VFR 800 Hard Bags????

[Ninja Woman]

So I am considering the following for the VFR 800.  

Do I get the standard Honda hard side bags in matching color and not topcase ?  The topcase that Honda has is only in black  

or

Do I get the Givi hard side bags and topcase?  All in black.

I am bneing told that I cannot use a givi topcase with the honda hard side bags.  I like the look of the side bags in the same color but if they don't function well I do not want them.

Can anyone be of help here on making a decision.  

Thanks  

[Against The Wind]

The thing I don't like about the Honda bags is that it's inevitable that your feet are going to smack the bags and then they look like crap with the scratches. I find that the matte black bags look better to me. Also, with the bags off I prefer the look of the Givi rack over the plumbing of the Honda mounts . That's my .02

[mtrider16]

The Honda bags have worked well for me.  I haven't ever tried Givi's, so I can't give you a comparison.

I've started mounting the bike like a horse, so that my feet miss the bags.  Plus if I have my duffle bag tied to the passanger seat I need the extra clearence to swing my leg over.

The right bag has scratches from two sidestand retractions, both when the bike rolled forward off the sidestand.  Bags get dings and scratches from being moved around like luggage, bugs hitting the front side.

After a year of riding, I have resigned myself to the fact that my plastic isn't going to be spotless.  I'm too accident prone.

David

[1TallTXn]

I had the GIVI/Honda question not long after I got my VFR (02) and wound up with the Honda bags for one simple reason: Price. Yup, I got the Honda bags for LESS then a GIVI set.

David Silver Spares

The main advantage of the GIVI is that should you get another bike, you only have to by brackets for that bike and not the whole set again.

Another thing to think about is the Honda side bags are going to hold more then the GIVI bags simply cause of their shape.

Good luck in your search and enjoy the ride!

[olorin]

I went with the honda bags because I don't like the look of the givis. I occasionally scuff one with my boot but it wipes right off. The mounts look a lot better that the givi ones, and you can remove them(the mounts) in about 5 min. for a cleaner look.  As for the top case, I'd say get the least expensive of the 2.

[mrjoeliec]

I'm considerng getting the bags as well and I have to say in VFRWorld.com the consensus has been go with the Honda bags if you can... The mounts removes so much quicker than the Givi Mounts and the fit looks so much better...

I'm still hunting though....

[Ninja Woman]

Thanks....

I got the bags with the bike.................

[mtrider16]

   Nice color.

David

[olorin]

Looks great! You won't regret it.

[rauchman]

Thanks....

I got the bags with the bike.................

That is a beautiful bike!!!!  Congrats.  Can you post a review of how you like your bike?

[Ninja Woman]

I love this bike, I only have a little over 900 miles on it now, mostly highway.  

It rides smoothly
Fits my body perfectly, extremely comfortable
Has good power, but not too much
Hanldes sweepers beautifully
Still learning how to handle tight corners with it, trying to get gearing down
Bags are great so far, will know more later this summer when I take my trip

I need to get my hot grips, gps, radio system, etc. installed also.

I'll review it again after my long trip this summer.

[rauchman]

I love this bike, I only have a little over 900 miles on it now, mostly highway.  

It rides smoothly
Fits my body perfectly, extremely comfortable
Has good power, but not too much
Hanldes sweepers beautifully
Still learning how to handle tight corners with it, trying to get gearing down
Bags are great so far, will know more later this summer when I take my trip

I need to get my hot grips, gps, radio system, etc. installed also.

I'll review it again after my long trip this summer.

Thanks for the info.  Were you considering other bikes as well?  If so, which and why the VFR?  I only ask because I'm getting a new bike this spring and have it narrowed down to a VFR, Bandit 1250 and possibly a Sprint ST.  Getting test rides on Japanese stuff is next to impossible.

[Ninja Woman]

Well for me it was fit and feel of sitting on the bike; as I am only 5'-6" with short legs. Next it was how I intended to use the bike.  I wanted a bike that I could use for long distances and a bike that could really handle the twisties.  I am a twisties, junky  And I will say the VFR can handle the curves, the only limit on the curves is my actual riding ability.  

I looked at the Bandit 1250, it was comfortable but there were two reasons I did not pick this bike.  The bike did not have that much fairing, and I wanted more fairing because of all the long distance riding I do.  The bike also to me seemed to have a higher center of gravity.  And with my short legs the VFR felt like it had a lower center of gravity.  Whther that is truly the case or no I do not know, but that is how it felt to me sitting on them.  The gas tank on the VFR is also larger which means I get to cover more miles before stopping.  The VFR is also lighter.  The sprint was also a little big for me, felt like it was a higher ceneter of gravity and just did not feel as comfortable to sit on. I am on my bike for 500 to 700 miles at a time, I want it to be comfortable.

I also looked at bikes athe motorcycle show for two years before I bought the VFR.  I kept tending to go back to sit on it at the show, and it just felt right, I will say this when I sit on the VFR it fits like a "Glove".  

Finally, I am a little biased towards Hondas, because they have been making reliable bikes forever.  I knew if I purchased a Honda I would probably have very few problems.  And would be able to put on 100,000 miles plus.  Which is my goal  

I do not know if that helped, because it is such a personal decision.  

[rauchman]

Well for me it was fit and feel of sitting on the bike; as I am only 5'-6" with short legs. Next it was how I intended to use the bike.  I wanted a bike that I could use for long distances and a bike that could really handle the twisties.  I am a twisties, junky  And I will say the VFR can handle the curves, the only limit on the curves is my actual riding ability.  

I looked at the Bandit 1250, it was comfortable but there were two reasons I did not pick this bike.  The bike did not have that much fairing, and I wanted more fairing because of all the long distance riding I do.  The bike also to me seemed to have a higher center of gravity.  And with my short legs the VFR felt like it had a lower center of gravity.  Whther that is truly the case or no I do not know, but that is how it felt to me sitting on them.  The gas tank on the VFR is also larger which means I get to cover more miles before stopping.  The VFR is also lighter.  The sprint was also a little big for me, felt like it was a higher ceneter of gravity and just did not feel as comfortable to sit on. I am on my bike for 500 to 700 miles at a time, I want it to be comfortable.

I also looked at bikes athe motorcycle show for two years before I bought the VFR.  I kept tending to go back to sit on it at the show, and it just felt right, I will say this when I sit on the VFR it fits like a "Glove".  

Finally, I am a little biased towards Hondas, because they have been making reliable bikes forever.  I knew if I purchased a Honda I would probably have very few problems.  And would be able to put on 100,000 miles plus.  Which is my goal  

I do not know if that helped, because it is such a personal decision.  

Excellent info and thank you.  I know what you mean when you say it fits like a glove.  Again, really nice bike and thanks.