First post - at least it's a contribution rather than a question :-)

I picked up 2 Tenere's at the weekend for a RTW trip next year. I haven't decided what alloy panniers to go for yet, but have decided on the 52 litre givi top box.

Pics attached;

Welcome to the forums, and good choice of rides. =)

Nice setup,

Why two do you just plan to change them halfway round???.. to keepm, the mileage down?

Thust you are enjoying them both, and look forward to reading your reports and seeing the pictures. Good luck with the trip.

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Colin
09 XTZ in Blue and its nearly Stanard.
My Mods - Peatbog rear rack

Nice! Is the second bike for your camera crew, medic, fixer, and not-so-well-known mate?

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-- Triumph Explorer 1200 --

But of course :-)

We have a group of 3 that have bought black Tenere's for a RTW trip next year - theory being we can more easily diagnose any problems by swapping parts between bikes, share spares (water pump seals, sprockets, rear-shock, that kind of thing), etc.

Yes, it makes a lot of sense, and you can spread the weight between you. I still like the idea of taking a medic though... !

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-- Triumph Explorer 1200 --

Thx for the contribution. You made my day. My tenere is one week old and yesterday i was trying to figure out how to make my old 45litre or even better, a new bigger one, fit on it.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bonimacx...FORk3dVNpvFZg#

It's a matter of choice, but for me I'll never ever fit a topbox on any of my bikes. Too much weight on top, causing instability? And besides that, I think it looks ugly, but that's a matter of taste, ain't it? When you're considering a RTW trip, ask the experts and they'll say, keep the weight as low(in weight and to the ground) as possible; but then again, so many experts, so many opinions! If you're happy with them, that's what counts! Greetz, Hans.

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XT rules! Make the world beautiful, get a tattoo. Nick Curran R.I.P. '77-'12

XT660Z Tenere '08 http://dallastx.smugmug.com

visit: www.hank3.com

SRV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0MF8pwktg

I agree with Dallas. The beauty point is a subjective one, so I am not going to go there. However, I think there is an inherent danger in your setup, BonniYam. My feeling is that your bike may ride like a speed boat with the front elevating slightly upward, which affects negatively the steering ability and driveability. Mind you, even the Yamaha manual does not recommend having both their top case and the side cases mounted at the same time. They recommend only one or the other. I know other blogmates did it, but the point of minimizing weight and minimizing weight at top and towards the back is well worth to be considered.

@dallas, @josephau, you got a point. It looks ugly indeed and It's alway's good to keep the weight as low as possible.
As you wrote: So many experts, so many opinions... indeed.
This woman ( http://www.benkapulko.com/eng/index....ame=motorcycle ) made a 5 years RTW trip (solo!) with a bmwF650, aluminium side panniers and a 52 litre givi top case. Seems she felt fine with such a hugh top case.
One has to make a choice somewhere. all related to personal needs, what roads one chooses, how fast and driving style i suppose.

Interesting, i didn't know that. I'm gonna check the manual.