Staff bikes: Yamaha Super Tenere: Saddling up the beast

With a few big trips planned in the next couple of months it was time to get the Super Tenere ready for action. I’m heading to the Nurburgring at the start of September for the World Superbike round and because I’m going to be working I’ve got plenty of kit to take with me.

With adventure bike riding big business in the UK there are a multitude of companies providing hard luggage but the name that kept cropping up when I was doing my research was Metal Mule (www.metalmule.com).

Regarded by many as the best in the business I wanted to find out why so many hardcore adventurer riders swear by them. The Max panniers fitted to the Super Tenere cost £1307.23 for the two panniers and frames. These top of the range items feature a hi-tech long lasting silicone seal to ensure everything stays dry, along with handles and tie down loops. The topbox is £500.43 plus £121.52 for the rack.

Although I haven’t used them in anger yet, it’s clear from fitting the frame and the way the luggage attaches that this is a quality product. They are strong, secure and Tardis-like thanks to the square design and minimal thickness of the cases themselves.

Metal Mule offer a cheaper pannier luggage system, called the Ute, priced at £893.62.

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