I'd much rather dedicate this thread to my ramblings than take up another mans thread. So lets bring it all onto the table here.

Cases: I have been shopping for Givi V35 sidecases for my 2012 ZX14R for several months. I found some sidecases on eBay from Canada for a good price, but they customs check packages at the border, and there's a goofy tax law based on the cost of the goods, combined with a lengthy shipping time, risk of getting a blemished or old stock item since the price is so low... and so I passed on them. Most other US retailers sell the V35's for very close prices, so it's a wash there. If you want new Givi cases, prepare to spend $510-520.

Mounting racks: Givi makes a set of mounting racks for the V35 cases for 06-11 ZX14 but these are NOT quick-detach type. They must be unbolted each time. They cost roughly $200. SW-Motech are German made and use quarter-turn fasteners to install and remove VERY QUICKLY leaving only a few small tabs on the bike (Obviously this is why I want them instead). The Sw-Motech racks also list 06-11 ZX14 years, but they will fit a 2012+ model IF you've installed smaller aftermarket exhaust or lowered your stock exhaust - very simple and lets face it, most riders go for the aftermarket pipes anyways. Many examples of this in the community here. The SW-Motech racks are around $300.

Retailer: Twisted Throttle is a well reputed company that specializes in sport-touring and adventure type motorcycle equipment. They sell this kind of stuff exclusively. They are also the ONLY importer of SW-Motech product in the entire U.S. Which means they are the go-to source to get any new product you want that's made by SW-Motech. So I figured hell, for the roughly $50 I'd have saved by scrounging around ebay and other shady retailers for these items I'll just order the whole lot from TT.

I placed my order on Saturday March 8th for cases and racks, both were listed as 'IN STOCK' at the time I ordered. My credit card was charged right away for the full amount - over $800. I got several emails from Twisted Throttle confirming my order, future sale info, as well as my account info that I had created to use their site. I received no shipping confirmation, or tracking numbers in the following 2½ weeks so I called them up on Wednesday March 26th. I spoke on the phone with a guy who informed me that "The Givi sidecases were back in the shipping dept waiting to go out today." Okay, well that's good news. Then I inquired about the SW-Motech mounting racks. His reply was that "This item is out of stock and backordered. It won't be in until May 2nd." I confirmed that he meant it won't get to TT until May 2nd, and another few days on top of that before it reaches my door. It's a damn good thing I didn't have any long rides planned right away this spring!! What happened to the set that was available according to your website?? I do still have a full set of Cortech Sport Saddlebags/Tailbag/Tankbag that have served me super perfect for years already that I'll use in the meantime if necessary.

Another funny thing I noticed, when I went to their website to look at the racks I ordered, the part number has changed, and the photos have changed. They used to be tubular steel, formed to fit the contour of a motorcycle tail. Now it's a plate type with angles and a set of pegs that stick out from it. In the description they are still advertised as being tubular steel. Not sure about what happened, did the design just recently change? Does this mean they've been improved/upgraded or are they now made from a flimsy material?? Did they change the fitting for the ZX14? What about fitting them to a 2012 now? At $300+ for a way to mount some bike luggage I'd really like to have unwavering confidence in the product I've already paid for! Side note, they show this item with the line 'Call for Availability' ....... interesting...

Sorry for the rant but I'm going to update this with my findings. If you have any ideas or info, or even questions leave a comment below. Thanks

I am in the same boat as you, ordered the racks and they are backordered 4-6 weeks. If I had known that was going to be the case, I would have ordered them sooner.

They may not make it in time for my annual May trip, but I have a back up steed:

I was really planning on taking the 14R, been doing a lot of work outfitting it as a Sport-touring machine.

We are pretty much at SW Motech/Twisted Throttle's mercy - with them being the only US distributor.

BTW, I opted to buy the other rack that they offer for the 14 that allows you to use different cases. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-motech-quick-lock-sidecarrier-kawasaki-zx14-zzr1400-ninja-evo-style-for-micatech-givi-trax-alu-box-krauser-sidecases

My buddy has the setup that you are going to use on his ZX14 and I'm not a fan. I feel that it sticks out too far and the cases are too small. I sure hope that the rack that I ordered will work with my Givi E41N side cases - we will see.

Gary

That's a nice Honda right there! Looks comfy and ready to take you a long ways.

I am only going with the V35 PLX cases because of the way they hug the bike, very close and tight fitting. Keeps everything streamlined in the look department, and helps performance by keeping them out of the wind and bringing the weight as close to the bike as possible helping handling immensely. I also love how they are able to fit one full face helmet inside each side case.

