Author Topic: Before you buy: KAWASAKI trunk Vs. Givi MonoKEY trunk (Read 26175 times)

philipintexas · « **on:** January 17, 2012, 01:01:47 PM »

Just a heads-up for people contemplating purchase of a trunk. I get lots of mail asking if the Kawasaki trunk can be mounted without having the extra plastic universal mounting plate. IT CANNOT. Only a Givi monoKEY trunk can be directly mounted to a rack using the SW-motech kit. Below are photos of; (1) the Kawasaki trunk mount with the required universal mounting plate, and (2) a rack with the Sw-motech kit ready for any Givi monoKEY trunk. There are advantages to both brands and I just want to help you make an informed decision. If you have an unusually large or small passenger, the universal mounting plate lets you adjust the trunk forward or back about 2"-3", while the SW-Motech kit is in a fixed position.
(1) Kawasaki mounting plate:

(2) Sw-Motech kit ready to mount any Givi Monokey trunk:

roadie · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2012, 01:35:58 PM »

geez, that ugly kawi plate would be grounds enough for me not to buy. I'm rockin your plate with the SW and cheap whitney trunk.

Flathead · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2012, 02:16:31 PM »

Great info Phil.. Surprised you haven't designed a solution yet though

MrPepsi · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2012, 02:28:35 PM »

Quote from: Flathead on January 17, 2012, 02:16:31 PM

Great info Phil.. Surprised you haven't designed a solution yet though

He could, but he wouldn't make any money on it since the Kawi Trunk comes with the mounting hardware doesn't it?

Flathead · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2012, 02:37:53 PM »

Quote from: MrPepsi on January 17, 2012, 02:28:35 PM

He could, but he wouldn't make any money on it since the Kawi Trunk comes with the mounting hardware doesn't it?

It does, as do the Givi monoLock boxes, but lots of folks here replace the factory rack with Phil's Fantastic Farkle.

ZG · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2012, 02:38:18 PM »

Quote from: Roadie on January 17, 2012, 01:35:58 PM

geez, that ugly kawi plate would be grounds enough for me not to buy.

The advantage IMO of the Kawi plate used in conjunction with Phils rack gives you the ability to slide your trunk forward and backward depending on what passenger backrest you want to use, I for one use the Corbin backrest for my passenger because mama likes comfort and having the movable Kawi plate allows me to also have the trunk on too...

MrPepsi · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2012, 02:51:43 PM »

Quote from: Flathead on January 17, 2012, 02:37:53 PM

It does, as do the Givi monoLock boxes, but lots of folks here replace the factory rack with Phil's Fantastic Farkle.

I think that's the difference between the Monolock and Monokey. I don't think my Givi came with a rack mounting plate.

philipintexas · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2012, 04:45:19 PM »

On the question of mounting hardware, this is a photo of, I think Shad, hardware that comes with the universal mounting plate. Most makers provide something similar so the plate can be attached to tubular racks. Since it's very difficult to reach the forward area under the rack with a wrench to hold nuts, I supply T-nuts, shown on the right. They are tightened from the top-side with an Allen wrench. no need for a wrench underneath. They are pricier than I would have liked but they make the job a lot easier.

ZG · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2012, 06:43:09 PM »

Indeed! Phils t-nuts are great, they look alot cleaner and are much easier to use!

JS_racer · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2012, 12:34:11 PM »

Looks like the monokey is the cleanest look with an occasional use box. Correct?
Thanks

Isn't the e series the same as the oe case. Thought the color panel fit like an e370 or something like that

philipintexas · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2012, 03:09:06 PM »

Also worth considering, the mounting kit can be removed/installed in a couple minutes with an Allen wrench and a 10 mm wrench underneath the front two holes. Great if you want a clean, flat stock-looking rack when you're not using a trunk.

Z71 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2012, 08:43:47 PM »

Thanks Phil, is there any significant cost difference between the two trunks?

philipintexas · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2012, 09:33:49 PM »

I'm not in a good position to answer the question about price, I have a Shad 50L but from what I see I think the Kawa model is on the high side. Maybe someone who priced both can answer better.