Kawasaki Z900RS SE - An attempt at installing SW Motech Legend panniers!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- I've been after some decent panniers for my new Kawasaki Z900 RS since I bought it six months ago - many of you recomended the Legend gear from SW-Motech - I think you were right to recomend it! Link to the panniers here:- www.sportsbike...
My Patreon page / themissendenflyer
Get 5% off your ABR Festival tickets with "TMF5" at checkout!
Use this link to get a 10% discount on the Beeline satnav bit.ly/43PjgE8
I buy my riding kit from Sportsbike shop www.sportsbike...
Exclusive TMF Merch on my website themissendenfl... and of course Teespring (click the red spring top right).
Links to my channel sponsors:-
Beeline bit.ly/43PjgE8
Bikerheadz bikerheadz.co.uk/
Canary Motorcycle Tours www.canarymoto...
If you want to follow my socials then I'm most active on Instagram @missendenflyer
You can also follow me on Facebook too The Missenden Flyer@TheMissendenFlyer
I'm also - rarely - on that X (Twitter) thing! Join me @MissendenFlyer
Don't forget your other TMF Discounts!:-
Mention The Missenden Flyer when buying from panigaleheatsh... or ducatispacers.... for discounts on Panigale heat shields or Ducati/Triumph throttle spacer kits. Use the code MISSENDEN to get the $10 discount on the heat shield, or heat shield/spacer kit bundle and MISSENDENSK for 10% off the spacer kit.
I use the following equipment to record and edit my VLOGs:-
GoPro HD Hero 10 cameras amzn.to/3od99H0
GoPro Media Mod for mic connection amzn.to/3PEiqU9
GoPro Max Lens Mod for wider angle view amzn.to/3v2qoi1
DJI Mavic Air drone (fly more combo) amzn.to/2JX3l23
Lavalier microphone and sellotape for in helmet audio amzn.to/2kOZVOU
RODE Wireless Go dual channel radio mics amzn.to/3ofuIqp
Power Director 12 for the PC (for video editing) amzn.to/2kP3HaR
Radio mic for in garage audio amzn.to/2lpq61B
Rode VIDEOMICPRO On Camera Microphone for general use amzn.to/2qvcZwv
Rode Deadcat VMPR Windshield to kill wind noise amzn.to/2qroOWG
Neewer CN 160 LED Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Video Light amzn.to/2qQPEs2
Goliton® Camera DSLR Triple Mount for LED Video Lights Microphones amzn.to/2rpUlGg
A pair of Lantoo LED Floodlight 50W for additional lighting amzn.to/2rpOKjs
My current motorcycles are:-
BMW R1200GS
Kawasaki Z900 RS SE
Triumph Speed Twin
Royal Enfield Custom 650 Interceptor
Honda GL1800 Goldwing Tour DCT (Airbag)
Suzuki GSXS125 (OK, that's the Mrs bike!)
Please be aware I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way in motorcycles or anything else. I'm just an ordinary biker like you probably are. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is important to you, please verify it via a knowledgable third party....the videos I post are just my opinions and are no more valid than anyone elses.
For any additional enquiries please send an e-mail (please no DM's or Facebook Messenger messages that tend to get lost) via TheMissendenFlyer@gmail.com, follow me via Instagram, Twitter or Facebook or preferably leave a comment below...
It doesn’t matter how much of a faf something is - there is still a great sense of satisfaction when the job is done. They look great.
This is why drinking before hand is always required. It's always fun to watch the next morning to see how you did it. This makes me happy to see, as I am normally the one that doubles the time it takes to do a job and add one day!
Glad it’s not just me!
Just wanted to say thanks for showing how a normal fit goes, best intentions and all that, no matter how neatly you lay stuff out - it's always worth it in the end though! Keep up the great work 😀
I appreciate that!
Thanks for leaving in the gaffs. Mistakes most of us would make. Thanks.
