Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: jqram35 on March 25, 2012, 02:08:59 PM
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Gauging who might be interested in one?
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Givi makes one but in the videos I have seen they look pretty flimsy. Anyone actually have one?
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Possible depending on cost.
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Givi makes one but in the videos I have seen they look pretty flimsy. Anyone actually have one?
I got one. Not very impressive. Sort of like a light nylon. Really flimsy compared to my RKA side bag liners.
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I'd be interested depending on cost. Be nice to have a top case bag to match the saddle bags from the group buy.
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Cost would be a factor, just put my hand up for the other liners.
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Possible depending on cost.
Cost would be a factor, just put my hand up for the other liners.
Thanks jqram35 for starting a new thread.
I would like to target the cost anywhere from $45 to $65 (delivered) depending on features owners would be looking for in this bag. Optional packing cubes would also be made available and would in my opinion be a must due to this size bag would have difficulty retaining the shape when empty without them.
Patrick
Big Bike Outfitters Inc.
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I agree the trunk would be a prime spot for the cubes.
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Maybe with the group buy starting tomorrow this might get a little more interest.
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Dont know if that is enough interest or not for a new product. Guessing Not.
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Maybe not but the C14 isn't the only bike you can put a Givi55 top case on. Maybe there would be interest on other cites.
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I am interested in making this product.
Next I would like some collective input as to what features this bag should have.
Jeff mentioned he would like it to have a perimeter zipper.
How many pockets and where should these be located?
Handle, shoulder strap or both?
There is a fine balance between making the coolest bag ever and what price someone is willing to pay for it.
I would like to know your thoughts on the subject.
Patrick
Big Bike Outfitters Inc.
www.bigbikeoutfitters.com (http://www.bigbikeoutfitters.com)
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I like the idea of the perimeter zipper and being that my hands are full with saddle bag liners a shoulder strap would be nice. ;D
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I like the idea of the perimeter zipper and being that my hands are full with saddle bag liners a shoulder strap would be nice. ;D
Ya, the Manbag strap would work in this situation.
I think a zipper around the top would be nice so I could access it without taking the bag out.
I am not really hip on the compartments as that just increases the cost.
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Yeah the shoulder strap makes the most sense. Handles tend to be bulky fixed heavy duty fabric which takes up much needed space.
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So to recap thus far, you guys would like the following features in this bag:
- Everyone wants a shoulder strap. How important is a shoulder pad, the kind that is slotted and feeds over the strap and helps prevent the strap from slipping off your shoulder? Also I do think you would need a handle facing out just above the lip of the top case to retrieve the bag – even if it were a small loop. That way when you load the bag using the loop handle the shoulder strap would naturally hang below the bag, positioning the bag over the shoulder strap when loaded in the top case, possibly eliminating having to tuck the shoulder strap in to close the top case. Just my thoughts, what do you guys think?
- I think we all agree a perimeter zipper is the logical choice for this bag.
- It was mentioned no pockets to keep cost down and while this is true my thoughts are it would be a lame bag without at least 1 pocket. Am I off track, is a pocket really unnecessary?
- I know Jeff stated Packing Cubes would be prime for this bag and I agree. How many of you would use this bag with the Packing Cubes? Should they come together with the bag as a set? Bare in mind the Packing Cubes are time consuming to manufacture, the bag itself can be produced in less time than the three smaller bags used to divide the space. However with that said these achieve the maximum utility in gear storage and organization. It is one feature that is unavailable elsewhere with competitive products.
I am really enjoying this design process with you guys, as it gives me real world insight I might otherwise miss. I too am an avid motorcycle enthusiast, and I ride almost daily (even in the Chicago winters provided the streets are clear) however I recognize my personal preferences are not always the norm. I believe we can collectively design a great product here…keep the comments coming!
Patrick
Big Bike Outfitters Inc.
www.BigBikeOutfitters.com (http://www.BigBikeOutfitters.com)
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Packing cubes not a deal breaker for me. Low cost would be good. Don't care about pockets or the strap. Some rings to attach a strap is all I would need. ;)
I can find my own internal bags...
