Givi buyer beware!

[ScottyUSN]

I own a Givi topbox and brackets, Givi windscreen, and now unfortunately Givi crash guards.

I contacted Givi about my concern and issue with the bolts that fasten the guards to the frame. These bolts are galvanized, and replace OEM stailless steel. To put is simply, they are cheap!

I have one bolt that is fastened, but stripped out. It will take some work to remove it.

Givi's response to my complaint: They feel the bolts are high quality, and see no issue.

After that response I decided I would prefer not to keep the guards. I wanted to return them and replace with a better product with acceptable customer support.

Givi denied my request of a refund. They said since the guards have been installed, they will not refund the money.

So I'm stuck with my guards, but I HIGHLY recommend if you are considering farkles, take Givi off your list.

GIVI Customer support is horrible.

[pjwoolw]

Well Scotty looks were the only two people who don't appreciate buying a product in good faith and being sh*t on by said company or retailer. Like I said in another post I'm offing all my Givi stuff and going in another direction. Its the direction I'm not sure of at this point. Been waiting for Givi parts for for over four months. My fault for breaking the darn thing to begin with. But no spare parts available???? Get real. Its not just Givi. Few manufacturers use decent hardware. Good luck to you!:confused:

[ScottyUSN]

I'll deal with the Givi stuff that I have to date, but they will never see another dollar of my money. Too many others out there who might charge a few dollars more that actually back their products and value the buyers satifaction.

[K1W1]

You seem to be embarking on an anti Givi campaign over what is a relatively minor matter that does not appear to have concerned thousands of other Strom and Givi crash bar owners world wide.
In pre politically correct times your actions would have been referred to as those of a scorned woman. Maybe it's time to realise that not everything we buy or do works out as expected and that when that happens the best thing to do is let the people concerned know if there are any issues then move on. Acting like a petulant child who has had their lolly pop taken away does not generally achieve anything constructive.

[ScottyUSN]

You seem to be embarking on an anti Givi campaign over what is a relatively minor matter that does not appear to have concerned thousands of other Strom and Givi crash bar owners world wide.
In pre politically correct times your actions would have been referred to as those of a scorned woman. Maybe it's time to realise that not everything we buy or do works out as expected and that when that happens the best thing to do is let the people concerned know if there are any issues then move on. Acting like a petulant child who has had their lolly pop taken away does not generally achieve anything constructive.

Huumm I recieve what I feel is less than adequate support. I take the time to read here it's not an isolated issue. I bring that the attention of Givi only to be told I can not return the product I purchased and I'm not happy with within a week. I return here to post my displeasure, and you call that childish?

Sorry "mate" I could Givi $hit what your opinion might be. You have proven on more than one occassion to me anyway, your motive is nothing more than to troll for an argument on topics you have no clue or business commenting on. So considering the source, me an my lollipop are not moved.

[james1300]

You seem to be embarking on an anti Givi campaign over what is a relatively minor matter that does not appear to have concerned thousands of other Strom and Givi crash bar owners world wide.
In pre politically correct times your actions would have been referred to as those of a scorned woman. Maybe it's time to realise that not everything we buy or do works out as expected and that when that happens the best thing to do is let the people concerned know if there are any issues then move on. Acting like a petulant child who has had their lolly pop taken away does not generally achieve anything constructive.

I for one appriciate the letter of concern for GIVI's sub-standard parts and poor customer service.
How does one avoid getting taken, if people dont voice themselfs.
I'd be happy to sell you a couple of cars that wont work out as expected.
But, dont you dare say anything in here about them! Just move on.

[K1W1]

I for one appriciate the letter of concern for GIVI's sub-standard parts and poor customer service.

You missed my point.

The OP has started not one but two threads on exactly the same issue in the last couple of days and seems intent on some sort of retribution campaign about an issue that the vast majority of Givi owners don't have any problems with at all. He may perceive the bolt issue as a problem but the lack of comment from other owners indicates that he is in the minority and Givis response whilst probably not phrased in the best terms is exactly what you would expect from a manufacturers distributor who may well have never had the issue raised with them before.

The OP has every right and should be encouraged to point out shoddy support or shoddy products but to start multiple threads on the same issue indicates motives other than a well meaning intent to inform others.

As far as cars are concerned I'll pass thanks. I own a Land Rover and what's more it's not the first Land Rover I have ever owned. :p

[ScottyUSN]

Your correct about starting two threads. I started the first thread while I was having difficulty in dealing with the guards, and more so Givi support. I only started the second thread because the problem and result is concluded, if I posted that result in the initial thread I was concerned it may not be seen by other potential buyers of this product. It was titled to get the attention of buyers. I suppose I could have gone back and changed the title of the inital post, but that is an after thought now. Two separate threads, wow what was I thinking!

Anyway, my point was to warn others of the issues I had. Plan and simple.

If I saw a thread on here listing the issues that happened to me prior to my purchase, I would have not made that buy.

K1W1, feel free to critique all you want. It's your right to except sub standard service and support. Whats the deal with owning not one but two Land Rovers, is there a point to be made there?

[Bisbonian]

Personally, I thank you for the heads up. I've said many times that all companies have issues, what separates the good from the bad is how they deal with those issues.

Customer service is all that separates many companies where the product is similar. I would much rather spend a couple of extra dollars for a product that has excellent customer service.

[ScottyUSN]

Personally, I thank you for the heads up. I've said many times that all companies have issues, what separates the good from the bad is how they deal with those issues.

Customer service is all that separates many companies where the product is similar. I would much rather spend a couple of extra dollars for a product that has excellent customer service.

I agree, and thanks for confirming my point here was not lost.

[MrVvrroomm]

I am a big Givi fan. I've had nothing but exemplary service with GiviUSA when I've had any issues. I presently own 2 Givi windscreens, one on my Wee and one on my Yamaha Majesty. I also presently own 5 Givi top boxes and 4 Givi side cases. I've owned many more, too many to list.

I've even had them send me replacement parts, free of charge, on out of warranty items.

I will admit that Givi's instructions leave something to be desired, but with a little patience and mechanical aptitude anyone should be able to mount up their products without crossthreading. It sounds like you're having buyer's remorse and want them to take back something that many, many others have used quite successfully.

If you're truly concerned about the included fasteners not meeting YOUR standards, perhaps a trip to your local Fastenal is in order to replace them with something that does meet your standards.

I don't know why I'm doing this, but here goes: Here is a contact at GiviUSA, Craig 877-679-4484. Talk to him in a calm, mature manner and I'm confident he will do his best to appease you.

[ScottyUSN]

I've spoken with Greg via email, and the contact information you seemed reluctant to provide is available on the GIVIUSA main page.

It's not buyers remorse, I had no issue with paying out of pocket to replace the bolts. It is/was more of a lack of desire to address the problems I felt would improve the product. Namely the lesser quality fasteners, and poor fabrication (threads).

I opted to not support Givi at that point and request a refund. The answer was no, we will not take them back after you installed them. I should add, it was never angry demand, just a less than satified customer. My mindset is, if a buyer (within reason) has an issue with a product due to manufacturing defects, they should gladly receive and refund the buyer no questions asked. That was refused.

So my guards will be taylored to my standards, and I do like the looks of the Givi's over any other guards made.

I can only hope if I do have any issue with my other Givi products, I will see the support you have. I will not assume that to be the case when farkling this or any other bikes in the future.

Thanks for sharing your positive experience, hopefully for others my experience is an isolated problem.

[Chewy]

[QUOTE

If you're truly concerned about the included fasteners not meeting YOUR standards, perhaps a trip to your local Fastenal is in order to replace them with something that does meet your standards.

QUOTE]


I went to the Fastenal store to purchase SS bolts for my GIVI bars before I installed them. I took one of the GIVI supplied bolts with me for a reference and the Fastenal guy told me that the Givi bolts had a higher strength rating than their SS bolts.....so I didn't buy the SS bolts and installed the GIVI bolts.

So my bolts are not SS but my bike doesn't sit outside and isn't ridden in winter.

[Dorzok]

I own a Givi topbox and brackets, Givi windscreen, and now unfortunately Givi crash guards.

