it was around $1200 at the time (CDN) to get a new set. Plus my VFR is painted white/black... which is a rare colour for a VFR. Iff I couldn't find luggage in white [or even black], potentially add hundreds of dollars for painting.

    I waited and watched ebay / kijiji / marketplace etc for a year and a half. Eventually I found a guy on the opposite coast selling his at a reasonable price... we bartered, and in the end I paid $500 for 2 side cases & racks. Paint in excellent shape, though a repaint which clearly shows blue underneath on the inner edges.

    You cannot go wrong with the factory luggage. Be patient and persistent and you may find a set in your price range. Or if you need them now, pay up and go for it! You will not be as satisfied with soft luggage as you will with hard.

    20180608_163817.jpg
     

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  8. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    As I said above, you can get 6th gen relatively easily - even if not the correct colour. The 8th gens are an order of magnitude rarer.
     
  9. Alchemist87

    Alchemist87 New Member

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    Hey everyone! I'm overwhelmed with the response that you all have provided! Thank you very much! I will get some photos here shortly for this last weekends trip. It was my wife and I and we took very little luggage with us. 1 tank bag and 1 backpack was all we used and that worked relatively well. We will, however, need to invest in better, and more spacious, luggage options for future, and longer, rides that we plan to take. Thank you again for all the info!!
     
  10. Alchemist87

    Alchemist87 New Member

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    Hey guys! Here's a few action shots from the weekend trip. Courtesy of Killboy Photography who is a known photographer around the Tail of the Dragon.
     

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  11. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Great photos - Before seeing those photos I never realised just how close the exhaust/belly pan is to touching down. Obviously being two up will reduce the ground clearance a bit. Perhaps you may need to up the pre-load if you intend a lot of two up touring especially when carrying a heap of luggage.
     
  12. Alchemist87

    Alchemist87 New Member

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    It gets close! HA! I've yet to have any concerns though. Maybe the pics are a bit misleading.
     
  13. Alchemist87

    Alchemist87 New Member

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    On a side note: I'm looking at this set right here(link below)

    https://www.shadusa.com/collections/sh36/products/sh36-side-cases

    It says that its for the VFR800X Crossrunner... Does anyone have any information concerning the similarities between the VFR800F and the 800X? Obviously, the 800X is more of an "Adventure" variant of the VFR line, but are the tail sections similar enough to where I could install these bags with no additional fabrication needed?
     
  14. philois1984

    philois1984 New Member

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    Looking at photos of the two bikes it appears the lower mounting point is longer on the 800f. Also not sure the top mounting points look the same but it’s hard to tell. Maybe your local dealer could shed some light on this. D2CE0DFB-6734-4EC1-A256-5E38A31F8ADF.jpeg 92213AEE-FAD4-4B7B-B17E-41F8FF369762.png
     
  15. fink

    fink Member

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    Easiest thing to do is to look up Honda part numbers for the cross runner and vfr panniers and compare them. As far as I know they are the same.
     
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  16. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    I agree if we are talking about OEM kit that should work.

    Indeed it is basically what I mentioned in post #5 earlier in this thread - with only the final letter of the part number being different - which following the Honda part numbering convention is simply the colour identifier. So if OEM luggage is all you want, and colour is not an issue, then cases from an X can fit an F and vice versa. In either case you will then need to buy additional locksets and have them set to work with your ignition key.

    I should perhaps mention that I am only working from the following accessories catelogues available in the UK. It is possible things may be different in North America:

    http://www.lifford-cooke.com/motorbiking/documents/VFR800F accessories.pdf

    http://www.lifford-cooke.com/motorbiking/documents/Crossrunner accessories.pdf

    However the link above is to an aftermarket system from SHAD, which requires its own motorbike specific mounting brackets.
    I guess that if the SHAD quotes the same part number for the mounting bracket systems for F and X models then I suspect they too may be interchangeable.

    SkiMad
     
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