To dress or not to dress

[Tom]

If you were the type that cares what others think, then you would be a Harley dude 

IIRC....He was.   

[blu guzz]

i keep the topbox on mine because you never know when you will spot a "corn man" selling by the side of the road.  different bike i know, but the box swallowed a dozen ears, a six pack and a bag of ice on the way home sunday.

[Tom]

No room in the side bags?  A folding nylon duffle would do that and you can keep it in one of the side bags.  The tendency when on a trip with a pax, trunk gets over-loaded and your center of gravity changes affecting your handling.

[pebra]

Are you guys serious about changing the color with spray bombs?

I should hope not! 

Seriously, your outfit looks great. Only thing wrong is the colour on the little side cover (blueish?) which should be orange like the tank.
I'd ride it bith bags as on the photos, including the top case. The colour contrasts are just great.

[Bpreynolds2]

It was always a struggle for me and my 1100 Calis, to dress or not.  To my eyes the bike looks by far stunningly best the more simple it remains.  I still feel like the most you can put on an 1100 and still have it look good is a couple of 30l juniors.  At most.  And then to me the only shields that proved effective were the ugliest by far  .  But this is just my opinion. 

[Ncdan]

It was always a struggle for me and my 1100 Calis, to dress or not.  To my eyes the bike looks by far stunningly best the more simple it remains.  I still feel like the most you can put on an 1100 and still have it look good is a couple of 30l juniors.  At most.  And then to me the only shields that proved effective were the ugliest by far  .  But this is just my opinion.

Too small of bags are like too small shoes, they my look good but you’ll be uncomfortable with them the more you walk and need them.  Bigger is better when it comes to luggage, even pertaining to motorcycles 👍

[Bpreynolds2]

Too small of bags are like too small shoes, they my look good but you’ll be uncomfortable with them the more you walk and need them.  Bigger is better when it comes to luggage, even pertaining to motorcycles 👍

Dan, I disagree but in the end do what works for you.  I used to dress all my bikes with the stuff.  Hepco, Givi, all of it.  Later I found that all that luggage and all those frames to hold it, they made a serious difference on the motorcycle in terms of handling and even enjoyment; it wasn’t just about looks.  The Calis I had felt a lot more “fun” without all the baggage on it.  For the last many years what I’ve gone to is mainly lightweight, tie down dry bags that are even more waterproof while still saving a ghastly amount of weight.  When I took my 950SM across the country I had a canvas tank bag, a duffel roll bag and two semi-rigid panniers.  Even said, there have been a few bikes I owned that looked “better” with that luggage.  The GT1000 I once owned had a ludicrous high fender that the HB luggage hid quite well and looked good doing it.  But I digress.  Shoot.  I’m just jealous you got one of those fancy orange ones that I could never score! 

[Ncdan]

Dan, I disagree but in the end do what works for you.  I used to dress all my bikes with the stuff.  Hepco, Givi, all of it.  Later I found that all that luggage and all those frames to hold it, they made a serious difference on the motorcycle in terms of handling and even enjoyment; it wasn’t just about looks.  The Calis I had felt a lot more “fun” without all the baggage on it.  For the last many years what I’ve gone to is mainly lightweight, tie down dry bags that are even more waterproof while still saving a ghastly amount of weight.  When I took my 950SM across the country I had a canvas tank bag, a duffel roll bag and two semi-rigid panniers.  Even said, there have been a few bikes I owned that looked “better” with that luggage.  The GT1000 I once owned had a ludicrous high fender that the HB luggage hid quite well and looked good doing it.  But I digress.  Shoot.  I’m just jealous you got one of those fancy orange ones that I could never score! 

Thanks for your response B and I think you made the most important point in the conversation which is this. Some riders like dressers and some don’t. If one does not they probably don’t like any type of cases. I’ve always had a full dress bike so that’s what I like and a stripped bike is Alien to me.
I must say I don’t quite agree with the degree you are saying that bags drastically changes or hampers a bikes Preformance. I have pushed my baggers on roads like the Dragons Tail that challenged sport bike riders that couldn’t seem to put space between my bike and theirs. Unless you are riding in knee dragging speeds and top end speeds, which are ridiculous in the first place, bags should not be an issue not withstanding other bike issues causing the problem in the first place.

