Pannier Top Speed

[Vex]

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?

[DeRox]

I believe in Europe there's no speed limitation. I've been driving 293kmh (deristricted bike, gps speed) with (empty...) panniers without any problem

[vcyclenut]

ive gone well into triple digits with them on with zero issue

[black-k1]

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.

[danham]

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

[Pud1]

I''ve had mine north of 250 kph with no ill effects.

[Vex]

Thank you all, I feel much better now.

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.

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.

[yyczed]

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

[Prof J]

Cruising with panniers, empty or full, @ 140-145 mph, no issues, however, I have issues at that speed any more.

[JonTheChron]

The bags was tested by kawasaki at 300kmph empty with no prob.