For my use I prefer the functionality of a hard case for a tail bag/top box vs a soft bag for the added security, ease of use & IP65 water/dust rating that allows me to carry my tools, emergency & misc gear all the time + will accommodate a drone or other goodies. Tactix makes 3 sizes of this style of case which seems to be a sturdy, quality design that comes with 3 different layers of foam & is slightly larger than the Enduristan Large 15 liter Bag Topper I was using for a tail bag. Imho, it seems right sized & proportional to the T7, being the same width as the rear & front faring panels & not too tall.
Pelican, SKB, Nanuk, Seahorse, Meijia & HF Apache are popular North America brands offering cases in numerous sizes & shapes & had narrowed my selection down to the slightly smaller Seahorse SE530 or slightly larger SE630 that offers locking latches, in addition to the usual lid lock holes, until a local tool supply (Summit Tools) had the Tactix case on sale for $45 Canadian, less than 1/2 the price of the Seahorse, which already is very well priced vs most of the competition.
I like that the Tactix 2 stage latch remains clasped to the lid, preventing it from flopping open if it comes loose at the bottom & that the lid stays open at 90 degrees. I removed the case handle & opted for MasterLock 646T combination locks adding bicycle inner tubing to the metal housing to quell noise & prevent marring the case.
Specifications & Features
Exterior: L 16.4" x W 12.8" x H 7.0" or L 38 cm x W 26.7 cm x H 15.9cm
Interior: L 15.0" x W 10.5" x H 6.25" (case 4.5" + lid 1.75") or L 41.6 cm x W 32.5 cm x H 17.8 cm (case 14.0 cm + lid 4.4 cm)
Volume: 16.0 litres
Super strong construction
Waterproof & dustproof (IP65 rated)
Automatic Pressure Relief Valve to equalize pressure for easy openings
I mounted the case to my Yowling Luggage Rack (Chinese copy of the Altrider Luggage rack) using 1/4" ABS board under the case to more evenly distribute loading because of the tapered shape of the luggage rack that dictate the mounting bolt locations to the middle & forward area of the case & the amount of side & rear overhang.
Mounting Method
I incorporated an aluminum plate on the inside bottom of the case covered by a sheet of rubber matting, with large diameter snug fitting rubber bolt washers between the aluminum plate & the interior bottom of the case, 1/4" black ABS board on the exterior bottom of the case to fill in the void, with some 1/8" arena board sandwiched between it & external ribbing of the case & a layer of rubber matting between the ABS board & the rack in the hopes of improved durability & water sealing of all components. 6 x 35 mm button head bots, fender washers & nylock nuts tied it all together.
Tactix Large Case Mounted on T7
Other considerations for case size & positioning on the rack was having enough clearance to remove the passenger seat which slides back & up when unlocked & removed, not having too much overhang beyond the rack at the back for reduced pendulum effect & not being too wide to minimize clearance issues when my Giant Loop MotoTrek soft bags are mounted & wanted it situated inboard of the rear luggage racks to minimize damage potential in tip overs.
The full passenger seat area is available for use by a rider in technical riding or a pillion or a dry bag + the case lid overhang has enough space underneath to allow bungee cords/nets to strap items on top or for the Enduristan Bag Topper clamps to mount to. I may add some form of organizer or netting to the interior lid for added functionality...the Enduristan has several convenient & useful storage options in it's lid.
I liked the 15 litre size & other features of the waterproof Enduristan Bag Topper, but security was an issue requiring a lock on the zipper & an Abus 205 Combiloop cable lock to secure the bag to the rack + the front straps required loosening to facilitate rear seat removal....all of which eroded the convenience factor. On a recent 10 day 3,800 km trip I noticed a little dust had migrated into the bag at the back right corner...the raised fabric lip of the bag that the lid fits over had collapsed inward slightly in the corner.
MIVV Dakar Y.064.LDKX Exhaust + Carbon Heat Shield ACC.80.0 Why a New Exhaust? Yamaha opted for Dakar inspired styling & cost savings vs function with the design & location of the oem muffler for the Tenere 700 that positions it precariously low & outside the swingarm, attached to a welded on vs bolt on hanger that easily bends pushing the muffler into the aluminum swingarm with the slightest provocation (there have even been reports that some damaged bikes in the USA have been written off by insurance citing a bent frame). See my blog article here for additional info on the swingarm/muffler issue & several aftermarket T7 exhaust options. The oem wide muffler positioning also complicates the use of some soft bag & rackless systems & clearance with the hot muffler plus mandates that many luggage rack systems be detrimentally far away from the center line of the bike, adding unnecessary width & undesirable handling dynamics at the back end. Despite much fee
Disclaimer: I am just a long time motorcycle enthusiast with moderate wrenching experience/skills (not a professional/Yamaha mechanic) & have compiled this info from others more experienced & knowledgeable as a reference based on my personal experience with my T7 that hopefully can help others. Fork Alignment & Right Fork Caliper/Rotor Position MUST Be Checked After Front Wheel Removal! T he T7 right front axle assembly is a floating design that, depending on several factors, may not correctly position the caliper & rotor for equal gap & can result in the rotor resting against the upper edge of the caliper...not a desirable situation if gone unnoticed. This information is NOT in the Yamaha Service Manual & can be an overlooked issue when changing the T7 front tire .. .the right fork's static/resting position is toward the outside on my T7, which incorrectly positions the inside edge of the caliper to make contact with the rotor ( has been posted by others
8 Day, 4,360 km (2,709 mile), 'Rideabout' - 2 Provinces, 5 States, 1 Provincial & 4 National Parks - Aug 7-14, 2024 With each year, & officially a 'baby' senior at 66, motivation & ability to do the things I historically treasured become a plethora of balancing the increasingly disparate physical & emotional realities with the seductive biased recollections of my youth touring much of western Canada & USA, Baja/Central/Northern Mexico & 2 years in Texas via motorcycle...Bob Seger's "Against the Wind' echoes in my head 😎. After having to cancel my Yukon/Alaska trip this June because of recurring back issues, & while no where near 100%, was in need of some throttle therapy & seized an opportunity. The ensuing journey is as much an exploration of my current abilities for a concentrated high mileage solo 1 or 2 week long 'rideabout' without much conditioning & lead up riding as it is about my accessorized &am
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