[larrys]

I like my Cal nekkid. My riding consists of short hops and day rides on nice days so bags and a shield aren't required. If I do want to haul some stuff, I still have the 1980's Bagman soft bags and tank bag from my long gone SP.
Larry

[Ncdan]

I like my Cal nekkid. My riding consists of short hops and day rides on nice days so bags and a shield aren't required. If I do want to haul some stuff, I still have the 1980's Bagman soft bags and tank bag from my long gone SP.
Larry

👍

[Ncdan]

More acceptable to some, same to some and worse to some?

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Are you guys serious about changing the color with spray bombs?

I used this product from Advance Auto to paint the 'sponsons' and fake chrome winglet things on my Breva, also the plastic center piece on this 1200 sport bikin fairing... it has held up amazingly well and looks stock... I have had several people remark "I've never seen one that color!" so it looks pretty well stock. It has slight texture, nothing like wrinkle paint or bedliner, but not made to lay smooth and glossy.

[Tom]

More acceptable to some, same to some and worse to some?

Personally, I'd put the trunk on the bike for a tour.  The trunk hangs out there like a canard.  It's the visual thing but your bike and screw the critics. 

[pebra]

More acceptable to some, same to some and worse to some?

Put the trunk back on.
Makes the bike more complete, given that colour combo.
Can you paint that little side cover orange?

[Ncdan]

Put the trunk back on.
Makes the bike more complete, given that colour combo.
Can you paint that little side cover orange?

Well I reckon I could but I don’t think it would be a good idea to change the color scheme on a rare colored bike.

[Yo Man]

That bike is gorgeous and looks to been in pristine condition. You only paid $2000?- that's amazing.

[Ncdan]

That bike is gorgeous and looks to been in pristine condition. You only paid $2000?- that's amazing.

Yea it was a lucky find, it only had 9700 miles and a garage kept one owner. He threw the full set of like new Givi luggage for 250.00 extra.

[Cam3512]

Dan buddy, gotta be honest here.  But you asked.  Those Givis look horrendous on that bike.  Sell all the bags and mounts, and buy something else.  Do you take long overnight trips?  If not, throw a temporary tail bag on for some temp storage.

KOF has some good advice with his hard bags.  Imagine them in that creamsicle color.

[Ncdan]

Dan buddy, gotta be honest here.  But you asked.  Those Givis look horrendous on that bike.  Sell all the bags and mounts, and buy something else.  Do you take long overnight trips?  If not, throw a temporary tail bag on for some temp storage.

KOF has some good advice with his hard bags.  Imagine them in that creamsicle color.

Thanks for the honesty in your opinion.
Yes I take extended trips on my bikes. I also use a MC as a utility machine as I make runs to hardware stores, Walmart and to pick up groceries. This is the reason I have always road and owned touring bikes. Therefore the large Gouty looking bags serve the purpose extremely well for my needs. The fact I only have 2225.00 in an almost new bike, well I can live with the ugly as I have no shame with this guzzi👍

[kingoffleece]

THAT is such a great color combo.  I absolutely love it.  I'm with Cam.  I'd dress up that gal and show her off every chance I got.  I'd use the truck for the store, or the Norge.. Just sayin.............. ...but she's SO very lovely it seems  right to make her a show model.  All my British friends, I can hear them now.  "She's a saucy tart, that one is!"

At any rate, what a find you made.  Good on ya, mate!