Lovely to see the Z900RS SE out again. Good job for persevering...I find many instructions are an after thought when it comes to bikes, so I'm not surprised by the faffery, but all looks good now. Well done, sir. Handsome bike indeed.
Possibly the funniest video you've done. If Mrs Flyer was there reading the instructions it would have been BAFTA worthy!! :) Beautiful bike by the way. Love it
I like that you do these and give those of us who are mechanically incomptenet hope that we might be able to do some upgrades on our bikes. Like the video and congratulations on completing the challenge successfully.
Thank you!
Well done Andy for sticking with the installation, even though it was a bit of a ball ache. Oh yeah, I really enjoyed the live chat on Friday evening, Mrs Flyer is definitely a star after a couple of 'greedy' glasses of wine 😆👍🥂.
11:54 - I think the word you were looking for was "muppetry". Although we all make mistakes and I applaud you for leaving in the issue and not editing it out. Much more authentic and beneficial to viewers as a result. Great content as always Andy.
Cheers!
I’m glad you went with these. I suggested it / them.
I just bought the exact same bags in black for my new Moto Guzzi V7 2023. Easy installation, minimalistic, look good, not bulky, and I can swap-out with the “urban” side cases using same rack for grocery shopping and longer rides.
Nice too that they lock on from the inside. I use only one daily for my laptop and cafe supplies to work anywhere. Just snap off and carry away in one second.
I just waxed them to be more rain-proof. Lots of fun and old school.
I have them on my V7 too, great bit of kit, much better that the ugly c-bow system I had before..
just wondering: do they fit with Mistral exhausts or will those burn the bags?
@@fredarthur-art Not sure. There are two Motech bag sizes: long and short.
@@edwardsenesac thanks, did you have to drill the rear fender to mount the system? Read somewhere about it.
@ Huh? Certainly not! Easy install with household tools in 15 minutes.
I keep looking at this bike, there is something that appeals to me.
The live stream was a lot of fun, you came across as a cheerful and funny couple. Thank you TMF.
Thank you - we try to be!
I'm so glad it's not just me that makes a meal out of things like that. That reversed washer really struck a familiar cord with me.
Well this video started my Saturday morning off with a smile
Having worked in the motor trade for 30+ years I’ve had the deal with awkward and Fiddley operations like this on a daily basis
It’s not something you get used to but you do develop a tolerance for tasks like this
But you got there in the end without chucking spanner’s around the garage and it all looks good sir. 👍
You must be very patient!
@@TheMissendenFlyer you just need to slip into a different mindset when doing tricky tasks
I work in restoration nowadays so most jobs I do are all fiddly and awkward but yet it has to be perfect when it’s done so it can take ages
This vid was pretty entertaining. :) Thanks for not editing out absolutely all the ups and downs of this install.
My pleasure - it’s only meant as entertainment!
Fitted these to my xsr 900 with ease but don’t recall trying to fit all the points at the same time. I would recommend fitting a self adhesive rectangular red reflector to each bag. They sit nicely on the smooth vinyl strip at the bottom of the rear quarter (of course). Look good and shine up well to following traffic.
I love that you leave the mishaps in, too many youtubers don't! Loved the Livestream last night and I always enjoy your content! Many thanks!
Thank you for watching Brian - appreciate that!
Great video as always.
Always like to see an honest video like this. We can't all be experts , nice to see a real world situation.
They look good and love the kawasaki in that colour scheme.
Really glad you like them, I can't train my eyes to enjoy panniers on anything other than adventure bikes. That renders me stuck with tank bags and tail packs.
I was amused watching you spannering the S W Motec brackets on. Being 15 years your senior I know why I let my dealers tech handle this job. I have the same brackets on 2 bikes and they are top notch. You get what you pay for. I caught the live stream and think you and the Mrs are truly a match made in heaven. 👍👍🏍🏍🏍🙋♂️
Thanks for watching!
