Hi guys

following on from my recent thread about Caribou system
http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=18833

Im pretty certain i`m going to be stiffed quite badly getting them into the country due to excise and duty charges on top of the �100 shipping cost which balloons the cost considerably.

I`ve been looking at, as a 2nd choice, the Trekker boxes from GIVI.

http://www.givi.co.uk/Side-hardbags/...TRK33N-TREKKER

Has anyone had any experience on these? And how are the GIVI racks? Poor compared to my original choice of SW Motech EVOs before cost put me off(more expensive than the dedicated GIVI racks). How are the actual boxes? Comparable to Pelicans maybe bearing in mind, I can get them in UK much easier and cheaper?

They do look quite large in terms of dimensions, but probably no larger then the equivalent Pelican case, or even alu luggage?

Andy

Major fault - not top loaders: considering my experience (resulting in lost luggage) with cases that open to the side I'm only considering toploaders or soft bags from now on...

They kind of are top loaders aren't they? Kind of a hybrid system, either top, or full `suit case` opening?

Hey Andy

I installed those 33 liter cases a few months ago. I've been using them for commuting mostly. Had no problems with them so far. I haven't done any serious offroading, so I can't tell you how they'll end up after longer , more intense usage...

I especially like the easy disconnect. Just turn the key and push the grey button for the case to come of the rack. The side opening makes it indeed harder to "fill" them, but taking them off takes less than a second. So I just take them off and fill them like normale suitcases. Advantage for me in fact. In one case my working bag ( for papers & lunch ), in the other spare clothes, sporting gear and such.. When going for a short ride, I just take them off....

picture of the current setup



I've hosed them with water on a few occasions while washing the bike. Inside kept dry, so (for now) ... no problems there.

I'll try to upload some more pictures for you... or drop me an email / pm with specific questions and I'll do my best to give you the answers you need... if I have them ...

More pictures

To give you an idea of the width. Not wider than the handlebars !



Opened with the top of the case half open...



Fully opened! As can be seen on the youtube below, the cases can be opened both ways!



The rack, easy snap-on system for the cases. Installing the rack took me about 2 hours....






and a youtube.... explains more than I can...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znLO-XqU3UQ

JonasA, thank you so much!.

Thats exactly what i was looking for. Givi Trekker/Tenere combination seems to be rare, and any detailed pictures online seem to be even rarer!

Was worried about them being quite wide(past handlebars) as the product pictures online do make them look quite `bulky`and was worried but after looking at them on your Ten, they look ideal.

I wont be using them for off road stuff, simply on road trips, European kind of ones in the future, so they should be good enough - just putting clothes etc in them anyway. Locks sturdy enough?

You say the rack took a while to fit. Had a look at the fitting instructions and they seem quite vague lol!. Do you really have to take off the tail section to fit?! Also, how sturdy are the racks? heard a few mixed comments about the GIVI racks compared to say the SW Motech ones?

Thanks again for detailed pix. Much appreciated! Not going to attempt to get the Pelican cases shipped now after seeing these!

Andy

I normally can't stand Givi, but I must say those panniers look pretty damn sweet!
I'd also be interested to know about the sturdyness. Looks to me like that rubber piece might come off in a fall. Is it essential to the locking mechanism?

http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?p=175449#post175449

it's official... the rack can handle a punch...

Locks are more than sturdy enough. I originally had one of thoses case in use as a top case. ( Yes, its the Givi monokey system, so with a monokey base plate you can use it as a top case... added bonus). Later I bought a second case. Givi gives you the option of bying spare locks with keys. I bought a set of 3, so now I have 1 key for both cases plus 1 spare lock+key for if I want to by a third top case... or if one lock malfunctions...

The locking of the cases is really good. Haven't had any problem with it so far. And quite a tight fit. With a piece of fabric over te side, case wont close.

you see... same case... as a top case..





Yes, the tail section really has to come of. Unless you're good at designing and making your own "bridge" between the two halfs. The nuts for the bolts in the middle have to be tighted (see arrow on the picture below). Ofcourse there's no room for that unless the entire rear is removed.... I'm not the most technical guy ( only on paper), but still ...I managed... You'll have to unplug all of the electrical plugs ( and cut away the strips that tie the cables to the frame of the bike, easy to replace them ofcourse)



I don't really know what to say about the frame itself. If your idea of sturdy is that it won't move even when you push, pull of shake it, well... then it's sturdy. I can grib the frame and shake the bike violently with it, no problem... unless you mean something else? I really cant compare to other types (brands) of frame.

That rubber piece is in fact a hard plastic part which is essential for the locking . The case rests on the two lower points and "clicks" in to the plastic triangular piece. Will it survive a fall? Hope so.. Honestly I won't try it out for you

Ok, that terrifies me!..... - I`m probably even less of a technical guy!...my limits probably hit hand guards and centre stand fitting..

Do you have to do that with all pannier racks out of curiosity? ie SW Motech EVO, Touratech ones etc?

Do you have any more pictures of the rear tail off etc? And electrics disconnected?