Hardbags other than Givi

[LT]

I am interested in getting some hardbags to use on my 01 GS.  Givi doesn't make a mounting rack for the side bags.  Are there any other hard bags that will fit the GS?   I have soft bags but don't like having to try to keep rain covers on.  Thanks for any help.

[gsJack]

Twisted Throttle still lists the Five Star racks for mounting the Givi side cases on the GS500, they're marked special order.  Might be worth giving them a call, there aren't many hard luggage choices available for the GS's.  I think Kerry has the five star mounts.  Expensive.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2085/101/

Twisted Throttle also lists Krauser racks for the GS500F for 01 and later which should fit the 01 GS500.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/469/189/

[mp183]

I got a Givi Monolock top case for $96 delivered.
It comes with a universal mount.
I mounted it on my V-Srrom but it will mount to
a GS if it has a luggage rack which mine does.
Keep the stuff that you have to get to in that.
Other stuff can go into a bag on your back seat.
I have a "flight bag" that I got at Walmart and another larger bag.
If it's short trip it's only the top case, if it's a longer
trip it's either the small bag or the large bag.
Between the top case and one of the two bags I can carry lots of stuff.
The  bags are not waterproof so I just put in a sturdy garbage bag inside the bad and
other things in large zip lock bags to keep them organized.
Here is the link for the case.
It's a line made for scooters but other guys have mounted in on V-Stroms.
I had mine on only a week but have had it on a 800 mile trip over two days
and had it on the NYS Thruway at 85-100 mph for about 3 hours and felt very stable.

http://www.helmetsunblocker.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?pid=545&product=GIVI_Accessories

[gsJack]

Excellent choice mp183, I got the same E33 case.      Mounted it to the Suzuki rack that bolts on where the passenger grab handle mounts and found that the frame cross member there was too thin to carry the load and started cracking and the case started bouncing.     Had to add a couple braces to support it  Worked out fine and I haven't removed it for 3 years and tens of thousands of miles.  Wouldn't leave home without one now.  Would be no problem mounted to the sturdy Strom rack.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GiviRackPics.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/02GS500wPlexi2-1.jpg

[Wondertwin]

Here's a link where a guy made his own hard cases out of plywood. 

http://users.lmi.net/gshell/nh/my_bike.htm

I run a Givi three bag Wingrack with E360's on my B12, but end-up using the top mouted case by itself mostly.  The bike gets really WIDE with the side cases on it. 

My guess is that GIVI doesn't make a wingrack mounting kit or a kit for the side cases b/c that would be a LOT of payload for the little GS500E.  It's a cool bike, but certainly not my first choice for touring!  The larger market is probably of the same mind-set, so GIVI never developed them. 

[LT]

Thanks for all your in put.  I guess I will go with a top case but was just hoping to find some hard side bags that didn't cost more the my GS.  Since I am short and have trouble finding bikes that fit me the GS is perfect but you just can't find all the extras that you want.  The GS is great for ladies that are short and don't want a bike so heavy that she can't handle it.  At least with the top case I can lock my helment up when I stop and carry the base everyday "stuff".  Again thanks for your help.

[Bulwark]

Well, the GS isnt that short.  Many bikes are lower than the 31" GS seat height.  What does the suzuki rear rack look like?  Is it silver or black?  I have a Givi top case in my shed that would make things easier at times..

[gsJack]

[Bulwark]

That looks good.   Is that the Suzuki one?

[gsJack]

Yep, Suzuki part #99950-70267.

[Bulwark]

Cool, Im gonna order it tomorrow.  When I want the case on Ill pop it on but the rest of the time it will just be the mount on.

Nice

[Wondertwin]

GIVI sells their top case mounting kit for about $130 USD I believe.  Not a bad deal if you already have a case to snap into it.

[Bulwark]

Suzuki part #99950-70267

Its $159 CAD and its ordered.

[Queso]

I love my Givi E52. Between the rack and case, it was nearly 500 bucks, but worth every penny. That E52 can hold a ton, so I don't need sidebags, and I can still lane split through through the tightest traffic 

It's freakin tough, too. I went down hard on the side with the case on, bent my handle bar and bent the rack ever-so-slightly. The case has been in regular use for months since, and only has some cracks on the red plastic.

[Bulwark]

My case is just a e260 Micro2.  I had it on my scooter before I sold it.

I just want something for in town pick ups.  I know it will be ugly as hell but useful.  The E%@ is a real nice looking case but doeant it get heavy as hell when loaded up?

[Wondertwin]

Hey, if you need to haul a big bag of styrofoam peanuts, it's the only way to go. 

[Blu_Spd_Dmon]

Excellent choice mp183, I got the same E33 case.      Mounted it to the Suzuki rack that bolts on where the passenger grab handle mounts and found that the frame cross member there was too thin to carry the load and started cracking and the case started bouncing.     Had to add a couple braces to support it 

Hey Jack
how does the Monolock "plate" attach to the Suzuki rack?
EDIT: ah it bolts on.

does the case lock to the plate (or does it just "snap" on)? im guessing it locks but if i were to tug on it a little hard would it come off?
It would be nice to have a hard case that locks, but i don't want some f%$ker walking off with the whole thing 

[gsJack]

Here's a pic of a typical Givi mounting plate and hardware, think this is the one for the Monokey cases but they work the same.  The 4 rubber buttons sticking up from the plate cover the heads of the 4 socket head screws used with the clamps shown to attach to the rack.  Should fit most any tubular rack, fits the Suzi rack nicely.  The case clamps down on those rubber buttons and those are nylock insert type locknuts that go on the bottom below the clamps.  Virtually impossible to unbolt the clamps with the nylock nuts and with the bolt heads hidden away under the locked case.  Bolts just spin if you try to loosen with a wrench without an allen key in the bolt head.  It's necessary to unlock the case with the key in order to push the red button below the lock to release the case from the plate.  All quite secure, would have to wreck the thing to get it off without a key.

[Bulwark]

Yeah, would have to tear the crap out of it to get it off without the key.

[Blu_Spd_Dmon]

Thanks, Jack / Blu
That sounds just like what i want.