Help getting my panniers 'board my Fazer

[fazer_1000]

Hey guys,

I'm kinda new here, think it's my first post but have been reading around.

Bought my FZ6 a month ago and just got the new set of oxford panniers a friend brought me from Germany.

I got the Oxford lifetime X60 which is their flagship panniers - hugh 60 litres of space.

To my disappointment, when trying to get them on the bike I found out they're REALLY big - long and high and a bit heavy.

The thing is I couldn't find where to mount all the straps so it will sit tight. At the moment it looks like old-man-balls: saggy.

I'll try putting some photos I've taken.
In the pictures you can see how close it rests to the exhaust and it's firm at all (which will for sure scratch my oh-so-clean paintwork).

Has anyone installed these on an FZ6?
Perhaps has an idea on what to do?

Here's a review for them, the only one I found on the net (they're mounted on a Bandit)
Motorcycle Saddlebags - webBikeWorld

 

[Davey]

First of all :welcome:

There's a technique with soft luggage. I've got something similar but not the same brand. However, they are pretty much all the same.

The trick is to tighten up all the straps as much as possible once you are packed. There's some adjustable ones which compress and compact everything down. Also the straps under and over the seat (with the velcro) need to be as tight as possible. Do this by lifting the panniers into position (when loaded helps), i.e not sagging, then reattach the velcro straps. However, it's still not finished...

I also use a couple of bungee straps underneath crossing from one pannier hook to the opposite passenger footpeg. You can also do this over the top to lift the panniers up a little if you want. Don't worry too much about them resting on the exhaust shroud. They should be ok. Also you can put a small piece of soft cloth between bungees and the paint work for protection.

Try a couple of different set ups and play around until you find something that works for you. Hope this helps! I'll try to find some pictures of mine loaded up and post them later.

 

[fazer_1000]

Well, I fiddled with the things for two days and got to a point which they rest "kinda" firm but still - there were still gaps that in 100 Km\h will make the panniers move or just the buckles to flap and scuff the paint.

The thing is that the panniers has 3 big Velcro's which are for putting the panniers to place and each side has 3 more adjustable straps - one at the bottom front, one at the top in the back and the last on the bottom back.
the front one attaches ok to the pillion footrest but there's no place to attach the ones on the back. I can try and attach the top one to that holding rail of the pillion but it's too close and buckle is scratching the paint. the lower strap doesn't reach the footrests and the only place to attach it is the subframe which is like 1 cm from the exhaust (the metal silencer, not the plastic cowls).

and as far as the bungee cords.. well, don't get me started on these one!
I don't have where to attach them without having to go through the afterburners...

Here's some more pics from today's attempts:

 

[jones_s2]

Have you considered getting some soft luggage rails?

I recently bought some Givi soft luggage panniers and found the same problem as you i.e. old-man-balls.

I found that Givi do a kit for the FZ6 called T351:

(this pic also shows the mounting arms for the top box but ignore that. The relevant bit is the narrow arms just above the wheel.)

Givi T351 Soft Luggage Pannier rack for Yamaha FZ6 / FZ6 Faz.. - Motorbikes and Parts - Givi / Kappa Motorcycle Luggage Specialists - givi-t351-soft-luggage-pannier-rack-for-yamaha-fz6-fz6-fazer-p-17138.html

Unfortunately to fit these you also need an adaptor kit (called '351 KIT') which costs around £25 too. I believe this is just a set of spacers that are needed unless you have a the arms for the top box fitted.

I haven't got round to buying this stuff yet as I haven't really needed the luggage yet. If I ever do then I will let the forum know.

Another tip I have is to use some non slip matting between the luggage and the bike:

MultiPurpose Non Slip Mat : Miscellaneous Tools : Maplin

This I have bought and would recommend.

I did actually manage to get the luggage quite secure, but it was very far forward on the bike such that it was resting on the pillion footpegs...looked stupid! If I tried mounting them at the back they way dangling towards the wheel and there was little to stop them. Hence I think these rails will do the job.

 

[Davey]

Racks or rails would indeed solve the problem. Not the cheapest solution however. I'm still not sure you're attaching them correctly - especially the tensioning straps. I tie them together (i.e. to each other), not attaching them to anything else. Then use the bungees from the passenger pegs to the bags to tighten everything up. Here's some pics which aren't the best but are all I've got at the moment!