I contacted Givi about my concern and issue with the bolts that fasten the guards to the frame. These bolts are galvanized, and replace OEM stailless steel. To put is simply, they are cheap!

I have one bolt that is fastened, but stripped out. It will take some work to remove it.

Givi's response to my complaint: They feel the bolts are high quality, and see no issue.

After that response I decided I would prefer not to keep the guards. I wanted to return them and replace with a better product with acceptable customer support.

Givi denied my request of a refund. They said since the guards have been installed, they will not refund the money.

So I'm stuck with my guards, but I HIGHLY recommend if you are considering farkles, take Givi off your list.

GIVI Customer support is horrible.

This is the same type of issue that i've had with Suzuki and this POS(uzuki) that i own called the DL1000. Every time i express what a POS it is and how crappy their custmoer service is, all i get is flack from all the V-strom lovers here. hardly a one empathizes with me. opens my eyes to why this nation is in such a mess regarding our manufacturing industry. nobody cares about quality improvement. there's this attitude "if you don't like our CRAP then dix it yourself or buy something else". the BEST way by far to improve quality is to make changes based on real world accounts from your customer.
You're absoluely right for dumping them. i was going to get there side racks but ithink, no, I KNOW i'm going with the SWM racks now. be thankful your only out a couple of hundred where as i'm stuck with a $9,000 POS.

[MrVvrroomm]

opens my eyes to why this nation is in such a mess regarding our manufacturing industry. nobody cares about quality improvement. there's this attitude "if you don't like our CRAP then dix it yourself or buy something else".Quite a torch you're carrying there brotha.

Ummmm, Givi stuff, for the most part is made in Italy and your DL1000 was made in Japan.

[Dorzok]

Quite a torch you're carrying there brotha.

Ummmm, Givi stuff, for the most part is made in Italy and your DL1000 was made in Japan.

OKaaaaaaaaaaaayyy.

you miss the point. i'm just comparing the attitude i see here "that if you don't like it go someplace else" with a poor work ethic and sloppy quality and bad customer service that I and the one who started this thread have had to deal with. i would bet the lackidasical attitude to accept substandard quality and customer service translates to lackidasical attention to quality and customer service in their own work. if you don't care what others put out it's a good indication that you don't care what you put out. this attitude is why American manufacturing, as a whole, BLOWS. cheap labor abroad is only part of the reason for the loss of manufacturing job losses here. labor has high demands for substandard performance. give me an illegal to work for dollars a day anytime over a union employed brow beater that pisses and moans that my weeds don't grow in an air conditioned penthouse suite. yes it's a generaliztion, yes it's a stereotype, no not every union worker is lazy. but stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason

[MrVvrroomm]

give me an illegal to work for dollars a day anytime over a union employed brow beater that pisses and moans that my weeds don't grow in an air conditioned penthouse suite. yes it's a generaliztion, yes it's a stereotype, no not every union worker is lazy. but stereotypes are stereotypes for a reasonI didn't realize the Kalifornia was a "right to work" state. Good luck with your line of thinking.

[Dorzok]

I didn't realize the Kalifornia was a "right to work" state. Good luck with your line of thinking.

Don't like Kalifornia either. Circumstance brought me here and circumstance keeps me here. Don't agree with the vast majority of the states policies and vote accordingly when the opportunity arises. There is however one good thing about this place. Riding weather and terrain.

[pjwoolw]

You seem to be embarking on an anti Givi campaign over what is a relatively minor matter that does not appear to have concerned thousands of other Strom and Givi crash bar owners world wide.
In pre politically correct times your actions would have been referred to as those of a scorned woman. Maybe it's time to realise that not everything we buy or do works out as expected and that when that happens the best thing to do is let the people concerned know if there are any issues then move on. Acting like a petulant child who has had their lolly pop taken away does not generally achieve anything constructive.

If you don't have an issue concerning Givi. Why are you commenting? Simply not being satisfied with a product or manufacturer and voicing that opinion shouldn't be ridiculed. If you feel the need to try and bully people do it person.
not hiding behind a keyboard.

[WeThereYet]

be thankful your only out a couple of hundred where as i'm stuck with a $9,000 POS.

