I recently bought a set of SW Motech Blaze saddlebags, and love the ease of mounting and dismounting, capacity, appearance, almost invisible mounts when the bags are not on the bike, etc.

My sole concern is that the very wide tail bodywork of my 2017 ZX-14R of course unavoidably comes into contact with the bags' "crossover" strap, and SW Motech provides a generous amount of clear film to apply over the 2 areas of contact (left hand and right hand sides). I COULD simply install that clear film, BUT I have the following concerns:

- The filmed areas are obviously going to appear "different" than the paint around them, especially given prolonged use - like multi-day trips

- The film itself will necessarily become scratched with use and so look bad

- Removing the film after each trip, or when it simply becomes "too scratched" is not a solution, as the paint under the film will have had much less ultraviolet exposure and so look different than other paint around it

- Removing the film would also require buying new film for "next time", as it will surely be unreusable

I know that at least one other forum member simply applies painter's masking tape instead of clear film, and simply pulls it off after each trip (Painter's masking tape uses an easy-release / no-leftover-deposits type of adhesive). But I am wondering how well that has worked out over long-term use.

Can anyone with experience with these bags, or anyone with experience with similar setups, offer any advice?

I'd like to make a multi-day trip sometime soon, but would like to have a good solution in place before doing so.

Jim G

Sounds like to me is to use flat bar stock, cut and drill to shim the bag bracket farther out. That or longer bolts, a stack of washers to move the bracket away from the body parts.

Hub, That won't help, I'm afraid. The SW Motech system, and all others that do not include an unsightly frame that stays on the bike when the bags come off, uses the crossover strap to hold the load vertically. The bars on each side only absorb a small portion of the vertical load and are primarily there to keep the bags from flopping around and also to keep them away from the exhaust and the rear wheel. SW Motech says that in their instructions.

So, the crossover strap MUST contact the bodywork to fulfill its role of holding the bags UP.

The rear end of the ZX-14R is VERY wide. THis is why the other brand of bags uses that framework that stays on the bike. But that framework on the other brand has at least 3 fatal flaws when applied to my ZX-14R:

1. It needs to use the mount and space that my center stand "handle" already uses

2. It needs to use the OEM license plate holder, in its OEM location, which came off when I installed my rear fender eliminator

(Both the above issues exist because there is NOTHING else located vertically high enough on the ZX-14R tail end to support ANY saddlebags. If you cannot "raise" the bars to at least the height of the top of the seat, which you obviously cannot, you MUST instead use a framework that stays on the bike)

3. The framing is permanent and looks very unattractive when the bags are not in use

I knew before buying the SW Motech bags that this issue with paint contact would occur. And I am prepared to deal with it. I'm just wondering, and asking, if the painter's masking tape is a better solution possibly than the clear protective film, for someone who plans to use the saddlebags only occasionally, and not full-time.

Jim G

* Last updated by: JimGnitecki on 6/29/2019 @ 10:02 PM *

I have the Blaze system. I guess I just learned to ignore the clear film. True, if
you get really close to the bike you can see it but it's not really obvious.
My clear sheets have been on there for over 3 years. My bike has enough chips and scratches
that the film is low priority.

Mad

Maddevill: If you have had the film on for 3 years, and don't "notice" it, it sounds like the film does not yellow with age or acquire enough scratches to stand out. That's pretty encouraging. Thank-you.

Jim G

Been over 3 months and hope you came up with something that works for you.
I don't have any bags and probably won't bother after all the stuff I've read. I'll try to get by with a tail bag and shorter trips.
I think the painter's tape idea would work and it's only temporary.
I thought of another idea...the various types of weather stripping available? They sell all kinds of thickness and widths on an inexpensive roll. Comes off without too much difficulty. I don't know, might be worth trying?

https://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-motech-quick-lock-sidecarrier-kawasaki-zx14-zzr1400-contour-carrier-for-givi-v35-plx-cases-08-11

Sw-Motech still makes a steel side case brackets with quick release for ZX14. Or search around to see if anyone has an older style Sw-Motech like mine for sale. Then throw your soft luggage over it.

Kak and Double-D: The SW Motech frames won't work on my ZX-14R because of he handle that helps you lift the bike onto the accessory centrestand. The 2 devices want the same 3D space! :)

I am satisfied with the painter tape solution for the few times that I will actually use the bags. The 3M "blue" painters tape goes on and comes off easy and should be enough protection for short-term use.

Jim G

Mine is a 2012. I left off the handle to raise the Bike onto the Centerstand. The side rack is plenty strong or some guys grab the passenger peg area. This is the easiest Bike (over 550lb.) I've ever owned to get up on the Centerstand.

If you want to make it even easier to place on the center stand, next time wheel the rear tire on top of a piece of 2x4. Now try it.

Hi I am new here.
I am very interested in adding the Givi bags. I have a couple of questions.
First, was it difficult to have the bags painted to match? They look fantastic in some of your posts, and they look so not fantastic on the Twisted Throttle website. I would really want that done.
Second, I am in the process of getting a 2019. I understand I need a longer hanger for the stock exhaust clearance. Did you just make that yourself, or did you need a machinist to do it? Does anyone have any pics of the hangers you used?
Thanks for any help! This is a great website community you guys have.