Here is my bike in sport touring mode.....

Kevin

Mighty fine! Beats my 1600 Vulcan for touring any day ;)

Nice very nice!!!

if you must have luggage... this is the way to go.

Sweet! It even makes the rocket lauchers look good. Do you have any idea what kind of weight they add?

When do we leave on the cross country trip? It does not get any better! You and your bike rule!

Auron - I didn't bother to weigh the bags and brackets, probably should have.. I would guess about 8 - 10 pounds total. Very solid but not very heavy. I don't notice them at all, even in the twisties. Bike turns just as quick with them on.

21744 - As soon as I get a decent bid for my children on ebay I'll be ready for the trip.

Just a side note, I had to fab a small bracket and lower the pipes to get the bags to fit. I dropped each pipe about 2 inches. You can't tell with the bags on.

Kevin

Looks great! Lets go!

I do love a big sport bike all dressed up for a trip.

Here is my 97 XX the day I left for the Ozarks last fall.

Reminds me I really need to get bag mounts on my 14R.

* Last updated by: HankSD on 4/24/2012 @ 2:17 PM *

Nice, can't wait to get a set and soft luggage is 4-5lbs anyway so what the hell.

No aerodynamic issues either? Seems like a couple of sails hanging out there, not that I go over 100 very often anyway.

Had the XX up to about 130 with the bags on once.. it did fine.

The XX looks great, I'm with you, bike always looks great loaded for a trip. I ran it up to 100, no issues at all. It actually doesn't seem to blow around quite as much on the highway in high wind with the bags on. I was worried it might turn in alittle slower, but I can't feel any difference. Handles the same with or without the bags. I do feel a difference with the Zero Gravity sport touring screen on. Great protection, but damn that thing is big. I can feel a difference in high speed handling with it on. It could just be me, who knows... I only put that screen on for long rides when I know I'm going to be on the highway alot.

Kevin

Kevin... looks great
want to do something similar for extended trips that i plan in the future
where's the wind hitting you now with the ZG touring screen? does it make the ride louder, any buffeting?

For what it's worth Leo I have one on my XX and it's awesome. One of my favorite mods. Quieter, smoother, no buffeting. Stock screens usually just blast you right in the chest. Nice at first but it gets old after a while.

* Last updated by: Auron on 4/24/2012 @ 9:35 PM *

Stock screens usually just blast you right in the chest. Nice at first but it gets old after a while

Agreed

Leo,

Moves the wind up to the helmet. Even moves it off the arms. No buffetting and quieter than stock. Definitely worth the money if your doing extended highway time.

Kevin

After I put a Vario extension on my ZG screen on my 2008, it really got quiet (for a ZX14) in the cockpit.

As for questions about wind resistance, I ran mine with v35 side cases and a E52 top case, and ran it to 150 once to see, and felt nothing but typical rock steady ZX14.

When the cases are packed for a 3+ day trip, the front end gets a little light under hard acceleration, but it is manageable. Be sure to increase the preload and compression damping on the rear shock a bit, and stiffen up the forks a bit too.

I'm still breaking my 2012 C14 in, so no feedback yet on handling, but with empty bags she feels pretty light once moving, and I have no problem dragging the outside slider on my Sidi boots going around the last corner before my house where I always set up and fall into it from the main road just for yucks.

The ZX14 would be way too hot by the next turn, the C14 is just getting there and in no particular hurry. Heh.

Thanks guys.....
So are we talking completely out of the wind with a slight drop of the shoulders and head

I was debating between the Zero Gravity touring screen and MRA touring screen. I ended up ordering the MRA touring screen a couple days ago, mainly because I thought it looked nicer on the bike. Hope I didn't make the wrong decision. Guess I'll find out when it comes in.

Either way please post a ride report and impressions with the MRA and please don't forget pics

* Last updated by: leo167 on 4/26/2012 @ 2:53 PM *

Hi Guys,
I have been looking at getting geared up for touring also. Originally was looking at the sw-motech Alu-Rack and top box and the Givi v35 panniers. I have been told the old ZX-14 Alu-Rack will not fit the 2012 so will have to wait for the upgrade to become available.
I found what looks to be a good alternative in soft luggage. Its a Bags-Connection (SW-Motech) 60 L - 85 L Tailbag Speedpack Wide. Has anyone had experience with these? Any thoughts would be appreciated before i part with the $$$
SW-MOTECH Tailbag

cheers, dags

* Last updated by: dags on 4/26/2012 @ 6:50 PM *

Wow, I want one of those! Does it have anything to keep it in place?

Hey Auron,

The Tailbag comes with
4 straps
2 compression straps
2 support straps for license plate installation
Shoulder strap

I would guess they attach to the grab bar mounts and the luggage hooks under the seat.

Much cheaper than buying the pannier mount kit and panniers.
For you guys in the US Twisted Throttle stock them Twisted Throttle
For us in Oz Motorradgarage

Update -- I was thinking about buying from Twisted Throttle...
Shipping from the US to Australia is a deal breaker, might have to get this one locally.
Bags-Connection Speedpack-Wide motorcycle luggage system $329.99
Shipping and handling: $639.66
Total: $969.65 Ouch !

* Last updated by: dags on 4/26/2012 @ 9:13 PM *

Corbin is in process to make some for the 14r...not available yet for around 1895.00 way too expensive, but they are super nice looking, and fitting close to the bike so they look stock from Kawasaki.

Ninja

2012 ZX-14R with Corbin seat and Givi side/top-cases.

Hello. I'm enormously interested in your Givi tubular case holders (modified) for the V35. Is it possible to have a photos and details of your transformation.