Yamaha Factory Luggage failure

[rem]

A foine, foine set-up that has passed the test of time, and will serve you well. I came very close to going that route myself. I'm very happy with my Micatechs, but I know I would have been very happy with these as well. R

 

[SisuTen]

I had originally thought to go OEM....and while making up my mind over six months, kept hearing so much "noise" around fit, finish, "fiddly" locks, etc...I finally decided to go after-market, Pelican Storms and Hepco-Becker racks.

Took me three hours to get the whole thing assembled and it works like a champ....we've had heavy rains for the last few weeks and sealed cases have built up moisture starting to rust the pliers I keep inside. They are also cheaper than the OEM setup.

http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000359

(That's my bike at the bottom of the page)

I went with the Caribou's as well. The install took about an hour, and they are truly waterproof.

I Hadn't been back to Roger's site in a while until you mentioned it. If you want to see what the 35L Pelicans look like on the Black bike, go to: http://cariboucases.com/store/?name=Catalog&mode=i&item=000358
(That's my bike at the bottom of the page)

S-Ten

 

[keeponriding]

Looks like we both took our pictures in my back yard...(the black bags go well with the Raven)

 

[SisuTen]

Looks like we both took our pictures in my back yard...(the black bags go well with the Raven)

You have a wonderful looking yard. Unfortunately, I live (exist) in a condo and have only some concrete to look at. The shots of my bike were at Roger's place in Boulder, CO. He has a great yard.

You do know that you have a lifetime replacement warranty on your bags, right?

Paul

 

[keeponriding]

Oh...on the backyard....then Roger's backyard looks like mine.

I did know about the lifetime replacement...it was one of the things that helped seal the deal.....cheaper, stronger, and lifetime guarantee? How can you miss?

I also like the four keys (rack locks and bags) are pinned to the same key....that's cool....

 

[20valves]

Guys, The poster made the statement yesterday. Give him a chance to respond.

and we are still waiting, the OP is a crank

 

[SisuTen]

and we are still waiting, the OP is a crank

No doubt, but at the time you jumped him, his post was less than a day old. I simply feel people should have the chance to be emotional, but also have the opportunity to revise, update, have a learning experience, and at times (shudder) apologize.

Ultimately, the thread was and is valid. A number of inherent weaknesses have come to light regarding the factory bags and also workarounds such as: how you hold the key, press on the bag, and lubricate the locks.

If mentioning Caribou cases constitutes a hijack to this thread, I (shudder) apologize.

Paul

 

[keeponriding]

Well, I started it (the hijacking)...only after I read so many references to other fine options.

I came not to praise Caribou, ....

 

[SisuTen]

Well, I started it (the hijacking)...only after I read so many references to other fine options.

I came not to praise Caribou, ....

Nor to bury Yamaha cases.......

 

[keeponriding]

Only because my heart is in the case there with Caribou,
And I must pause till it come back to me.

OK...this is getting way too literary for a motorcycle discussion group

 

[SisuTen]

Only because my heart is in the case there with Caribou,
And I must pause till it come back to me.

OK...this is getting way too literary for a motorcycle discussion group

I Love it!! You're too much! ::015::

You're right though, this is ordinary motorcycle guys, not elite BMW riders. ::025:: ::025:: ::025::

Paul

 

[digitalmoto]

Only because my heart is in the case there with Caribou,
And I must pause till it come back to me.

OK...this is getting way too literary for a motorcycle discussion group

::026:: That's what we need. More literature in these posts. How about a play on DeCartes, "I think therefore I ride."

 

[keeponriding]

Well, we should keep this in context of the original posting: To wit;

Dubito OEM, ergo cogito Caribou, ergo sum

 

[rem]

I was just gonna say that myself. R

 

[Stevek]

Friend, I couldn’t agree with you more, the quality of the OEM luggage is frankly appalling. My factory top box fractured a forward mounting lug, simply by riding smooth roads and without any heavy loads on board and I am also taking this up with Yamaha as a warrantee claim, I’m sure that this will become a common occurrence as time goes on.

Yamaha are not the first to field rubbish OEM luggage by any means (my Triumph1050 Sprint had a recall on box’s which were more washing machines than luggage systems), but on this type of bike and in the market in which they are competing, this is a schoolboy error and simply should not happen.

Apart from being fundamentally flimsy, the locks are sticky as designed and the key sticks out way too far, introducing torque into the key, which will eventually fatigue and snap. When locked, there is a gap, which screams “jemmy me open” and from the feel of the lock, that would be easy to do.

If you are in the market for luggage for your super ten, avoid the OEM kit and go for reputable after market setup.

 

[Twitch]

When locked, there is a gap, which screams “jemmy me open” and from the feel of the lock, that would be easy to do.

My right side case has this gap, but not the left. On a number of occasions at stops I've found the right side isn't locked securely down. I'm pretty sure I'm locking it, although maybe not pushing it down enough. I don't see from the mechanism how it could come unlocked, but I'm keeping an eye on that situation. Overall, I'm still okay with them, although I repeat a previous comment that I sorta feel like I got in value maybe two-thirds of what I paid.

