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What panniers can I fit?

Alexhoc

Registered User
I've got a set of soft luggage at the moment, and I have a feeling that's not going to be enough when we go touring proper. My wife likes to take a little bit of kit with her.

So I'm looking at hard luggage, second hand. It seems luggage holds its value well so I am wondering if the racks from other bikes may fit? There is a set off a vfr for cheap on the bay at the moment, is there any chance that can fit?
 

Quiney

Registered User
If its Givi then the basic rack/side holders are generic, but there is then a bike specific fitting kit.
 

noobie

Clueless in most things
I believe also that if your using a wingrack or mono rack that most Kappa cases also fit.

Like Quiney said some racks are interchangeable but need a bike specific fitting kit. The best way to check is say something like givi's own "my motorcycle" option http://www.givi.co.uk/my-motorcycle

say if you see the vfr and you have the year then use that link and see what model rack they use, you can then try your bike and see if the rack is the same one

normally wingracks are plenty and sometimes on ebay you get a complete rack and fitting kit like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GIVI-WING...286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1ea1379cd6
 
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J

Judge

Guest
I have a spare Givi wingrack for a blackbird in my garage. Its in excellent condition if you are interested?
 

Alexhoc

Registered User
Thanks guys, I'm only looking at options at the moment, we're going to give the soft luggage a proper chance over the next couple of weeks and see how we get on.

I'll see if I can find any parts listed for various bikes, but I was mostly wondering if anyone knew off the top of their head.

Judge, I'll definitely give you a shout if we decide we need hard luggage.
 

ianrobbo1

good looking AND modest
Alex, to be honest I've used both soft and hard, hard is the way to go, I would buy the set Judge is offering as that'll be giving you more of an insight as to the use, and like buses they come along in a bunch then nothing for ages "like when you need/want them, I use hard with motrax plates to hold the boxes, though I wouldn't recommend them, as the top plate can if overloaded "something we all do" crack the rear faring by the mounting holes, given the option I'd go for a dedicated rack and just use the top box most of the time!! :dunno:
 

noobie

Clueless in most things
Last time I used soft it was a set of oxford expandable throw overs and a magnetic tank bag. I threw a thin cloth on the tank then the magnetic tank bag, the thin cloth stopped most of the scratches.

I then put the throw overs on to see where they touched the tail piece. I then put low tack masking tape in a big enough patch on each side then parcel tape over the top of that. Went touring for 10 days and when I came back it was an easy peel off and no damage from the bags.

Agree with Robbo that hard is the way to go but possibly a compromise?

Buy a mono rack and fit a 48 or 52 litre topbox...this would also give the good lady a back rest, then use the soft luggage throw overs as well.
 

Dark Angel

Still kickin' it!
Soft luggage is great for filtering through stationary/slow-moving traffic – and also when the weather’s warm and dry, but you should always carry some plastic bags to put your gear in, or buy inner, waterproof liners if you want to change into dry clothes when you reach your destination.

Initially, it’s a bit of a pain in the butt when it comes to fitting and removal, but that goes away once you’ve familiarised yourself with it.

I used Oxford soft luggage for years, mainly because I hated the scaffolding that was needed for hard luggage back then.

06_zpsldwxbufp.jpg


Now, I use the Jaws mini-system with Givi luggage and I love it.

04_zpszai0eqe0.jpg


It takes less than two minutes to fit the full system and the boxes – and less than two minutes to remove the lot.

01_zps6lntvj3l.jpg


As said previously, wingracks are like buses – I’ve got one in me shed that you can have if you want! :-0)
 

Alexhoc

Registered User
Thanks guys, I'd love the sw motech kit, but that's far out of my budget unfortunately!
I have a set of Oxford 60l panniers and a 60l dry bag that I strap to a renntec rack. The only trouble with those is that, like today, the bike is packed for 1 night camping and there is very little room spare.
Is the wingrack everything I need for panniers and top box?
 

DEG5Y

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
Worst part about the Givi gear is the scaffolding. I used to put mine on and off as it was required I disliked it that much.
So my answer was to buy the monokey V35 fitting kit for the Bandit then modified it to fit the Bird.
This obviously then allowed me to fit V35's.
Scaffolding isn't as bad so it doesn't come off as often.


http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i446/DEG5Y/20140709_134428.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i446/DEG5Y/20140709_134349.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i446/DEG5Y/IMG_20150528_195416.jpg
 

noobie

Clueless in most things
Is the wingrack everything I need for panniers and top box?

Other than the bike specific fitting kit and the boxes, yes. Some also choose to use the givi indicators that are made for the rack and some adapt/replace the standard ones.

I agree the sw is a nicer looking kit and far easier to use/remove/fit but to be honest I left my givi racks on most of the time and got used to them as we did a lot of touring, day trips and weekends away.

I know people can do it quicker than me but I took it off when I needed to within an hour or so working at my own pace so it really wasn't as big of a deal taking it off and putting it on again.
 

Alexhoc

Registered User
Worst part about the Givi gear is the scaffolding. I used to put mine on and off as it was required I disliked it that much.
So my answer was to buy the monokey V35 fitting kit for the Bandit then modified it to fit the Bird.
This obviously then allowed me to fit V35's.
Scaffolding isn't as bad so it doesn't come off as often.


http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i446/DEG5Y/20140709_134428.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i446/DEG5Y/20140709_134349.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i446/DEG5Y/IMG_20150528_195416.jpg
That looks alright, how easy is it to modify?
 

slim63

Never surrender
Club Sponsor
I had a full givi kit that came with my bike but after previous experience with similar on other bikes I didn't even fit it & continue to use either the oxford throw overs I've had for years or a larger set of oxfords if the mrs is with me

The first set ive had for 15+ years & nothing has got wet yet as long as I use the waterproof covers & I find them more flexable than hard panniers for packing certain stuff

I have used the givi rack & sometimes fit a small top box for the mrs to lean on rather than for carrying much, anything big such as the tent goes in an aldi special waterproof sack & gets strapped to the rack
 
M

MrToast

Guest
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Hard luggage every time, Givi wing racks, fitted to all my bikes, the box set with matching key makes unloading into the hotel a dream; And with hard luggage, you can park, wander off around the town and have a good chance the wife's smalls will be unmolested on your return...
Don't get me wrong, and talented thief with a butane soldering iron can open them noiselessly in minutes. But, generally, they're all good, the wife's gear arrives clean & dry no matter how bad the rain
ANY Givi "wing rack" can be fitted with the adaptor kit in minutes. Happily, the Bird kit is actually one of the easiest to fit and remove so when you're home it's off in five minutes and the bike looks stock.
I used soft stuff for twenty odd years before buying a bike with hard kit fitted.
I don't leave docs, passports camera etc on the bike, they all go into a shoulder bag in the top box that I can lift out and walk off with wherever we stop for coffee. Highly recommended. Three boxes, one key, excellent. It's winter so all the second hand kit is bargain priced a the moment too; I prefer Givi to Kappa, but that just a personal thing...
A day at the beach in Hunstanton or Swanage? Boots, jackets, gloves, lids, trousers go into the boxes and we walk around in trainers and T shirts. Just watch filtering - I have become wedged once or twice much to the amusement of the wife, following on her bike..... And ripped a few door mirrors off on the motorway too, once, with a large tent strapped across the top of the boxes....... :whi5tl:
 
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