Pics of H&B Junior 40L with V7?

[Rhodan]

Does anyone have pics of a V7 with H&B Junior 40 L bags?  It looks like the only difference between the 30L and 40L is their width.  I was wondering about the aesthetics of that.  Anyone who has had both notice any handling differences?

I did a WG search and saw a lot of pics of V7s with Hepco & Becker Junior bags but couldn't figure out which sizes they were.

[ratguzzi]

Does anyone have pics of a V7 with H&B Junior 40 L bags?  It looks like the only difference between the 30L and 40L is their width.  I was wondering about the aesthetics of that.  Anyone who has had both notice any handling differences?

I did a WG search and saw a lot of pics of V7s with Hepco & Becker Junior bags but couldn't figure out which sizes they were.

I have posted tons with both. I will look in my old photos and see what I have.
JB

[ratguzzi]

I have posted tons with both. I will look in my old photos and see what I have.
JB

big bags.
 

[Kev m]

FWIW, the 40's were so obscenely large on my (Tonti) California Jackal that I got rid of them and never installed them on my V7 (keeping and using only my 30's).

[ratguzzi]

FWIW, the 40's were so obscenely large on my (Tonti) California Jackal that I got rid of them and never installed them on my V7 (keeping and using only my 30's).

I had 30s too but when I had tools, laptop, etc for work I ran 40s. Sure beat using a car!!
JB

[Kev m]

I had 30s too but when I had tools, laptop, etc for work I ran 40s. Sure beat using a car!!
JB

That's when my topcase (45L) comes into play.

[Joliet Jim]

I think the 40s will actually float the bike if it goes in a river.

[Rhodan]

Thanks guys, that's exactly what I needed to know.  Ratguzzi, appreciate the pic.
40L = Pontoon.  Check. ;)

[pebra]

The 40 liter will take a helmet, the 30 liter will not.

I think of this as a "does my ass look too big" sort of question.
They're a bit obnoxious in any case, so you should go for those that are most useful for you.
Once you decide to use those boxes you won't notice if it's the 30 or the 40, and neither will others. Yeah, I see that Kev, for one, disagrees.

[Rhodan]

Ah, that's good to know.  Any idea if the 40l Junior top case would hold one?   

[Kev m]

Ah, that's good to know.  Any idea if the 40l Junior top case would hold one?   

Depends on the helmet. Some larger ones are tight in mine. My older 45L Junior topcase works much better for that.

Actually it's been a while but I think the 40L Junior sidecases were the same (some helmets won't fit).

[Rhodan]

Also good to know.  I'll go measure a top case I know works for me and see how things fall out.  Appreciate all the replies.

[Rhodan]

Dimensions taken.  I think the 40L Junior topcase would fit my helmet if I laid it down.  The 55 L would absolutely fit it but may be more box than I want.  H&B looks like they make a couple other topcase models which may suit: the 42L Gobi or the 45L Xplorer.  I'll need to see if the adaptor plate/rack will work and talk to folks about keying:  I'd rather have 1 key for the lot.

The 40L Junior luggage (side cases) will likely work but the 30L definitely wouldn't.  The 40L sidecase listed dimensions are 11.4" high x 19.3" wide x 11.8" deep.  My helmet, best I could measure, is 11" high x 10" wide x 14" long. 

[pyoungbl]

You'll notice the 40L bags the most when you try to slide into a tight parking place.  I suspect the added wind resistance is going to be an issue too. 

[Rhodan]

Yeah, that's a concern.  With a good tail wind though, think of the mileage.

[twowheeladdict]

  Anyone who has had both notice any handling differences?

I have found that with higher mounted bags and with further sticking out bags you have to be conscious of how you load them.  Evenly distributed weight with heavier items on the bottom (and inboard) of the bag makes a difference.  I once put a 2 1/2 gallon container of water in one side case while the other was empty.  Definitely felt it in the curves.  I also picked up a 25 lb bag of kitty litter and had the same experience.  Lesson learned was to buy two to even the load. 

[Kev m]

Dimensions taken.  I think the 40L Junior topcase would fit my helmet if I laid it down.  The 55 L would absolutely fit it but may be more box than I want.  H&B looks like they make a couple other topcase models which may suit: the 42L Gobi or the 45L Xplorer.  I'll need to see if the adaptor plate/rack will work and talk to folks about keying:  I'd rather have 1 key for the lot.

The 40L Junior luggage (side cases) will likely work but the 30L definitely wouldn't.  The 40L sidecase listed dimensions are 11.4" high x 19.3" wide x 11.8" deep.  My helmet, best I could measure, is 11" high x 10" wide x 14" long.

I wouldn't accept the specs on bad measurements. You might want to have someone measure the inside of the bags for you.

I believe there is a not insignificant loss to interior volume due to curves and double walls and other inconsistencies with listed specs.

[pebra]

Don't trust the measurements if it's really important to fit your helmet in the side case  -  try it out.
Depending on the helmet, I need to be careful and wiggle the helmet a little to shut the case.

[OldMojo]

The 40L Juniors are the definition of function over form.

They're portly, homely and arguably cheap looking in their blow-molded glory.

Their utility is outstanding, however.

Not only can you fit a helmet - you can fit 2 six packs of bottles sideways and still have some room left over.

