Anyone who buys this bike, and the bags for another $1200 needs their head examined. I bought a mint ‘08 Concours, 16K miles, will run circles around this “Ninja” all day long, for a cool $4000- bags included which are much larger than these. Kawasaki sure sees this bike’s buyers coming. 🙄
Totally agree. Anybody who doesn't buy the same motorcycle you have should definitely seek medical attention. And some of those people even think motorcycle technology has progressed in the last 12 years. Crazy! Glad to have you here as a voice of reason!
Not sure you can compare a 2008 model bike (even if it was the top of the range 12 years ago) with the latest Z1000SX, my understanding is that the 2008 model Concours wasn't equipped with ABS and traction control which greatly improve safety for the rider, all of these electronic advances equate to extra cost, comparatively speaking, Kawasaki's offering against the competition is actually well priced (panniers excluded, they are way overpriced) anyway, each to their own I suppose ?
TG You just justify yourself to have buy an old 2008 Concours and that fine but you can’t compare a 2008 price to a bran new bike ( 2020 concour are way more expensive then the 2020 ninja). You should compare your concour to a use 2011 ninja 1000 with the saddle bag that you can get for $4000 or less. And I have to correct you that with the size and weight of the concour its the ninja 1000 that would make circle around the concour all day long as it is way more agile. The only advantage the concour have over the ninja is the confort. They are to different world bike.
I recently got a Ninja 2020 1000SX and just yesterday I pickup up these bags as well. At first they did not fit due to the 1 sided humongous exhaust on the 2020 model. Ultimately I found out there were 2 bushings which needed to be installed on the bike for the bags to rest on. This enables them to clear the exhaust by a few cm. By then, however, my new exhaust finish was scratched from the heat sink rubbing against it. Its ok, going with Akrapovic asap anyways. I had to assemble them and configure the 1 key system myself; time consuming but very satisfying in the end. Only problem I have is they are hard material. Any minor rub will result in a permanent scratch. Your video will help me pack these bags more efficiently. Keep up the good work!
I have enjoyed these panniers so far. I do sometimes wish the top box could be mounted simultaneously for certain occasions, however I have enjoyed just strapping some luggage to the back seat when we take a weekend trip. I don't always have the bags full for my daily use. Generally I leave the right one free for taking my lunch to work and for storing my hemet when we run around locally. In the left pannier I generally keep a pair of gloves, some towels, a pair of sunglasses, maybe a bottle of water, and an extra sunglasses case filled with the registration, insurance card, and my SunPass for when I travel toll roads. I really want to come up with a solution to secure the loose items I keep in the left pannier on a regular basis. I almost wish there was a tray or divider that could be used and removed when not needed. I am considering making something of my own, or maybe getting a small bag to keep all my shit from flopping all over the place or from falling out when I open the panel. I do like the Kawasaki liners, but the OEM accessories are so pricey. Great video Jonathan. I appreciate that you take the time and deliver such great quality. I know how time consuming these can be. Not to mention you aren't getting paid for doing them. I happened to buy mine probably just a couple months after you got yours, even in the same color. So, your posts have been very helpful on more than one occasion. I feel pretty lucky to have you as a resource, because really there isn't really many other good sources of such good quality information about this bike out there.
Hey Rex, thank you for your thoughts and experience with the bags. You may want to check out a tank bag or a tail bag (I use the Nelson Rigg CL-1060-S) to keep those small items. I also appreciate the kind words about my videos. They are certainly time consuming and A LOT of work, but I enjoy contributing to the Ninja community and hearing from the viewers!
I am going from a 2008 C14 to this! And i all ready had two C14 2009 and the last 2008 great bike if you are a big person and tourer two up. I do more out of state runs on my Yamaha Raider i find it more comfortable.
Bought the bike a couple weeks ago with the panniers and came here to make sure I understood how to remove them! Glad you highlighted the initial stiffness as I was worried mine were fit incorrectly 😀. I would also add that I had the 2015 version of the bike and my one regret was not having these, which is why I went for them this time around. They do feel like quality kit and your review sums them up perfectly👍🏻
Your video on saddlebags was awesome. Tried to install bags on my new h2 sxse today, and was frustrated. U solved all my questions. thanks a mega million. U are great on this videos, RB in Calif
You got to add the top box to it. I did it on my 17’ Ninja 1000 mainly cause the guy that sold me the rack lied and stated it would fit on my year model. But after some quick cutting I fitted the top box with the side bags all together and it looks decent.
