My bike came with the standard metal boxes, I soon discovered that although looking the biz, they were not that practical. I like to lock my helmet away en in town etc.
After a bit of scouring the net I found that givi made a rack for the v 35 panniers.
I have a set of these already from my other bike.
A few quid and a trip to London later saw me with a nice set of new pannier racks and I have a top box rack on its way from Ireland
So I have gone from this



To this



I bit wider o the arse end but I'll be able to get my kit away more easily

That looks well, I like the look of the metal side panniers but the black with black bike is good. Mine is coming with metal side and givi top but I'm thinking of taking the givi top off as it's too mix match

Top boxes cause all sorts of strange handling issues at speed on most of the bikes I've tried them on. The Tenere is no exception. Both the Yamaha and the Trax top cases made the front end weave and caused the bike to be even more twitchy in cross-winds, which is already an XTZ weak spot. A 40-60L dry bag cinched down tight doesn't seem to do the same even though it's twice as wide as a top case - I should imagine due to its rounded and more aerodynamic shape.

__________________

Yeah I was thinking it would have adverse effects on the handling and I've never ridden with one before. The only reason I might put it on is to put my helmet in it.

Nice looking kit. I live in Italy and so here the Givi stuff is readily available and the prices are really good. I have 2 aluminium Trekker cases that I have used on my XT660 and now on my XT1200 Super Ten and the cases are wonderful, excellent quality and I think that they look MUCH better than the original Yamaha branded aluminium cases. I agree that I never use a top box cos its too much weight too high up, so I use a small bag instead hust with my waterproofs.

__________________
(Now sold on, sob) 2011 Blue XT660X with gold wheels, was 26,500 km.
Engine mods: K&N Stage 1 filter, DNA Stage 2 filter, snorkel removed, Kev fuel mod fitted.
Plus: smoked Puig screen, Yam aluminium sump guard, Yamaha / Acerbis handguards, Givi Trekker aluminium side cases, Leo Vince X3 cans plus Kev front fork mod and Fender Xtender. Just fitted Michelin Road Pilot 3 tyres.

SOLD the XTX for a Super Ten 1200. And just bought a Raptor 700 so staying on here for some tips....