Welcome Kelv and congrats.

Now I wonder if we will see a single pic with the whole color ranges from both the 08 and 09 lined up. But before that, we have to see a real owner of a red one on this forum, right?

Simply beautiful! Not as fast as the black one, naturally, but if speed is not your thing then this colour is by far the best.

:laughing7:

Hopefully by the time the meet in the Lake District happens (in May), we'll have a full compliment of colours there?

btw. Has anyone seen a red one in the flesh yet?

xxx

ps. looking at the photo again, I still like the look (and simplicity) of that Yamaha luggage...

Yeah, I think it is a rather 'intelligent' design. I like it, and I think it can take more abuses than expected. The aftermarket racks tend to have a bar across supporting the rearend in addition to the 'cage' design that is clearly very solid. However, the tube-shaped part on the case that is made of hard plastic and is almost the same length as the rack literally wraps around the rack, which distributes whatever pressures/tensions evenly should a fall occur. In addition, the bottom inner corner that fits snuggly to a rubber piece which is attached firmly to the frame cushions the highest tension point should a fall occur. The weakest link is the bottom outer corner. Unless it is a really spectacular fall that involves flipping and/or the bike falls from some serious height hitting some hard rocks on that weakest link, I think the stock cases would hold up, IMHO. What I am trying to say is in the world of actuarial science (more like sticking my wet thumb out testing the wind direction in my case), I reckon the stock cases will take care of 80% of the fall, while the aftermarket ones would do 85-90%. True, the aftermarket ones are actually cheaper than stocks :sad1:

Hmmmmm... perhaps there is a deal to be had in these 'economic' times? What I like most is the fact the Yamaha boxes are plastic inside - raw aluminium makes everything filthy...

I've managed to travel without resorting to panniers at all, but for 'everyday' use when I get back, I'm tempted to have a proper look at these again - or else get some Touratech Zega's powder coated... afterall, the catches are as crap as each other x

xxx

Mind you JMo, the cases have experienced literally a couple drops of water inside after a huge downpour that lasted for a few hours. The outer, black plastic pieces around the bottom of the case don't seem to seal 100%. Then again, a delicate but simple work of adding some sealant around it would solve the problem I reckon.

Hee hee - we are in danger of hijacking this thread Jo'...

Here are a few arty farty photos to get it back on track:

one of my favorites - came across this bridge in the middle of nowheresville Arizona, sums up this part of the trip perfectly:
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsacola106.jpg

In the dunes at White Sands New Mexico - a few miles north of here is where they tested the first atomic bomb...
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsacola430.jpg

I rode along this deserted beach for 15 miles on my way to Galveston Texas, on the Gulf Coast:
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsacola651.jpg

I don't like getting into cities after dark, but had to stop for this photo on the outskirts of New Orleans:
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsacola726.jpg

xxx

Outstanding JMo. No hijjacking either. The beach, the bridge, the dune, the city, and the highway You've done us proud! :onetequila:

JMo, what are the yank's reaction to the Tenere? It's a beast they don't have over there yet?

nice JMo. Looks like an adventure of lifetime.
Keep up the fantastic pic's
:bounce016: