What to buy? Decisions decisions...

[S10UK]

Hi all

As mentioned in my intro thread I’m looking at getting a new XT1200Z at the beginning of March. I’m planning on doing some immediate accessorising (after all there is no point waiting…). Any opinions on the following would be appreciated.

Panniers:
Originally I was thinking SW Motec as they seem pretty good value but then I noticed this thread
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=2767.msg48002#msg48002
I have very similar Zega boxes (circa 2006, 37l & 45l) for my Africa Twin and looking at the Touratech website there is a good chance new frames will suit the old panniers. I know from experience these boxes are pretty tough.
I’m awaiting a reply to see if they fit, if so I just need a top box!

Heated grips:
Planning on going for the Yamaha ones even though they are pricy, purely because they integrate well with the dashboard. From what I’ve read the computer is clever enough to detect they are there and ‘installs them’.

Centrestand:
I think this is a must have. I presume the Yamaha one is fine…

Skid (or bash) plate:
Lots of chat about these and how they mount to the frame / engine. Everyone who uses a frame mounted plate seems reasonably hardcore with proper off-road tyres. Whilst I plan on going off-road I’m not likely to do anything too extreme (green lanes / standard road tyres) so I recon an engine mounted plate would be fine. I’m mainly trying to stop stones/rocks hitting the motor, not using the plate to balance on rocks etc. Any comments on the standard Yamaha plate? (just because its easy and the shop will fit it)?

Crash bars:
SW Motec don’t get good reviews (bendy?)
Givi seem ok (a guy I met in Edinburgh rated them)
Yamaha seems expensive and doesn’t cover the radiators…?
Touratech?

All opinions welcomed

Thanks, Chris

 

[2112]

For what it's worth I have the ARD cases luggage and it is superb ! It's cracking value for money and incredibly well made even to the point of being Scottish rain proof, an impressive feat. I have the top case and 8" and 10" panniers on Touratech frames. This makes them about 5mm narrower than the handlebars and there is more than enough capacity in them - http://ardcases.co.uk/

I have the Oxford Adventure heated grips and they are spot on, way better than the somewhat unreliable Yam' items and a fraction of the price. A doddle to fit too, and they get really hot with sufficient adjustment to find the right temperature.

I have the standard Yam' skidplate and Worldcrosser side extensions. They look good but offer little real protection to be honest. The standard centre stand is fine and surprisingly easy to use, even fully loaded.

I have the Hepco & Becker 'short' crashbars which I have yet to test... As they are shorter than most they won't be as protective but for a basic topple over will be fine, a full 'loop' style bar is available as a bolt on extra however. They are very well made and fit perfectly, unlike a set of Givi bars I fitted to a Transalp a few years ago...

I hope this helps, Bry ::008::

 

[Triple dick]

I'll second the Ard Cases I've have a set on two triumphs and when my S10 arrives in march they'll be going straight on there too with Holan frames which are on order. Also Roger who hand makes all the cases is a top bloke to deal with and I can't recommend him highly enough.

 

[Brick]

It comes with a center stand!

 

[S10UK]

Thanks for the replies.

Only the ZE (elec suspension) comes with centrestand, on the 1200Z its an optional extra, as are heated grips.

Ardcases do look good but I'll see if my existing Touratech Zega boxes will fit first.
Maybe an Ardcase top box..

I found this relating to aftermarket grips on the 2014. Looks promising as I have a set of unused Oxford sports grips going spare.
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=12822.msg219860#msg219860

Chris

 

[fredz43]

Only the ZE (elec suspension) comes with centrestand, on the 1200Z its an optional extra, as are heated grips.

Chris

In the US both models come with centerstand and cruise.

 

[S10UK]

Good news, my existing 2006 Touratech Zega panniers will fit the 2015 pannier racks ::012::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

My experience will keep me away from anything else wearing the SW Motech label. Crash bars bent too easily. Replaced with Givi bars, which have been great in every drop so far. The SW Motech luggage rack spit on a weld. Was replaced with a new one, which split on a different weld. Both breaks on the side that carried an empty case 95% of the time. No specific first hand complaint about the SWM skid plate, but I have seen they will allow the case to crack if they are tested too much.

Whatever the price, it's not worth the waste of my labor to install SW Motech gear on the bike that I will only need to replace in the near future. I don't press my luck with the skidplate, so it can stay for now.

 

[fredz43]

You sure had bad luck with the SW-M racks, Dirt-Dad. I've got over 40,000 miles with mine plus Trax bags without a single problem.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

You sure had bad luck with the SW-M racks, Dirt-Dad. I've got over 40,000 miles with mine plus Trax bags without a single problem.

I was willing to write off the first break as bad luck. When the replacement broke in a totally different spot I bit the bullet and bought the Hepco Becker rack. It's the old fool me once/fool me twice scenario.

