Pannier Top Speed
- Vex
- Supercharged!
- Posts: 515
- Joined: Sep 8th, 2019
- Location: Seattle
- Bike(s): 2018 H2 SX SE, 2011 ZX-6R, 2017 Z125
- x 239
- x 194
Pannier Top Speed
So the inserts state the top speed for the panniers should be 80mph...like hell. When I go on my yearly trip there are some places where we really ride the red. Is this just Kawasaki CYA? Or has anyone gone a quick clip and noticed something come loose/shake/stress fracture, etc.
Do you secure yours with a few bungies or straps around the handles, etc?
Do you secure yours with a few bungies or straps around the handles, etc?
0 x
2018 H2 SX SE
Brock's Penta Exhaust
Block Off Plates
Sprint P08 F1-85
Stage 1 SC
Tuned by 2WDW
242whp/106ftlbs
- DeRox
- Low Boost
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Dec 12th, 2017
- Location: Netherlands
- Website: http://www.zx11.nl
- x 43
- x 75
Re: Pannier Top Speed
I believe in Europe there's no speed limitation. I've been driving 293kmh (deristricted bike, gps speed) with (empty...) panniers without any problem 

1 x
- black-k1
- Low Boost
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Mar 10th, 2019
- Location: Suffolk, UK
- Bike(s): H2 SX SE Perf. Tourer
- Website: http://www.old-gits.org
- x 17
- x 68
Re: Pannier Top Speed
My bike was totally stable and the luggage all fine with panniers, tank bag and tail pack at 160mph. It was in Germany and gave me the opportunity to run at such speeds for a good while.
2 x
- danham
- Accelerating
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Mar 2nd, 2019
- Location: Cape Cod, MA USA
- Bike(s): 2018 SE
- x 125
- x 106
Re: Pannier Top Speed
This is just a guess, but I wonder if the 80 mph figure has more to do with the "sail" effect of panniers than with the lugggage itself.
In other words, it is fact that things like top boxes and panniers do increase the effect of crosswinds on any bike. So perhaps the CYA motive is to limit speed in case crosswinds are in play. I doubt it has to do with the bags flying off the bike. But as I say, just guessing, and yes I have certainly exceeded 80 with panniers and a dry bag on board with no ill effect.
-dan
In other words, it is fact that things like top boxes and panniers do increase the effect of crosswinds on any bike. So perhaps the CYA motive is to limit speed in case crosswinds are in play. I doubt it has to do with the bags flying off the bike. But as I say, just guessing, and yes I have certainly exceeded 80 with panniers and a dry bag on board with no ill effect.
-dan
0 x
- Vex
- Supercharged!
- Posts: 515
- Joined: Sep 8th, 2019
- Location: Seattle
- Bike(s): 2018 H2 SX SE, 2011 ZX-6R, 2017 Z125
- x 239
- x 194
Re: Pannier Top Speed
Thank you all, I feel much better now.

You are likely right; thankfully I'm a bit used to that. My old 6R turned into a Street fighter with custom built fairings after a number of crashes. It was not aerodynamic at all and got tossed around quite a bit.
Last edited by Vex on Tue Jan 14, 2020 2:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
0 x
2018 H2 SX SE
Brock's Penta Exhaust
Block Off Plates
Sprint P08 F1-85
Stage 1 SC
Tuned by 2WDW
242whp/106ftlbs
- yyczed
- Pressure Building
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Aug 16th, 2019
- Location: 아무데도
- Bike(s): H2 SX SE
- x 29
- x 29
Re: Pannier Top Speed
250km/h+ with full panniers and a large drybag strapped on is fine, no weaving
However, keep in mind I snapped a set of Givi racks doing that on my ZZR1200, and I wonder how much stress the factory SX bag mounts can take
However, keep in mind I snapped a set of Givi racks doing that on my ZZR1200, and I wonder how much stress the factory SX bag mounts can take
0 x
Re: Pannier Top Speed
Cruising with panniers, empty or full, @ 140-145 mph, no issues, however, I have issues at that speed any more.
0 x
\
- JonTheChron
- Chirp-Chirp!
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Dec 10th, 2017
- Location: Quebec
- Bike(s): H2 SX SE '18
- Website: http://supercharged.ninja
- x 137
- x 162
Re: Pannier Top Speed
The bags was tested by kawasaki at 300kmph empty with no prob.
0 x
2018 H2 SX SE (1st in Canada)
2011 Ninja 1000 (sold)
2009 Ninja 250R (sold)
meble kuchenne na wymiar warszawa cennik
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest