If you have to pick one...Trunk or Bags????

I don't know what hardbags your refering to but I have yet to have those problems, or hear of anyone with them...
Besides the topic starter is refering to the 6th gen- he wouldn't have the above problems to begin with.

 

I was looking at the same decision about a year and a half ago.
I'm glad I went with the Bags.

you can always get a soft tail bag if you need more space.

the saddle bags are easy to carry, easily fit an XL helmet (on each side)
(or boots/leather pants on one side and 2 changes of cloths on the other)



as far as the brackets,
they are not very quickly removed

they clear my Staintune exhaust just fine.

 

I've got both the factory side and top cases for the RWB. Here's my 2 cents after 9,000 miles with both available to me.

The side cases look better on the bike, and are lower etc... If you are concerned with style alone, then go with the side cases.

If you are going to do track days with your hard cases, worry about mass centralization and race with the side cases. or better, just use a tank bag and don't put anything in it.... less is more. Here's the question for your money....How much sport do you want or need if you are talking touring hard cases? motoGP uses scooters with topcases to tour the track and the pits, that is the only legal way to discuss motoGP with touring luggage selection.

But on my daily commute, the topcase rules - the laptop bag fits nicely without squishing stuff. It is not next to the exhaust on hot days. I don't have to bend over to put stuff in/take stuff out of the case. The case doesn't get as dirty. Stuff doesn't fall out of the top case when you open it like with a stuffed side case... it's like a bucket.

Riding two up, the top case rules again. The side cases limit the passengers foot movement and can make it difficult to put the balls of one's feet on the peg without bumping into the side case. The top case gives passengers a back rest - this was a big deal for getting my daughter comfortable to ride with me. It holds two helmets easily, or my helmet and jacket in the summer when I run to the store. The side cases will hold the same, but I have to open and close two instead of one. Yeah, I'm that lazy.

Since I'm married for the past 21 years, I've stopped caring much about what you think. When I'm posing, I'll take the cases off. The flat tray the topcase mount leaves is good enough to strap the milk crate too if I really wanna look old-school dumb.

I've yet to experience winds that blow the bike around with the topcase on, but never have more than ten pounds max in it while riding. I think the aero dynamics are not an issue at the speeds I've run, one up with the topcase.

Your mileage may vary.

How many topcase haters have run your VFR with sides, top, and both side and top cases? just curious if you have an opinion, or an informed opinion. Show the topcase some love folks :smile: and submit to my overwhelming logic and experience. :wink:

 

One question. How do you split traffic with big ass hard saddle bags that are wider than the front of your bike? For me if you can't split traffic you might as well drive a car.

 

Trunk or Bags

Get the trunk. Mine is a Honda accessory. Sorry, no pics. The trunk is excellent for 2-up riding. It has a back pad for the extra rider. Excellent steel bracket that allows taking the locking trunk off in seconds. It holds 2 helmets and a little space for extras. Yes, it looks a little off, but the VFR was always considered a "Sport Touring" bike in my mind.

If your married, your wife will enjoy the trunk over the saddle bags. A lot easier getting on and off of the bike.

 

Awesome feedback...I talked to the guys at the Honda dealership...I should clear up that the discount for factory items only applied to new owners..I should of made that clear...pretty much if you have not bought a new bike from them in the last 3 months, you can forget a discount. I am not sure if they have old stock to move or it was part of the incentive to purchase the bike. I did by a close out, year old model....

 

Hey KrautBurner! You've installed yours the same way that I installed mine.... yet I'm having trouble getting my plate nice and strait like yours. Did you do anything different, ie make a spacer or anything?

Sorry for the thread jacking.

 

go for bags, look better ,i cant tell any difference bike handles same.
check www.davidsilverspares.co.uk had great deals on oem bags dont always have every colour but worth a try. i found mounting brackets were a pain to install not worth the effort to take them on and off. bags are great water proof and remove from bike easily.

 

PM sent....

 

1. Saddlebags - form, function, looks etc...
2. Trunk - very functional, kind of "out there" which hinders the looks dept.
3. Soft luggage - tank bag preferred (map issues), then a tailpack

Below are some relevant pics of my red 05.

 

Ok, time i added my thoughts on this. It really depends what you're doing. As an ex regular commuter from the south of England into London every day, i'd def say topbox/trunk. The big 45 liter box can hold just about anything, two helmets if need be or other large items. There is the simple filtering in traffic issue to consider, with a topbox you can as the bike is the same size width wise as normal. If you add the side cases then you become much wider and end up scratching them up completely. As to the so called sail effect, thats complete balls, i've been using topboxes for 15yrs and never felt that effect, maybe on a 125 lol.

As to the side cases, great for long distance as you can simply carry more, topbox acts as a backrest for the gf. So to sum up, if you want to commute, topbox. If you want to tour, get all 3.

 

John, could not have put it better myself.

 

Ding ding ding...no more need be said! I wouldn't want to turn my sport-tourer into a top heavy slug with one of those trunks. Plus they look rediculous :caked:

 

Oh and John...love the black bike!!!

 

:wave: You make it sound like the trunk is an oversized silicon chest implant.

 

I have saddle bags and would not recommend lane splitting. They are significantly wider than you think and it very easy to touch them on something when in close quarters. Wouldn't want to do that at 120k on the freeway.

 

Hahhahaha! Maybe if GIVI had an optional nipple insert I would have different feelings? It's gonna' be a long week...

 

I think you mounted the case upside down Reg. Perhaps so it would be easier to read if you hit some gravel on a curve? I salute your innovation, but suggest you switch brands to better color match, such as Bud ;-)