I like the keyless option on your E41N cases a lot but I'm not crazy about the looks personally. For a difference in volume of 6L, I'm hoping I made the right choice with the V35's. Judging by the photos I've seen they aren't exactly what you'd call "small". I won't know til I receive them tho.

TT has definitely got the monopoly thing going here in the US. Kinda sucks, because we can't even cross shop or order from out of country, they keep reverting me back to this one distributor...

If you read the description on the racks I ordered, it states "The Quick-Lock EVO carrier is next generation of luggage carrier by SW-MOTECH. Same, great Quick-Lock design, with a more robust, tubular steel rack that has an even more narrow profile than the original sidecarrier. I think these will bring the bags in closer to the bike, hopefully I will be able to get it to fit on my gen2 14.

I love the keyless option, along with the small door that opens to access items in side without opening the whole case and having stuff fall out constantly. I decided to recycle them from My Blackbird, I am looking for another used set that I would get repainted to match the 14R.

NFS - The Givi E41's were my second choice. They have to hold a helmet no matter what, so the V35's were the first logical choice since so many folks have tried and proved them to be more than adequate on the ZX14 platform. Especially when compared to the Corbin bags $$$$ they were perfect bang for the buck. I also prefer the looks when painted to match, over any of the other available offerings.

So in order to use the V35's I had no other option besides the SW-Motech racks HERE. The ones you have suggested for all the other cases including Hepco-Becker, Krauser, Givi, Trax, Pelican, Micatech, Kappa, Shad, etc HERE is still a sweet rack system but not compatible with the V35's unfortunately.

If I end up as dissatisfied with these cases as you seem to be maybe I'll consider returning or selling to try something else but quite frankly I don't spend every weekend taking multi-state trips on my motorcycle. At least not at this point, that is subject to change....

I'll have to do a full review of the new style racks as shown on the site. Heres a photo of the old style:

And heres a photo of the new style racks, on the TT website:

* Last updated by: Bradley427 on 3/29/2014 @ 12:58 AM *

I hear you man, different strokes for different folks!

I have no need to store a helmet in my side cases and already had the E41's, so hence my decision to go with the redesigned racks. That and I do go on multiday road trips and the cases I have do the job for me.

Just a waiting game now, sure hope the racks come before my upcoming trip in May...

NFS - I do like to take nice long rides on motorcycles. I just mentioned that I don't go on 1000+ mile trips literally every weekend at this point. Until recently I've been riding supersports and superbikes (CBR600RR & CBR1000RR) that aren't really conducive to touring. Hard seats, low clip-ons and no amenities in favor of comfort. This was further exaggerated in that all the mods I did to those bikes was for pure performance. More horsepower, less weight, increased gearing, tall and tight rearsets, Pirelli Diablo SuperCorsa tires $$$ that were wasted by too much straight road riding. I used my Cortech Sport Saddlebags and tail bag. I love that stuff for what it is and how well it's made but it's no substitute for real hard sided luggage. Cortechs use a vinyl type stretchy rain cover to protect them from water and dust, and it works.....decent enough. The Givis are lightyears better for real riding in all types of weather tho, quite obviously. So when I got my ZX14R I knew it was a far better platform for installing hard cases, taller bars, better seats and windscreens. This was the platform I chose for my hyperbike touring steed. So far, so good! Here's my old setup, about to leave Iowa to ride to Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota for 3 nights. My girlfriend took her 08 Ninja 500R with the saddlebags and a small tank bag. MY CBR had the tail bag and tent (not pictured, stopped by the shop to strap it on after this pic) We camped at the track in a 8x10 tent with an inflatable mattress included! Neither bike was loaded down either, mine at 25% total capacity and 60% of max on hers.

Pic of my CBR and a friends GPZ:

As you can see, even the V35's are such a huge upgrade!!! Theres a plethora of brands that make some kick ass touring goodies for the King Kawi 14R. It's no surprise why, being a swiss army knife of bikes it can do just about anything from ¼ mile drag life to a docile 100k+ mile commuter bike very reliably. So the V35's are my first ever set of hard luggage. They actually arrived today, and I've looked them over for the first time ever seeing them in person. I love them! They are very sleek and even with my Cortech soft bags fully expanded and stuffed full, these Givis swallow them whole with room to spare. So their capacity is more than enough for my needs. I think between these cases and my tail bag (and possibly a tank bag if needed) I could take a trip of 12-14 days or more. If my tent poles were any shorter I could nearly fit that inside too! Wouldn't that be something!

I hope to see the racks soon, hopefully the May 2nd date was a worst case scenario and they arrive ahead of schedule. Did I understand your post correctly NFS, you have bought both types of racks....but you are using the E41's with the standard EVO set of SW-Motech racks, and those are also backordered like my V35 SW-Motech racks are? Also, do you think a helmet would fit in the E41's? Revzilla's youtube channel about Givi products mentioned that they do..

