(07-29-2026, 02:37 PM)Gone in 60 Wrote: Are they hard plastic, or sort of a soft material? They look like the Givi Wl901 "Semi Rigid" top box.
The Kawi side cases are made of a plastic that is hard yet thin and flexible, not as hard and rigid as the givi top box. Inside, there is a fabric lining.
"Drop a gear and disappear"® '24 Kawi Z650RS - Hooligan® '14 CB1100 DLX, s/n 170, 42K kms - FOX®
'14 CB1100/ABS, 134K kms - sold
'13 CB1100/c-ABS - 56K kms - sold
*Grand Chancellor*
(07-29-2026, 02:37 PM)Gone in 60 Wrote: Are they hard plastic, or sort of a soft material? They look like the Givi Wl901 "Semi Rigid" top box.
The Kawi side cases are made of a plastic that is hard yet thin and flexible, not as hard and rigid as the givi top box. Inside, there is a fabric lining.
That must make them nice and light. Good for handling.
(07-29-2026, 02:37 PM)Gone in 60 Wrote: Are they hard plastic, or sort of a soft material? They look like the Givi Wl901 "Semi Rigid" top box.
The Kawi side cases are made of a plastic that is hard yet thin and flexible, not as hard and rigid as the givi top box. Inside, there is a fabric lining.
That must make them nice and light. Good for handling.
It seems esier than CB's
"Drop a gear and disappear"® '24 Kawi Z650RS - Hooligan® '14 CB1100 DLX, s/n 170, 42K kms - FOX®
'14 CB1100/ABS, 134K kms - sold
'13 CB1100/c-ABS - 56K kms - sold
*Grand Chancellor*
I agree with Peterbaron's characterization of the plastic's hardness. I owned the top case, which had an expandable fabric lining that increased storage capacity. The stored items were not as secure as when the plastic lid was the only protector, but I did use this fabric function when I had more items than could fit in the standard case. It worked well for me, and I never lost a load or experienced any aerodynamic issues. See pictures to help make my slightly confusing statements make sense.
2017 Honda CB1100 EX
The most sophisticated, smooth, perfectly engineered motorcycle I've ever owned. A pleasure in every way.
07-29-2026, 10:46 PM (This post was last modified: 07-29-2026, 10:51 PM by rdprdp01.)
(07-29-2026, 07:42 PM)Cormanus Wrote: Are they waterproof?
Unfortunately, no. The case itself is waterproof, but the zippers are not. In a light rain and light wind, no water will penetrate. But in heavy rain or heavy wind, there will be some seepage. SW-Motech provides a waterproof bag to place your items in before inserting it into the Top Case. The same applies to the matching Side Cases.
See details and picture.
URBAN ABS Top case
Lightweight top case for sporty motorcycles and naked bikes
Durable, robust and lightweight due to the 2.5mm (bottom) and 2mm (top) thick ABS plastic
Volume can be expanded from 16 to 29 l via circumferential zipper
With the volume fully expanded, the URBAN ABS top case holds a helmet
Integrated straps for compressing the luggage prevent the lid from fluttering
Anti-theft protection via mount on rack, lockable zipper and lock for motorcycle luggage included in delivery
Integrated straps for compressing the luggage prevent the lid from fluttering
Convenient carrying handle
Reflective details for more safety in traffic
The top case's modern-looking textured surface is easy to maintain and scratch-resistant
Spacious mesh compartment on the inside of the lid
Padded interior lining, with pocket for stowing the lock for motorcycle luggage
Waterproof inner bag included in delivery
Details
Material: ABS plastic / Polyester
Color: black / black
Size: 36,0 x 40,5 x 21,5 cm / 14.2 x 15.9 x 8.5 in
08-01-2026, 02:22 PM (This post was last modified: 08-01-2026, 02:24 PM by peterbaron.)
Here are my observations: for water to leak into these panniers, you would have to submerge them in water.
I put all my gear into a plastic bag first, and then into the panniers.
I’ve ridden through a downpour like that for several hundred kilometers, and there was just a bit of moisture on the plastic bag.
The construction of the CB and Kawasaki panniers is very similar.
My bikes are not U-boats, ride more and worry less..
"Drop a gear and disappear"® '24 Kawi Z650RS - Hooligan® '14 CB1100 DLX, s/n 170, 42K kms - FOX®
'14 CB1100/ABS, 134K kms - sold
'13 CB1100/c-ABS - 56K kms - sold
*Grand Chancellor*