I love how you show the actual reality. Like what really happens when a real person does the job. Thanks for showing it all!
My pleasure Cliff, and I’m glad you appreciate that.
Well done Andy,the more you do the easier it gets and the more satisfaction you’ll get, plus you get to know your bike better.
Thanks!
Look pretty easy to fit, but we all enjoy watching Andy (and Freddy dobbs on his channel) for their honesty...
Another great vid. Glad it’s not just me! I recently ordered and fitted genuine BMW Motorrad crash bars and hand guards and for added amusement they don’t come with any fitting instructions. Spaces, washers and screws galore and many attempts and hours later I managed to find a home them all. Garage amateurs will not be defeated!
Hear hear!!
Never a dull day at Flyer HQ.
Bags look good on that style of bike.
Not editing while installing is very much appreciated. I am glad that I recognize the difficulties that comes across 😊. Thanks!!!
My pleasure 😊
Enjoyed this one, kudos for not hiding your mistakes with editing, bike looks great with or without the bags on..
Much appreciated!
I enjoy the original intro to start your videos so Thank you for that.
Nice one Andy..always enjoy your spannering. Informative and easy on the eye.
Saw that rear spacer underneath and thought hmmm thats going to be fun.and now you have learnt a bit. All good!
Matey, I fitted a set of these to my Jaffa a few months ago and I had the larger bags on BOTH sides with no interference with the exhaust, no problem at all. When I went for a ride with both bags on I arrived at my destination to discover that one of the bags was missing! It had obviously become detached whilst riding but I hadn't felt it come off. I retraced my journey to find it leaning up against a bus shelter so some kind person had retrieved it from the road and put it to one side. Moral of this story (bag was undamaged luckily) is to make absolutely sure that the bags are 100% secure when you put them on. TBH I thought I had made sure but it might require a more thorough check. Great channel BTW
Crikey that's a good lesson to learn at your expense, thanks for that!
They look good.
Live stream yesterday was great 👍
Patients of a Saint they look really neat and tidy and a Bloke that reads a manual much respect
" ...Why don't the instructions tell you these things?" Exactly. Thank you for posting this video. I really appreciate it.
My pleasure!
Hi Mate, I also have had the same bags on my Z900RS for a couple of years now. It is advisable to have a few drain holes on the underside of each bag because, although the waterproof linings are indeed waterproof, the bags are not so on a rainy day water collects at the bottom. I had 3 equispaced holes on the bottom of each bag with an open hole press stud to stop any fraying.
Good tip!
Glad I’m not the only one to do a job 2-3 times to get it right. Appreciate the courage to show it and be real!
😅
No courage needed - it makes for a better video if there's a bit of strife involved!
Well done. Got there in the end. Looks great.
Well done Andy. Rather you than me. Live feed last night was great fun. I hope Tuesday goes well for you.
Thanks Peter - appreciated!
Great to see the Kawasaki again, (as recently promised), TMF. Gotta say, the panniers and brackets don't spoil its gorgeous looks at all. Thoroughly enjoyed the live chat video too, (even though I was sound asleep at broadcast time).
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this video. Made me smile.. glad you got it sorted. A great looking bike..
Glad you enjoyed it!
This video reminded me of my typical bike work. What I expect will take me 15-20m is officially a 3-4 hour job. Thanks for the laughs- I was laughing WITH you, not AT you.
Glad it’s not just me!
Great! I am probably going for these bags and fitting to my Speed Twin. Brackets look good.
Great video TMF and well done on the fitting. I’ve got an SW Motech sport rack to fit to my Z900 and that involves drilling the bodywork, nervous as hell !!
Great honest video, panniers look good quality.
I’m a massive fan of the Z900rs and it reminds me of the best GS made.
I'd love one of those Z900's. That's the exact colour I want too!
I can't afford it , rs650 maybe.
@@kalnwi2023 I'll club in, we can share it. I get to own it from March until September, you get the rest. That's got to be a bargain!