* Last updated by: Bradley427 on 3/29/2014 @ 5:58 PM *

Got the Givi V35's in today...big box outside the front door.

Oh and 06blackpearl sent me a pic of my parts after powdercoating, looking good can't wait to receive them!!

Bring on the HyperSport touring....yeahhhh!! I don't just want performance, or just comfort...I want it ALL.

* Last updated by: Bradley427 on 3/29/2014 @ 11:51 PM *

I have ordered (backordered) the racks that I can mount my E41's on, won't work for the V35's. I think you would have a hard time getting a helmet in the 41's, I have never tried though.

I had run the soft tail/saddlebags on my XX in the past and never could get them to stay in place. Never have that problem with the hard bags.

I just got off the phone with Twisted Throttle and they stated that my racks were expected to arrive to them the 2nd week of May.

I asked if they were getting a whole bunch, or just ones that were already backordered. He was't sure, but thought that only backordered ones were coming. He said myself and another ZX14 owner were the only ones that he knew were for sure expected in.

FYI, he did say that Kawasaki changed the subframe in 2014 (but NOT '12/'13) and the racks are supposedly not compatible at all to the 2014 model. First I have heard of this.

* Last updated by: NeedForSpeed on 4/25/2014 @ 11:02 AM *

NFS - that's good news thanks for the update!! I hope that I am the "other ZX14 owner" that he mentioned.

I heard nothing about Kawasaki changing the ZX14R's for the 2014 model year, that seems kinda peculiar...

I'll post up when I receive my set.. Waiting patiently...

Twisted Throttle sent me a receipt today along with tracking info. The racks and adapters are scheduled for delivery next Thursday.

Just got my tracking info also, a pleasant surprise when I got off work. Looking forward to receiving them. I also started installing parts too.. Waiting on brake and clutch lines and the Convertibars are next!

My brother and I are going to ride to Wisconsin for the Florida Georgia Line country music performance concert in Oshkash at the end of next month. I'll be ready!

Sweet!

I have a upcoming trip to some awesome Idaho back roads the first week of July, and the luggage racks are all I am waiting for.

The bike is done to my satisfaction for comfort and touring at the moment. I raised the bars, lowered the pegs, installed GPS and radar detector, new seat with storage pod, Corsa windscreen, radiator guard, Pazzo levers, factory centerstand, Two Bros carbon slip ons, etc. $$$$$

I do see a flash in the future, but I want to put some more miles on the bike first.

So the racks came in today. Oh my gosh. I've never had something packaged so well, I think you could've stood on the packaging and not squished all that bubble wrap enough to even touch the parts. Super good job on the packaging.

I don't have any photos yet, but they are the flat plate style like I posted up above, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The steel frame is by far and large 100% better than I ever dreamed they would be. Absolutely phenomenal job by Sw Motech with laser cut precision, nice welds, and what looks like a ultra high engineered solution for this bike and bag setup. SERIOUSLY IMPRESSIVE.

Gotta run, but stay tuned for some photos. Install to be in the following week or two.

Got mine today, going to see about getting them mounted on the weekend.

Pics to follow.

Couldn't help myself...

As you can see, lots of clearance from the cans, no need to put in a spacer.

I am going to try and fab a bracket to join the 2 sides and mount a top box next.

* Last updated by: NeedForSpeed on 5/14/2014 @ 7:14 PM *

Just got them mounted tonight. No photos yet, but they work good! Bags are secure and solid. I have a fender eliminator on my bike so there is no place to bolt the last mounting bracket, but I've found that you can install it with the racks when you are ready to slap the luggage on and it works all the same, and is completely removed with the racks when you take it off - which to me is just ANOTHER benefit... not having it on there unless bags and mounts are in place. Cool!

Only issue with the entire process is that my bags don't have enough clearance at the top of my exhaust. I have Two Bros carbon fiber slip ons and the right hand side has about ¼" of space between pipe and bag, and left hand side has no space at all between pipe and bag. They are touching on the LH side. I will have to fab a drop bracket out of some flat stock (how thick?) in order to get the extra space. That'll have to wait til tomorrow I'm whipped from busting ass all day. Pics will come when I get the bike put back together, she's in a hundred pieces right now!

Logan

Custom top box mount:

Nice job! You guys have the patience of.... wait for it... Job :)

Did you ever learn any more about the fit to the 2014 model?

Did you ever learn any more about the fit to the 2014 model?

That's a big negative. I don't have a 2014, so it is nothing I would be affected by.

It is just what I was told by TT...