Luggage on a pre 01 gs500

[hojlind]

Hey guys

I have been searching quite a lot but haven't been able to find anything relevant from this decade or so, therefore I thought that I would open a new thread as I really need some help.

Me and a friend have plans to take a trip through Europe this summer, however to do this some luggage space is needed. I found a used givi set with rack and everything but simply couldn't find a way to fit it on the bike. Puzzled i went to a dealership and asked for some advice. There I was told that Givi doesn't make luggage racks for the old gs500 (00 and down) but only for the new gs500 (01 and up) which have a redesigned tail.

The dealer however, told me that Givi have a universal kit, from which you can put together a complete rack.

So my questions are:

Does anyone have any experience with this universal kit? and does it actually fit on the old gs500?
Does anyone know where you can still buy the original rack, or a third party, for both top and sides?
Does anyone know of an alternative to Givi, who still sells racks for the old gs500?

Basically, how do I get two sidebags and a topbag on my, apparently, too old bike?

Thanks in advance

[åsaka]

Hello!
Look for used mc scrap. I myself had one from kawa zr-7s almost free. Maybe it takes twice as long to modify. See my pictures! With proper mounting points will be better than the original. First, check for the market for sale of scrapped the original. good luck!

[adidasguy]

Since I assume you're in Europe, look for Five Stars. A dealer might still have one set. They fit Givi directly (and Kappa which has the same mount).

There is Hepck-Becker, Shad and a couple others out there. I see them turn up on ebay.de so I know they are there.
There is an ebay seller in the Netherlands with some luggage stuff but they never answer emails.
Rear racks are everywhere. You can get a Givi or Shad top plate and bolt it on. So rear carrier is easyto solve. Side panniers, as said, you have to look around but they are there.

Something to start with:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360845422498?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/351022839415?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The mounting tabs for Givi are available as a kit to put on anything you have. Here in the US it is sold by Twisted Throttle, but I'm sure Givi also sells them.
I have a Hepco set in the Bike Cave. also have a new Five Stars pannier kit for the older model but haven't used it yet. I did put the Five Stars on Suzi (2009) and found the Givi Trekker's are great.

[brickerenator]

Hojind,

Soft bags should fit without any problems. No racks needed, they use straps that go under the seat.

[illenium]

Hojind,

Soft bags should fit without any problems. No racks needed, they use straps that go under the seat.

i second that, i used soft bags for 2 years


I'm originally from Europe, highway etc. you will want something faster than a GS500, I would suggest
you rent an adventure bike over there (KTM, BMW GS, etc. ) for your touring rather than spending money to
ship your 500. that is unless you are living in Europe and dont have to ship the bike by ocean (I'm an
importer/exporter, bikes via ocean isn't cheap nor can you relay on it being there on time unless you
ship 2 weeks ahead a time)

have fun and in Austria try the drink 'Radler' and have a 'Leberkaessemmerl' for lunch 

[adidasguy]

Better advice maybe if we knew where you were.
I just wish everyone would put their location in their profile.
That would make it easier to direct someone to the right place for parts (unless postage is of no consequence). If you were near me, I have a complete Hepco-Becker setup (for  89-00  models) going to waste in storage.

[gsJack]

+1 on giving location Addy and I also wish they all would start off mentioning the year and mileage of the GS they are asking questions about.  Would be very helpful.

[hojlind]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I found that SHAD still sells a top rack for the gs500e and that their side racks for the gs500 01+ apparently fit on to the gs500e (At least I think that is the one i bought used).

I have some cheap soft bags, but really wanted something of better quality and would like to have some hard cases instead. I don't have any arguments for why, other than that I think I would prefer it.

I am from Europe so I am not going to ship a 500 across the ocean, I am however going to try a Radler and a Leberkaessemmerl And I will remember to update my profile with location, hadn't really thought of that.

Regarding the top rack, is there any reason to choose Givi instead of Shad?

Again thanks for all the help and suggestions

[adidasguy]

Givi? Shad? Meh - just your preference and what you can find and/or afford.
There are others out there for newer bikes. Much more for GS500's in Europe than the USA.

If you find the Five Stars side racks --- they mount Givi and Kappa with all parts included.

For side cases, I love the Givi Trekker's. They full open or just the top. Pretty handy. Very pretty but not as strong as the steel ammo can style that many adventure bikes use (though much lighter weight aluminum .vs. heavy gauge steel)

I love the hard cases. Since SUZI is my daily ride and shopping bike, hard vases are better for throwing groceries and cat food into - like tossing stuff in the trunk of a car - flip open the top and in it goes.

I did have a semi-soft/hard tail bag and it was good. I tried a fully soft tail bag and threw it on the shelf. Never held any shape so random shopping stuff just flopped all over the place.
Soft bags probably better for clothes on a long trip.