I just came back from a 7000km trip in Scandinavia with the Yamaha panniers. My two cents are that they are not bad. Mind you I was on paved road 99% and a few km stretch of incomplete highway with medium-sized rocks, but did go through rain and stuff. I dropped the bike once at stand still, nothing happened to the cases. I could feel the clothes inside one got dust one time when I opened it but other times were fine, and the bottom of another got two drops of water after I was poured on for a couple hours. I suspect that comes from the gap at the bottom of outside between the black plastic frame and the alu body. I reckon next time I may put some seal along there. For the rest of the trip, I put plastic on top of my clothes inside the case, and problems were solved.

I still like them because they are conveniently designed. Even with my camping gear resting on the passenger seat and hovering on top of the cases, I could still reach the levers with my tiny hands mounting and dismounting the cases without untying the camping gear. The size of the cases are perfect for me, it minimizes the weight the bike needs to carry, and it forces me to decide what is absolutely necessary to bring. The handles on both front and back of the cases are handy for carrying with one hand, as well as for strapping a jerry can or two. Two bungee chords hold a jerry can on the front of the case solid. Plus the cases are no wider than the width of the handlebars, and most importantly, they look perfect on the bike IMHO. The keys do not create problems for me as they seem to for other owners, but I admit I need to be gentle with the keys as they don't turn silky smooth. If I need to submerge the cases in some river crossings, then I may be concerned about it.

Admittedly, they are not cheap, but I got a good deal from the dealer, and I get the impression that they may be inclined to make a deal with any new Tenere owners.

They are my two cents.

Sounds good, i would still pack all my cloths/luggage in plastic just incase something happens like a large river crossing or a sudden down pour

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Plough on

Good looking but sooooooo expensive. U can have a 20% discont but still expensive...

If the price will drop in Spring below 400� I will give it a thought but till than I will stick with the 37l Zarges from Polo.

Good posting anyway... I forgot to ask about the cases waterproof...

AlexD

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www.tenereclub.ro

Bought a pair of Yamaha cases and the key broke in the lock on the first trip.

Yamaha are replacing the locks under the warranty but looks like my next trip this weekend is going to be without them as the locks wont be replaced in time.

I agree that the panniers look good and fit well. I just hope the problems I have had with the key breaking is not a design problem with the cases as they have potential to be quite good.

I think I will spray some WD40 into the lock, just in case. Also, I always hold the lid down before I turn the key, because the lid doesn't close perfectly, it leaves a small gap through which I think the dust comes.

I did just that, but the key still broke. I have a complete lock in backorder from Yamaha as they can not produce a duplicate key. They could produce a blank key, but the lock was a little damaged from getting the broken key out.

I've just done 8146 miles with mine, over every sort of road - even the ones in Romania, although road is a very loose term!

I had the same problem with my locks before going, stiff as hell, so I striped them down and gabe them a good coating of silicon grease, work much better now, still a bit stiff though.

Molgan - yep, I get that too, not so much of a problem with the boxes when there's not much in them, but it's a real ****** when they are full.

Having said that, they survived an off in Sweden (gravel - about 30km/h) and an absolute pounding in Romania/Greece, only a little bit of wear on one of the bottom mountin rubbers - pretty good!

I do fancy a set of Metal Mule's, maybe santa might be kind........

Update on replacement locks - Yamaha side cases -

Local dealer replaced the locks as agreed however weren't happy with how stiff they were. My dealer is going to take it up with Yamaha and get back to me some time next week.

I ended up using a set of oxford sports throw over panniers for a trip to the lakes. They did the job and held up well on both motorway and green lanes. Only problem was that they leaked like mad and according to my mate thought they looked like a set of testicles hanging off the back of the bike.

That wasn't the panniers

It's the reason we can't ride sportbikes - they're just too big, and dangle over the side........

Where did you end up ? I try to get out most weekends, use a TTR600 though.

Next time you're up here give us a shout, there are some cracking ones around Alston and Hartside