Side cases arrived today. They come with a latch plate that has to be installed on the frame. It has a modest amount of adjustment and requires 2 stainless bolts, washers and locking nuts ... which are NOT provided.
Fortunately I had all of the above stainless bits & pieces. But damn, really? Spending a lot of money on cases and they don't include the required bolts? That is just shabby.
On the bright side these things are certainly tough cases, probably a heck of a lot stronger than my bones so no doubt they will survive a crash or a bang off a tree far better then I will.
Based on the CASES alone these things are much more heavy duty than the GIVI V35 cases that we have on the lovely Mrs_Bob's NC700x. Where her V35 Givi brand cases have Italian flair and a sweeping design, these German H&B cases are industrial strength boxes that makes it look like I use the bike for Pizza deliveries!
Based on RACKS, the GIVI racks seem to have a far nicer finish than the H&B racks, but the H&B rack does have a nice "quick detach" mounting system that I like. And then there is the afore mentioned issue with the finish of the GIVI racks that actually matches the motorcycle while the finish of these H&B racks does not!
Just like some of the GIVI cases there are OPTIONAL tie down points for the tops of the cases. I didn't buy those, but may add them later? The double wall construction seems pretty close to bombproof. Locks are secure and are somewhat recessed into the plastic to make it harder to pry them open. No doubt any lock on most any brand can be opened. But these are pretty good, better than the Tusk style, which I saw first hand and couldn't believe how easy it would be to break those latches.
Inside the side cases is a latch to hold the lid open. There is also a cable to prevent the lid from flopping back onto the bike's paint. Both nice touches. 37 Liter capacity on each side. 42 liter capacity for the top case. I think that should be enough for a good long trip, with the possible exception of a tent ... if we take a tent.