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I'm most likely not with the majority here (story of my life ::)), but I think that two bags (upper and lower) that zip together at the perimeter would be perfect. In fact they might be identical ( $ savings here and mfg. simplicity) since with one flipped over the zipper hardware would be reversed and compatible right? I understand that the upper GIVI E55 case is smaller than the bottom but is it that different for soft luggage? I sort of pack my Givi that way now because I use the elastic strap inside as a divider, so having a bag above and below would fit right in with my current packing style. I guess a shoulder strap would be nice, but now I carry the whole case in with just a handle. I'm thinking the load in a bag (or bags) would be much lighter so I could live with just a handle. If they are identical then there would be two handles of course but there could be one of those Velcro wraps used as a unifier. Again if identical only one loop (for a shoulder strap) for each would be needed since they would end up on opposite ends. I'm not sure I've described this well, but it would be two identical bags, each having one flat side and one curved side. Each with a HD perimeter zipper to attach the flat sides to each other. Each bag would have a wide U shaped zipper on the flat side for inside access. The HD perimeter zipper would only need to be on three sides and a couple of snaps and straps could be on the bottom as hinges, again identical (one strap each) as the bags would be opposite each other. This is ridiculous, I need to be able to draw, as it looks so much better in my head than it does here in type. :-[
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I can imagine what Marty is suggesting with the two bags concept. I'd prefer a strap+handle, as I can see walking into a hotel with side bags in each hand, plus givi over shoulder.
For this bag it would be nice to have some soft pockets on the top either outside or zippers to access a small pocket on the inside. So when you open the top case there are some versatile pockets that can be accessed without having to open the whole bag. If that adds significant cost, then I could live with out.
Lastly, would be nice if the bag has a waterproof/durable base, so you place it on the ground while you load/unload.
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Sholder strap: Agree, I'll have hands full with side bags or my helmet.
Cubes: I'm sure they would get dusty sitting on top of my toolbox while I'm riding... maybe an optional upgrade?
Pockets: Ok, on top when you open the case, could work for a passport, maybe padded for a small camera?
Zipper: Perimeter, offset toward the top so I can easily access the inside without removing the bag if I want to.
I also agree having a way to keep it off the ground is nice, but won't make me buy/not buy.
I would not be interested in a 2 piece bag, personal pref.
If you really wanted to get fancy a waterproof bag would be slick, the new nylon dry zippers are amazing but this would certainly get pricey!!
Thanks!
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I haven't forgotten this project guys! On top of the group purchase we have been slammed with alot of orders lately with the warmer weather creeping into most the country. I should have the design concept down soon and would like to work with one of you to reveiw the first prototype bag, which would be provided free of charge. Since Jeff got the ball rolling on this I think its fair to offer him this first.
Patrick
Big Bike Outfitters Inc.
www.BigBikeOutfitters.com (http://www.BigBikeOutfitters.com)
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Roger that ;D awaiting delivery of my group buy bags!
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any update?
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Sorry for the delay! ;D
I have the Top Case bag designed and ready for production.
Furthermore I can provide a custom fit liner for any make and model Top Case such as Givi, Shad etc…
The Liner has the following features:
- Perimeter zipper that can be opened while liner is in the case
- Two large outside pockets
- Two large interior pockets
- Removable shoulder strap
- Loop carry handles
- Zipper pulls
- Optional Packing Cubes available, sold individually or in a set of three
The example pictures are for a Givi 46 Liter Top Case shown with the optional Packing Cubes. The cubes are packed with enough clothing for a 5 day trip.
Here is the pricing information:
Top Case Liner $72.95
Packing Cubes $17.95 Each or $48.50 for a set of 3
Price includes shipping to the lower 48, IL residents pay 7% sales tax.
Ships in about 5 business days depending on how many orders I receive.
Item is not listed on the website yet, to place an order email me Patrick@bigbikeoutfitters.com and I will email you a PayPal invoice that you pay at their site. I will also accept check or money orders as well.
Please let me know what you think!
Thanks
Patrick Bicanic
www.BigBikeOutfitters.com (http://www.BigBikeOutfitters.com)
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Can't see the pic on my phone, but just wanted to say I've used my side case liners now a few times and they are perfect.
Thanks!!
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Yeah love my side case liners as well.
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I'm also very happy with my side case liners and cubes, although I've yet to use the cubes
as I haven't quite determined how to best utilize them, but they seem constructed well. I'll
figure cube usage out eventually, packing planning is my least favorite part of travel.
Please let me know what you think!