[80CX100]

      I'm not much for rattle can paint jobs ever since I ruined my H2 back in the day when the first 3 cans of Candy Apple Blue sprayed perfectly, and the 4th can sprayed out like dusty cobwebs ruining the whole thing 

      I don't think I'd ever risk trying to match that creamsicle orange, but if the silver parts of the bags were blacked out with some of the black sprays that have been posted and used successfully, I think from 20 ft your bike would look twice as nice and it would really make that orange tank pop.

      fwiw

      Kelly

[Ncdan]

      I'm not much for rattle can paint jobs ever since I ruined my H2 back in the day when the first 3 cans of Candy Apple Blue sprayed perfectly, and the 4th can sprayed out like dusty cobwebs ruining the whole thing 

      I don't think I'd ever risk trying to match that creamsicle orange, but if the silver parts of the bags were blacked out with some of the black sprays that have been posted and used successfully, I think from 20 ft your bike would look twice as nice and it would really make that orange tank pop.

      fwiw

      Kelly

Lol, painting a set of 800.00 travel luggage with a can of spray paint, of any color, doesn’t sound like a sensible Or reasonable thing for anyone to do. However thanks for the tip but I guess I’ll just live with the bags as they are👍

[Bpreynolds2]

Lol, painting a set of 800.00 travel luggage with a can of spray paint, of any color, doesn’t sound like a sensible Or reasonable thing for anyone to do. However thanks for the tip but I guess I’ll just live with the bags as they are👍

It’s actually not difficult nor unusual at all, Dan, although there is a learning curve to it I’ve found.  Heck, HB even encourage you to do the same with their flash bags; you paint/match the color swath with your own bike.  With the right sandpaper set and the right method you can get a very professional looking finish. My first set I did with a former Stone I had were okay but I wasn’t using the right method.  Later, properly using different grades of sandpaper, some wet, I was able to achieve near perfect results. But as I stated in an earlier post, I’d never bother with it now and instead, sell them all and get the dry roll bags.   

[Ncdan]

It’s actually not difficult nor unusual at all, Dan, although there is a learning curve to it I’ve found.  Heck, HB even encourage you to do the same with their flash bags; you paint/match the color swath with your own bike.  With the right sandpaper set and the right method you can get a very professional looking finish. My first set I did with a former Stone I had were okay but I wasn’t using the right method.  Later, properly using different grades of sandpaper, some wet, I was able to achieve near perfect results. But as I stated in an earlier post, I’d never bother with it now and instead, sell them all and get the dry roll bags.   

Yea I have painted parts in the past as I’ve been involved in working in a body shop in my youth. With the knowledge of knowing sandpaper grits and water sanding,  flawed paint can be corrected. That being said if these bags were already flawed and ruff I wouldn’t think twice about painting them with a spray rattle can. However mine are like new condition and I feel that attempting to take a chance of totally ruining them would be foolish and the thought of stripping them back off, finding a buyer, going through the problems reselling them, then finding replacements and going through the remounting them is just a little too much at this time. Thanks for your response 👍

[ejs]

Small 20litre cases for daily use. Mounted on the HB racks.

[Ncdan]

Small 20litre cases for daily use. Mounted on the HB racks.

Are those painted with spray cans? If so they do look nice. 👍

[Tom H]

If you remove the logo from the back of the lid, they can be found on fleabay for not too much money. Looked at those for my HD.

Tom

[ejs]

Came black from the shop. One drawback,,,, tales 3-4 minutes to dismount because no original mounts.
Cost me ca. 120 us dollar.

[flower_king001]

IMHO the bike looks fine

I personally don't ride a Guzzi for the looks

As for luggage I find it very practical and would not worry about the looks. My main concern would be if i had enough room for my needs.

[Ncdan]

IMHO the bike looks fine

I personally don't ride a Guzzi for the looks

As for luggage I find it very practical and would not worry about the looks. My main concern would be if i had enough room for my needs.

I totally agree FK. If one wants snd needs luggage to fit their needs in a bike to use smaller one just for the looks aspect is foolish. My sons HD soft tail deluxe came with factory side bags and they look great. However his rain gear barely fits in one and the other only holds a couple items like a pair of
Sneakers and other small items. He always must add a large duffel bag to complete his needs for a few days trip. Yep like I’ve always said, with luggage, as most everything else, if you’re going to kill a bear, kill a griz 😂😂😂🤔