Jason Sidcraft basically the sw motech rack for the earlier models. Because I had nothing to lose I simply cut the part that bolted to the passenger grab rail and bolted the area of the license plate (it fits perfectly). If you DM me your phone number I’ll send you some pictures.
Bought my 18 ninja 1000 in Mach this year. Hardbags were about $1k. Yesterday I check Kawi's website and the hardbags are for sale for $150!!!! I double check and order them. They are in stock and ship. For $150 what a amazing deal. Hope others will jump on this deal. I was hoping by the end of the year price would drop around $500. Not wanting to make this sound negative to this video or other you made Jon. Love you channel and love the Ninja 1000. Just passing the word along in this deal.
Interesting video thanks for sharing. I bought the panniers with the inner bags when I bought the bike. I should mention that Kawasaki places the following riding restriction on these panniers, maximum 85 mph with the panniers fitted and a maximum load for each pannier is 5 Kg or 11 lbs. I'm not sure if I had a special deal on the panniers or not but both sets, (panniers plus inner bags) cost an extra GBP 500 at the time I bought the bike, or approximately USD 625, which is a pretty good deal compared to the price you paid. Oh, and the touring package, which the panniers are part of, also included a tank protector and GPS/phone mounting bracket. I agree totally with your pros and cons but overall I'm glad I have them.
In the UK you can buy the touring model of the SX which includes the bags and inners, a sat nav mount and a 12 volt power adapter. The lot is £600 more than the base model. I know when I bought mine, Kawasaki were doing a deal which included the touring kit for free!
Just bought a 2021 model, great bike, and nice job on the video! I haven't even tried to take the bags off yet, but i'm glad I watched as tomorrow I plan on it!
I have the same panniers. And apparently the same size head hahaha. 100% agree about the stupid round reflectors. I pulled mine and found a rubber grommet that filled the void nicely. Great vid.
Excellent video. Fastening soft saddle bags and getting them off the bike is not the best of experiences. So even though they are costly they makes sense. Considering this bike could be picked up for as low as 7000 euros with these bags for a bike not too old, it makes a good deal for a sport touring motorcycle.
Hi Jonathan,enjoyed your vid on the panniers,I didn't get them with my bike because I'm a day tripper only! I got the kawasaki tail bag,its surprising how much I can pack in it for a day away on the bike,its easy to remove as it has Velcro straps which attach around the passenger seat and is secured when seat is locked in place,bike in hibernation now so looking forward to the better weather returning!
Wow it’s expensive there, I’ve got the 2019 bike and bought it as the tourer version. You get the panniers, inner bag, tank pad and sat nav mount for £700 in the U.K.
@@JonLong i have a 2015 ninja and the reason its not a packge is because there isnt a lot of desire in this segment when it comes for touring. Baggers rule the roost here. Greets from detroit, maybe ill bump into ya
Hey Jonathan. Thank you so much for posting these really informative and well described videos about the 1000SX. I have a 2020 model on order (now called the Ninja 1000SX here in the UK) due in late Feb or March. Your videos have been a mine of useful information! The panniers are much better value here, about £600, for some reason. Strange, because this sort of stuff is normally way cheaper in the US. Is it Detroit you live in? I used to work for GM in Europe, so visited Detroit a number of times. It's not the ideal climate for riding, and the roads (or the pavement, as you call it!) is not that smooth either. Mind you , we have the same issues here. Happy riding!
I've been watching a lot of Ninja 1000 videos because I want to get the 1000SX as well! Looking like the best sport-touring bang for the buck. I hate that the bags are so expensive (I'm also in the US). Hope your new bike turns out to be as great as it looks!
I bought the Z1000sx couple weeks ago (model 2019). I got the saddlebags included for free (deal of Kawasaki apperently that ended 1st of May, i was lucky). So it doesn't bother me. I did not really need them, but they gave em with the bike for free, so i'd be stupid not to accept them :p.
