[shawnmtaylor]

I just purchased a 2012 Ninja 1000. When deciding on this model I was told by the salesman that there were color matched top cases and side bags available. As I was looking for a sport touring bike (why no Concours 1000?) this was going to be a perfect match. The salesman ordered all the bags and mounting hardware. They arrived within a week.

Yesterday after picking them up at the dealer and inspecting them (they are beautiful) I brought them home to install them. I looked over the instructions ( lots of small steps, nothing too difficult) and noticed that one of the reflectors was missing from one of the side bags. I went on line to get a parts break down so that I could call the dealer and get it sent to me. While looking around I found some horrible information: the top case CANNOT be used in conjunction with the side bags. Needles to say I was rather upset as the luggage was a major selling point for the bike.

Now I am looking for a way to utilize the bags and top case together. The salesman that sold me the items is looking in to alternate mounting options. On the Givi website there is a nice picture of top case and side bags mounted together. While Givi produces the factory luggage , I am unsure if the mounts are the same. The side bag mounts look identical but the top case mount is definitely different. I am unsure if the factory top case will work on the non - factory mount.

If anyone has any input I would appreciate it

Shawn

 

[Zandit]

Welcome to the site Shawn, and I'm sorry that you have been stitched up like this from your delaer. If he had any clue about the product, he would have known that from when the N1000 was first introduced in 2011.
Keep the cases, but I would try and get your money back on the frames. then go to Givi and order their mounting kit. All of the frames will fit,but you will need to ensure they supply you with the correct top box mounting plate cause there are a couple of different models.
Good luck with it, and let us know how you get on.
BTW, if you have any trouble trying to get you money back on the frames, jump up and down, and make a real pest of yourself, they were sold to you under false pretenses!

 

[Delta107]

Welcome!!

Have no idea on the bags.... sorry

 

[shawnmtaylor]

Thanks on the info on the non-factory racks. The dealer was profusely sorry about the mix up and was willing to find a solution or refund if they couldn't find one. I think it is strange that the factory sets are not compatible but the oem ones made by the same company are. Must not want people canibalizing Concours sales.

Just one bit of clarification: should I ditch both factory rack sets and go with the Givi's non-factory sets or would I just need to get the top case mount?

ST

 

[BlackBoar]

Hi shawn and welcome to NN.
This is a common issue with the Versys, too. It stems from a liability issue for Kawasaki. The factory intentionally makes their 2 luggage products incompatible so that owners can't install both "factory" items together and then possibly over-load their bike with luggage - thereby creating a liability for Kawi if you over-load and crash.
The bike is more than capable of managing all that luggage, and the after-market is great for making it all available. I'd say keep the facotry cases, get whatever money back you can on the factory frames, and get the Givi frame set up for both.

Enjoy.

 

[shawnmtaylor]

You folks are awesome!

I will be taking back the mounts today and ordering the regular Givi's. I was hoping to have it all installed this weekend but whatevs.

I'll post pics once they are installed.

ST

 

[Zandit]

Good stuff, I'm glad they were willing to help you out at the dealership!
Being an ex car salesman, I prided myself on knowing every little thing about the cars I was selling, and it infuriates me when I go looking at bikes and cars nowadays, and I still know more about them than the saleman!!

BTW, look forward to seeing that N1000 in some pics, very sexy bike!!

 

[mrvmichaelv]

Hi Shawn. I'm interested in how your decision works out for you. I have a 2012 Ninja 1000 and I'm trying to decide between the factory bags and the Givi set up. Not so interested in the top case, but want the best fit and quality for the price. Not too big a price diff between OEM discounted and Givi after market after you get through with the mounting kits. I'm guessing you don't have to reposition lights on either?

 

[shawnmtaylor]

With the Givi setup some additional considerations were required:

1)The ugly fender is/was a pain. You need to relocate the blinkers to clear the bags. This puts it lower and farther back. The bad thing about that is that the wiring harness is way too short. There needed to be an extension. Instead of looking for a harness extension I threw some money at it and purchased an integrated taillight/blinker (http://www.customled.com/products/integrators/2011_Kawasaki_Ninja_1000/2011_kawasaki_ninja_1000.htm). It looks nice and allowed me to kick that ugly fender to the curb. But that lead to the next problem…
2)Where am I going to put the license plate now? As the ugly fender (have I told you how much I don't like it?) is gone I needed someplace to put the license plate. So again I threw some money at it and bought a Muzzy's Fender Eliminator. It looks nice. The only issue I have with it is that it kinda puts the plate way in on the tail and it is at an angle. It is visible but I'm sure someone will eventually say something about it.
3) The tolerances for all the mount points are very tight. I had to strong arm a few pieces into place.
4) The quick release feature is nice but with the tight tolerances it is a pain to take the mounts on and off. Thankfully I haven't done it that much. The funky security wrench is a hassle, too, but I haven't needed to use it much.

When I was installing the side bags I wish I had an extra set of hands. Once they were on I was extremely happy with the way they looked and the fit and finish of all the parts. The color of the shells are exactly the same as the bike (Candy Lime Green) and really complement the bike.

 

[earlthepearl]

I just went with......
Cortech Super 2.0 36-Liter Saddlebags
My dealer had them on sale.....
They work fine 4 me if you get them adjusted tite enough so they don't sag. to much.
I use a bright orange river waterproof duffel across the seat...bag to bag..bungeed on..for the extras for long trips.
Kept cost down to 120 bucks American....:thumb::thumb:
The bags have zippers that let them expand about another 2 inches...
NNnnnn...they have side zipper pouches for easy access things...
I sprayed silicone spray....6 coats to be sure they're more waterproof...

 

[mrvmichaelv]

With the Givi setup some additional considerations were required:

1)The ugly fender is/was a pain. You need to relocate the blinkers to clear the bags. This puts it lower and farther back. The bad thing about that is that the wiring harness is way too short. There needed to be an extension. Instead of looking for a harness extension I threw some money at it and purchased an integrated taillight/blinker (Custom LED 2011-2013 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Integrated LED Tail Light). It looks nice and allowed me to kick that ugly fender to the curb. But that lead to the next problem…
2)Where am I going to put the license plate now? As the ugly fender (have I told you how much I don't like it?) is gone I needed someplace to put the license plate. So again I threw some money at it and bought a Muzzy's Fender Eliminator. It looks nice. The only issue I have with it is that it kinda puts the plate way in on the tail and it is at an angle. It is visible but I'm sure someone will eventually say something about it.
3) The tolerances for all the mount points are very tight. I had to strong arm a few pieces into place.
4) The quick release feature is nice but with the tight tolerances it is a pain to take the mounts on and off. Thankfully I haven't done it that much. The funky security wrench is a hassle, too, but I haven't needed to use it much.

When I was installing the side bags I wish I had an extra set of hands. Once they were on I was extremely happy with the way they looked and the fit and finish of all the parts. The color of the shells are exactly the same as the bike (Candy Lime Green) and really complement the bike.

Great information. Thanks so much for taking the time to detail the hassles involved with the Givi setup! Bummer that you had to discover that on your own. The websites/salespeople should let you know that add'l work/purchases are required from the start! I'll def check into the Kawasaki OEM setup to see whether there are similar issues. Thanks again. That was really helpful. :thumb:

 

[mrvmichaelv]

Shawn -

Any way that you can post a picture of your givi setup? If you have the time, that would be great.

Thanks,

Mike