timomasalin - Thanks to your response posting the side case details, yesterday I ordered everything I need to mount up a set of Givi V35 PLX Monokey cases, also ordered yesterday

I ordered not only the cases and carrier brackets, but also:

- the SW-MOTECH Keyed Locking Quick-Lock Fasteners (pair) (SKU QLS.00.046.10100.B). "This pair of Lockable Quick-Locks can be used to replace any one of the standard Quick-Locks found on each sidecarrier. The set includes two matched keys. Helps prevent theft by locking the racks to the bike. Redesigned to make this item smaller and easier to grip after unlocking, the lock twists off much like a standard Quick-Lock fastener. Only one pair needed per bike - one lock for each siderack. Take the key out of the lock cylinder when trying to turn the lock. This will insure that the lock is either fully locked or fully unlocked when you turn it. If you leave the key in the unit when trying to turn it, the lock may jam or you may break your key. When installing the Lockable Quicklock, slide it into the siderack, then place the retention washer over the tip of the LQ. Once the retention washer is installed on the LQ, attach the siderack to the mounting tabs on the bike.
" ... $56.95

- the 3-lock matching lock / key set so my side cases & top case all open with 1 key (SKU Givi SL103) ... $51.30

The only cheaper place I could find them was on eBay coming from Italy, and I didn't want to chance them not arriving in time for my Sept trip.

Thanks for the help.

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 8/20/2015 @ 9:55 AM *

A@Extrapolator
Yeah, they are flipping great! I have done a long weekend trip to Laguna Seca so far, doing a quick overnighter this weekend to Solvang, and just "booked" (got the time off approved) to do a 10 day trip to NorCal/maybe Oregon starting on Sept 19, sounds like we'll be on the highways and byways near the same time. Where are you heading to and from where? Our plan (me and two buddies) are to essentially stage from Sacramento, then do a nice counter clockwise loop over about a weeks time. Most days will be around 250 miles..nice and relaxed, plenty of time to poke around and still check in in time for happy hour daily!

@timomasalin - Opposite coast ... N.C. mountains for us. Skyline Drive (109 mi) + Blue Ridge Parkway (469 mi), then Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and many other great, curvy roads throughout western N.C. ... then home to FL.

Like you, it's me & 2 buds. We leave FL Sept 4 and are being flexible on the return, but prob the following Sat, Sept 12.

My only concern is the seat! Will my upper thighs be able to take it. I think so, as we're 'only' planning 300 miles per day max, and some days less than that.

Fortunately one of the other 2 guys is totally into route planning & tech, so he's got his GPS programmed with a great route and stops for meals, fuel & sleep. Also bringing his drone with 4K camera (he's a pro photog), so hope to have some good video memories of the trip.

So, my only concern 'should' be seat comfort!

Good luck to y'all!

ps A lot of your pics earlier in this thread are no longer appearing for me.

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 1/25/2016 @ 7:22 AM *

Guys - It looks like the OEM rear fender is needed to mount / support the Givi side case carrier brackets ... ?

If so, darn, I'll have to put it back on. Too bad, looks better without it.

@extrapolator No you don't HAVE to use it. My buddy just puts the bracket on between the bags when he's using them and takes it off when he's not. His rear end is fenderless as well. It's not really weight bearing, more just support and keeps the bags pushed out properly. The weight bearing lugs are all the front and top lugs. Let me see if I can find a picture of his bags without the rear bracket hard mounted...

Meanwhile I've taken a couple trips with mine already and everything is golden...

* Last updated by: Squareman357 on 8/21/2015 @ 6:46 AM *

@Squareman357 - OK thanks! ... for the info and pics. I'll give it a shot without the fender, see how secure they feel. I appreciate it.

Yeah, will take some more pics this weekend. Corbin saddle showed up Tuesday, good timing, will report on that too!
Squareman, bike looks great in White too!

Cases and carrier brackets just arrived

But ... Holy crap these things are heavy!

The cases + the brackets ... plus all my crap I'm gonna stuff in 'em ... plus my top case and its bracket, and all my crap I'm gonna stuff in that ... WOW. This thing might ride like a Harley!

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 8/25/2015 @ 10:06 AM *

LMAO! NOT! Even fully loaded I'm still a low flying UFO...I love the power this bike has. It's addicting LOL!

@extrapolator I found a pic of my buddies ZX without the rear bracket hard mounted...

Essentially the rear bracket just floats under the plate and the only purpose is to keep the bottom of the bags spaced properly. It's not weight bearing. He did thousands of miles with it set up like that.

* Last updated by: Squareman357 on 8/26/2015 @ 7:12 AM *

Squareman357 - That's great, thanks a lot. I'll try the install that way first, then decide whether to keep it that way

I gotta get a move on with the install, by the way ... We leave next Friday ... and I've got too dam many responsibilities right now! Work, etc. Hopefully this weekend I can get it done.