... and this is why we love this channel: Andy making the same dumb mistakes we make when we take the spanners out of the toolbox!
OMG that's the best laugh I've had for ages! Please do a complete bike restoration for us, the vids will go viral! 😂seriously though, they are great looking panniers 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just installed these same racks on a Yamaha MT-07 the other day. It literally took me all day but now that I have done it once I reckon I could do it a second time in an hour. On the MT-07 you have to remove the seat to remove the fairings so you can drill a few holes into them! Scary stuff.
That being said, now that they're on I'm amazed by the quality. They're awesome racks and bags.
Cool!
Sorry but I was yelling at the screen saying “put the top bolt in first “ until you worked it out for yourself.
Well done Mr Flyer 😎
This is why I don't do videos on installations....there wouldn't be enough batteries or SD memory on my GoPro's...ha!!....I'm so with you on what can go wrong will go wrong...like putting bolts on backwards...it's always great to see others go thru same struggles...well done and final product looks great!!!!! - FYI - Live stream was great!!!
Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for watching!
I do like the brand and the brackets don't distract from the nice bike lines so you can leave them there which is great. The only thing I didn't like was the size difference from one side to the other. Prefer if they were similar-sized bags. But hey you gotta do what you gotta do. It's practical and a good product. Well done!
The bags don't need to be different sizes; the large one fits on the exhaust side no problem.
@@auscurrymaster I wondered. Sometimes manufacturers ere on the side of caution..
I absolutely love the twin circular analog gauges on a bike. Speedometer and Tachometer. 👌🏻
Don’t worry Andy It’s a age thing . I’ve been playing around fitting things before you where born and I still stuff it up Best thing into get mrs Flyer to do it they have more patience Take care ride safe Mal in Australia
Thanks for the video, reminded me of numerous "engineering" sessions in my garage, enjoyed your humor. Ride on!
I have this for my Bonneville. I thought the install process was straight forward enough that I didn't bother with the instructions. It was pretty easy. In your defense, I have a lot of experience assembling complex automation machines. Also, I prefer to roll my bag (I only have the right side small bag) the opposite way than you have them. It looks cleaner with the open end facing the seat of the bike.
I bought the bike used with the Triumph leather panniers already installed and I knew right away that I was going to be taking those off the bike. I think they make the bike look hideous. This bag looks so much better, and only slightly more tedious to open and close than the factory bags. Super happy with it. I haven't been in the rain with it yet, and don't intend to.
Real spannering and real frustration here, so great.
Thanks for watching!
I admire your perseverance.
The panniers look great. I was shouting at you as you were putting the spacer on the wrong side of the bracket 😂 We have all been there!
Great vid Andy. We all learn by our (or your 😅) mistakes. Love the panniers and inconspicuous brackets but hate the price!
They look good.
I need bags because I'm always carrying something. When you put that spacer on the bolt side of the bracket I laughed!
Always happy to entertain!
The SW Motech Blaze Panniers might have been a better choice , they work with a simple removable rod to prevent the bags hitting the wheel, I have these on my Z900rs
Time to call for Mrs Flyer 🙏 well you got there in the end Andy 👍 the panniers look great and very entertaining to watch 👍🙈
Thanks 👍
Great to watch an expert at work Andy !!!! I was typing about the spacer when you coughed to putting it on wrong🤣 you are entertaining when using spanners, hope you don't do work on your plane!!! Loved watching you and Mrs Flyer last night !! Do more..
Thanks for watching!
Read instructions twice, spanner once!! Very entertaining though, and thank you for making me look like a master mechanic!!😂😂 Great vid!! Looks great!!
A good job you got there in he end, could hear muted cries from the back rows about you handing in your "man card". Make sure the locking clip is all the way home once you have fitted the bags by giving them a good wiggle before you set off! Ask me how I know, almost had to reapply for my "man card" thet day... lol
Very helpful thanks. Will order them today.
