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►Kawasaki Versys Luggage and
Accessories
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Special Report by H.B.C. for webBikeWorld.com
The Kawasaki Versys Story
Windscreen
The Kawasaki
Versys motorcycles shown in the photos have been
outfitted with Genuine Kawasaki Accessory Vario
Windshields, which are manufactured by MRA for Kawasaki
(See the
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Motorcycle Fairings & Windscreens page).
This windshield, similar to other MRA shields, adds an
adjustable top spoiler, allowing height and air flow
adjustments to be made by the rider. Comparatively, the
replacement shield is about 1.5 inches taller and about
3 inches wider than the stock shield.
However, givens
its shape, and the spoiler, this accessory shield does
an effective job of creating a larger clean air pocket,
especially at touring speeds -- bug count has been
significantly reduced as a result, which is always a
good thing, even with a full face helmet.
Tank Bags
Two Marsee 20 litre Teardrop strap mount tank bags,
originally purchased while in Daytona for Speed Week
earlier this year, fit perfectly on the Versys gas
tanks. The simple steel and flat surface of the tank and
the sides of the fairing will allow a variety of bags to
be used, keeping in mind handlebar clearance and
integrity of the mounting system used.
For expediency to satisfy commuting and travel
purposes we mounted our aging GIVI Voyager soft
saddlebags that have been used on a variety of
motorcycles over the years. These versatile units mount
in a couple of minutes, thanks in large part to their
simple strap system, the under-frame exhaust system and
easy access to the rear trellis frame, which provides
ideal and safe mounting points.
The bags, along with our
also aging tail bags (Oxford and Travel Bag brands),
provide lots of storage space and while the increased
weight is noticeable, the Versys remains stable at all
times.
GIVI Luggage
Acknowledging that patience is truly a virtue, we had
been waiting with some frustration for the GIVI
accessory items being produced for the Versys to become
more widely available. Another owner snagged the first
set, so we had to wait a bit longer. With patience
rewarded and the kits exchanged across the counter, we
have now gotten both GIVI kits installed on the Ebony
model.
To allow for a progressive build-up and evaluation,
first up was the Monorack kit. The whole effort, no
thanks to the poor instructions, went on in about 30
minutes. The kit is fabricated of mild steel, oval in
shape, with a matte black powder-like coating.
Although
it blends in rather well, broader oval tubing was used,
rather than round tubing that is used for the companion PLX bracket kit. Appreciating strength concerns, using
the same round tubing for both kits would have allowed
the accessory pieces to better blend into the tubular
trellis frame for far better aesthetics.
With the Monorack installed, a new GIVI V46 MONOKEY
trunk previously ordered was snapped into place. Anything larger would overpower the looks of the whole
setup and based on the age old law of space versus
utilization, could possibly result in an unstable load. From a versatility perspective the trunk gets used
between virtually all the fleet, so it’s a good
investment.
Installation of the second piece of the GIVI
ensemble, the PLX447 kit, has just been completed as
well. This kit is fabricated, except for the mating
brackets, of round tubing, with the same coating as used
on the rack kit.
We did not even utilize the
instructions for this installation as it’s a relatively
straightforward exercise. As the two kits need to be
co-mounted, it is a good idea to loosen off the already
installed to-be-shared Monorack bracket mounts. Outside
of exchanging some of the rack mounting bolts for longer
items (supplied) to accommodate the second kit brackets,
no problems were encountered.
It took longer to remove
and reposition the signal lights using the supplied
pieces than it did to install both bracket kits -- go
figure. Note: the pictures provided should be used when
repositioning the signal lights as the brackets can be
mounted with either an inward or an outward orientation; to clear the PLX bags when they are mounted, the
signal lights must be installed with the bracket
oriented inwards on either side.
We did find out that with repositioning the lights,
the left hand signal light wire is now just a tad short.
It was stretch to get it connected (the left and right
signal light harnesses, although identically wired, have
keyed connectors and thus cannot be interchanged
-- darn!).
With this lesson learned, and for a more
permanent installation, an extension harness will be
fabricated, or a shortcut hole will be drilled through
each side of the lower rear fender at signal light
level. This will allow the wires to be pulled straight
through and run up to under the passenger portion of the
seat, where the wiring plugs are located.
Note that access
to run the signal light wires up between the rear fender
and the side panels into the access point is very narrow
and it takes a bit of patience. Once done, we then
reviewed the minimalist instructions and discovered that
all steps had been covered, albeit in a slightly
different order and manner and what should have been
left over, was.
As only the new PLX style of side case can be used
with this bracket, a set of V35 saddlebags, with a
silver insert, were used for mounting and photography
purposes. This whole ensemble turns the Versys
into what we are terming the "mini" Adventure. Said other
Versys
owner who received the GIVI kits had already installed
the complete set of luggage and departed on a trip.
Consequently we are anxiously awaiting his return to see
how it all worked for him.
Awaiting installation is the TomTom Rider GPS.
We
have both a handlebar and a brake/clutch assembly mount
for the unit, and we shall see if the claimed accessory
line is to be found under the front fairing assembly,
which will make this job a bit easier.
Kawasaki - GIVI Accessory Information
All the GIVI components can be ordered from
GIVI Canada or from your local Kawasaki dealer as a
genuine accessory. Installation options allow for: a top
case mounted using the FZ447 Monorack kit; two side
cases using the PLX447 kit; or, mounting of three cases
using both kits.
Note that while the provided instructions
are minimal and typically confusing, the simple pictures
that are part of the instruction set should allow most
installations to be successfully completed. We have
already done up some more detailed installations
instructions for other Versys accessories and passed
them back to the Kawasaki Canada representative for
their use, and hopefully posting and sharing - we will
likely do the same for these kits as well.
Each GIVI PLX mounting kit is specifically tailored
for the individual motorcycle to provide a much closer
fit than other installations. This approach also serves
to reduce the overall bracket and bag combination width,
improving aerodynamics and appearance.
A MONOKEY top case is recommended for use on the
Monorack as these are oriented more towards motorcycle
use with a wider variety of styles and sizes. For the
side cases, a PLX style bag, like the new V35, must be
used on the PLX bracket; older style side cases will
not work. The V35 side cases can be keyed-alike to the
GIVI MONOKEY or MONOLOCK top case using a GIVI Z228 lock
cylinder kit, which is sold separately.
The GIVI V35 bags can be ordered with either the
Burnt Orange or Ebony colour matched panel insert -- a
nice finishing touch. The Low Gel Seat, as identified
earlier in the article, is also available from Kawasaki
and comes embroidered with the Versys logo.
Other accessories are listed on the UK website and
our dealer is hoping that Kawasaki Canada will add them
to the availability list as well.
Twisted Throttle is also
listing the SW-MOTECH Quick-Lock Contour Carrier for the
GIVI V35 PLX cases and the Quick-Lock Sideracks for
GIVI, Hepco-Becker and Krauser sidecases. Accordingly we
are pursuing this avenue as a possible option route for
the Burnt Orange Versys.
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