I do hope you never have a problem with yours, fredz. But I will suggest you keep an eye on them. Both times I never heard or felt anything. I just happened to look in the right place and notices something hanging. No real idea how long it had been that way.

 

[TimLaw]

I have done a lot of research on the following and IMO, are the best for the protection, price and appearance.

Crash bars: Hands down; Altrider. Stainless steel, mega protection, built tough and looks great.

Skid Plate: ACD. The heavyweight hitter of skid plates. Full coverage, heavy duty, outstanding product.

Both the ACD and Altrider parts are compatible and use the same mounting points in the front.

I haven't used the EOM skid plate, but have read that other than looks, it provides protection only for small stones and if needed, it does more damage having it on than you would not having it all all.

Good luck on your choices!

 

[Rasher]

I have SW Motech boxes, tank bag, sump guard and crash bars. All have been OK for me.

I like the boxes for available space and ease of loading, the locks were a bit naff but when I moaned I got a newer updated set for free so cannot complain about them anymore. The top box sits a bit far forward and can cramp a pillion, I had the mounting plate modified to move it back two inches, but if you mainly ride solo it is OK. Pannier inner bags are very good quality and reasonably priced.

Bash plate was bought to protect the front / underside of the engine from road dirt and stone chips, if you plan on taking off or parking the bike on boulders I would suggest something more serious, but for light off-road duties and general protection it is fine.

The crash bars look and feel pretty substantial, but I did not buy them to protect from regular crashes, but just in case of a low speed drop I wanted to protect the expensive bodywork, and I am sure they will do that fine.

The "GS" tank bag is brilliant, but again I am sure if you roll the bike in an off-road crash it may not hold up too well.


There is certainly stronger kit out there, but for road / light off-road use I think all the SW kit is pretty decent, and I have always had good customer service with all the kit I have bought hence always go back to the same supplier when changing bikes and tend to buy a lot of SW stuff.

 

[greg the pole]

I'll second the vote for ACD skid plate.
excellent protection. I had a alt rider skid plate, but ended up removing it. A few of the smaller welds, simply gave up the ghost after 25km..
Big bonus...the crash bars stay on for maintenance. No need to remove them in order to get the side covers off.

Second the givi crash bars, cheap, and very well wearing. 51km on mine, with some light use ::015:: zero issues.

Centerstand is a must. Yamaha didn't cheap out in NA and sold the bike with centerstands. Europe apparently doesn't need a center stand ???

 

[Rasher]

Europe apparently doesn't need a center stand ???

My 2011 came with one, I think they all did up until 2014.

 

[greg the pole]

If im not mistaken, they only did this on the 2014 model..

to make it lighter ::025::

http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/products/motorcycles/adventure/xt1200z-super-tenere.aspx#gallery=image|image=http://cdn.yamaha-motor.eu/product_assets/2015/XTZ1200/950-75/2015-Yamaha-XT1200Z-Super-Tenere-EU-Matt-Grey-Studio-002.jpg
No center stand no rack

ZE (electric twiddly bits) http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/products/motorcycles/adventure/xt1200ze-super-tenere.aspx#gallery=image|image=http://cdn.yamaha-motor.eu/product_assets/2015/XTZ1200E/950-75/2015-Yamaha-XT1200ZE-Super-Tenere-EU-Matt-Grey-Studio-002.jpg

Word crosser: http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/products/motorcycles/adventure/xt1200z-super-tenere-world-crosser.aspx#gallery=image|image=http://cdn.yamaha-motor.eu/product_assets/2015/XTZ1200WC/950-75/2015-Yamaha-Super-Tenere-World-Crosser-EU-Race-Blu-Studio-002.jpg
same as the base, but with moar protection, and carbon

 

[S10UK]

Thanks for all the replies folks. VFR was collected tonight which is the first step.

Tenere is being put together, have gone for the following:

ACD skid plate
Altrider crash bars
Touratech pannier frames to take 06 zega panniers
Touratech top box
Oxford heated grips

Collection date 1st March.
But of a wait but no big deal as the weather is crap (-2 for the last 4 days).

Woo hoo

 

[klunsford]

congratulations....

 

[MotoMachines]

Hepco & Becker's engine/tank guard combo basically covers the whole front. If you went down (speaking from experience) all you'll have is maybe some scratched plastics, nothing else.

 

[MotoMachines]

I have the Hepco & Becker 'short' crashbars which I have yet to test... As they are shorter than most they won't be as protective but for a basic topple over will be fine, a full 'loop' style bar is available as a bolt on extra however.

I dunno about that, the company Tenere went down during some shenanigans, with the Hepco & Becker engine guards on (I believe the tank guard was on as well, so that might have helped more), and the worst damage other than the bars, were a few scratches on the plastics! ;D