Rate Your Hard Cases Here

wfopete

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Maybe we could make this a poll but I don't know how so... EDIT: I see how to make a poll but it's too late as I already created this thread :)

Looking for imput for new cases:

If interested, please rate your hard cases in terms of :
  1. Ease of use
  2. Durabiity/strength
  3. Value
  4. Features
  5. Price
  6. Other
Example: OEM cases

1.Ease of use. Poor - Locks hard to use, goofy plastic lid hinge straps. Dirt/dust fouls locks and mounts.
2. Durabiity/strength Average- Will hold up to mild abuse but can crack due to plastic construction
3. Value - Poor for the money you can do better
4. Features Good - Strong mounts fairly EZ to install and remove. Internal soft bage are NICE. Good OEM fit.
5. Price Average - About $600 (if I recall correctly) for side cases plus $200ish for mounts.
6. Other. These OEM cases are Ok for a starter set. Not the best but for light duty will get the job done.
 
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EricV

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There are a lot of pannier threads already with people sharing many things. Did you search for and read those?

And what is it you really want to know? For every opinion, there is a counter opinion. I personally didn't care for the OEM because they are plastic and I kinda think they are ugly, but that's just my personal opinion. I have used them and I think your Ease of Use is off base. Value sort of depends on if you paid for them, got them on the dealer promo or they flat came with the bike. And if you think that's Average price, you haven't shopped for bags! That barely covers one of many other brands.

If you need input for new cases, state your parameters and how you intend to use the hard bags.

1. Left on all the time?
2. Security level?
3. Open lid to the side or to the front/rear?
4. Easy to remove?
5. Low profile support rack?

Touratech, Holan, SWMotech, Givi Trekker Outback, Happy Trails, Jesse in no particular order are some of the most common in use. There are a ton of others.

Touratech -
1. Easy to use, mount/dismount, lids are fully removable and can open from front or back. Steel cable to retain lid in open position.
2. Tough enough to crash with and can be pounded back into shape if need be.
3. F***ing expensive, ($1400+ all in). But you get quality kit that lasts. (I have well over 100k on mine w/o issues.)
4. Can be locked with proprietary keys or padlocks, or both. No rubber seal to wear out, waterproof, security feature on latch to keep honest people honest, but won't defeat thieves on it's own.
5. Did I say F***ing expensive?
6. Corner and bottom edge plastic wear parts are replaceable and reasonably priced. Locks are a little fussy with small keys, (but have required zero attention over 100k+ miles of use. Easy to remove for maintenance to bike w/o tools. Anodized versions don't transfer black to your gear/bags/clothes inside the panniers. Good surface for stickers. ;) Makes a passable camp chair. With extra part, can be a camp table too.
 
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nomadjohn

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I think Eric's point about subjectivity is an important take away from this. While I agree with what he says about the looks of OEM hard bags I have to disagree on the Touratech ease of use and his opinion is worth taking seriously. Having said that I think lids are garbage so I have to disagree on ease of use. Mine have not been abused by low sides or offs and still have trouble closing and seating well. This happens on both sides but particularly on the right side where the retention cable gets pulled in between the lid and the case by gravity. Beside those objective observation subjectively I really prefer a case that opens to the side rather than the front or back.
 

EricV

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I think Eric's point about subjectivity is an important take away from this. While I agree with what he says about the looks of OEM hard bags I have to disagree on the Touratech ease of use and his opinion is worth taking seriously. Having said that I think lids are garbage so I have to disagree on ease of use. Mine have not been abused by low sides or offs and still have trouble closing and seating well. This happens on both sides but particularly on the right side where the retention cable gets pulled in between the lid and the case by gravity. Beside those objective observation subjectively I really prefer a case that opens to the side rather than the front or back.
Good observations. The cables seemed to get easier over time. Mine rarely try to live outside the box now. The lids, yeah, I agree. You drop it down and kind of give it a wiggle to seat before you try and latch them or they can hang up. I prefer the front to back opening, so that's a plus for me.
 

wfopete

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"There are a lot of pannier threads already with people sharing many things. Did you search for and read those? "

A main reason behind this thread is just that; dozens of threads and hours searching through threads. I understand the subjectivity aspect and everyone has thier peeves but with a thread targeting certain points, a pattern should emerge especially when it focused around one bike.
 

richarddacat

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I’ve got Happy Trails OWYHEE’s and it doesn’t take much to impress me. They are well built but I wish the latch’s were simpler.
Racks are very solid.
Suits me.
 

Roddylee

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Great idea, a rating/ranking might also work like the old windshield thread where you recommended a box or not and the ratings are tabulated.

I have oem top box, it’s pretty good, yes lock is a bit stiff, and modular helmet barely fits. Trekker 33 side boxes, I like they don’t look off balance from behind, double opening lid is ok. But they aren’t very big, pack smart for a week ride. I don’t have to lock if I don’t want to, nice feature.
 

Mak10

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I’ve got happy trails. I don’t really have any experience with anything else to compare them to.

