and this bike ends up being a good sport-tourer

the 12 rocks as a sport touring bike. I plan on getting a nice(strapped) tank bag and soft bags for the DG trip(if I don't trailer it.)

 

I've got the Nelso-Rigg Silver Streak tank bag. I love it. Big enough to hold whatever I need, includes rain cover, only $60 and it doesn't block my view of the gauges.

 

after seeing these pics, I may just make a road trip to DG06. I loved my last trip, theres nothing in the world like getting packed up and hitting the road to see the sites. Good for the soul.

 

I have a set of Cortech and they are super ! You can have the tail bag only or with the sadelbag...all the way to Key West

 

I'll be picking up a set soon too. I'll watch ebay and try to get a deal. Seems like this is the right time of year to do it.

 

have a set of Cortech and they are super ! You can have the tail bag only or with the saddlebag...

Are those bags big enough to hold a helmet? A laptop computer? Do you have any problems with them hitting the sides of the bike and damaging the plastic? Are they pretty stable at highway speeds?

They look really nice on your bike! Since mine is the exact same model/year (03 right?), they'd also look great on mine.

 

center tail bag will hold my hp zd8000 laptop with no issues (17.1" screen). Sides and tail bag have neoprene (sp.) underneath so there is no scratching at all.

Normando has a lot of room between the bottom of his side bag and the stock exhaust. My Akro is very close and has, on occasion, rubbed the bottom of the bag. It will not hold a helmet but several members here have speed tested these bags to 150+mph.

It wasn't me and you can't prove anything and it was a closed course

 

I had this givi box on my zx11 and i adapted it on my 12. It was a lot of work though, i had to reenforce the frame and drill and tap for 8 mm bolts, made the bracket and the spacers. But man that box is the greatest, no worry in the rain, it makes a solid centered mass and tested it up to 240 Km/hr no problemo. For the look mmmmmm it's not that bad, it makes sport riders turn around and ask questions !

 

I had this givi box on my zx11 and i adapted it on my 12.

I found this - Givi Topcase

Looks pretty nice and functional too. But, I still like the look of the Cortechs that was posted by Normando better just because it's a whole unit for saddle and top bags.

 

beetle bags, with a tank bag mounted to the tail section. Worked well all the way from cali to sturgis, SD. And I speed tested them to 177mph.

 

have a set of Cortech and they are super ! You can have the tail bag only or with the saddlebag...

Are those bags big enough to hold a helmet? A laptop computer? Do you have any problems with them hitting the sides of the bike and damaging the plastic? Are they pretty stable at highway speeds?

They look really nice on your bike! Since mine is the exact same model/year (03 right?), they'd also look great on mine.

You can fit a helmet or a lap top in the tail bag no problem ( I just tryed). They are ultra stable with the neoprene liner, it wont scratch your paint. They are easy to insall too. I did 4 perforation into the sadelbag liner to be able to get the hook from the bungee cord into the rear seat bolts.

I guest i will have to check for clearance sine I have an Akrapovick now ! But i sure that they can be ajust to fit.

 

Don't know if you get these over in the States...rear bags are Oxford soft luggage. Superb quality and can take a real hammering......

Tank bag is Baglux.....it's the lower portion of a two piece set. I've had it four years and it's still in good condition and was on my 1200 Bandit before this...I use it every day for work. It's a brill bit of kit 8) 8)

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...lebags_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ84147QQitemZ4594406148QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TEKN...-HONDA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34284QQitemZ4594651953QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

http://www.ventura-bike.com/

There isn't much more to say except if you need a contact name email me at rookie@netbistro.com
Note in the subject line - zx-12r.org Forum - Ventura Luggage
I have the information at home but I think the guys name is Kevin. Excellent product, not expensive and worth the price. And space... I actually ran out of things to put in the bag and you can ride with a passenger if you wish. Easy to remove when you get to where you're going to twist.
Only down fall I found was fear of going to fast with it on the back without a passenger. So I kept it no higher then 150kmph.
Cheers,
Paul

 

This is my setup. I made a mount to keep it off the body work, though they have the protective foam on the back.

this is also the guy I bought it from. No complaints. It holds more than most touring bikes AND the dlsb-500 bags clear the OEM pipe. Very secure at 120mph.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LARG...BAG-SYSTEM-MOTORCYCLE-LUGGAGE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ84147QQitemZ4609861748

http://www.nelsonrigg.com/images/05 Large classic/DLSB_500.jpg

http://www.nelsonrigg.com/products/classic/paypal/dlsb500_combo.htm

 

I am very happy with my Ventura Tail Bag. Sorry I don't have pictures but you can see them on their website http://www.ventura-bike.com

 

It looks like the bike won't sell anytime soon so I'm thinking of adding a tailbag or, possibly, saddle bags since I ride to work year round. Also, if anyone has heli-bars they're looking to get rid of, let me know.

If anyone has luggage on their ZX, please post some pics and let me know where you got them. Hell, if I end up getting this stuff and this bike ends up being a good sport-tourer, I may just keep her and ditch the Concours!

Thanks,
Scott

How about an update?

You know Kawasaki sells a tank bag that attaches to the Frankenbolts on our tail section and I wear a backpack that I don't even notice.

Also as a sport tourer, have you logged a lot of time on your bike yet? When I first got mine I thought I knew why I saw so many for sale at 1,500 miles or so. Then I just kept riding it, I can go 100 miles at a time with no problem now. I think my ligaments or tendons had to stretch??? I used to get some aching in my knees but no longer do. My bars are stock, my seat is stock.

I love the bike and am thinking of going to the midwest on it this summer, that would be three 550 mile days. If I was going to change anything for a cross-country trip it would probably be a higher windscreen.

I also notice I no longer see 1,500 mile ZX12Rs for sale as they are going away. If mine gets stolen, I am gonna be pissed as I can't replace it so easily.

 

I was also wondering if anyone had an update on their chice of luggage after putting on some mileage.

You mention distance touring on the 12, tendons, aching knees...etc.
For all the mods I've done, I'd say the 3 biggest mods that I did were all 'comfort' mods. The Helibars make a HUGE difference in the aching and numbness of my hands. It was INSTANT relief(1st Generation Helibars). 2nd was the seat. Get a Corbin or have it redone to where you nuts don't get squashed when your on the brake(especially 2 up riding). 3rd was the Double Bubble(Puig) windscreen. Another instantly comforting addition. There's also another mod using Buell footpegs, to lower the pegs...but I've never done this mod because the stockers seem to work fine for me (6'1").
BTW, backpacks are great for short trips, as long as you don't put too much crap in them. I made a 700 mile trip and after 300 miles or so, the backpack just seemed to get bigger, heavier and catch more wind. There's nothing in the world like a big ass tank bag stuffed to the hilt that you can just lay on and knock out mile after mile on the highway.

Back to the original topic. anyone have insight + of - on the luggage they use?

 

Hepco & Becker side box are nice..saw them on fazer n bmw not sure if they have it for our bikes :roll:

 

i think they have it but need to modify it a little....