Givi, givi, givi

Anybody on here an expert on Givi stuff?

I'm vaguely interested in getting some hard luggage for the VFR and a mate
of mine has a couple of Givi panniers that were fitted to his Trophy lying
around that he's prepared to let me have for a small consideration, all I
need to do is find the mounting rack for them.

This seemingly simple task has thrown me in to a world of pain, but I'm sure
somebody can help me out here ...

1. I'm assuming that the cases are generic (although I've no evidence to
support this assumption) and that it's only the racks that are bike
specific. Am I right?

2. On that note, just how bike specific are the racks? Most people on eBay
give piss-poor descriptions "750", "800", "pre-VTEC" ... asking one bloke
which model of bike his rack was for got the answer "It's for the F model,
mate". Are the wing-rack and mono-arm rack fittings the same as far as the
connecting of panniers is concerned?

3. Actually, having watched a few eBay auctions come in and looked at the
official prices it seems eBay's a complete waste of time, yes? DK
Motorcycles list a wing-rack fitting kit for £56.75, which seems to be not
much more than most auctions finish at - is there anywhere else worth
looking at?

4. Is there anything else I'm missing? I'm new to all of this pipe &
slipper motorcycling.

Thanks.

 

The most interesting touring-luggage thread I've stumbled across
recently is this...

http://www.rsvzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3255

There's a mention of a Givi solution at post #17.

More importantly - those guys are extremely helpful, even if you're a
Honda rider, like me (and you!)

HTH
ps - I decided on the Ventura solution myself, after some
corroboration from round here...

 

#A pannier that sits right

 

Cheers, I'll have a read through.

Well I am an RSV rider as well, even if I wasn't planning to fit hard
luggage to it.

Yes, but given that it was the offer of cheap Givi panniers that kicked this
off I'll think I'll stick with the Givi line of enquiry until I get either
sorted or sick of the whole thing.

 

Fair enough.
Which RSV do you have?
By the way - an extreme example of the thing that puts me off panniers
is shown at post #23... ;o)

 

No, you're just coming out of denial. P&S has always been your way.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (b.rogers at ifrance.com)
\`\ | /`/
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

The Givi site is worth a browse. I'm fairly sure the panniers are
universal, except for the V35 which uses the newer neater tubular side
fitting. The fitting kits, however, are specific - and vary between
monolock and monokey systems.

If I wanted to fit some second-hand panniers I think I'd take them and
the bike to a reputable Givi dealer and ask them to sort it.

 

A 2007 RSV-1000R

Pah, you've never seen me going away for the weekend, obviously.

 

#something to throw my clothing away

 

Side cases don't use a rack plate, only the top box needs one.

 

Afraid not. Givi's site says Hein Gericke, Kawasaki Newcastle, M&S and
Ken's all do them. I wouldn't say there's much to choose between them
as far as accessories are concerned, so I'd probably go to M&S, being
Honda dealers.

 

The Givi website is very helpful, generally.

If the cases have "monokey" or "monolock" on them then they will be generic
to fit any of the monolock systems i.e. monorack or wingrack

I had a VFR750FJ and later a VFR750FR. I put the same wingrack and E38
cases on both bikes. The only difference being a bike specific fitting
kit. The kits are fairly easy to fit IME.

So, to fit 2 monokey panniers to a VFR750/800 you will need:
1 x wingrack [1]
1 x bike specific fitting kit [2]

The VTEC version has another option, in that they make a set of pannier
rails just for the side cases.

Which model do you have?


[1] older bikes need the older style Wingrack I, which you'll only find
secondhand. The Wingrack has a topbox plate too, so you can use just one
box or add a third
[2] one of 4 according to the website, depending on which model

 

M&S and Ken's are essentially one and the same now, and I'd avoid them
both anyway.

Hein Gericke... I wouldn't waste my time, these days.

I'd go for Kawasaki Newcastle, on the grounds that the lass is in the
clothing and accessories department is good-looking and helpful.
Unfortunately, you'll probably get served by one of the surly blokes
instead.

If you can't work out what you need from Givi's website, how about
giving them a ring instead?

 

... which is why I didn't recommend them. Their workshop, OTOH, is
fine.

That's an even better idea.

 

Aye, good point - it was the girl who served me when I went in to get Emma's
kit and she offered discounts without even being asked. Given that this
Givi stuff doesn't seem to be cheap that could be useful.

 

As posted above, it depends on what model VFR. The latest VTECH version can
use a traditional Wingrack, with integral top plate, or just a set of side
rails for panniers (like many BMWs)

For all other VFRs, Givi only supply a fitting kit for a Wingrack.

 

Quite. Both sets I've had did not use a plate.

 

Whew, I thought this was going to be a reference to that godawful Abba
movie.

<relaxes>

P.

 

I went to that last week, and have to admit I enjoyed it.

 

You're gay.

hth