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[CliC]

Bike Bandit is having a two-day sale on Dowco semi-soft luggage. It looks a lot like what Zero sells for their bikes as an expensive accessory, but these cost a lot less. It looks like a real good deal to me. Check it out here:

http://www.bikebandit.com/dowco-rally-pack-sport-bike-value-series-luggage-set?fc_c=2487124x8819321x152598981&WT.mc_id=2787891

Nice find, Richard! I bought a set, and installed the side bags yesterday. The bags come "limp", and you have to insert a fabric-sheathed plastic stiffening "floorboard" piece into each bag, which requires some patience. After that, you hang them on, adjust them, snug them up a bit in the back they fit pretty well. Straps all have rubber sewn into them to prevent movement/wearing across painted surfaces, and the bags themselves come with two large rubber side pads for same. I haven't tried the tail or tank bags yet.

I'll try and post some pics once I get it all on. I don't expect I'll need to ride with the full kit all the time, though.

[jpaulus]

I've ordered the Givi top-load E21 setup for my 2012 S from the company that makes the brackets for the Zero police bikes and it is supposed to take a couple of weeks because of their fleet backlog.  The mounts will handle standard Givi Monokey bags for upsize potential but the E21's should be fine for my all-weather commuting/shopping needs.  (Soft cases have optional waterproof covers but I don't want to mess with that every day in the rainy season.)  They also have an adaptor for the TraX EVO aluminum bags if that's your thing.

I'll post on my experience of installation (no frame mods required), build etc. and I'll post some pics.

Should look like this minus the police extras:
http://media.zeromotorcycles.com/press-2012/small/police/studio-detail/2012_zero_ds_police_detail-04_1600x1067_press.jpg
http://media.zeromotorcycles.com/press-2012/small/police/studio-detail/2012_zero_ds_police_detail-07_1600x1067_press.jpg

Bags plus mounts are $680.  If you're interested contact Steve through: http://beaudrymotorsports.com/

[ColoPaul]

That's awesome jpaulus.

I've been thinking about these 'color accented' chase-harper soft bags kindof like Richard pointed out.  They're only $150.  I think the red would look nice.
http://chaseharper.com/SaddleBags/SaddleBags.htm?al=3100mcm&fr=3100mcmGYBR.htm&

However, I'm really liking the thought of always-waterproof, hard-sided luggage - the ones you are getting seem really good.  Although $680 seems steep.

I'll wait till you get yours and see if you like them before I decide.  Thanks again for looking into this!

[Richard230]

Those hard bags look nice and appear to have lots of capacity, but let me offer this comment: I have a pair of BMW hard bags that I install on my R1200R when I go touring and camping (as I will be doing this week). The bags are useful and don't impact handling or stability, but they do make a noticeable reduction in my fuel mileage, compared to riding without them.  They knock my gas mileage down about 10% at freeway speeds.

[jpaulus]

Richard, I was wondering about the wind impact of the side bags but it seems that the Zero might have another benefit in not having exhaust and other things that get in the way allowing the bags to be installed so close to the bike.  When I see how far apart the E21's are on some bikes like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/miniviews/4025523190/#

vs. how narrow they sit on the Zero (one bag width, see following pic), I'm hopeful that the drag is little more than is already caused by my legs just in front of them.
http://media.zeromotorcycles.com/press-2012/small/police/studio-detail/2012_zero_ds_police_detail-04_1600x1067_press.jpg

I also have the full size windscreen so perhaps I'll be giving up some of my newfound range! 
(though range on the zf9 is not an issue for my commute, thankfully, unlike my old Vectrix...)

[Richard230]

That is a good point, Jpulus.  I have to agree that the Zero bags really tuck in nicely.   

[BSDThw]

My GIVI Cruiser Case E21 setup for my 2012 DS has received.
I have ordered only the boxes and 2 sets of the Monokey connectors.