Hello. I want to buy separatly the panniers for a z1000sx 2018, my question is, the original key of my bike will work with the lock? Or have to change it also? Is very hard to find a bike with panniers included😅
Hey, just bought these, followed the instructions and once the locks were set, the keys don’t work! Any suggestions…? Other than heading to as locksmith…
IDK if you're still following this, but thank you for the review!! It has been super helpful, minus an answer to my one major question. I HAVE to know if a laptop will fit in the bags? As for you fitting tent poles was a requirement, for me bringing a laptop is a requirement. Does anyone know if (and what maximum size) a laptop will fit in these?
Great detailed review. Thank you. Why didn't you just get a Givi 56 litre top box? You get the sane carrying capacity as the two side cases, easier to pack and slimmer to filter through congested traffic, and much cheaper!
Thanks! I just don’t really like the look of top boxes on this type of bike. I think they look fine on big touring and ADV bikes, though. With that said, I do see the many benefits of a top box that you mentioned, as well as providing a backrest for the passenger. I am happy with this luggage, though.
Looking through some of you videos and found a comparison you did on the sidi aria boots and the CTX just wondering if you are happy picking the sidi boots also how durable are the sides? Does the boot band side to side easily ? I'm in between those two boots leaning towards the sidi but really want to know if they bend side to side . Also do you use riding pant is so what kind. If positive le csn you make a video with the boots thank you and great vids
Hi Jonathan, thanks for all of the informative videos! I have an '18 N1K as well. Question for you, where did you get your tank protector? Looking for a nice 'matte' short one like you have. (or cut one down.) Thanks!
Glad you’re enjoying the videos! I had to search all over to find a tank protector that fit with the look of the bike. I ended up getting the R&G modular tank protector. It comes with a few separate pieces, but all I used was the main large piece.
Can you fit two of the liner bags in a single pannier? Great video gave me the info I was looking for and I also agree it should come with the panniers in the US since it is a "Sports Tourer".
No, a single liner bag takes up most of the space in the pannier. There’s enough room left to pack something small and compressible, like a thin jacket or an extra set of gloves.
Hey! I actually sold it back in September. I did have it listed on CycleTrader, so you probably saw the ad. I ordered a BMW R1250 GS back in August that should hopefully be arriving within the next month or so.
@@JonLong Nice! I had a good feeling that was your bike just because of the area. Yep, September is when I seen the add. I was on vacation and combing through the cycle trader app.
@@JonLong I’m riding a 2013 Kawasaki Concours 14 now. It’s been a really good bike so far. I’m getting ready to send the ecu off for a tune and order a new windscreen for it.
Hi there! Great videos! I've got the same bike 2k18 model and I've found some 2nd hand panniers from the versys 1000 model. Apparently, they are the same, but looking for the reference number, they are different. Will they fit? Thx!!!
These bags can handle upto 56 litres of storage which is quite impressive...very well engineered as the design helps to reduce the drag as much as possible
It does seem like a short interval, but is in line with other performance motorcycles. Compared to a car, it’s being subjected to a lot more use due to the high RPM of the engine (many more combustion cycles relative to the distance traveled). Other 12,000km service includes the air filter and throttle body sync, so it’s not going to be much more effort or cost to replace the spark plugs at that time. That’s what I’ll personally plan on doing.
I talk about how I did it in the video. Reflectors are bolted and stuck on. Undo the bolt from the inside and pull the reflector off. Use a little heat to soften the adhesive. I used a 5mm hole plug, which required expanding the hole a tiny amount.
better late then never, but great bikers gear sell special liners for these panniers, they fill the whole case instead of the part behind the elastic bands
There are pros and cons to the inner bags. I like them because it makes packing a little easier, and I can leave the hard bags on the bike when I’m on a trip and just bring the inner bags into the hotel (or the tent, if I’m camping). The downsides to the bags are that they are expensive, and you can’t fit quite as much stuff in the inner bags compared to how much you can fit in the hard bags. There’s a bit of extra space between the inner bag and the outer side of the hard bag. I stuff a motorcycle cover in that space in one bag, and rain gear in the other bag. That way the space isn’t wasted.
