Panniers and Top Case

[chuma]

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

I don't acknowledge them because I don't think they have to exist. I guess you are assuming that the luggage we are discussing is detachable. Unlike say a Goldwing or a Harley. For an example of my point. Take the Givi V46 topcase I have on my bike. It's definitely far more streamlined then any box and yet it is fully functional. Even more so than the Yamaha boxes. It has one centrally molded in handle rather than two, so it's easier to carry. The handle is positioned in such a way that when you carry it, the painted surface faces your leg rather than outward where it is more likely to get scratched. It has a molded in stop light. All while not looking like a milk crate strapped to the back of my bike.

 

[markjenn]

I don't acknowledge them because I don't think they have to exist. I guess you are assuming that the luggage we are discussing is detachable.

I assume nothing except that for a given overall extent, a box holds a bigger volume than a rounded shape and is more likely to hold the kinds of stuff we tend to put into luggage. We ship stuff around in boxes rather than spheres for a reason.

- Mark

 

[chuma]

I assume nothing except that for a given overall extent, a box holds a bigger volume than a rounded shape and is more likely to hold the kinds of stuff we tend to put into luggage. We ship stuff around in boxes rather than spheres for a reason.

- Mark

Actually a sphere has more volume per surface area then a box. but I am not talking about spheres. Yes we do ship in boxes for lots of reasons having little to do with optimum shaped motorcycle luggage.

 

[snakebitten]

No sweat.
::003::
Peace!

Nice attitude Checkswrecks. But you still must just have a ring in your nose like me.

As for aerodynamics, I'm NOT an engineer. But this bike didn't come slippery. And after adding the barndoor windscreen, crash bars hanging out both sides and underneath, the widest handlebars I've ever seen, and me still sitting\standing higher and wider than all that, I'm not sure my rear boxes with ANY shape would make this package svelte.

Truth is, the whole look has grown on me. I mentioned before, it's like a stock F350 vs one rigged. Stock looks like you're going out to eat and valet parking. It's ok, but kinda city slicker. Fully rigged and they just look finished. With purpose.

Gotta admit though, I yank the cases off if I'm not carrying cargo. Less scary to drive close to objects with abandon.

 

[duranged2001]

Yeahbut...Huey Lewis reference and all...

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

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[markjenn]

Actually a sphere has more volume per surface area then a box. but I am not talking about spheres. Yes we do ship in boxes for lots of reasons having little to do with optimum shaped motorcycle luggage.

Again, you're off on tangents. Who gives a flip about the surface area of a luggage system? When you care about is how much volume you get for a given maximum width x depth x height. And a box maximizes this volume.

I think we've talked this out. I was just trying to get at least an acknowledgment that boxes have some advantages in how much stuff they hold. I'm not a big fan of boxy styled luggage either, but I'm at least willing to acknowledge some legitimate engineering tradeoffs in luggage that do favor boxy shapes rather than simply ranting that they're ugly and un-aero without any reason for their shape at all.

- Mark

 

[TRUBRIT]

Back to our regular programming.......I have no issues with OEM boxes, 2up and loaded. 3,000 miles including Tail of the Dragon. Wife uses it as her backrest. No signs of stress on the mounts. No play when attached. Packed the lighter stuff in the top box. No problems. ::021::

 

[10 ER AY]

I've ran all 3 factory boxes with no problems.

I will say that while I've been pretty happy with the side cases, I wouldnt buy the top case again. It seems very flimsy. Id be real worried to tie anything to it.

 

[markjenn]

I will say that while I've been pretty happy with the side cases, I wouldnt buy the top case again. It seems very flimsy. Id be real worried to tie anything to it.

I'm curious what packing scheme has you strapping stuff to a top case...

- Mark

 

[EricV]

What a bunch of off topic bullsh**

Chuma, grow up, read the original post, then STFU. When you learn to ride around the block, you'll have part of a clue. When you live with aerodynamic bags that don't hold squat and are side opening so your gear falls out every time you open the bags for say... 100,000 miles of riding or more, then you will be allowed to post again.

As to the OP, the reason Yamaha has that warning is that if you are solo and running all three bags, you will experience a weave at speeds around 65 mph and above. Two up, no weave. It has to do with the airflow around the rider, then hitting the top box. It doesn't occur running just the top box, only with all three boxes. The FJR with it's aerodynamic panniers did exactly the same thing.

So in your case, two up with all three boxes, it's a non-issue. Just pay attention to the weight and where you put it. A little common sense goes a long ways.

 

[10 ER AY]

I'm curious what packing scheme has you strapping stuff to a top case...

- Mark

When I bought my bike they had the top box and 1 pannier. I had to come back for the second one. Since I hadnt installed the hardware to hang the bags on the side, I had to strap the new bag in the box on the backseat and against the top box.

