Givi V46 Handling with a V-Stream windshield

[FJRBluesman]

Has anyone else had handling issues with their Givi 46 Top box? After two years of the Givi being off I just put it back on. I bought my 2005 with the Givi on, drove home on the freeway for 30+ miles and then took it off only to now put it back on. Since the bike was so new to me I wasn't real clear on the handling at the time.

I drove to work Thursday (no Givi installed yet) the FeeJ handles like it should. I put the Givi on Thursday evening and head out the next morning and the bike felt like it was all over the place. I thought I had a flat. I pulled off the freeway to check the tires, all was well. The only difference from Thursday to Friday was the addition of the Givi. The other thing to consider is I currently have a V-Stream windshield on right now. When I bought the bike it had the stocker. The V-Stream has that high and wide girth to it that deflects the airflow past the rider but, maybe it collects again about the box and has wild turbulence. Anyone else had this issue???

***EDIT***

I Also have the bags on all the time, and I 99.9% of the time ride solo.

 

[BFehklar]

My front end has been kinda "wobbly" recently. I too have the Givi V46 top box. I was blaming the new Pirelli Diablo Corsa tires or the dealer for their bad balance job. Didn't think to blame the V-Stream! Guess I should learn not to change too many variables at the same time. :blink:

Now I'm thinking I should give it a try without the top box or with the stock shield. Might not be the tires after all...

But I love the V-Stream! Damn you farkle gods! Damn you! :angry2:

 

[Silent]

Just the Givi alone with, or without the bags is enough to make my bike feel like it's tracking rain grooves. Just the nature of the beast. I've speed tested to *ahem* 145 with all 3 bags on and loaded for bear.

 

[Greg E.]

I've ridden with the v-46 and V-stream on my '06 for two years now and have not a had a problem. Dunno.

 

[Kromm]

I also have a V46 and a Vstream, and I don't notice any difference in the handling from just those being on (with the side bags). But I have noticed there is a difference when you take the side bags off.

 

[Bungie]

I've noticed it with both the stock shield an my CalSci medium. Anything above 60 mph it feels like the bike is doing a low speed slalom in some tire ruts. Same as you, the first time I felt it, I thought I had a VERY low tire.

Funny though, it must be in only certain wind conditions, because it doesn't do it all the time. Regardless, pop off the Givi and the problem disappears.

 

[Fred W]

With V46 rear trunk and no passenger, I feel the wobbles at anything above 70 mph. Especially on the highway with the turbulent air currents from trucks, etc.. It never gets horrible, but it's there. I did test it with trunk and no passenger at triple digit speeds (on a closed course, of course)

Add a passenger: no wobbles.

Remove trunk, no wobbles.

I generally only put the trunk on with passengers or for a multi-day trip.

 

[RTSR1/FJR]

With V46 rear trunk and no passenger, I feel the wobbles at anything above 70 mph. Especially on the highway with the turbulent air currents from trucks, etc.. It never gets horrible, but it's there. I did test it with trunk and no passenger at triple digit speeds (on a closed course, of course)
Add a passenger: no wobbles.

Remove trunk, no wobbles.

I generally only put the trunk on with passengers or for a multi-day trip.

:withstupidsmiley: Same with me! Except I have a E52

 

[Bungie]

Add a passenger: no wobbles. Remove trunk, no wobbles.

Now that you mention it, I've never noticed it with the girl on the back. Guess I'd better get another one.

Wanted: Steering Damper, 5'1-5'6, 120 lbs, Must yell WOOF'nHOO when pulling g-forces. Preference will be given to steering dampers that have a younger, cuter steering damper and whose father owns a micro-brewery.

 

[Wild72]

I had similar concerns, which did seem to be a little worse after installing the V-Stream.

I needed to use the V46 to carry my laptop for work (when I still had a job that is), sidebags carried waterproofs, and my work clothing. and I needed extra storage for gloves, plexus, frst-aid kit etc., so I fitted a Dowco Fastrax seat bag, and the wobbles were all but gone.

The seat bag is on all the time now, and I only put the Givi on for longer trips, or grocery shopping, and I don't notice any handling problems at all with the Givi on.

I assume the seat bag is smoothing out the turbulent air from hitting the V46 full force, much like a passenger does, but it has the added benefit of acting as a backrest when I stick my jacket liner in it.

But I'll be willing to do some testing using Bungie's steering damper... :clapping:

 

[mattster31]

Has anyone else had handling issues with their Givi 46 Top box?
I put the Givi on Thursday evening and head out the next morning and the bike felt like it was all over the place. I thought I had a flat. I pulled off the freeway to check the tires, all was well. The only difference from Thursday to Friday was the addition of the Givi. The other thing to consider is I currently have a V-Stream windshield on right now.

Anyone else had this issue???

***EDIT***

I Also have the bags on all the time, and I 99.9% of the time ride solo.

Sell the V46 and buy an E52..............problem solved. It's more aerodynamic. I had the symptoms you describe with the factory Yamaha case. Since I have had my E52 I have had no issues with handling, I barely know its there.

 

[madmike2]

I had similar concerns, which did seem to be a little worse after installing the V-Stream.
I needed to use the V46 to carry my laptop for work (when I still had a job that is), sidebags carried waterproofs, and my work clothing. and I needed extra storage for gloves, plexus, frst-aid kit etc., so I fitted a Dowco Fastrax seat bag, and the wobbles were all but gone.

The seat bag is on all the time now, and I only put the Givi on for longer trips, or grocery shopping, and I don't notice any handling problems at all with the Givi on.

I assume the seat bag is smoothing out the turbulent air from hitting the V46 full force, much like a passenger does, but it has the added benefit of acting as a backrest when I stick my jacket liner in it.

Ding...Ding...Ding...we have a winner.

Some larger windshields cause a vortex between the rider and the top case. A seat bag (duffel bag/sleeping bag) on the passenger seat eliminates the void so the vortex won't be as large (more of the wind stream is forced "over" the top case) and cause the problem.

It also affects your gas mileage. Mine increased by 2-3 mpg by placing a tail pack on the passenger seat (depending on my average speed).

But I'll be willing to do some testing using Bungie's steering damper...

I dunno. The added expense and attitude?????

 

[johnny80s]

I have had a similar issue with my e52 and my v-stream. It seems to make the fjr more sensitive to the quality of the road. Going to Vegas I don't notice it. Around town in socal the freeways are not always top notch and it is really noticeable. I thought I had a flat the first time I put it on too.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Thanks guys! Great input.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I removed the Givi box last night, it's back to the old handling FeeJ I remember.