Author Topic: Givi E55 Trunk-How compatible is it with a passenger? (Read 21613 times)

philipintexas · « **on:** May 27, 2011, 03:37:14 PM »

This is for folks who have the E55 trunk installed. Does it crowd your passenger? It's a BIG trunk but what does your passenger think about the room it leaves them?

booger · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2011, 07:04:36 PM »

I just bought the Kawasaki case (used) and cannot discern if it is 47, 48 or 55 liters. Nevertheless, after some intensive adjustment with the wife, I actually had to slide it rearward a lot more than I had anticipated.

I am currently evaluating the situation, but suspect I might be purchasing one of your racks in the near future.

B.D.F. · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2011, 07:07:49 PM »

Remember the conversation we had about this Phil? I replaced one of those JC Whitney top boxes with a Givi 55 and the front of the Givi was about 2" further forward than the JC Whitney box. By the way, I had taken the backrest off of the JC Whitney box to give my wife a little more room, and there is not a backrest on the Givi so I am comparing just the top boxes here. The JC Whitney box comes with a backrest already on it though so as delivered, both boxes are probably pretty close to the same point regarding how much they project forward.

I made a new rack for mine, it sets the top box mounting points back 2" compared with the JC Whitney mounting plate, and I added two additional fasteners all the way forward to strengthen the mount. There is little deflection at 100 lbs. of down force on the tongue of the mount, all the way toward the back edge of the plate.

The extra forward screws to stiffen the mount-

Brian

Quote from: philipintexas on May 27, 2011, 03:37:14 PM

This is for folks who have the E55 trunk installed. Does it crowd your passenger? It's a BIG trunk but what does your passenger think about the room it leaves them?

ZG · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2011, 07:14:44 PM »

Quote from: booger on May 27, 2011, 07:04:36 PM

I just bought the Kawasaki case (used) and cannot discern if it is 47, 48 or 55 liters. Nevertheless, after some intensive adjustment with the wife, I actually had to slide it rearward a lot more than I had anticipated.

I am currently evaluating the situation, but suspect I might be purchasing one of your racks in the near future.

If it's the Kawi case I think the biggest one they make is the 47 liter, that's what I have. I have Phils rack and was able to slide the trunk mount backwards so that I could clear the Corbin backrest...

556ALPHA · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2011, 07:57:21 PM »

I have the E55 on Phil's rack. My E55 does not have a backrest pad on it. Based on input from others I decided to try it without the pad before spending the extra 60.00 or so. My wife does not desire the backrest pad since she has no complaints with it as is. She actually leans back from the normal seating position, I would guess about a 100degree angle.

Jeremy Mitchell · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2011, 08:05:13 PM »

Quote from: B.D.F. on May 27, 2011, 07:07:49 PM

There is little deflection at 100 lbs. of down force on the tongue of the mount, all the way toward the back edge of the plate.

Brian

Really? Wow! I had no idea that the factory grab rails were that robust. So I guess the limiting factor with the stock setup is the black plastic tray? I figured that my GIVI rack was much stronger than what the rails could support on their own.

B.D.F. · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2011, 09:13:40 PM »

No, I said that badly- I meant the rack I made would not deflect much with a 100 lb. load, not the grab rails. I do not any stress data on those other than they are very tough and robust. As far as 100 lbs. load, that is a 'walk in the park' for those things; you can pick the back of the bike up by a rack fastened to those rails. And yes, the factory rack is the limiting factor- it is more of a place holder for a much sturdier rack. It is probably perfectly suitable for the 22 lb. limit per the warning sticker but hanging a big top box loaded down with.... er, stuff, would be a really bad idea IMO.

Back to the grab rails for a moment, when I drilled the two holes in the front of them to mount a Givi backrest, imagine my amazement when I found those "aluminum" rails are plastic! It is a fairly soft, fiber embedded material that seems to have tremendous fatigue resistance. At first I thought it was on the cheesy side but after thinking about it for a bit and also not hearing of any failures, I think they were a great choice of materials. Aluminum would seem to be a better choice but a lot of softer metals like aluminum, copper and a few others have lousy fatigue resistance; that means that after a lot of cycles of loading and unloading well within the material's limits, the material it tends to become brittle and crack.

Brian

Quote from: Jeremy Mitchell on May 27, 2011, 08:05:13 PM

Really? Wow! I had no idea that the factory grab rails were that robust. So I guess the limiting factor with the stock setup is the black plastic tray? I figured that my GIVI rack was much stronger than what the rails could support on their own.

overthehill · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2011, 11:02:43 PM »

I installed the GIVI top box with the GIVI kit. It is very sturdy and my SO says that it is very comfortable. She laments my selling the Gold Wing, but still feels that she can fall asleep on the Connie with the GIVI.

DocPigskin · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2011, 09:58:26 PM »

Phil, I just got your rack last tuesday as well as my GIVI E55 topcase tuesday. Installed in all in about 30 minutes. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to get any pics of the bike with the rack and topcase on or with her on the bike as a passenger with the E55. Just another one of those projects that DIDN'T get done this weekend

I will post this week sometime...

Armyguns · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2011, 06:59:05 AM »

Phil-

Did a 200 mile run with a 55 mounted to your rack yesterday. The 55 has the optional Givi backrest. The wife commented that the case is stable and backrest is fine, but is a little too high for her total comfort. it hits her just a little below the points of the shoulder blades. She's asked if I could make a backrest add-on that would mount below the Givi rest to provide better lower back (lumbar) support for her. I've got just about 3 months to get it all sorted out before we hit the road for a 2500 mile trip to Nova Scotia. Any recommendations from anyone about additional back support will be greatly welcomed!

