Greetings,
I am looking for panniers for my brand spanking new 2012 Super Tenere. I have read and seen negative things about the yamaha factory cases and am looking at alternatives. I have been doing some research and came up with some ideas, but I wanted to get your opinions.
I have the Happy Trials and I am beyond happy with them. Like you I looked at all the options. I had plastic side opening bags on my Multistrada and they were ok but kind of a pain and was not sure I wanted side opeing again. I really liked the Pelicans but in the end wanted metal boxes, just a personal thing. I really wanted the Jesses but the cost, and oddly enough the size, kept me away. I figured the bike was heavy already and there big bags would promote carrying a lot of stuff. I was not sure about the quality of the Happy Trails but the package price (bags and racks) was so affordable I figured i would take a chance on them and over a year or so learn what I like and didn't.
Well here is the report: I rode to Prudhoe Bay with them, 9,000 miles round trip. I have maybe 16,000 miles total with those bags. They are solid high qualilty construction. No dents, not issues. The racks are stone solid, never flex, never let the bags rattle. The lid hinges are the best system available, you will never lose a top and they make a nice platorm to lay your stuff when you are in your boxes looking for something. I never take them off, they are now a permanent part of my ride.
These panniers and racks are the the best value you can get ::015::. Do not hesitate, go buy a set