They can also double as a passable cooler!

[rocker59]

I have both 30s and 40s.

If you need 40s to carry something, the 30s just won't do.

I use the 30s for around town and commuting.  The 40s if I'm going on an overnighter, or longer trip.

[Kev m]

I've traveled all over with my 30's...

[Tom H]

The 40L Juniors are the definition of function over form.

They're portly, homely and arguably cheap looking in their blow-molded glory.

Their utility is outstanding, however.

Not only can you fit a helmet - you can fit 2 six packs of bottles sideways and still have some room left over.

They can also double as a passable cooler!

If yours are the same as my cases, they will also hold a 30 pack on each side if you crunch the corners of the box a little to get the lid closed

Not on the model your asking about, but the large bags on an EVT:




Tom

[chuck peterson]

I've picked up a weave above 85 on a low mileage Nevada and 40 liter HB, not there without the bags....definitely a notice that aerodynamics count....they (40 liter HB) do make it look like it'll go around the world as opposed to actually having to go do it....

If I was  traveling weeks at a time like I used to, there is no such thing as enough luggage....and guzzi content, purchased used for cheap

[Kev m]

OK, I had to dig through some archives but here is a photo or two of the 40's on a LARGER bike (Tonti Jackal). Maybe this perspective will show just how friggin' wide the 40's can be:




Look at the width of the bags compared to width of the cylinders/heads:

[Rhodan]

I like the cooler idea!      
I thought I'd prefer a top-opener on the side cases but I saw some people make a good argument for the side-case-lid as "table".  Plus it sounds like an inner bag removes some of the side-opening negatives.  I know you can buy them but I'm thinking "trash bag".

The 40s look more proportional on the bigger bike. 

I'm likely going to get a top-box big enough to hold a helmet and go with something smaller for the side cases.
What I need to do is put together a kit that I think will last me for... a week lets say.  And just measure it.  See where it lands me.
I think Daniel K had a great list of what he takes when he travels.  I'll dig that up as a reference point.

Thanks all for the pics, perspectives, and ideas.

[Tom H]

I prefer a top opening side case. I have Wixom's on my Ambo and R75. The Eldo has the police ammo can style. The HB side opening bags are nice if you actually plan to use them as traditional luggage because you just undo the latch and take the bag to your room and lay it flat and your clothes are there more or less like regular luggage.

If your a bit mechanically inclined to modify or make mounting brackets or drill holes in the case to fit your mounts, there are many different styles of side cases to be has as well as trunks. If you are looking for something reasonably priced, but not HB quality, you might look at what this guy has to offer on fleabay:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mutazu-LCX-Hard-SADDLE-BAGS-for-Harley-Dyna-2013-up-Street-Bob-FXDB-w-brackets/232363892382 . Click on his store for other models and then check other sellers for the best price.

Good luck with your choice!
Tom

[Toecutter]

Those are huuuuuuge.

[ohiorider]

They look huge, even on a big block.





I considered adding a "Wide Load" sign! 

[Vagrant]

I have the 40 jrs on a V7-3 and love them. Only a few inches wider.

[redhawk47]

I take week long , and longer, motorcycle camping trips. When I bought my V7 I made a conscious decision to buy smaller paniers because I was always packing too much stuff. So I bought the Hepco-Becker 30L Juniors. It seemed like no one complained about them, and the styling fit the V7.  I cut back on my packing list and crammed everything in the bags. After a season and a half I started thinking “I cut back on my stuff but it’s a pain to pack”. Well, the H-B bags have rounded corners and interior protrusions that made the packing harder. So I decided to measure the bags. I was liberal in my measurements, using the longest dimensions and ignoring the rounded corners and protrusions. This generous calculation resulted with 22 liters!!! No wonder that my stuff wouldn’t fit.  How did they come up with 30 liters? Maybe they submerged the closed case in water and measured how much water it displaced? The case has double walls!

So, what can I do? I looked at soft bags including Wolfman and Mosko Moto but the mufflers on the V7 said that they were not a good idea; too much chance of melting the bags. I did not find any recommendations of other bags for the V7. My riding buddy had been happy with the Caribous he had on his F650, and Caribou was local, plus they had an attachment setup for the H-B racks. So I visited Roger at Caribou and we checked the clearances. I decided that they would work because the biggest heat danger is from the exhaust gases, not from the muffler itself unless the bag is touching, or perhaps in stopped traffic. I have put reflective heat shield on the bottom of the cases but when I’ve checked them they are warn, but not too warm to leave my hand on them.

So, I’m back to bigger bags, but I am more conscious how much stuff I’m packing, and I have room to stash clothing layers instead of strapping them on top of everything. Also, the bags are easy to remove from the bike, same as the H-Bs. The bags kind of spoils the lines of the V7, but, you know what they say, “form follows function”.

PS: I learned the hard way that the max load rating on tail racks maybe mean what they say. I was looking at my tail light one day and noticed that the tail rack was closer to the tail light than I remembered. Looking around I found this:

The tail rack is cantilevered and this weld weakened the steel in a highly stressed location. Both sides were broken. Fortunately the ID of the rack tubing was close to the OD of steel pipe so we made an internal splice and welded it back together. I measured the weight of the case and the contents that had been on the bike; 10 kg. I now have a smaller case and watch the weight.