Panniers and Top Case

[jeffrey]

My S10 is fitted with Oem panniers and am planning on installing an OEM top case for our up coming North American tour.
I have noticed a warning on the Yamaha websight that said the two should not be used together due to over loading the bike. Has any one run with both of them and does it make a differance. I will be riding two up for about 20,000 km. over 11 weeks and we could use the extra storage and also the safefy aspect for the passenger who will have something against her back.
I would appreciate any feedback and adise on this subect.

 

[HoebSTer]

Jeffrey, I think it is more for lawyers and being sued than anything else. Be conservative going with lighter items up top and you should be fine. Are you planning a stop in Seattle and need a place to crash for a night? Just let me know. If you are through Ohio or northern Michigan I have some family in both spots if you need any assistance.

 

[jeffrey]

Thanks for your feedback , that is what I thought but just wanted to be sure. We are starting out in Portland, our bike arrives 8th July and then heading to Fairbanks and then across northen Canada and then down to Wisconsin. Hopefully we will head to New Orleans after that and then back to Portland via the Rockies. We will be bi passing Seattle and thinking about crossing into Canada at Sumas but thanks for the offer.

 

[fxst78]

I have all three and it's all good. As said above load the lighter stuff up top. The Yamaha advertising in Australia shows images with all three fitted riding off road so I think it is purely a legal liability thing.


Sent with a leaf using a pointy stick.

 

[MIKE R]

In the UK Yamaha now offer a S10 Touring Edition with the 3 boxes as part of the deal.

Mike

 

[chuma]

I dunno. I just can't bring myself to buy these trendy aluminum boxes everyone seems so keen on. I mean, originally some guy or small shop probably figured he could make his own bags that he didn't care less about their looks, bash them to pieces, and he would only be out a few bucks and some labor. Now people buy copies of these ugly bags for thousands? Heck, why not just take it a step further, if everyone likes the look so much, and start making square gas tanks, fenders, fairings, etc? Anyway, that's off my chest. And don't tell me it's form over function. A box is indeed a strong structure. But throw a few curves into it and it can be even stronger.

 

[XTDelZ]

I dunno. I just can't bring myself to buy these trendy aluminum boxes everyone seems so keen on. I mean, originally some guy or small shop probably figured he could make his own bags that he didn't care less about their looks, bash them to pieces, and he would only be out a few bucks and some labor. Now people buy copies of these ugly bags for thousands? Heck, why not just take it a step further, if everyone likes the look so much, and start making square gas tanks, fenders, fairings, etc? Anyway, that's off my chest. And don't tell me it's form over function. A box is indeed a strong structure. But throw a few curves into it and it can be even stronger.

::026:: maybe it's cool to be square?

 

[duranged2001]

Or hip.


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[chuma]

Or hip.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

It's not. It's just people pulled by the nose.

 

[snakebitten]

So you don't think anybody that has boxy panniers genuinely like them and prefer them over shapely curved panniers?

I'm not doubting that a trend can be influential. But it's unlikely a trend covers everyone's preferences.

Been wearing Wranglers for, well, all my life. Every decade or so they get a bit fashionable amongst the folks that weren't wearing them before. But if\when they are a trend, there ain't no hook in my nose.

I like Happy Trail boxes. Mostly because they are a good value. And they are, in fact, very functional. But I never thought they were particularly sexy. Kinda like Wranglers. Cowboy cut.

(and yes, I'm trying to brainwash that little buckaroo to the left. He has boots n wranglers just like pawpaw)

 

[briang123]

Not factory luggage, but absolutely no issues so far. 25 lbs each pannier, 30 lbs top. Dry bag behind seat. No passanger. Dirt road, high speed pavement, twistys, and Nevada/Utah big winds.

 

[markjenn]

if everyone likes the look so much, and start making square gas tanks, fenders, fairings, etc? Anyway, that's off my chest. And don't tell me it's form over function. A box is indeed a strong structure. But throw a few curves into it and it can be even stronger.

