Givi Panniers

[Oilhed]

I know a few of you have the Giivi V35 PLX bags on your R1200R. How would you rate them and the Givi mounting system. Could a few of you posts some pics, including the mounts with the bags off. Also, does anyone have the mount without the trunk mount. I believe it requires another part and may not be as sturdy. I really like the look of these bags on the Bandit and would like to see them on the Roadster.

[WILDPIG]

I HAVE THE GIVI SIDES AN TOP CASES-- HERES THE DEAL-- ULTRA COMPLICATED LOCKIN SYSTEM HELL TO GET USED TO BUT WHEN YOU DO IT COMES AUTOMATIC-- DEFINITLY NOT USER FRIENDLY THE LATCHING MECHANISM. ROOM? SO/SO. THE TAIL RACK IS VERY SOLID AN STABIL AS ARE THE PANNIER RAILS-- BULLET PROOF. THE RACKS -CARRIERS-- THAT THE SIDE BAGS REST ON-- BULLET PROOF--. WATERPROOF-- ALL IN ALL-- NOT BAD-- AN CHEAPER THAN STOCK BMW AN 1 HELLUVA LOT SYTLISH LOOKIN IN MY OPINION.

[mtl-R12R]

I HAVE THE GIVI SIDES AN TOP CASES-- HERES THE DEAL-- ULTRA COMPLICATED LOCKIN SYSTEM HELL TO GET USED TO BUT WHEN YOU DO IT COMES AUTOMATIC-- DEFINITLY NOT USER FRIENDLY THE LATCHING MECHANISM. ROOM? SO/SO. THE TAIL RACK IS VERY SOLID AN STABIL AS ARE THE PANNIER RAILS-- BULLET PROOF. THE RACKS -CARRIERS-- THAT THE SIDE BAGS REST ON-- BULLET PROOF--. WATERPROOF-- ALL IN ALL-- NOT BAD-- AN CHEAPER THAN STOCK BMW AN 1 HELLUVA LOT SYTLISH LOOKIN IN MY OPINION.

I have the same setup, very solid, quality product, and much better looking IMHO.

I personally didn't find the locking system a problem.

Howard

[BobbyLeBout]

BMW has a cleaner mounting system if you ever take the side boxes off.
I bought the Givi hoping they were narrower. They are not.
I have the E35 top box and like the small size. Someday I will own a Givi top box for travel. I only use the E35 when my wife is with me.
The locks do need to be oiled.
My left box had a pint of rainwater in it. The seals do not leak on the bottom. Have not had the time to look into it. I like the boxes and would buy them again.
What I am hoping for is that Givi make a narrower side box. I had a RT with city lids on it and it was great.

[stogiepuffer]

I am hoping BMW will come out with city lids for its present series of bags. I love mine but they don't do much for the aesthetics of the bike. One of my winter projects this year is to look into the narrower lids they sell in Europe, probably will get a set.

[snag]

I've put 7,000K on my 08 this year with about 4,500K on overnight trips. I've got the full BMW set and use all three even when traveling alone (one case full of cold/wet weather gear). I had the locks matched to my ignition key (very useful) and bought the soft liners. The cost was high, but the utility has been excellent; seamless integration with the bike, side cases off and on in seconds and removal of the rack for the top case takes minutes. I can't imagine jury-rigging something else to the bike to save a couple of hundred dollars. I saw a Givi install on a Bandit and the rack for the cases looked like it would be an eyesore with the cases off. One of the nice features of the BMW system is the unobtrusiveness of the case mounts with the bags off. If you are like me and get pissed off with the less than perfect, spend the extra $$ on the OEM cases. The opinion of an anal retentive, procrastinating perfectionist accountant, for what it's worth.

