chuma said:
Well, I didn't expect anyone to agree. Especially if you have boxes. Never the less, I stand by my statements. If boxes were so functionally superior they would on the back of every sport tourer out there. They are a fashion statement and nothing more. Yamaha could easily have designed a set of molded luggage that matched the lines of the Tenere that would be every bit as durable as a box. But they know their market and what people expect. Back in the early 90's, Kenwood, the stereo maker, tried to buck the trend of over-buttonisation. They introduced a very attractive high quality amplifier with about five buttons and knobs. It didn't sell. When asked why people were not interested, they invariably said that just weren't enough buttons. When asked what all those button do, people had no clue. All they knew was that a stereo needed lots of buttons to be good.
Somebody said that my comparison between boxy saddlebags and body work doesn't hold up. Again, I disagree. Sure it does. Both are attached to a vehicle that benefits a least a bit from an attempt at aerodynamics. Just because you detach the luggage does not excuse it from this.
So put up, Chuma,
What do YOU have?
I'm expecting to see some custom welded beauties.
I bought the welded aluminum MuffinTop boxes because we were heading around the continent on every type of road and I knew the plastic rounded Givi boxes wouldn't hold up with tossing the bike on a gravel road. I've had side-load plastic boxes on two FJRs and other bikes and they work for hotel travel. But to me, the top load is much better to live with for camping and digging through at rest stops. I can tie loose items to the loops on the lids, which would look gauche on plastic pretty panniers. So rather than buying for looks, my purchase was definitely all about function, protection, durability, and price. With the angular looks of the bike, they look OK, too. Even so, the protected location of the top bad allowed me to go with the Givi 52 liter Maxia.
As for aerodynamics, these things don't make a gnat's-hair difference at the back of the bike, in the turbulent flow of the rider's legs and rear wheel, at the speeds we travel.
btw - Wendell (MuffinTop) is willing to weld up any custom size, shape, or mods you want.
http://muffintopindustries.com
And we all know of Tabasco's body/welding skills, so dig out your wallet, be creative and thrill us.