Thats just one instance. I've known people on Alaska trips and such, that strap tires and or extra fuel on and around the top box. Granted, it isn't something that you would do on a daily basis. I'm just saying that in the event I needed to, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so. Dont get me wrong, I love everything about my Tenere - I just dont have 100% confidence in the build of the top box.

 

[markjenn]

When I bought my bike they had the top box and 1 pannier. I had to come back for the second one. Since I hadnt installed the hardware to hang the bags on the side, I had to strap the new bag in the box on the backseat and against the top box.

Thats just one instance. I've known people on Alaska trips and such, that strap tires and or extra fuel on and around the top box. Granted, it isn't something that you would do on a daily basis. I'm just saying that in the event I needed to, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing so. Dont get me wrong, I love everything about my Tenere - I just dont have 100% confidence in the build of the top box.

I see what you're saying. But in general, I don't think any top box is really designed to have stuff strapped to it such that the extra loads are transferred to the top box mounts. OTOH, if you're just using it as a back stop for stuff mounted to the seat and the like, the Yamaha one should be Okay for that.

It's definitely light-duty luggage. If you are into the Beverly Hillbillies packing mode with lots of stuff strapped everywhere, you'd want luggage with heavy-duty, full perimeter mounts and all-metal bags.

- Mark

 

[FALCONSEYE]

All three panniers + strong side winds + passing semi trucks at 85-90 mph = ?

Yesterday, I had one scary ride back home. It was cold, raining and had strong side winds. On top of that, I had to deal with passing semi trucks. The front of the bike was shaking like hell. I was being tossed all over the place.

I cannot imagine how it would be with added surface on top of the rear wheel.

 

[MemphisDan]

I've read the thread and have a question for those who commented. I have the OEM side bags but not sold on the top box. I am pretty happy with the side bags so far.... They were already on the bike when I bought it.

What other top box will fit if I want to go with something other than EOM?
Is anyone running the OEM sides and something else on top?

I am not sure if i should asked this on a seperate thread...... If I should move this to another thread let me know.

Thanks
- Dan

 

[klunsford]

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

I tend to think it's Hip to be Square.... ::025:: (Huey Lewis and the News)

 

[markjenn]

What other top box will fit if I want to go with something other than EOM?
Is anyone running the OEM sides and something else on top?

There are some options (e.g., Givi), but I'm not aware of any top box which is designed to mate seamlessly with the structure underneath the luggage rack like the Yamaha one does. They all require you to either bolt some kind of adapter plate to the structure or replace it with one of their own.

Given you are happy with the Yamaha side cases, it would certainly seem like the easiest option would be simply to go with Yamaha's top box and get matching styling, same key closure, and no extra mounting brackets. Personally speaking, I'd have to be awfully enamored with another box to give up this.

- Mark

 

[macca]

I've read the thread and have a question for those who commented. I have the OEM side bags but not sold on the top box. I am pretty happy with the side bags so far.... They were already on the bike when I bought it.

What other top box will fit if I want to go with something other than EOM?
Is anyone running the OEM sides and something else on top?

I am not sure if i should asked this on a seperate thread...... If I should move this to another thread let me know.

Thanks
- Dan

if you go non oem tobox with yam cases you need to be aware of the case lid opening arc, as a top box can interfere with this opening. My crap HB Xplorer top did just that but as I had to tweak the rack mount (adapted from a hb Yam xt660z one to fit the yam s10 rack plate) I shifted the box back an inch to get clearance. I think the Touratecjh zega pro is more square (and thus narrower) and could fit ok - but don't quote me. I'll hopefully be ordering one soon and I'll post up how it fits. Note it wont be easy to move some topbox mounts around I just struck lucky(?) when moving my HB from my old 660z to the S10.

 

[10 ER AY]

I ran all 3 stock boxes this weekend with equipment on the back seat in a freakin monsoon. No problems.

...or maybe I was so concerned with being cold, soaked, and limited vision that I just didnt have the brain capacity to also worry about the luggage.

 

[EricV]

I ran all 3 stock boxes this weekend with equipment on the back seat in a freakin monsoon. No problems.

...or maybe I was so concerned with being cold, soaked, and limited vision that I just didnt have the brain capacity to also worry about the luggage.

The gear on the back seat helps. With all three boxes on, but empty space behind the rider/in front of the top box, the wind moves around the rider and hits the top box and creates instability. Most noticeable at higher speeds or in strong winds. So if it's bothering you, pick up a hitch hiker!

 

[MemphisDan]

Thanks for the input.

I agree the OEM is my easiest option. Any suggestions where to get the best price?

Thanks,
Dan