Nothing wrong with liking the style of rounded luggage, but your comparisons don't hold up. Luggage's primary function is to carry our stuff - an entirely different mission from the ones addressed by gas tanks, fairings, and fenders - so it stands to reason that perhaps luggage should be an efficient boxy shape to hold things while these other structures would be rounded to do their job.

I've owned boxy luggage and svelte/rounded luggage and the boxy stuff is a lot easier to pack and holds more for the amount of room used on the bike. And for an adventure bike, I think the styling is Okay or at worst, a small styling sacrifice for better function. For a sport bike, I'd probably go with something sleeker. BMW is doing an awfully nice job with the integrated luggage on its big sport-tourers like the RT and GT.

- Mark

 

[chuma]

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.

 

[olie]

I for one went with rounded shell bags, Kappa K40. Not perfect but so far the best solution I have seen.

 

[SpaceTraveler]

I dunno. I just can't bring myself to buy these trendy aluminum boxes everyone seems so keen on. I mean, originally some guy or small shop probably figured he could make his own bags that he didn't care less about their looks, bash them to pieces, and he would only be out a few bucks and some labor. Now people buy copies of these ugly bags for thousands? Heck, why not just take it a step further, if everyone likes the look so much, and start making square gas tanks, fenders, fairings, etc? Anyway, that's off my chest. And don't tell me it's form over function. A box is indeed a strong structure. But throw a few curves into it and it can be even stronger.

There is so many factors that get involve in the choice of panniers.

My first concern was insurance for my cameras. There is a fine print where my insurance company requested that my cameras has to be secured in a metal box in my vehicle. That worth for convertible cars or motorcycle in my case...
Second, my camera bag has to fit in the panniers...
Third, it has to be strong and waterproof...
and finally, THE LOOK.

I am very pleased with my complete set of Zega Pro. I can use only the top box when commuting in town, or just the side case if I want to carry my cameras.
The top case is also a welcome addition as a back rest for my 8 years old son and my wife. They love it.

I also like the idea of using them on almost any bike.

 

[jonkertb]

it all comes down to $$$$
we know that things made from flat surfaces are easier and thus cheaper to make and maintain...........

and.......we all know how expensive the sweet ones with nice curves are to keep up...... ::008::

 

[Checkswrecks]

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.

 

[chuma]

Somebody asked what I have. No, no welded up beauties. I don't have any side cases. I have a Give v46 tech, color matched that looks pretty good I guess. I think it matches the form of the bike well enough. But more importantly, it matches the slope of the bike. You ever see a sport bike with all the angles pointing toward the front wheel? Then you see a top case mounted perfectly parallel to ground. Looks ridiculous. Somebody said that the Tenere has angular lines that boxes match.. I don't agree. A KTM has angular lines and I still would want boxes on that. Anyway, I am done with this. I am an industrial designer by trade so I naturally tend to dwell on this stuff a bit too much perhaps.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Somebody asked what I have. No, no welded up beauties. I don't have any side cases. I have a Give v46 tech, color matched that looks pretty good I guess. I think it matches the form of the bike well enough. But more importantly, it matches the slope of the bike. You ever see a sport bike with all the angles pointing toward the front wheel? Then you see a top case mounted perfectly parallel to ground. Looks ridiculous. Somebody said that the Tenere has angular lines that boxes match.. I don't agree. A KTM has angular lines and I still would want boxes on that. Anyway, I am done with this. I am an industrial designer by trade so I naturally tend to dwell on this stuff a bit too much perhaps.

No sweat.
::003::
Peace!

 

[markjenn]

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.

The point I was making is that bodywork doesn't have the requirement of having to be packed, loaded, and the hold then stuff we want to carry. There definitely is a functional tradeoff with aero luggage. I'm surprised that as an industrial designer, you don't at least acknowledge the differing functional tradeoffs between, say a fairing and a pannier.

- Mark