Doug

[Phillo]

I've put 7,000K on my 08 this year with about 4,500K on overnight trips. I've got the full BMW set and use all three even when traveling alone (one case full of cold/wet weather gear). I had the locks matched to my ignition key (very useful) and bought the soft liners. The cost was high, but the utility has been excellent; seamless integration with the bike, side cases off and on in seconds and removal of the rack for the top case takes minutes. I can't imagine jury-rigging something else to the bike to save a couple of hundred dollars. I saw a Givi install on a Bandit and the rack for the cases looked like it would be an eyesore with the cases off. One of the nice features of the BMW system is the unobtrusiveness of the case mounts with the bags off. If you are like me and get pissed off with the less than perfect, spend the extra $$ on the OEM cases. The opinion of an anal retentive, procrastinating perfectionist accountant, for what it's worth.

Doug

I have just ordered a Givi 37 litre top box and fitting at a third of the price of the BMW topbox. In view of what you are saying maybe I have made a mistake in which case I will just have to accept it or sell off the Givi to someone else and go for the BMW one - will post again once it arrives and I have fitted it.

[famousperson]

I've put 7,000K on my 08 this year with about 4,500K on overnight trips. I've got the full BMW set and use all three even when traveling alone (one case full of cold/wet weather gear). I had the locks matched to my ignition key (very useful) and bought the soft liners. The cost was high, but the utility has been excellent; seamless integration with the bike, side cases off and on in seconds and removal of the rack for the top case takes minutes. I can't imagine jury-rigging something else to the bike to save a couple of hundred dollars. I saw a Givi install on a Bandit and the rack for the cases looked like it would be an eyesore with the cases off. One of the nice features of the BMW system is the unobtrusiveness of the case mounts with the bags off. If you are like me and get pissed off with the less than perfect, spend the extra $$ on the OEM cases. The opinion of an anal retentive, procrastinating perfectionist accountant, for what it's worth.

Doug

I agree 100%. Admittedly the cost is high but so is the utility. On my May motorcyce camping trip the bags each held 5 days worth of freeze dried food. That along with a seat pack allowed me to be fully self-sufficient for 10 days!

The bags are totally easy-off and the frame is invisible. I'm glad I made the investment.

[snag]

I have just ordered a Givi 37 litre top box and fitting at a third of the price of the BMW topbox. In view of what you are saying maybe I have made a mistake in which case I will just have to accept it or sell off the Givi to someone else and go for the BMW one - will post again once it arrives and I have fitted it.

Getting your mount equipped to be more suited to your needs is never a mistake. If the order is committed, give them the road test on a couple of trips and see if they meet your needs and you like their looks. If they do and you do then you just saved yourself a pile of $$ that can be spent on some shiny Farkle(s) that you've had your eye on.

Doug

[indigoid]

Interesting. I've been looking closely at the RKA 33L soft bags, they look nice. Would treat them with 3M waterproofing spray and seam sealant rather than waste space with raincovers. Waterproof inner bags helps too.

The BMW hard bags do look nice, and I know from experience with my Dakar that the one-key / easy on-off / subtle mounts thing is nice, as mentioned above in this thread. I also know, however, just how crap BMW's product can be, also from experience with said Dakar. The stock F650GS cases are garbage.

All in all I think the BMW bags are a very uncompetitive package -- the total cost of the bags + mounts + inners is close to 2000 AUD. By way of comparison my MSP Bavarias cost 1400 AUD with inners and mounts and are made of light and strong 6061-T6 rather than heavy and weak plastic

[Phillo]

Givi Top Box arrived the other day complete with mounting kit. Very simple to fit, the existing rails come off - two small brackets are supplied which convert the original three hole rear mounts to a one hole for the Givi rail and the front of the rail bolts on where the old used to. Plugs & covers provided to conceal any bolts and the whole thing looks very good plus my pax has now also got something to hold on to. The Mono Lock system works well - when locked both top box and lid are locked and when unlocked the lid can be opened and the top box removed by pressing in a large red button. Im impressed especially as it only cost me R:2750.00 or $:323.00 or 180.00 pounds stirling as opposed to nearly R:7000.00

[Dan-A]

anyone have links to pics?

[Phillo]

Hi Dan - I do not have pics at the moment because the bikes in the shop see (Firing on One) but as soon as I get it back I can take some and post them if you like.

[Dan-A]

Hi Dan - I do not have pics at the moment because the bikes in the shop see (Firing on One) but as soon as I get it back I can take some and post them if you like.

Cool thanks.