Hi JMo, the caribou looks cool. They remind me of the vario cases from BMW R1200GS. It looks like it would be the similar 'plastic', but hard plastic, material. All good and I think they are sturdy enough to take abuses. However, the GS cases were really heavy in and by themselves. One would think they would be light since they are 'plastic', but they are not. It said it weigh 10lb 4oz., I am not sure if it's only one or a pair, but 10lb 4oz is not light for empty cases. May be something to consider, or try to see them in person to feel the weight before ordering online. I agree that they would look cool with the black tenere though.

The BMW R1200GS cases have a sliding skin and lever mechanism to allow for expansion. Both cases also have an outer alloy plate for style purposes. The left hand case also has a heat shield attached. The cases are also substantially braced as they only attach at three points, and the top mushroom seems to take most of the load.

I did consider the caribou, but I went with the BM cases when I had my GS as I could buy them at a 'shop' and they were easy to fully remove.

Hi Josephau - the Caribou cases are basically converted Pelican 1550 cases (that retain the lifetime warrenty). The 1550 model have a 35 litre capacity, and like all Pelican cases are super strong and can even be driven over with a 4x4! They are often used by photographers/film makers for carrying equipment (they used to be used on the Camel Trophy) and are the strongest/most waterproof plastic cases you can buy (unlike the BMW ones, sorry EnglishGent...)

You are right that they are a bit heavier than a typical plastic case (or thin aluminium like Touratech) - but they are surprisingly light for such a strong case, and certainly lighter than the Metal Mule aluminium boxes for example.

What Caribou do is produce a quick release mounting system to connect the cases to their own frames (typically BMWs and KLR etc) or their ALS connect system that allows quick release to a Givi or SW Motech frame, so they work like any other pannier case (in fact quicker than some, as you don't have to remove the contents to disconnect the cases eh Touratech?!)...

It is a shame they don't seem interested in producing their own (heavy duty) frames for the cases (although you can buy the ALS system for the SWM frames) for the new Tenere, as I think they'd have plenty of overseas sales while they wait for Yamaha to officially import the bike to the States... I even offered to visit so they could take mesurements, but there you go...

I guess for now they'll have to be paired with the SW Motech frames.

xxx

As you will be aware my side cases have been in for repair for almost 4 weeks due to problems with the locks. Although I take comfort in the fact other members on this site have managed fine with a bit of care and lubrication I have lost confidence in the yamaha kit.

To be fair to Yamaha and my local dealer they have treated my problem with concern and done all the right things. I would have preferred a refund but Yamaha are supplying me with a brand new set of side cases and a promise to support me by repairing etc whilst in warranty and considering any other problems sympathetically after that.

I expect to get the brand new cases by next week. I am undecided as to whether or not to sell them on. I don't know if anyone can suggest what a fair price would be for unused cases and the sidestays etc which have had only had the other side cases on once. (I am undecided about selling them and I suppose just throwing it open to see what response I get before throwing the towel in and looking for an alternative.)

blowup

I just checked the prices, they are EUR 407 each or EUR 765 for the set. Perhaps you can try to ask the dealer to give you back cash that is less than EUR 765, and the argument is they save a set of cases for the next Tenere buyer at a higher margin, and you get the cash you need to buy another one aftermarket. My feeling is that your selling them on your own would not gain much when compared to what the dealer may give you in cash. The reasons are that 1) the cases are well known that they are not that great, and 2) a lot of people find them well over-priced and would rather go for aftermarket cases. All you do at this stage is to ask the dealer to give you a number, and then you think about it and gauge if you can sell them on your own at a better price. You've got nothing to lose here just to ask. My two cents.

Hi and thanks for the advice. I have made tentative approaches to get my money back but both the dealer and Yamaha have made it clear that they are not at the point of refunding money.

As you say I wll Probably lose a lot of money by selling them now but having thought about it, would probably let the panniers go with the side stays and lower brackets for �375 excluding postage. (At todays rate that would be 520 euros to change into �375 at the post office.)

I don't know. Is that a reasonable price minus the postage?

I am sorry to hear that the dealer and Yamaha weren't too helpful in refunding. It is difficult to say what the fair price would be. On one hand, over EUR 200 or almost 33% discount of the spanking new cases sounds a lot; on the other hand, given my previous reasons, the number of potential buyers may be few. I think you could research the prices on other aftermarket cases including mounts, and try to come slightly below them in order to entice the 'on-the-fence' buyers to buy yours.

OK, I just had coffee so I have a few ideas, but may be you've already thought of, so apologize in advance if I am being redundant.

1) Before your dealer puts the new cases on your bike, you ask the dealer not to throw out the boxes and inspect them and try the key before you accept them. If you are not 100% happy, don't accept them, and you give them time pressure as you've lost so much time without the cases. If you are happy, keep the boxes which would be handy and give an added impression that they are new when selling them.

2) Go to the source which is Zad - not sure of the spelling, may be other blogmates can help - the company that makes the cases for Yamaha as well as the R1200GS vario cases for BMW. I saw them at the motorbike show. Tell them your situation and ask if they have any suggestions or could make improvements.

3) If you have the time and patience, try contact multiple dealers in your area and try to sell the cases directly to them at a discount.

4) Or let them know that whoever buys the Tenere from them could get your new cases at a lower price, and you entice the dealers to help hooking you up with the new owners by paying them a small commission.

5) Ask the aftermarket guys like Touratech to help you sell them. I did it with my old yet unused alu cases from my GS. The business is slow right now for these guys and they concentrate their time these days on unloading their stock as well as customers' unwanted stuff on ebay and alike in exchange for a small fee. I got mine 80% of retail value. I didn't do the ebay thing myself because I didn't have the time and they have both the shop and the website plus the established trust as entry points for potential buyers.

They would be a lot of work, and no one knows how much higher price you can get than the EUR 520, but then no one knows if you could offload it at that price either. I hope they help. Good luck.

Hi, thanks for the advice, to be honest I'd not thought of any of the ideas you suggested. Your ideas are certainly worth giving some serious consideration. I will wait and see what the new panniers are like and if they look as bad as the old ones try and get a refund from the dealer using the time issue etc. If this fails I will have to give it some thought. Once again many thanks..... I will let you know the outcome next week when the cases arrive.

:sad8:

I've found the lock on the Yamaha top box to be quite stiff - a wee spot of chain lube in the lock should sort it. It's also easy to think you've locked it, pulled the key out, but then the lid still pops up. Perhaps it's just me being gormless, but I do now always press down on the lid hard when locking it just to be sure.
Hey, at least it ain't the ignition key that's liable to snap, eh? :happy3:

Well the saga continues.
The new side cases arrived and after tentative turns on the key I announced that the locks on the new cases were much better and success may have been achieved.

In the excitement the salesman grabbed the key and said, "let me see how much better these babies are!" With that he jammed the key in the lock and with gussto almost snapped the key.

The latest is the dealer is paying an automative locksmith to examine the locks to see if he can make a stronger key and make the locks a little less stiff.

Watch this space. Four weeks and counting..... Lets see what happens next. Full marks to J&S Doncaster for being polite and helpful.