I think I have found the best hard luggage solution for anyone who wants to take their Tenere off-road seriously - Caribou Cases modify the Pelican 1550 cases with locks, lid retention straps, internal bungees etc. to make them better panniers, and have a very nice quick release mounting system and heavy duty rack...

Unfortunately, being a US company, they are reluctant to develop a specific mounting kit for the new Tenere (even though there is a global market out there... grrr.) but can supply their boxes to fit on the SW Motech quick release pannier frames, which are available for the new Tenere.

I'm tempted to get a set while I'm over here (infact standard Pelican cases are around $100 USD each), it's just a shame I can't use their pukka connecting system.

Does anyone have experience with the SW Motech pannier frames - how robust are they? and particularly the quick release mountings? I'm talking for trail use, not the M25 here...

xxx

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JMo, just had a closer look at this system and if the SW rack for the Z looks ok we would seriously consider this. Did you pursue this at all ? Do you have any views on the news SW frame ?

Here is the PDF for the SW rack that would go on the Tenere to fit the Caribou system, http://www.mo-tech.de/anbauanleitungen/kft_06_570_200.pdf [/

Have a had a quick look and I like that the frame can come off easily so when not using panniers you don’t look like a pizza delivery bike. So for a prolonged offroad trip I would replace � turn fasteners with bolts and lock nuts, The Caribou cases already have a quick detach system from the frame.

Then for future use assuming you may use the pannier for a weekend away I would go back to � turn fasteners.

I also like that it uses the intended fixing points on the frame , although I would not bolt it to the rear mudguard, that is going to be chopped anyway

Or for plan B I would just bolt cases to the frame and use the 1/4 turn fasteners as the quick detach

Any comments

Well after some research and debate on luggage systems I have gone for the Caribou cases and the SW Rack.
The primary reason I went for them was a) the cases are indestructible, b) they have a life time guarantee c) I like the idea of a rounded plastic case you can carry easily d) the SW rack detaches easily from the bike and finally cost. Including a set of inner bags total cost is �700

I bought the 35L cases, these were recommend as they are the strongest around the handle area. As they are side opening cases they come with a retaining strap and a lanyard to stop them opening all the way. This stops all your stuff falling out when you open them. If you use an inner bag as I plan to then this is not an issue.



To install the SW Rack you first bolt the brackets to the bike and then fix the rack with � turn fasters. These fasters seem fairly heavy duty but if you plan to do a long trip over rugged terrain you can replace these with hard bolts. The big benefit of this is that when you are not using your cases the rack comes off very quickly so you don’t look like a pizza delivery bike.


The rack fitted well and uses the intended points on the frame. You do need to remove the rear mudguard to get the bolts in. The rear bracket does mount to the rear mudguard across the back of the number plate, if you have cut your mudguard it does not need to but then of course it will show.
So overall the quality of the cases and fitting system looks very good, the quality of the rack looks ok but until it has been used in anger we will have to see how it holds up. I do think the design of the rack also lends itself to be able to repair.
Once all together they seem sturdy, although I to put a washer on the Givi adapter to force the case snug. I also plan to put some hard rubber on the rack that will be slightly compressed when the case is locked into position.



So will it all stand up ? the bottom line is if you have a big incident something has to give, the cases will not break and you don’t want to bend the subframe of your bike, so it’s likely that the compression lock at the top will break. In that case you tie the case to the rack to get you home and then buy a $25 replacement lock. Seems sensible to me.
The only modification I plan to make is to possibly lower them a tad. I’ll give more feedback as I start to use them.
more pics

Excellent job and great photos. A few questions.
What is the overall width of the bike?
Did shipping from the states cause any problems? Why do you think you may have to move them lower?
Do you think the overall weight is a lot more than Aluminium panniers?
Again thanks for the thread, I think a few may go this way also.

Nice cases, but how does the rack hold up to impact? Looks weak to me, but I've never seen one live so I have no idea.

For every day trips and weekends away I find a combination of panniers (left at base) and topbox on bike the ideal solution, whilst for longer trips Panniers and bags draped across the back seat, no Top box is the answer.
(Not the tenere yet - a BMW which is rapidly heading towards the classifieds)

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Thanks for this - answered a Question I was pondering and SWmotech appear to be the way forward.



Scottnet would the original Yamaha Top box fit on the bracket with the pelican cases in place as well?

Can you get a jerry-can or any other 20 liter fuel cannister inside the pelican case?

Any chance I could get a pic of the Top box from the rear with the SWmotech rails in place?

Thanks again Graham

Scottnet, I am considering the pelican route on my XT660R. CAn you maybe post closeup pics of the bungi straps on the inside, the plate, and the quick release mechanism for a possible diy project? Which brackets would you recommend I get?