hard Luggage set up for sv650

[checkerhead]

I use my SV 650 primarily as a commuter. I drive to work on busy city and suburban streets in Memphis, TN. Riding season for me is March to November. This year I want to add a top box or hard sidebags. Does any one have any advice on the best hard bag setup for an SV 650? I'm looking for functionality as well as looks. Value for the money spent is also a consideration. I'm considering a Givi monokey top box or maybe a Krauser. Both of these brands look good but are quite expensive ($300 to $350). Should I just add a topbox or only side bags? How difficult is the installation?I would apreciate any input y'all could provide on this issue?

[Northwind]

I use a Givi topbox a lot, I've never really felt the need for sidecases, I don't even use the biggest topbox they do, it's only about 35 litres or so. You didn't say which SV you have, but the install is dead simple on the carbed one- you need to take the tail plastics off to fit the subframe mounts, but once that's done the rack goes on and off with just 4 bolts. Nice bit of kit, but not massively strong, I don't put a lot of weight in it.



I'll get a bigger case for it before my next camping trip I think... And I might get a smaller one for more everyday use. It does add a bit of width, and it's at an awkward height, so a smaller case would be helpful for the traffic riding I do... Sidecases add a fair bit of width, but it's lower down, below wing mirror level, so they pass under most obstacles (but careful, they'll catch on road cones etc!) That may or may not be an issue for you, depending on your riding

[checkerhead]

Thanks for the picture an advice. The givi box on your bike is almost exactly the set up I was looking for. You mentioned that the box blocks your rearview mirrors? If that is a problem then I am definitely leaning toward a soft tail bag set up like they have a www.luggagelocker.com

How big an issue is visibility with the givi box?

[Northwind]

Hmm? No, no problem there, I was referring to the width and height getting in the way when filtering, as it's at the right level to catch some wing mirrors. But like I say, it depends on your riding, that's only an issue if you go for the small gaps.

There's another alternative- get a monokey base and a spare pillion seat, and bolt them together. Puts the weight in a better place too, but you might find it harder to get on and off!

[gahdzila]

depends on how much space you need, how nice you want it to look, and how much you want to spend.

if you just want a smallish box for quick weekends, or to carry a few odds and ends while commuting, look for my writeup in the faq section on bolting a cheap hard box to a spare rear seat: http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=42521

next step up is givi stuff, with either givi racks or sw-motech racks. I've since added givi e-21 sidebags with sw-motech racks. lots of choices at www.twistedthrottle.com

lots of pics of different setups in this thread:
http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=35543

good luck, let us know what you decide on.