Glad it was helpful!
I always enjoy your vids and this one didn't disappoint. Congratulations for being open and leaving the mistakes in . I have the same set up from SW Motech on my CB750 Hornet with their Urban ABS panniers. Very pleased with them, good quality and fitted perfectly. I also have SW Motech Sys bags, again top quality. No I don't work for SW Motech just like their kit, glad you are pleased with yours.
Yes it is good stuff isn't it....
Looks good
Maybe you could get some suppliers to help out with some decent tools
And maybe consider Locktite on the threads
Weve all done it andy. I onceGreased bearings on rear wheel once ressembled bike then had to do it again as forgot to put a part bck on causing full disassembly. Learned for next time though
Haha...good video, and, due to being less than competent with a spanner myself, very much like the experience I had fitting SWMotech panniers to my previous Triumph Tiger 900 GT. I went for the SWMotech ones over Triumphs because they were smaller and lighter, and I really do rate them, but for me, fitting really did try my patience. As a small excuse, the Tiger frame had 5 areas that needed connecting to the bike, and it felt like I had to almost dismantle the rear of the bike (exaggerating a bit!). Good kit though.
And by the way, I do love that bike of yours - I like the style, the colour... everything! There's got to be room in my garage for one!
Good luck for Tuesday Andy.
Thank you!
I went for the Givi Canyon 25L on my KTM 390ADV prior to a trip around the Devon & Cornwall coast... Absolutely love them. Also a bit 'not enough hands in the right place' to fit the mounting brackets, but the bags just drop on to the mounts at the bottom then click in to the lock at the top.
Love these. Just what I need for my 900rs. Thank you..
My pleasure 😊
SW Motech also has another side bag that you may like. They are relatively new and fit the style of your bikes. They are called “side bags LH” in the Legend Gear family and use the same rack to my knowledge.
Thanks mate. After watching your tutorial I was able to fit mine in 7 mins 😉🍻
No problem 👍
Thank you Andy, I always enjoy your videos, but this one made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. I can't believe that you managed to avoid swearing. "aw for Petes sake!" brilliant😄. I applaud your patience - keep up the great work.
Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for watching!
Smart bags and look good. Good luck, for the opp tomorrow by the way. Great Missenden's own Steve Austin, "we can rebuild him". Sure it will be fine.
So far so good!
That was so funny to watch😂 if it was frustrating to do, and shows me that I’m not the only one that seems to have issues sometimes with what initially looks to be something quite straightforward to fit.
But we’ll done on finishing it, and without turning the air blue🤬, although I suspect there may of been some cutting and editing going on. 😜
Always thought my garage skills needed some work but after watching you Andy I now think I'm pretty good 😂.. great entertaining video as always 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Looks great. What I did fitting crash bars to my Honda asked my wife to read the instructions we had two bikes to do first one was ok but on the second bike we noticed an engine bolt had been over tightened and the head of the bolt
Was actually missing
from new ! So as not
to be blamed for this
had take the crash
bars off back to the
dealership had get the
bolt replaced under
warranty. Then fit the
crash bars again what
a nightmare. So much
so when I trade the bike I will probably leave the crash bars on the bike. 😂
Great content,upset i missed the Livestream but i caught up this morning 👍
Good man!
As mentioned before (probably annoyingly so) I'm looking at the Z900rs and planning on touring as well. Those SW Motech bags look good but I was thinking they may be a bit small for touring beyond a long weekend. I was looking at some options for a top box mount and Nelson-Rigg saddle bags and maybe a tank bag- just for touring mind you. Those Legend bags look great for everyday use and light touring.
Sorry I got to your live stream late yesterday but I watched it and you mentioned Freddie Dobbs. In his video of the Z900rs, the bike he borrowed was set up for the top box and panniers. I'm pretty sure it had crash bars and maybe highway pegs on it too. It was pretty specked out for hauling gear.