I thought you were going to unload that piece of crap.

[SCraig]

... Every time i express what a POS it is and how crappy their custmoer service is, all i get is flack from all the V-strom lovers here. hardly a one empathizes with me.Perhaps that's because at the top of the page it reads "For V-Strom Enthusiasts Worldwide" and not "For V-Strom Complainers Worldwide". I've also seen a couple of guys offer to help you get it straightened out.

Scotty, the Givi bolts are not that strong. There are numerous posts on that problem here and on other sites. When I installed mine 2+ years ago I read about people breaking them and having to get them out so I got hardened bolts before I mounted mine and had no problems at all. If Givi chooses to ignore that then that is their choice. Your topic reinforced that and there is nothing wrong with that. Sharing information is what sites like this is all about.

However their components ARE quite well made in most respects. I've dropped my V-Strom a couple of times and my bars did exactly what they were supposed to do without bending or deforming in any way. The Givi side cases I use on my VFR have a big gouge in one side where I hooked a pole at a gas station and dumped that bike. No damage at all to the bike except for the scratches on the cases and on the bar ends. They kept the bike off the ground better than frame sliders would have. They didn't pop open or anyything, just a scratch on the side. A friend has a Givi top case that has over 100,000 miles on it and is as good today as it was the day it was bought new.

Givi DOES make some good equipment. Feel free to boycott them if you choose but in my opinion you will lose out on some good gear. I'll keep buying from them because I think it's pretty well made.

[Dorzok]

I've also seen a couple of guys offer to help you get it straightened out.



hence "HARDLY a one". and i really appreciate those that do.

[MTNAdventureRider]

I won't be the first to say it, but I absolutely love my Givi Boxes. Compared to other companies, the best buy on the market in my opinion.

BUT.......I can sympathize with the OP. The Givi racks that hold my boxes have been the most difficult installation of anything on my bike to date. I literally had to force and rebend to get the holes to line up and then one of the holes had a crooked drill hole that after two hours of frustration....I redrilled the hole to fit.

Now that I have the Givi equipment on the bike I love it, but it was a major bitch to install.

[Dorzok]

...Givi ...the best buy on the market in my opinion.
BUT.......The Givi racks that hold my boxes have been the most difficult installation of anything on my bike

you see Scraig? i don't get. "They're the best!! but what a piece of crap because i had to modify it in order to fit the bike they were designed for." why does anyone accept this?

[ScottyUSN]

Ok, I agree GIVI (or whomever they sub) makes some good stuff. I love my top box with brake light and Windscreen, no complaints.

It would appear after some research the majority of complaints come from their metal shop. i.e. brackets, guards, ect. I also agree it's completely theirs to own or deny.

The straw that broke the camels back for me was when I requested to return the producted, but was denied a refund with the excuse (I had installed the guards). Thats much like saying, as soon as you touch our product we are no longer liable.

If someone were to ask me how I like my GIVI V46 top box, I would tell them I love it, I just hope it doesn't break.

I even prefer the looks of the GIVI guards over others, and suspect they will do their job if called on. That doesn't change the fact if I need to remove them at some point it will require some work to back out a stripped bolt. So they will all be replaced, and this will be a non issue.

I've bought stuff a discount knowing if it breaks, I'm screwed. I didn't expect that to be the case with Givi, that was a surprise. I will boycott GIVI due to the companies lack of insterest and support "I" received.

[DEWstrom]

Well, we've all heard that opinions are just like *##%^&@$, everyone's got one!.....am I the lone eagle here saying that I've got Givis on my DL1000 and it has saved major fairing/body damage on at least 2 occasions without getting bent or out of alignment? :)

[ScottyUSN]

Lone Eagle?
Did you read any of the thread?

[garandman]

///The straw that broke the camels back for me was when I requested to return the producted, but was denied a refund with the excuse (I had installed the guards). Thats much like saying, as soon as you touch our product we are no longer liable.
//Do you know any other companies that are different? Because of the nature of the parts, I wouldn't be surprised if no one wanted to take them back, of any brand.

Givi plastics are good quality, haven't bought any of their metal.

Why not just buy a stainless bolt and drive on?