Givi V46 trunk

[UFO]

I finally got around to installing a trunk on the FJR for commuting.   A trunk works better than saddlebags for accessibilty day in and day out.  I opted for the matching cerulean silver cover.  If (when) I sell the FJR I can just part out the cover and transfer the V46 to the next ride.  I also opted for the brakelight kit which works like a charm.

A few comments...

- I've read posts on various forums of matching color covers coming off.  Impossible unless user error put the cover on incorrectly.  It's held in place by 4 locking tabs and no less than 5 screws.

- I've read posts on various forums of the entire trunk falling off while riding.  Again, not sure this is possible unless user error was involved with installing the rack or attaching the bag.  If done properly the bag isn't going anywhere, anytime soon.

- The brakelight kit is not difficult to install. The auto connect posts on the rack, the bottom of the bag, and the in the lid closure all work quite well, again, contrary to posts I've read on forums.  I can only chalk it up to user error again.  I have no plans of hardwiring the entire setup as I know I would rip the wires apart the first time I took the trunk off.

- The color match is perfect.  The installation seems bulletproof and sturdy as hell.  All latches engage and disengage with a satisfying "POP!", nothing sticks or binds.  Seems like a very high quality assembly.

- I removed the useless document holder on the inside of the lid.  Am mulling over a way to install a small bungy net on the underside of the lid for various small items.

- It will hold two helmets...two XXL helmets in fact.  It will hold all my commuting gear except my boots.

- The Givi rack is fugly as hell, but it works.  The Motek rack looks much better (uses stock luggage rack) but the setup is inherently less steady on the 03-05 FJRs according to my research.

I give the setup a

[Mr Sunshine]

Aplejax has this on her bike...but just the normal flat black....it's what I'll use for the 4.5 leaving tomorrow.

[Tritium]

I have a V46 top case as well. I never take it off the bike, it's too useful to have. I only put the side cases on when I'm going on a long trip, otherwise I can stuff it all in the V46. Two thumbs up from me!  

I just wish it looked a little nicer...  

[BMW-K]

I've got a V46 - formerly on the RSL now on the F650.  Love the case.

The brake light option still blows goats.  Mine burnt out in under 2 months - I just couldn't be bothered to replace it.

[TC Rides]

I think the brake light extra is not very bright and not worth the money or hassle. I also think the back rest is a must if you ride 2 up at all. I liked the V46 so much that I added the PLX cases as well. Should be good for my trip through Ontario in 2 weeks.

Eric The Red in formal attire

[Chips]

Looks nice on the Gen1 FJR! Since you are never going to remove the case, the ugliness of the rack isn't an issue. I can't comment on the Gen1 rack but I really like how sturdy the Gen2 SW-Motech rack is. Do yourself a favor and key the topcase to your ignition key. It only takes a couple of minutes.

[pinter]

I have the 52L Maxia with the brake light kit. When I installed it I thought it was the most perfectly engineered product ever. It installed easily and securely. I don't how it could ever fall off. It looks HUGE on the Sprint but looks perfect on the Tiger. I had my trunk for over a year and I had no probs with the brake lights.

[UFO]

Actually the brake light kit was only $25 if you bundle it with the trunk.  Seems pretty reasonable to me considering the connections are transparent to the operation of the trunk.  On dark mornings or night rides it's plenty bright.

Chips, how do you key it for the ignition key?  Yes, the Motech design for the Gen II FJR is much more robust than for the Gen I FJR.  If i had a Gen II I would have opted for that rack mount.

[Laura0107]

+1 on the V46!

I have the one on my FZ6 all the time.  I installed the brake light, an interior light, and cut some retroreflective tape (3M Scotchlite) to fit behind the red lenses.

[Penforhire]

Welcome to the club!  I use my V46 daily.  It is more convenient than the bags.  The color match to my '05 blue is perfect too.

To me the light wiring was funkier than it needs to be.  Should have run a wire with a tiny-loop strain relief up the hinge of the shell instead of touch-contacts across the front gap.  All of the press-contacts are retained with press fits and I can see where some folks could have issues with them.

[Rincewind]

- I removed the useless document holder on the inside of the lid.  Am mulling over a way to install a small bungy net on the underside of the lid for various small items.

   The doc holder on mine works great - holds my owner's manual as well as a few maps.  I'm not sure the problem you have with it.

I don't have the light kit, but I was thinking about ordering up the reflector kit.

I like my V46 a lot as well.  

[UFO]

It takes up about 1" of headroom.  It feels like I'm ripping the trunk lid apart whenever I opened it.  All my docs are in the waterproof glove box on the FJR.  So I saw it as a waste of space for my use conditions.

[CigarSki]

Mine stays on Strom most of the time. Get some 3M Solas tape to put behind the "reflectors", otherwise they're useless. The kit's that are being sold are ridiculessly priced.

Pic of reflectrofitted cases. V46 top, V35 sides.

[ngarider]

This might help some folks with Givi's light kit. I've got the V46 on my Feejer, with the color matched lid and light kit (with admore's LED's instead of Givi's)

First, you've got to try and screw up putting the lid on wrong enough for it to fly off.

Next, the connection to from the upper to the lower (lid) for me has been perfect. I can understand issues with it, and my next tip might help.

For the case to base connection, I had trouble from day 1 with having a reliable connection, and followers would report my Givi's lights going on and off, then finally off. Looking at it, the contacts on the case are spring loaded, and not very good quality springs. There is some binding on one of the contacts. I could move the case up and down VERY slightly and cause the lights to go off.

So, I decided to add metal to the contacts on the base. The first time, I added metal and replaced the topcase while the solder was still hot. After a few trips, I found the solder base that I added to the contacts had flattened too much and caused the lights to go off again.

The final time, I added about 0.125" of solder to each contact pad and let it cool completely. So far, no further problems with contact. I check regularly.

Be sure and use a high powered iron, good solder and be sure to get all the flux off (with flux core solder of course).

[ksann]

Forget the bag, those mufflers look great!




ken

[servicerifle]

Welcome to the AWACS club skip.  

[Ant]

Welcome to the AWACS club skip.  

I do like that description... it's so fitting for how the larger top cases (E52 here) make your bike look

[3banger]

Here is my Givi V46 Setup on a silve 1050ST.  The standard silver is almost a perfect match.  The V46 is hundreds of dollars cheeper then the factory version and much better looking IMO.

[UFO]

My wife calls it the "caboose."

[Penforhire]

Skipper, I call it "dreadnaught mode" on my FJR.  You're geek enough to maybe remember the old Star Trek blueprints?  They showed a dreadnaught class ship (never used on-screen to my knowledge) and the FJR's triple-bag look sort of reminds me of that 3rd engine nacelle...