I'm done with tank bags...

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JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,535
913
126
After 6 months of riding with a tank bag I sprung for a Givi B33 Monokey top case. What a great piece of kit this is! I can refuel easily now since I don't have to remove the tank bag and I can see the dash again. Plus, I can throw my leg easily over the seat without hitting the top case. It also locks and it will hold a full face helmet.

I've been using this for about a month now and I love it. When riding I don't even know it is back there and it doesn't interfere with riding in any way. I don't think it looks too bad either. The case itself was $179 shipped plus the mounting hardware which I purchased from Ducati.

auavwo.jpg


The Ducati top case uses a Givi Monokey mount so any Givi Monokey case will work on my bike as will the Ducati top case (which is made by Givi). The Ducati top case is huge though and will hold two full face helmets. I wanted something a bit smaller for commuting.

It is also easy to remove. Just turn the key, push a button to release the mounting latch and slide it back and off.
 
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WackyDan

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
4,794
68
91
I have the V35 side cases and the v46 top case. Pretty decent stuff especially if you want to color match your bike. The only gripe about them is the V35 side cases... The vinyl straps that keep them from swinging wide open have very weak mounting points and hardware.

Some other advice for you... Find some garage door lube(plastic friendly) and lube the lock cylinder, and release mechanism. If you ride in the rain on a gritty country or mountain road for long, the gunk will make it very difficult to unlock and release from the mount. Had that happen when they were brand new... I lube them once a year and haven't had that same problem since. I've ridden in some pretty good storms and crap roads since that first time - no issues. That will be $5.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,535
913
126
WackyDan said:
I have the V35 side cases and the v46 top case. Pretty decent stuff especially if you want to color match your bike. The only gripe about them is the V35 side cases... The vinyl straps that keep them from swinging wide open have very weak mounting points and hardware.

Some other advice for you... Find some garage door lube(plastic friendly) and lube the lock cylinder, and release mechanism. If you ride in the rain on a gritty country or mountain road for long, the gunk will make it very difficult to unlock and release from the mount. Had that happen when they were brand new... I lube them once a year and haven't had that same problem since. I've ridden in some pretty good storms and crap roads since that first time - no issues. That will be $5.
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:thumbsup: Thanks for the tip. I'll definitely try that.

I rode to work last week when we had rain and got caught in it on my way in and my way home. At least it was warm out so while I was wet, at least I wasn't cold. :D

I have the Ducati side cases that came with the bike but I haven't really had any reason to use them yet. Lots of plans for longer trips but no time to execute yet. Only bug so far with this bike is a troublesome fuel gauge but Ducati replaced the sending unit a couple months ago under warranty and it has been fine since.
 
Fenixgoon

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,295
11,290
136
I used to have the V35 side cases and still have my E55 top case. The storage is glorious!
 
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WackyDan

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
4,794
68
91
Fenixgoon said:
I used to have the V35 side cases and still have my E55 top case. The storage is glorious!
Click to expand...

Dude... That E55 is like a UFO when mounted... Gigantic. They use the same mounts as the V46 and even the smaller top case so I have considered getting a E55 for when I want some more space...

Still though...
 
BoberFett

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
Aw, I thought the OP was banned. Boo. :(

Just to post something relevant: I've never liked tank bags. They get in the way, and no matter how they're constructed they end up scuffing your tank.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,535
913
126
BoberFett said:
Aw, I thought the OP was banned. Boo. :(

Just to post something relevant: I've never liked tank bags. They get in the way, and no matter how they're constructed they end up scuffing your tank.
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It was a 1 day vacation. :p

Never had a problem with them scuffing.
 
Fenixgoon

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,295
11,290
136
WackyDan said:
Dude... That E55 is like a UFO when mounted... Gigantic. They use the same mounts as the V46 and even the smaller top case so I have considered getting a E55 for when I want some more space...

Still though...
Click to expand...

I did a 1000mi road trip, so I needed as much space as I could get. Also, the E55 can link up to your brake lights if you get the kit (or have it preinstalled). Not sure if the smaller topcases do that.
 
foghorn67

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
Jules...do you know anybody with a Scramber? Its the one bike that might sway me from an Iron 883.

BTW, Nice cargo solution.
 
T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
3
81
what did your tank bag look like on the duc.

i have a tank bag that i use rarely but i have no problems. I'm more of the backpack kinda guy
 
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WackyDan

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
4,794
68
91
Fenixgoon said:
I did a 1000mi road trip, so I needed as much space as I could get. Also, the E55 can link up to your brake lights if you get the kit (or have it preinstalled). Not sure if the smaller topcases do that.
Click to expand...

Givi sold a rather shitty kit for the V46... There are some aftermarket kits and a lot of DIY how to stuff on modding them. Seen some modded really nice where it looked factory.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,535
913
126
foghorn67 said:
Jules...do you know anybody with a Scramber? Its the one bike that might sway me from an Iron 883.

BTW, Nice cargo solution.
Click to expand...

No, but everything I've heard about them has been very positive and it is a lot lighter than a Harley so it should be a LOT more entertaining to ride.

T2urtle said:
what did your tank bag look like on the duc.

i have a tank bag that i use rarely but i have no problems. I'm more of the backpack kinda guy
Click to expand...

Here is my bike with the tank bag.

iokn48.jpg


In order to carry dress clothes for work and shoes, electronics, lunch etc. I needed a reasonably large bag. It worked but when filling up every 2 days it gets kind of cumbersome removing and refitting it everytime you need to fill up. It also obscured the dash while riding so I'd have to look over it to make sure the turn signals were cancelled or to read other information.

The tail bag is a much better solution.
 
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