Patrick, looking at the pictures of the top case bag you posted, I'm sorry to say that
so far I'm not as impressed. It just looks like a closely sized regular soft sided suitcase
that can be crammed in the case. (Sorry, but that's what it looks like to me.) The Givi 46 seems
even more rounded than my Givi 55, so why does the bag look so rectangular? I think that the top side
would need at least 3-5 panels or bunched corners to even come close to the top curve of the Givi,
or perhaps a large external pocket in the middle with two small ones on either side. I think I would need to
see a good sized detailed photo of the custom bag (packed, not droopy) sitting inside of a Givi 55 before I could
become as enthused for the top case liner as I am for the side case liners.
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First of all I am pleased you all like the side case liners, keeping customers happy is what this is all about.
Marty
You mentioned the Top Case liner should have more panels to follow the contour of the Top Case, and at my first approach to the design that is what I thought as well. I made the first prototype for my HD Road King Classic leather covered ABS top case, which has more curves than the Givi products. The bag design had a total of 8 panels sewn together and fit the inside the case perfectly. The bag was very complex to manufacture to meet our exacting QA parameters. The second proto type was made to the fit the opening and height dimensions without any allowance for curves of the case. The result was the bag actually held more than the first bag and was easily manufactured with identical duplication from one bag to the next. I didn’t need to cram the lid shut and the bag assumes the curves of the top case nicely. The results were the same when I made and fitted the next bag to a Shad 42 Liter Top Case.
Bringing a product to market is a tight balance of product utility vs. features, production process, cost, profit and price. I believe this product achieves this balance well. The feedback on the initial units sold is all very positive.
I certainly could make the bag you described but I bet you wouldn’t buy it due to the price.
I stand behind the design and am pleased to report on a recent 5 day camping trip I took on my bike using the saddlebag liners, top case liner and packing cubes for both I had room to spare (tent, sleeping bag and air mattress were packed in a passenger seat mounted prototype bag, every thing else fit in the liners).
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Bringing a product to market is a tight balance of product utility vs. features, production process, cost, profit and price.
I agree. I think we're good, but just to be clear, I wasn't out to dis your bag. I was just responding to your quoted query.
I'll be looking forward to the Givi 55 owner's reports that actually have your product in hand. Judging by the products
of yours that I have at hand, I'm sure the quality will be very good. :thumbs:
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Marty
No bag dis detected by me :). The purpose of me asking what you think is critical to our success as a company and provides guidance in bringing the right products to the marketplace. You have valid points about the design and I owed you an explanation of why the design evolved the way it did.
Our company has a 100% satisfaction guarantee (follow this link for details http://bigbikeoutfitters.com/store/catalog/shipping.php?osCsid=bttmbvab1jriqtab3ehp41iv41 (http://bigbikeoutfitters.com/store/catalog/shipping.php?osCsid=bttmbvab1jriqtab3ehp41iv41) ). It behooves us to provide the customer with what they want and to get it right the first time.
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Patrick,
Do you have pictures of the E55 liner? Is that the same price?
Thanks
Dan
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Here are the pictures of the Givi E55 Liners.
The Liner has the following features:
- Perimeter zipper that can be opened while liner is in the case
- Two large outside pockets
- Two large interior pockets
- Removable shoulder strap
- Loop carry handles
- Zipper pulls
- Optional Packing Cubes available, sold individually or in a set of three
Here is the pricing information:
Top Case Liner $72.95
Packing Cubes $17.95 Each or $48.50 for a set of 3
Price includes shipping to the lower 48, IL residents pay 7% sales tax.
Ships in about 5 business days depending on how many orders I receive.
Item is not listed on the website yet, to place an order email me Patrick@bigbikeoutfitters.com and I will email you a PayPal invoice that you pay at their site. I will also accept check or money orders as well.
Thanks
Patrick Bicanic
www.BigBikeOutfitters.com (http://www.BigBikeOutfitters.com)
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I ordered this from Patrick last week. It showed up Tuesday, less than a week from the order date.
Quality looks good, shoulder strap look a little weak in regards to quality but overall looks good. We will see how the bag holds up with use.
Patrick was very responsive. I love it when a vendor values my business.
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I ordered this from Patrick last week. It showed up Tuesday, less than a week from the order date.
Quality looks good, shoulder strap look a little weak in regards to quality but overall looks good. We will see how the bag holds up with use.
Patrick was very responsive. I love it when a vendor values my business.
Looking forward to a review after it's seen some use.
It's sad that good service is noteworthy these days. Seems like 180° from what it used to be.