Thanks Simon. I have just called the supplying dealer and the bike is definitely an 04 model year, so that makes things simple. I have seen the frames advertised online for about 110GBP and the Trekker cases for just under 200GBP, which I think is quite reasonable. I am pretty sure that getting them sent from Italy would kill the deal, but thanks for the offer.

My thoughts at the moment are to go for a set of Givi frames and use them with the soft panniers I already have, and then upgrade to a set of hard cases if necessary later on. I like the look of the Trekkers. Thanks for the information.

Hiya Black Dog, you are welcome. I mounted the frames myself and it was not difficult even I managed!! Note that the Trekkers are sold individually as they can be mounted vertically or horizontally and the openings can open just a bit (so yer stuff does not fall onto the floor when vertical) OR all the way like a top box lid, so they really work very well indeed. And when you buy a pair they give you extra locks so that you can use just one key for both. The quality seems excellent. See yas ciaoooooo

The last hard cases I had we're a pair of Hepco and Becker Juniors. Brilliant quality, but I always wished they didn't open all the way like a clamshell. On the left (downward) side, everything used to fall out. I liked the Givi E21 with the top opening, but not keen on the shape. The design of the Trekkers is really good, the best of both worlds.

I think I have talked myself into getting a pair!

Hehe sounds like it!! Have fun ciao.

Hah! Cancel that. I checked with Emma at Motorcycleplanet, and the price of just under 200GBP is per pannier. 390GBP for the pair. That's a bit more than I can manage at the moment. I had to take a big pay cut last year, and non-essential spending has had to take a back seat. I may well go for the frames and get the cases later on.

I did a trial fit of the soft panniers yesterday, and they definitely need something to keep them off the exhausts - for the sake of the heat shields if not the bags. I had a closer look at the 'soft bag supports' on eBay, and I am not convinced. They look fairly flimsy, and the seller's feedback is a bit patchy. I have asked them for more pics so I can assess the mounting methods and general build quality (there's only one pic in the listing) but they haven't replied, so I guess I can strike that one.

Well, I have ordered a set of the Givi frames from Motorcycle Planet. �110.25 delivered, which I thought was very reasonable, considering the price of some Givi stuff. Will report back on how they fit in relation to the Yamaha rear rack.

I'm still pondering the pannier situation. I think the throwovers will be fine for trips, but not very convenient day to day (shopping, commuting etc). I'm tempted by the E21, which are ridiculously cheap but quite small. I like the look of the Trekkers, but at almost �400 the pair I might wait until funds are healthier. Decisions, decisions ...

OK, quick update. The frames arrived today and have been fitted. Four working days from order to delivery, so that's not too bad. And a very good price too.

My concern was whether the frames (PL353 for the record) would fit the bike with the official Yamaha rear rack in place. The answer is they do, sort of. The spacers on the rack are different from the original ones that carry the pillion handles (which are missing, of course). Specifically, it's the lower bolts that originally held the grab handles. The spacers built in to the Yamaha rack are about 15mm longer than the original spacers, so the lower part of the rack is pushed outwards. All it means is that the piece that mates with the pillion footrest needs to be bent in a little, which in practice was quite easy and doesn't appear to force the frame too much. Also, the 50mm bolt supplied is too short. I had a couple of mild steel bolts of the right length, and I will replace them with stainless socket heads when I get some. M8 x 65 is the correct bolt, if that helps anyone.

They look great on the bike and the quality is excellent. The original idea was to have a light frame that would support the throwovers without looking too heavy and obvious, with the option of hard panniers later on if required. I have tried the throwovers and it puts them much further out and lower than I would like, so I think I will go straight for the panniers. Not sure I can justify the cost of Trekkers, so I may go for the value option (E21).

Pics to follow, but it is too dark right now.

i have Givi pannier racks, i think there pretty pants. :(

they look quite nice and quite compact. First "off" when green lanning and the one side bent (thats without panniers on) as i think the tubing is 10mm where most is 12mm upwards.

the "hoops" arent welded all the way around either. a rubber lug joined them together which i had to remove as i wasnt using Givi luggage - will put up a photo soon.

Wont to change them at some point. Would like to get some custom ones made with bigger tubing and have them joing the bike in a different way (not at the rear foot hanger like the Givi's do as i want to remove them)

Heh, thought I was talking to myself for a while there :)

I'd agree they are not as robust as some I have seen, but they fit the bill for me. I only wanted lightweight frames, as I don't intend doing anything too harsh with them for the time being. They certainly feel good and solid, and if they get demolished in a fall, I would bet they cost less to replace than the bodywork and exhaust that they are protecting.

I went ahead and got the E21s, and they look fine to me:

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...pscbe46517.jpg

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7de86e30.jpg

The frames fit well and look good:

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0c3c0db8.jpg

The compatibility issue with the Yamaha rack boils down to this:

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9486dbf4.jpg

The top bolt and spacer in the picture are as supplied with the frames and fit perfectly. The lower bolt in this pic is an M8 x 65 as in previous post, which I had to source separately. The silver spacer was on the bike, so I assume it is the original spacer for the grab rails. This puts the lower arm about 25mm out from the footrest bolt, and it's an easy matter to bend it in slightly. The boxes fit correctly, so it doesn't appear to distort the frame significantly.

Anyways, I'm happy with the setup, and it should do everything I need for light solo touring, and with the bigger topcase I have in the garage it ought to be enough for self and daughter for this summer's Euro trip, as long as she keeps control of the shoe factor.

Sorry to keep posting on a relatively trivial matter, but it might be useful in the future for anyone looking to solve a similar problem. Frames and boxes were ordered from Motorcycle Planet, and I will be using them again. Prices were about the cheapest around, delivery was quick, queries were dealt with in a quick and helpful way. Nice professional outfit.

B*ggeration factor: when I was refitting the bolts with threadlock after I had done the initial dry fit, I broke one of the little buttons that the boxes latch to. Apparently Givi don't sell them separately, but Motorcycle Planet are trying to find me one.

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ps79555534.jpg