 

[roy]

Friend, I couldn’t agree with you more, the quality of the OEM luggage is frankly appalling. My factory top box fractured a forward mounting lug, simply by riding smooth roads and without any heavy loads on board and I am also taking this up with Yamaha as a warrantee claim, I’m sure that this will become a common occurrence as time goes on.

Yamaha are not the first to field rubbish OEM luggage by any means (my Triumph1050 Sprint had a recall on box’s which were more washing machines than luggage systems), but on this type of bike and in the market in which they are competing, this is a schoolboy error and simply should not happen.

Apart from being fundamentally flimsy, the locks are sticky as designed and the key sticks out way too far, introducing torque into the key, which will eventually fatigue and snap. When locked, there is a gap, which screams “jemmy me open” and from the feel of the lock, that would be easy to do.

If you are in the market for luggage for your super ten, avoid the OEM kit and go for reputable after market setup.

Try this method of locking case tops. Lower the lid to rest on top of latch, turn key slightly until the lid can be pushed down, let key float and you will hear a click the latch has hooked. I had the same issue with right side bag not being latched and I know I had latched it with the key. Now I let the key float as I push down to hear the click.

I agree the quality of these bags is lacking. I voiced my opinion on this to yamaha but it fell on deaf ears.

 

[tomatocity]

My right side case has this gap, but not the left. On a number of occasions at stops I've found the right side isn't locked securely down. I'm pretty sure I'm locking it, although maybe not pushing it down enough. I don't see from the mechanism how it could come unlocked, but I'm keeping an eye on that situation. Overall, I'm still okay with them, although I repeat a previous comment that I sorta feel like I got in value maybe two-thirds of what I paid.

Agree with Twitch. I have noticed the right side lock opens after I know I have locked it. Wednesday I was sure I locked the right side at Middletown CA. Arrived Four Corners and noticed it was open. I locked the right side again before leaving and a few miles down the road I noticed the lid moving. Pulled over and locked the right side again. This time it stayed locked. Don't have a clue how or why the lid is opening on its own.

I do like the side cases though I am considering Giant Loop - Great Basin soft luggage for off road travel.

How many of you think the cases are water tight? Tuesday some restaurant food spilled in the left case. Decided to pour water water in the case and towel it out. The water partially drained. Apparently the bottom is not water tight. Gotta wonder what would happen during a water crossing or heavy rain. Rusty tools, wet survival gear and clothes, soggy food and TP...

 

[roy]

Agree with Twitch. I have noticed the right side lock opens after I know I have locked it. Wednesday I was sure I locked the right side at Middletown CA. Arrived Four Corners and noticed it was open. I locked the right side again before leaving and a few miles down the road I noticed the lid moving. Pulled over and locked the right side again. This time it stayed locked. Don't have a clue how or why the lid is opening on its own.

I do like the side cases though I am considering Giant Loop - Great Basin soft luggage for off road travel.

How many of you think the cases are water tight? Tuesday some restaurant food spilled in the left case. Decided to pour water water in the case and towel it out. The water partially drained. Apparently the bottom is not water tight. Gotta wonder what would happen during a water crossing or heavy rain. Rusty tools, wet survival gear and clothes, soggy food and TP...

Its not opening on its own. If you are using the key to spring the latch into place that is the problem. If you do as I described above by letting the spring on the latch engage the hook on its own no more opening. Otherwords don't hold the key when pressing down on the lid. The latch will spring into place and you will hear a slight click. Using the key to swivel the latch into place is the problem especially if you are not pushing down on the lid the whole time. I went through this many times until I started doign it the way I described and no more open lid.

 

[Tremor38]

Agree with Twitch. I have noticed the right side lock opens after I know I have locked it. Wednesday I was sure I locked the right side at Middletown CA. Arrived Four Corners and noticed it was open. I locked the right side again before leaving and a few miles down the road I noticed the lid moving. Pulled over and locked the right side again. This time it stayed locked. Don't have a clue how or why the lid is opening on its own.

I do like the side cases though I am considering Giant Loop - Great Basin soft luggage for off road travel.

How many of you think the cases are water tight? Tuesday some restaurant food spilled in the left case. Decided to pour water water in the case and towel it out. The water partially drained. Apparently the bottom is not water tight. Gotta wonder what would happen during a water crossing or heavy rain. Rusty tools, wet survival gear and clothes, soggy food and TP...

Too bad some enterprising soul can't come-up with a fix for these various ailments, because I really like how the OEM cases hug the side of the bike...they look good as well. I'm hoping Yamaha will come-up with something better for 2012 (the REAL 2012 for you statesiders!) that is readily adaptable to all years.
Right now, I'm wrestling with the idea of spending a chunk of change on the H&B Gobi black and silver side cases. They don't hug the bike like the OEMs, but the quality is a given, and I can't see paying very close to the same price for cases that come unlocked, have fiddly mechanisms, aren't as durable, and aren't fully waterproof (although that part should be an easy fix). The Jesse are a solid case, but I don't really like the cup style lids for some reason. Micatechs seem well though out and well built, but something about them doesn't really trick my trigger. Might change my mind if I saw them in person.