Very much looking forward to any lessons learned touring with that bike and this bag system. Cheers Andy.
PS. We've all been there at some point assembling stuff. I worked with the US headquarters of Thule for awhile and can tell you stories. I basically went to assembly school for the first month working there, which was actually pretty great. I'm kind of surprised they haven't gotten into this market as well but they seem more focused on all things bicycle, bags, phone mounts etc.
I’ve just spent the best part of Sunday afternoon faffing in my garage enjoying similar levels of grief 😂 , so I feel your pain. Good effort.
Yes I'm quite sure I'm not the only one who suffers in this way!
Very good instruction video, thanks a lot for sharing it, greetings from Belgium
You are welcome!
Looks like you had a great time fitting them😂 look great on the bike 😊
Great video Andy, your skills look exactly at the same level as mine. Although your ability to curb bad language is on a different planet to me 😀
I bought hepco and Becker for my Yamaha fz8n for exactly the same reason, didn’t want the look of scaffolding when the panniers weren’t fitted, good on you mr flyer, very fidderly .
Well done Andy, got there in the end 😂, me and my son Judd think the bike looks really good top job 👍
Thanks 👍
Fitting instructions are so easy to follow:
1. Take bike and parts to your local independent motorcycle workshop.
2. Ask/pay nice man to fit said parts.
Job done 👍
Love that Kawi BTW, really fancy one 😍
Thanks for the tip!
Look brilliant, mate.
Thank you!
Andy, plenty of laugh out louds, all in empathy! That could have come straight of the samsara school of spannering! Solution looks good, and even the naked bracketry looks fine.
looks really great on the bike! Worth the effort in my opinion.
Totally agree
Watching this made my day Andy, how I giggled 😂
Glad you enjoyed it
Andy, you are gold... you deal with the same shit I deal with working on my bike...
I’m glad it’s not just me!
I have the SW Motech system on my Speed Twin and they look and perform superbly. Without the bags, as with your Kawasaki, they don't stand out as an add-on. And even better, they make manhandling the bike on foot a breeze.
They do a cool set of brushed aluminium race number plates that fit on the mounting points. Makes it look like a feature without bags .. mind you, I normally leave the bags on.
They look strange to me being different sizes. Btw enjoyed the live stream and you even answered my Mrs questions about litelock as we were watching on her iphone and I told her to ask it. Nice one
cool!
I think they should get the Blaze mounts working with the legends bags. That would be the most aesthetic solution.
I have a Z900RS Cafe (love it) and have the same setup. Had them for a couple years now. IMO the best looking bags for a retro. I roll my tops towards the bike,it looks cleaner. Love the channel, cheers from across the pond.
Hello sir
Did you go with the smaller bag on the exhaust one side and the larger on the none exhaust side?
If so
Have you considered larger bag for exhaust side?
@@bryangrant2636 I have the 13.5L on the left and the 9.5 on the right. I have a higher exhaust (Hindle megaphone) than stock,there is not enough clearance.
Do love the attachment day we've all been there I gave up fitting fixed luggage @ 40 years & reverted to Ventura (NZ) & Lomo waterproof throw overs saving thousands of £'s & baggage is universal go for substance over style Andy & put £'s in your pocket.
Still laughing at the fitment process though keep it up.
Thanks for watching!
Enjoyed watching that no holds barred presentation 😀 I think the reason you initially had trouble removing the offside under seat bolt was that you were actually trying to do it up!! At least that's what the hand strain looks like!! Nice job in the end although, like Rebel_Canuck, I'm not keen on the look from the rear. Worth investigating the swap of bag he suggests, plus of course you'd have more touring capacity as well!!
Yes I quite like the sound of that!
Don't beat yourself up Andy, I've got SW Motech kit on my bike and the quality and design is excellent - but the instructions do leave a lot to be desired - I've learned to read, re-read, lay out the bits, offer them up for a look, dry test fit and then final fit 😂😂
Yes that’s the way to go!