DocPigskin · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2011, 09:29:33 AM »

wedge a rolled up cheap sleeping back (or a youth sleeping bag) between the bottom of the GIVI and the seat. Should provide a nice lumbar roll for her as well as some softness.

stevewfl · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2011, 08:57:24 PM »

plenty of room for passenger comfortably with E55 GIVI. many of my passengers lean back into it. doubt GIVI could sell many (or we'd use them) if we couldn't take pretty wiminz on our bikes.

Damn Potholes · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2011, 07:44:14 AM »

Phil and I talked about this not too long ago. I decided to send mine back which I still haven't gotten back into town to do so. Work sends me to the middle of no where but at least I can drag my bike with me. It mounts as easily and effortlessly as he says and looks awesome but was just too close to the wife. She weighs a buck nothing so its not a passenger size problem. After talking to Phil, my measurements tell me I need to build one that is about 2 inches longer. I'll put up pictures once the process begins. I swear I'll get the rack in the mail this week Phil.

stevewfl · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2011, 08:08:18 AM »

Quote from: Damn Potholes on May 31, 2011, 07:44:14 AM

Phil and I talked about this not too long ago. I decided to send mine back which I still haven't gotten back into town to do so. Work sends me to the middle of no where but at least I can drag my bike with me. It mounts as easily and effortlessly as he says and looks awesome but was just too close to the wife. She weighs a buck nothing so its not a passenger size problem. After talking to Phil, my measurements tell me I need to build one that is about 2 inches longer. I'll put up pictures once the process begins. I swear I'll get the rack in the mail this week Phil.

Per my pic above my passengers have no problem with the E55, and room to spare. Is the problem your E55 trunk size itself, or where you have it mounted?

philipintexas · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2011, 08:34:37 AM »

The reason for this post is to help me decide whether to recommend against using my rack, the SW-Motech mounting kit and the E55 trunk. Since the trunk position is fixed on this combination, I'm curious to know how it works with people who are using it. I'm still confused, some passengers like the position and others don't. Looking at the photos the trunk appears to sit the same on my rack or the Givi reinforced rack. Adding the backrest may exacerbate the problem and passengers come in all sizes so my guess is the large trunk works as well as smaller ones. Thanks for the input.

B.D.F. · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2011, 09:38:39 AM »

Something I have not seen anyone mention yet is different saddles combined with top boxes; I believe a Corbin positions the passenger considerably further back than a stock saddle. My wife and I are using a Corbin so that might be part of or the entire problem with the top box being too far forward. It might be worth mentioning this to your customers. Just a thought.

Brian

Quote from: philipintexas on May 31, 2011, 08:34:37 AM

The reason for this post is to help me decide whether to recommend against using my rack, the SW-Motech mounting kit and the E55 trunk. Since the trunk position is fixed on this combination, I'm curious to know how it works with people who are using it. I'm still confused, some passengers like the position and others don't. Looking at the photos the trunk appears to sit the same on my rack or the Givi reinforced rack. Adding the backrest may exacerbate the problem and passengers come in all sizes so my guess is the large trunk works as well as smaller ones. Thanks for the input.

stevewfl · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:02:43 PM »

Quote from: philipintexas on May 31, 2011, 08:34:37 AM

The reason for this post is to help me decide whether to recommend against using my rack, the SW-Motech mounting kit and the E55 trunk. Since the trunk position is fixed on this combination, I'm curious to know how it works with people who are using it. I'm still confused, some passengers like the position and others don't. Looking at the photos the trunk appears to sit the same on my rack or the Givi reinforced rack. Adding the backrest may exacerbate the problem and passengers come in all sizes so my guess is the large trunk works as well as smaller ones. Thanks for the input.

+1

556ALPHA · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:15:37 PM »

Stock seat with Spencer Mod, Phils Rack, E55, Medium sized passenger, no backrest pad. NO PROBLEM..Even if I added a backrest there appears to be plenty of room.

Here is a closer look from the other side:

tonedeaf · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2011, 09:19:39 PM »

Quote from: philipintexas on May 31, 2011, 08:34:37 AM

The reason for this post is to help me decide whether to recommend against using my rack, the SW-Motech mounting kit and the E55 trunk. Since the trunk position is fixed on this combination, I'm curious to know how it works with people who are using it. I'm still confused, some passengers like the position and others don't. Looking at the photos the trunk appears to sit the same on my rack or the Givi reinforced rack. Adding the backrest may exacerbate the problem and passengers come in all sizes so my guess is the large trunk works as well as smaller ones. Thanks for the input.

I have an older Givi 55, so it may not be applicable. The backrest is both too high and too far forward (compared to where it was on my ST1100). The height issue is definetly an issue with the rack mounting rails. If you made a rack that allowed mounting further rearwards it would mitigate the too high issue and definetly be useful (an adjustable rack would be outstanding).

I have decided to try and figure out a sanitary way to put a GIVI TB104 on your rack and then go with soft luggage.

stewart · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2011, 09:47:42 PM »

I also was a little concerned about the position so before I returned my brand new E55 as it was faulty for a replacement I mounted it and had the wife hop on.

Just sitting in the driveway she said she has plenty of room. Lean forward to hug me and lean back to rest on the case. My wife and I are both athletic builds so size can't be it. I have the stock seat with Phils rack.

Phil, as far as I can tell your rack is perfect.

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Author Topic: Givi E55 Trunk-How compatible is it with a passenger? (Read 21613 times)