GIVI Magazine - Giugno 2021

ENGLISH TEXT The magazine’s technical section reveals the idea behind the new CANYON range, plus the development, design, selection of materials and tests that went into producing a line of bags for an arduous task: serving the travel needs of motorcyclists who prefer off-road tracks to tarmacked roads. GIVI designer Andrea Zambelli is here to tell us everything I’ve been asked to come and talk to you about one of the projects I was closely involved in: CANYON. I am delighted to have the chance to explain all the steps involved in bringing this range to the market. We began by considering the existing range, Gravel-T . The first important step was to conduct an in-depth analysis of all the strengths and weaknesses of our products, conducted with the help of expert colleagues who use products designed as accessories for off-road motorcycles. The aim was to find solutions capable of improving the performance of this type of bag, and to work out how to expand our offer in light of the constant technical developments in this motorcycle segment. In GIVI, there are a lot of intermediate steps that come between designing and marketing an accessory. This is particularly true for highly technical products like those of the Canyon line, which are tested and improved at each consecutive step. The finished product is the result of close collaboration with colleagues in our American branch, Enduro experts who use this kind of technical product. Constant communication allowed us to focus on the real needs of this market, as well as the critical issues that can CANYON, DESIGNED FOR ADVENTURE arise, for example, during adventures in territories like deserts or the American prairies. These really put bags and fixing systems to the test because of the constant stress from jolts and vibrations, not to mention the exposure to dust, water and mud. Once these tests have been passed, the product is finalised and placed on the market. THE CANYON PROJECT The name gives you an instant sense of the nature of these products. Canyon is a deliberately evocative title, conjuring up images of those rocky, forbidding landscapes waiting to be tackled and explored, inspiring excitement and a sense of adventure. The name CANYON was initially present on the 35-LTR GRT709 side bag; I wanted to make it more eye-catching by creating a special logo and positioning it prominently on all the new products in the range. The new line aims to satisfy a broader range of users, from those who typically ride a lighter, 250 cc Enduro to those who prefer maxi Enduros, despite their differences: limited load capacity on the motorcycle in one case, an abundance of space in the other. THE FLAGSHIP PRODUCT Our top-of-the-range product is the GRT720 , a pair of side bags with roll-up closure and a capacity of 25 LTR each. Unlike their big sister (GRT709), these feature a MONOKEY fixing system , an extremely important innovation in terms of usage. I consulted with the technical office about my determination to include this system, in order to allow coupling on all the frames already on the market and avoid the addition of another plate. Like the GRT709, the GRT720 also features a Security Lock key, which can be combined so that the same key is also used for the top case and toolbox. I’ve included a number of different technical features in this product. I used the same materials present in other products in the line, but with greater quantities of Hypalon at the “critical” points of the bag, which is to say those most susceptible to friction, jolting and scratching under extreme conditions. This technical material is a chlorosulphonated polyethylene synthetic rubber known for its resistance to chemicals, extreme temperatures and ultraviolet light, as well as its impressive durability. Hypalon is used on the exterior of the front panel (which is completely removable and has a zip pocket on the inside for tools or various accessories), and in the bottom corners of the bag. Other top-quality materials used include high- tenacity 1200D W/R polyester on the sides of the bags, and high-tenacity 1680D PU coating on the front. The back panel, which holds the MONOKEY plate, consists of thermoformed PE. Unlike the GRT709, the semi-rigid part has been “cut” at the top to prevent any slight warping which the bag may experience due to repeated jolts when getting on and off the motorcycle. To guarantee impermeability, each of the bags has a removable internal bag in heat-sealed nylon. To ensure that the fastenings on the bag stay secure without losing tension in the straps, I wanted to use four buckles with a CAM security system, consisting of clips which allows the tension in the straps to be maintained. At the sides are 4 compression points with a hook and loop fastener system to prevent the tail of the strap from fluttering in the breeze, held in place by 4 Hypalon loops which are crucial to the product’s modularity. In fact, these loops can be used to attach straps for additional loads; for example, the GRT722, a multifunctional 8 LTR cargo bag that can be mounted either as an engine guard bag or a saddle bag. 36 Tech