accessories

[tfitkin58]

 I'm going to buy a top case and a tank bag and considering GIVI or SHAD. I'm looking for opinions/advice of each for quality, durability or any other pro's and con's. My e-mail is tntst1300@bex.net I greatly appreciate anyones thoughts and experiences. Thank you. Tom Fitkin.

[Patmo]

I’ve never used Shad but I’ve had GIVI and liked them. Only problem I’ve ever had has been with the keys getting weak and breaking off after several years, but that can happen with any key over time.

[brider]

I've used the same GIVI top box for @ least 20 years that has been on at least 10 bikes.  This one has survived get offs at speed and has never leaked.  Thumbs up on Givi.

As far as tank bags go stay away from Nelson Riggs.  I've trashed 2 due to zippers.  I have had good luck with RKA.

Hope this helps you some.

[STLTHMSTA]

Ditto on the RKA's for soft bags. I have tank, tail and side bags I've used on several bikes maybe 30 years. Doesn't have the particular benefits of hard bags but there is always tase offs. Our friends Rick & Kathy at RKA is still in business and long time club members supporters.

As it turns out after all these years I have never used after market hard bags. My .02.   TM

[Paco Bulto]

Tom, I thought I read that Rich and Kathy were retiring the business.

[STLTHMSTA]

I keep getting email newsletters from them so far.  Their website is still active the last time I clicked. Maybe I'm the one who should be retiring if I read it and didn't remember.       TM

[Paco Bulto]

Maybe I imagined that I read that, or maybe I lied about that part, Tom. 

Fred Z.

[stevegrab]

Late to the party but I'd also give a thumbs up for Givi. I inherited a case on a used bike I bought, and while it had some aging issues including a problem with the lock it held up for several years of regular use on multiple bikes. The first time my brother borrowed mine on a trip on his VFR he was hooked, and had one ordered quickly. I since bought a newer one that is lighter and a bit more compact, necessary to avoid overloading which caused a bracket to crack.

Regarding RKA, I too recall hearing that they may be going out of business or looking to sell. I have one tank bag from them that is pretty good, but I have to say it was not as good as an older model of the bag I had borrowed from a friend before buying this one. (Fewer features, rain cover was extra and not very waterproof.) That was a purchase maybe 10 years ago that I haven't used much since. But that is very common these days, "they just don't make them like they used to". I have also had pretty good luck with an Eclipse tank bag, as well as a Tourmaster magnetic tank bag that fits several of my bikes well.