Hi Tenyamman - it's not so much the cases themselves, rather than the lid locks and/or latching mechanism that seems to cause problems, and perhaps the long-term reliability of having plastic clamps to the frames themeselves?

As the boxes themselves are plastic, I'm not sure there would be a satisfactory way of beefing them up (if they needed that anyway)?

xxx

Well, I'm still undecided about hard luggage...

Looking at the Touratech website again it does irk me how much they have increased their prices this year...

The standard Zega set up is 719.00 Euro in Germany, 785.00 Euro in France, and bloody 799.00 Pounds now in the UK! Based on current exchange rates, it should be around 665.00 GBP... humph.

However, what I really can't understand is how the the price can be significantly different between Germany and France?!

Personally I blame Metal Mule for pricing their set up at well over a grand, making the TT set-up still look reasonable value...

xxx

ps. could anyone who has Yamaha's factory panniers measure the inside dimensions of the boxes please and let me/us know... many thanks x

Cases
 

There is a guy who makes custom cases, they are called Ard Cases. They have a good report on other sites. The photo is of a set fitted to a bike. I believe he does them in many colours and they were �300 a set i think.
I have no connection with the maker but they do seem good and going on the posts he is a good guy.

I have the same setup as Russ ( in total 4 of us have this setup)

XTZ production year: -08
Make and model of luggage frame: SW Motech
Make, model and size of side cases: Caribou 35l
Make and model of topcase rack: Givi
Make, model and size of topcase: Givi e46
Country of purchase: UK/USA
Date/Price of purchase (by elements, including VAT, in local currency): Givi ~ �250 SWMotech ~�200 Caribou ~$500

Pros: Case's have lifetime guarantee and are reputed to be indestructible, cases are water & dust proof Can remove the racks using dzus fasteners (hard bolt mounting kit also provided) when racks and panniers are not in use. Cases are quick release from the racks.

Cons: Givi top box will not hold two helmet's with a peak ( Enduro style helmet's).

luggage
 

XTZ production year: 2008, Hearing-Aid Beige.
Make and model of luggage frame: Hepco and Becker
Make, model and size of side cases: Hepco and Becker "Journey", 42 litre. Buell branded, as they came with my Ulysses. Inner bags for panniers.
Make and model of topcase rack: Ventura rack, modified to fit with pannier frame.
Make, model and size of topcase: No topcase, but I have a Ventura Euro Rally Pack, and a Ventura Sportpack that fit on.
Country of purchase: UK
Date/Price of purchase (by elements, including VAT, in local currency): Panniers-�can't remember (�288 a pair from MotoBins), they came with my Buell Inner Bags-�44 each H&B Pannier Frames-�140 Ventura Euro Rally-�99 Ventura Sportpack-�40

Pros: Can remove the side frames using dzus fasteners when panniers are not in use. Cases are robust and totally waterproof. Cases are quick release from the racks, with just one key. I had the cases, rack and bags already, and only needed to buy the frames. Inner bags make packing / unpacking a doddle.

Cons: Very wide with panniers in place. Don't look as "cool" as Aluminium ones.

I measured them in inches 'cause that's the only ruler I have that I brought from the states, which is appropriate as you are over there! Just pulling your legs:

Length: 16.25" or 41.275cm
Width: 6.625" or 16.8275cm
Height: 13" or 33.02cm (plus there is 1.25" or 3.175cm extra depth from the lid)

So basically you are looking at 22.9 litre comfortably to 25.1 litre if you squeeze it in.

Many thanks Josephau - I'm consideringt gettnig a new tent, and wondering if it will fit inside the panniers...

Interesting that your Yamaha '30 litre' panniers turned out to be a significantly less when you actually measured them?!

xxx

However, the TT 29l Zega bags fit inside these , although neatly - So it's not just Yamaha taking the weewee then...

I do like these panniers from the outside and they are tougher than they look or feel, but I can't help feeling Yamaha could have made them a bit less fussy, a simpler attaching method (the TT method is a brilliant one) and a different locking method, even just a catch with a padlock option. It would have fitted the bikes ethos (simple & easy to maintain) much better I think

...but you neglect the overall look of the bike WITHOUT the panniers. The stock pannier frame is by far the least intrusive in terms of look - you barely notice it's there when the cases are off - whereas any other aftermarkets ones have this big cagey-looking thing hanging on the sides.

Hey JMo, not sure what size tent you are looking for, but I got a Vango Tempest 200 into the Kriega US20 tailpack, along with clothes when camping last weekend

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/...305e3e9ae7.jpg

Good tent for one with kit.