Considering adding a Trunk

[DGS65]

I have a 98 Tourer and I'm considering adding a trunk/backrest I don't want to spend a fortune but being I hope to have the bags painted sometime in the fall I figured maybe I should pickup it trunk before hand in case it too needs to be painted to match.  I have seen some aftermarket pieces that really didn't look great!  I would really like to keep it at least looking original if possible.
Does anyone have any idea where I could find one other the the broken one on Ebay? 
Also how hard is it to mount I'm assuming it bolts to the same mounts as the current sissy bar?

[The emperor has no clothes]

No, you would need the interstate grab rails and mounts. Put a WTB in our classifieds. Somebody may let one go.

[Foozle]

As posted, you'll also need the Interstate rear fender stays to accommodate the trunk and hard bags.  A lot of guys do the quick change modification (or have BigBF do it, see below URL) to easily take the trunk off and on.  

http://www.bigbf.com/bigbf_shop/mod_i-s_trunk/send_bracket/

Other than eBay, I'm not sure where to find a used I/S trunk.  Pinwall has them, but they're very pricey. You could post on the board and see if anyone has one they'd part with.

Good luck!

Terry

[DGS65]

Has anyone add a truck that just sits on the rear rack of the backrest?
I'm not as concerned about the large backrest as I am the additional storage.

[Bighead]

Yes many have used the GIVI trunk....you have to make a mounting plate to adapt it to the rear carrier.

[Jess from VA]

I haven't but many have.

Having the intestate fender struts, trunk, lights, pass. backrest is very nice, but not cheap.

To get any kind of size, I think you need to make a bigger base to add to the luggage rack for support. Lightweight aluminum seems to be the best solution.

Mike (hubcap) has a big Givi trunk for his Tourer.  Some of those have lights.

Also, you don't say if you carry a back seater, because if your don't, you can pull the back seat and move the trunk forward to that position (can even be a driver's backrest).  It can carry a lot more weight in that position, than hung out over the back of a luggage rack.

Some of the cheaper smaller trunks look pretty flimsy to me, but it's what will satisfy you (and not anyone else) that matters.

I have two interstates.  One is permanently trunkless, and that one carries more gear in a big waterproof dry bag (in my back seat position), than will go in an interstate trunk.  BUT unlike a trunk, my duffel(s) do not lock.  So if locking security is what you want/need, make sure it will carry what you want to lock up, like one or two expensive full face helmets (if that's your goal).  No sense going through all it takes to mount a locking trunk if it is not big enough to carry what you want to carry in it.  

If you do not need security, beyond your locking Tourer bags, why go to the trouble of a truck, just get a big waterproof duffel (or sissy mounted backpack).  Mine is designed to take all my clothes, toilet, tennies on a trip; so as soon as I get to my destination, a bunch of bungies (and bungee net) comes off, and it goes in the room for the duration.  All my security/value stuff goes in the locking bags, and stays in there.  

Something else I learned, if I pack a big duffel on the back seat of my trunk interstate, I can't open the trunk when it is sitting on the back seat (at all).  I never carry a back seater, but I can't carry much of anything on the empty back seat on that bike, or I can't get my trunk open while riding loaded up.

But, not all aftermarket trunks open rear to front like the interstate.

Another thing.  Lots of Harley tour packs (in different sizes) can be had for relatively cheap, for pretty good quality (though fiberglass weighs more).  If you can live with a Hog trunk on your Valk, they are probably some of the best for the price you can find.  They'll also require you to mod up a mount.

https://www.tsukayu.com/TouringTrunk.htm

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-v47-tech-monokey-topcase?kclid=21297cbc-66f7-4715-a9a3-15695abfa9c1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlOLx-OXt2wIVF1mGCh3qsQ4CEAQYBCABEgJ_F_D_BwE

http://www.egobikeusa.com/product/db01-black-motorcycle-trunk-luggage-case-tail-box-rack-backrest-for-harley-touring/



https://www.saddlemen.com/hc2900-hard-case-trunk-large-universal

https://www.google.com/search?q=motorcycle+trunks&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjmqrXO7e3bAhUtuVkKHVkXDskQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1424&bih=652

[DGS65]

Ideally I would like to have a locking trunk that can hold two full faced helmets!

[Jess from VA]

Then get one that size.  And make sure it can open unimpeded if you pack other gear.

[Bighead]

One other thing to consider is the way the tour bags open......you will need to change the lid hardware or they will hit the trunk if using an IS trunk.

[DGS65]

There are a lot of trunks available some look like they are really cheap or junk.  I would be OK with removing the sissy bar and installing a trunk with a backrest or just adding a trunk to the rack on the back of the current sissy bar.  I just don't want something that will look like a crappy add on.  I would love to install an original IS unit just so it looks correct!  The aftermarket units are a couple hundred dollars and people are selling used damaged IS units for $800 plus and these need repair work and paint. 
I have also seen some duffel bags that might work as well but I would like to see pictures of said units on a Valkyrie to confirm it fits without looking stupid! 

[Jess from VA]

I used a military issue canvas duffel and a leather duffel.  Never for helmets.  Used on a solo rack (in place of the back seat).

The problem was they were not waterproof (nothing like all your clothes for the trip getting wet).  I carried a heavy gauge lawn and leaf trash bag in case it rained, but taking the duffel off to bag it in plastic then bungee it back down was a slippery PITA, and no matter how tight you did it, it flapped around and made a bunch of noise in the wind.  If all you put in it were full face helmets, crown up, it probably wouldn't have to be waterproof. 

The other problem was, it sagged down on the ends, and rubbed my bag lid paint.  No matter how soft (and non studded, or legged) the dufels were, they rubbed the paint pretty good on long hauls.  Adding a towel under the bag did not help.  And, it made getting into the bags on the trip a PITA too.  My work around was to cut a 5/8 dowel (wooden rod) to the length of the bag, zip-tied it across the solo rack, and that held the duffel ends up off the bag lids (and made getting into the bags easy). 

I finally just spent the money and bought this dry bag, which is perfectly (bottom of the swimming pool) waterproof, super lightweight, and rigidly holds it's shape (doesn't sag on the ends no matter how full).  The only drawback is that with a roll-up top opening, it is a bit difficult to load and unload (you cannot grab a whole stack of folded clothes and just set them in the bag; it has to be done only a couple items at a time.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/dryspec-d38-rigid-waterproof-motorcycle-dry-bag-multiple-colors-available

I wanted the white trim for visibility, but only the black was in stock.

It will hold two ff helmets, but it is not something I would want to have to stick my big helmets into and out of multiple times all day.

It comes with a nice set of universal snapping tie downs, but I just use bungee cords and a net.



Here's another candidate.  https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/givi-grt703-gravel-t-40-liter-waterproof-cargo-bag?kclid=a5e83b92-1b14-4869-ad0b-4de2599e03a3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhsfJs4Hv2wIVECSBCh14JgayEAQYASABEgL_HPD_BwE

To me, a bungeed down quality duffel looks better than a cheapo trunk (however mounted).  And the duffel contents should be reasonably secure without locking, so long as you do not leave it out in the motel parking lot all night.  I think it is more flexible in purpose (and on and off) than a trunk also.





 

[rocketray]

I loved my GIVI trunk...last summer though the stock luggage rack snapped off--the tubes are hollow and the mounts fatigued where it bolted down...on Ebay they have a solid metal rack replacement now and I would highly recommend getting that...I spent a pretty penny on the GIVI trunk and had a matching blue lid--it looked great and did hold 2 helmets....and yes a canoe type waterproof bag works just fine bungee'd down