I like them, the latches take a bit to get used to, but once used to them they work well. They are tough-durable. I have the Teton boxes. I like the way the lid opens- it give a nice place to put stuff as you unpack the box. They have been watertight for me no leaks.

I would rate them at a solid 8.5 on a scale of 1-10. I like the looks of the Bumots better.

I like the mount racks as well. They are stout. They do not come off easy though. I have come to appreciate that which my boxes off they are part of the armor of my bike. Just like my crash bars.

Value. They are one of the least costly options for this bike. They work and do what I want them too. They are tough. They will hold the weight of the bike on its side and not sustain any damage.

9E6531B7-049F-4E91-A2D5-1A431B70F53C.jpeg
 

Sierra1

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I want to know why none of the AF bags/boxes have OE style latches like the FJR and ST1300. Are they THAT complicated, and or expensive? Yamaha designed the luggage mounting system(s) of the FJR and Tenere to be almost invisible when the bags are off....but then put shitty locking mechanisms on the Tenere bags; almost as if it was an afterthought. They work for me, only because I don't use them often.

Edit: I, like Mr jbrown, like the way they look. Appropriate for the bike.
 
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jbrown

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I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority on this...
The OEM bags came with my bike from the dealer. I've never had bags before, so I have nothing to compare to, but I find these to be almost exactly what I need.
Just the right size.
Plenty easy for me to use.
They hold up to my use without a problem.
Very easy to put on and take off.
Using the same key as the bike is a win for me.
In the very few times I've been out in the rain, stuff inside stays dry.
And I *like* the way they look.
I haven't had any reason to look for something better.
 

Grumpy

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I have the OEM cases that came with the bike.
So, most of the findings in the opening post.
Plus:- Not wider than the bars (being able to filter is a must) and they reflect the heat quite well and stay reletively cool inside.
Minus:- The top case is too small for two up touring. Also whatever Yamaha claims, it' won't take an XL Shoei Neotec.

So I have the Shad 58 expandable top case, it's good for the bulky but light stuff like trainers, waterproofs etc. but you have to remove it to open the OE side cases. Plus it needs to have it's own carrier plate and mount, so swapping between the two needs about 15 minutes.
 
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magic

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My bike came with the OEM bags, so the price was negligible. The dealer gave me a demonstration on the locks when I picked up the bike. I have not had a single problem with them. I think they are among the best looking bags out there. They're working for me. That being said, I would never buy them at the list or dealer prices. I would look at the Touratech, Givi or Bumot bags in the smaller sizes.
 

Cycledude

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I’m fairly well satisfied with my OEM panniers and top box, but I wish they had a different locking system, one that you don’t have to lock unless you want to lock it. Mine are black and I wish they were the silver color instead, on a sunny day the black color often gets so hot you can hardly touch it, but they came with my previous 2013 and I just transferred them to the new 2018.
 

BaldKnob

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385CA106-889F-4C92-A14A-DF403F9E880A.jpeg
These Caribou cases were purchased in ‘12 and mounted on Givi quick release racks. Total investment of just under $900 USD cases and racks. Simple, effective and durable. Easy on/off and I can access contents when the 40L duffel is strapped across the pillion seat. Not as sexy as the Bumots, no ADV cred like the Touratech offerings but they work for me.
 

Clawdog60

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View attachment 57323
These Caribou cases were purchased in ‘12 and mounted on Givi quick release racks. Total investment of just under $900 USD cases and racks. Simple, effective and durable. Easy on/off and I can access contents when the 40L duffel is strapped across the pillion seat. Not as sexy as the Bumots, no ADV cred like the Touratech offerings but they work for me.
These harbour freights work great for day use with ht mounting hardware. $200 total 940A4C77-D437-4B3C-B6E0-18CF624BBAAD.jpeg
 

SHUMBA

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Maybe we could make this a poll but I don't know how so... EDIT: I see how to make a poll but it's too late as I already created this thread :)

Looking for imput for new cases:

If interested, please rate your hard cases in terms of :
  1. Ease of use
  2. Durabiity/strength
  3. Value
  4. Features
  5. Price
  6. Other
Example: OEM cases

1.Ease of use. Poor - Locks hard to use, goofy plastic lid hinge straps. Dirt/dust fouls locks and mounts.
2. Durabiity/strength Average- Will hold up to mild abuse but can crack due to plastic construction
3. Value - Poor for the money you can do better
4. Features Good - Strong mounts fairly EZ to install and remove. Internal soft bage are NICE. Good OEM fit.
5. Price Average - About $600 (if I recall correctly) for side cases plus $200ish for mounts.
6. Other. These OEM cases are Ok for a starter set. Not the best but for light duty will get the job done.
My vote....The Yamaha OEM "boxes" are cheap and waiting to shatter on the first tip over.
Mine are in pristine condition as they are safely stored in my basement.
I use soft bags and a soft tail bag.
Works for me.
SHUMBA

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