Last weekend I have started to built my own mount, but it will take time before it's worth to send some photos; but I have only time at weekend to built the mount. And I am not sure how to finish the surface, because it is an aluminum frame.

For sure it will not look as perfect as the "beaudrymotorsports.com's" mount, but to order it from Germany will cost a fortune.

The Givi E21 is really small, if you have a big lap top it will not fit. But the size is perfect for the Zero and as a commuter it will do a good work.

[jpaulus]

I've not seen the E21's yet in person and was having difficulty with how much would fit in them until I saw this demo (scroll down at the link):
http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=42167

[BSDThw]

Nice demo, so we never die of starvation or of thirst 

[CliC]

I've not seen the E21's yet in person and was having difficulty with how much would fit in them until I saw this demo (scroll down at the link):
http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=42167

Dang, I want They are bigger then they look. One think I like about side bags, vs, a tail bag, is that I can swing my leg over from the rear. My ballerina days are over, so a straight-on approach, while doable, is awkward

[RickSteeb]

I've ordered the Givi top-load E21 setup for my 2012 S from the company that makes the brackets for the Zero police bikes and it is supposed to take a couple of weeks because of their fleet backlog.  The mounts will handle standard Givi Monokey bags for upsize potential but the E21's should be fine for my all-weather commuting/shopping needs.  (Soft cases have optional waterproof covers but I don't want to mess with that every day in the rainy season.)  They also have an adaptor for the TraX EVO aluminum bags if that's your thing.

I'll post on my experience of installation (no frame mods required), build etc. and I'll post some pics.

Should look like this minus the police extras:
http://media.zeromotorcycles.com/press-2012/small/police/studio-detail/2012_zero_ds_police_detail-04_1600x1067_press.jpg
http://media.zeromotorcycles.com/press-2012/small/police/studio-detail/2012_zero_ds_police_detail-07_1600x1067_press.jpg

Bags plus mounts are $680.  If you're interested contact Steve through: http://beaudrymotorsports.com/

Just emailed Mr Beaudry with my inquiry.  Nice find! 

[Lipo423]

Richard, these side bags are very nice...

Although the post is about side bags, this is how I fitted a Givi T470 as a tail bag...
You may fit an additional charger + other staff if you decide to extend it.

If you need further details let me know.

[oobflyer]

I ordered the bags when I bought my bike ('12 S-ZF9). Although I haven't had any problems with them, clearly they are not custom made for the Zero, rather, they were obviously made for a bike with a wider seat. From the back you can see how they sag towards the middle, despite tightening the velcro straps across the top to the maximum.

The tail-bag fits perfectly, however - and the Quiq charger fits perfectly inside.

The Chase-Harper bags look nice on Richard's bike. If I had it to do over again I would've waited on the bags.

[Harlan]

I have had many customers inquire about hard cases for their bikes.  Today I installed a Givi Wingrack on a customer's 2011 Zero S.  Took a while to figure out how to mount it but fits nice!  I've got a few of these racks on order, they are compatible with all Monokey cases, you can contact me if you'd like to reserve one.  Check out the giviusa.com website for all the different cases available.

Wingrack:
http://www.giviusa.com/Fitment-kits/Wingrack/Wingrack

Monokey Side Bags:
http://www.giviusa.com/Side-hardbags/

Monokey Top Cases:
http://www.giviusa.com/cases-top-case/monokey/

[BSDThw]

Hi Harlan,

it is nice if this Givi Wingrack work for our Ziros, I saw it in the brochures but couldn't believe it will work for me.

I am building my own rack at the moment and had a lot of thinking and testing.

I am not sure if the perspective of the photo gives the wrong impression, but are the cases not too high?

I tested a lot and fixed them that I can slide back at my seat without sitting on the cases, also tried to have a low center of gravity.

37_Case von BSDThw auf Flickr


38_Case von BSDThw auf Flickr


39_Case von BSDThw auf Flickr

But there is still a lot work to do. I will ream out more material to loss weight, make a nice surface and try to anodize it black.