@extrapolator...
Don't even sweat it...you will forget the bags are even there, power to spare. I have field tested about to about 150mph, and there are no issues! Besides, once you toss the stock cans, you will make up the weight gain of the luggage! :-)

Don't overload the Givi luggage, only rated for 22 lb. each. I use the Bathroom scale to weigh each case/balance the load. I use a cloth shopping bag inside the saddle bags.
The top box should only be for light weight stuff-raingear/hats/gloves. If you are riding solo, a waterproof duffle comes in handy for camping gear.
If you are worried about them blowing off you can bolt them to the brackets; just takes longer to get them off, but no one will steal them.
I read about a fellow climber who put his wallet, house keys and cellphone in the Givi trunk on his Bike only to find the Trunk missing when he returned.
Use a Tank Bag, it is the handiest luggage for traveling most of them come with a strap to throw it over your shoulder.

doubleD - Thanks, & I plan to only load the top case with a few lightweight things like sunglasses & a hand towel, and then that's where I'll put my helmet & jacket during lunch stops. Everything else will be divided amongst the side cases. Oh, and no way I'll have 22 lbs in either side case. Just need me a big stack of clean tighty whities! ... and maybe a toothbrush. (notice I didn't say teethbrush; don't really need it anyway)

I got shocked recently. One of the guys going on our ride has a KTM 450, and that thing is light. (compared to the ZX14 ... but not to other smaller, faster, lighter KTMs!). So now in my mind even before adding the side cases & top case the ZX14 was way heavier than that 'heavy' KTM, and now it's gonna get worse! Haha! That's OK ... not a problem. Form Follows Function ... and Speed / Handling Follows Comfort

One more item I like to pack is a Bike cover that covers the whole Bike/luggage included.
Out of sight out of mind.
I've got a portable alarm from Aerostich I hang it on the brake lever. If someone bumps the Bike it wakes me.
Let the slowest Bike/rider lead. My older Brother lives in Arkansas. He invited several guys from KC to ride through the Ozarks. One of the slower riders trying to keep the pace met his Maker at a guardrail. No more Ozark
Group Rides after that.
Enjoy yourself.

3 Brothers and a friend, (60, 64, 68 and 76 years old, the 76 rides a 2002 R1)

* Last updated by: doubleD on 8/26/2015 @ 10:13 PM *

Cool pic double.

Now ... important question: Need to ask tonight since I'm working on the install late tonight & Twisted Throttle is of course not open!

Does anybody know if Twisted Throttle's carrier brackets will indeed fit at the same time as with their SW-MOTECH Alu-Rack top case rack???

I ask because the instructions for the side case carrier brackets have me use the large bolt at the very rear end of the ZX's subframe, and the Alu-Rack is already using it! Meaning ... there's about 1/4" worth of Alu-Rack metal right where one of the side case carrier brackets' supports is supposed to attach.

I hope somebody can let me know ASAP! Thanks all ...

double - Did not mean to gloss over your story. Was just in a hurry to get my question answered. Sucks to lose a rider on a group ride. You may have seen my story over in Kruz's thread. Seems like lots of crashes lately; never any fun to hear about ... or witness.

timomasalin ...

Were you able to follow the regular side carrier installation instructions for your bike? i.e. did you have to do any unusual cutting on your bike to fit the side case carriers?

I only ask because the instructions include a paper template to cut out & lay on the rear body panels to cut a notch for two of the supports (1 on each side). I just wanna make sure these templates are still valid for the '12-up ZX-14R.

Thanks ...

@extrapolator I printed out and used the same template for my ZX-14R that I did for my 2008 ZX-14 I originally had the racks installed on. Everything is the same. The ONLY difference is the stock exhaust is bigger and won't fit with the bags mounted. Everything else is exactly the same underneath the rear end.

@extrapolator, Sorry, I am of no help on that, my dealer installed it at the same time they were moving other parts from my '06 to the new one....

OK that's great, Squareman357 (and thanks timomasalin)

Now I still wonder if the side carriers are going to fit WITH the Alu-Rack top case rack.

I used the chat feature with Twisted Throttle today, explained it to the guy, and once he understood what I was asking he said, "Everything Twisted Throttle sells fits with each other, unless we state otherwise." ... which seems positive, but I still have my doubts.

Will know more tonight

Timomasalin, I see that you have a center stand. Were you able to keep the grab rail that comes with the stand on the bike? I guess what I am asking is if the mounts for the bags fit with with the grab rail in place.

* Last updated by: bill67 on 1/13/2016 @ 10:38 PM *

Timo hasn't posted in a while, but I can tell you the grab handle for the centerstand won't work with the SW-Motech QD mounts and Givi V35 bags.

Danno- Thank you for the response and the information. I have been eyeing this set up for quite a while, but have had questions about a few things. Most of those questions have been answered in this very informative thread. About the only thing I am not sure of now is if I would need to lower my Brocks exhaust any. Again, thank you!