Triumphrat

CrazyCroc · 07-08-2006

Although I much prefer the look of my Legend without panniers, I am using it a lot for work commuting and day trips. Even on those short trips, if my lady and I go somewhere to eat or the beach or whatever it's a pain figuring out what to do with the expensive jacket, helmet and other items.

So, to make a long story short (too late!) I've resigned myself to pick up some luggage. I like the looks (and price) of Givi's and Kappa's hard cases and generally prefer any hard case over fabric/leather. And I like the idea of being able to remove the luggage easily and leave it home when I want.

On this old (2003) posting (clicky) they mention great assist from Sprint Manufacturing who provides a support kit to mount Givi/Kappa luggage to a TBird/Legend/Adventurer.

From the string mentioned above:

Quote:

The racks work with ALL Kappa or Givi Monokey luggage.

Reason I'm asking is because if you search for Givi on Ebay you get all kinds of results. I'm wondering if I can buy Sprint's adapter and then buy any Givi Monokey luggage I want and put it on.

Hard luggage definitely isn't cheap but it's less expensive buying on EBay than a lot of the straight dealer prices.

Anybody out there with some experience or insight on hard luggage and fitting it to a Legend? Also I like the looks of the E21 but wonder if there would be enough room to stuff in a padded riding jacket.

Wychall · 07-08-2006

Hi There,
Yes you can use any Monokey once you get the rails. The Givi 21 panniers are most suitable to the looks of the bike, so long as you don't need to carry too much.
As to the fittings, rather than pay out for a new kit, I bought Ebay rails for some other bike, can't remember which, then set to with an angle grinder and MIG welder and got rails for a fraction of the price.
My thunderbird is now kitted to carry full hard luggage.

Strangly enough, having done this, I have never got round to buying the panniers. The top box is fine though.
:hammer:

Rat-Sass · 07-08-2006

Hey,
Someone on this forum recommended Hepco Becker to me earlier this year because they had a mount specifically made for the Legend. I hadn't heard of them before, but gave it a try and I really like them and how well they fit on my bike. So you might want to check them out as well. They aren't Givi, but are the same type of hard bag and can be monokeyed. Sadly, expensive like Givi as well.

-Stephanie

Duh. A picture might have been helpful, huh? :-D
Go here.

[ This message was edited by: Rat-Sass on 2006-07-08 16:07 ]

CrazyCroc · 07-08-2006

It seems odd to me that the smaller panniers (21-23 liter) are the only ones from Givi or Hepco-Becker that open on the top.

Right now I'm leaning to the Givi E21s. But I do like the look of Rat-Sass' rig too, as well as the slightly larger size.

Rat-Sass maybe you could confirm how you load the luggage while it is still mounted on the bike? If it is easier to load them off the bike, how difficult/time-consuming is it to get them off and back on?

My biggest object to stuff is a thick padded riding jacket. Does anyone have the 21 liter side case and do you know if it will hold a riding jacket?

Thanks for helping.

Rat-Sass · 07-09-2006

Oh, I load them off the bike. I have gotten stuff in and out while they were loaded on the bike, but usually why bother?
They snap on and off in a flash. There's a molded piece of metal that snaps around the front side of the rack and then the back slips into place and clips on with the same type of latch that holds the bags closed. That's why I broke down and bought them, because I was sick of all the time it took me to fiddle with the saddlebags on trips.

-Stephanie

[ This message was edited by: Rat-Sass on 2006-07-09 06:22 ]

Rincewind · 07-09-2006

CrazyCroc - have you contacted Sprint about the rack? Any idea on US cost and importing? I have been considering the Hepco & Becker rack, and was wondering how they compare in cost.

If you look in the Tbird album, there are a couple of pics with hard cases. Personally I like the Hepco & Becker adventure cases, as seen on Tmette's bike in the album. To me it matches the retro-style of the bike moreso than the molded modern cases.

Tmette's bike pic:

Really, though, I'd most like a top case and could see myself using that primarily.

Thanks for the pics, Stephanie - looks like a nice setup with that H&B rack.

CrazyCroc · 07-09-2006

I haven't spoken to Sprint yet but the Legend/Tbird adapter for the monokey wing rack system is 75 UK (about 140 US). Not sure what the shipping will be.

I also like the look of some of the aluminum panniers, but it just seems like so much money for cases.

The H&B junior plastic 30L pairs go for $430, and the aluminum 38L pairs for $550. The similar looking Givi 36L pairs go for $360, so I don't know if they are lower quality than the H&B. The 21L pair is $163.

I saw the H&B mounting racks go around $250. Rat-Sass, for the H&Bs did you have a set made or did you order a set of supports? I didn't see the Tbird/Legend listed, but there are racks available for Bonnies and Americas on Twisted Throttle. I'll likely call some folks tomorrow.

Rincewind · 07-10-2006

If you go to H&B's site and do a model search, it comes up with:

Seitenträger inkl. Gepäckbrücke chrom ab Bj. 99 650764.0002
Gepäckbrücke chrom ab Bj. 99 650764.0102

Twisted Throttle doesn't list our bikes, but maybe they'd still be able to get you the H&B hardware. Let us know how you make out.

TexasTri · 07-10-2006

Crazy,
Some folks I know use Pelican Cases for this purpose. They come in all kinds of sizes and are supposed to be pretty hardy. cases
Then all you need is a rack system. You may be able to find a top case that will work. You could try a Ghost Brackets for the side.
You might also look on Ebay. There are some Givi knock offs that run under $100. They may not last like a Givi, but they should give you some affordable storage.

Tbird900 · 07-12-2006

Hi CrazyCroc,

If you look in the members albums under my handle you will see some pictures of Kappa hard luggage fitted to my T'bird. I bought second hand off eBay in the UK. Note that if you buy second hand be careful of different mounting positions. My luggage came from a '96 T'bird and I had to have some brackets made to fit the carrier to my '02 bike. It's not a great problem, just something to watch for. My panniers are 40litre capacity and I have no difficulty fitting jackets and helmets in.