► Hard luggage--panniers and topboxes

[WoodWorks]

Caribou 36L & SW Motech EVO racks

I installed some Caribou 36L panniers onto some SW Motech EVO racks a few days ago, and then went on a 800 mile trip over the Thanksgiving holiday. The installation was a breeze, and being able to remove the racks (it takes about 20 secs.) when they're not needed is a great feature. The racks seem sturdy enough, and all the locks are keyed the same, including the small top box, for which Roger Pioszak at Caribou Luggage was kind enough to supply me with an extra lock. The bags are 1015mm (39.96") wide, so about 65mm (2.5") wider than my Touratech hand guards. I did plenty of lane splitting during my trip to California, so their width isn't excessive. And not a drop of rain got through. I'm very pleased.

David

 

[WoodWorks]

It's just a pity that the panniers are all pointing in different directions

Nothing that a few crashes won't fix, Micky.

David

 

[bradders]

Panniers at the NEC

Just thought I'd report back from the NEC show that I've been to this weekend. I visited the BMW stand and found an F800GS in grey with full on metal panniers available from stock apparantly ! Only problem was they were quoting an eye watering 770 quid plus VAT which is heading rapidly towards a grand. Now they were the ultimate in refinement, had locks on the lifting lids (plastic though). I also went to have a look at the Touratech stand too, again nice bit of kit but more rugged looking and just as expensive. Sorry I didnt have my camera, i whacked myself around the head when arriving at the NEC car park when I realised !
Whilst wandering around hall 3a I happened upon Stand 19 which was advertising some tours. My missus spotted a Stahlkoffer pannier sat on the table. I looked at these and thought mmmm, nice kit. The guy behind the stand said please talk to this man Bernie, he's the man behind them. What a great bloke, showed me the in's and out's of them. Have to say they are very rugged looking, 2mm aluminium with rolled over tops. The black lid looked cool too. The frame that was there looked sound too. Now I'm an engineer by trade prior to selling my soul to education and I have to say I liked the look of these. Solid, and rugged they look like they'll do the job nicely but wait for it......... THE PRICE
399 including frames plus VAT, I was gobsmacked and got the missus to check that I only had the single guiness at that point
Now, are they as beautiful as the BMW ones, nope they are not BUT, they are a rugged looking piece of kit that will go well on the 800GS. All smooth lines too on the inside which is nice and they arent going to protrude outside the width of the bars apparantly. I have to say the BMW and Touratech panniers did make the arse end on the 800 look rather big.
I also met Charley Boorman which was nice , great way to spend a Saturday !
See my posting about the TT seat on the other thread.

 

[Aretsukusu]

800 Adv Panniers

I managed a pic and spoke to Dave Alexander (one of the BMW head honcho's) who said they are available now from your dealer if you want 'em!

 

[mystic]

My missus spotted a Stahlkoffer pannier sat on the table. I looked at these and thought mmmm, nice kit. The guy behind the stand said please talk to this man Bernie, he's the man behind them. What a great bloke, showed me the in's and out's of them. Have to say they are very rugged looking, 2mm aluminium with rolled over tops. The black lid looked cool too. The frame that was there looked sound too. Now I'm an engineer by trade prior to selling my soul to education and I have to say I liked the look of these. Solid, and rugged they look like they'll do the job nicely but wait for it......... THE PRICE
399 including frames plus VAT, I was gobsmacked and got the missus to check that I only had the single guiness at that point
Now, are they as beautiful as the BMW ones, nope they are not BUT, they are a rugged looking piece of kit that will go well on the 800GS. All smooth lines too on the inside which is nice and they arent going to protrude outside the width of the bars apparantly. I have to say the BMW and Touratech panniers did make the arse end on the 800 look rather big.

I emailed these Stahlkoffer people a few days back about availability / prices / dimensions etc of panniers for the 800Gs. This was their reply:


Hi Mikefficeffice" /><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

<o></o>
Panniers & frames will be available hopefully before Xmas or just after. Photo shoot will be taking place shortly so watch my website. Panniers will be approx 32 liters and price will be £399.00 plus vat to include 2 panniers/frames & locking system. If you need any more information please get in touch.<o></o>
Regards<o></o>
Bernie

So watch their space!

I'll for one will be holding off on any decisions until then.

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

Does anyone have the part numbers for BMW Adventure Panniers?
Mounts and all.....
Thanks

Left pannier: 71 60 7 695 085
Right pannier: 71 60 7 695 086

Mounting hardware: http://vision1001.de/R1200GS/F800GS_Alu.jpg

Width:http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1554194&postcount=175

Good luck ordering. Demand surpasses delivery capacity. Touratech make these panniers for BMW, and as we all know, their order capacity was already thin-stretched. Pure luck made it possible for me to get my order.

 

[nikp]

Stahlkoffer Panniers @ NEC

Just been to the NEC and searched out the Stahlkoffer panniers. I must say I'm very impressed with what's on offer for the £399. Had a good & long natter with Bernie who makes and supplies these and got some photos;

Rear view with frame atatched;


Inside of box;


Underside of lid;


These seem a good fit for purpose pannier which after seeing and giving a good fondle, I'll be putting in an order for sure.

If you're going to the show, they are well worth searching out and can be found in Hall 3A - 'Touring and adventure zone'.

The boxes are constructed from folded 2mm aluminium so all the welding is out of sight on the rear of the box. The one shown is 31/32L and for the F800and the nearside one is slightly narrower for balance.

So, a big to Bernie for providing a cost effective quality solution.

 

[bradders]

Nice Pics

Am glad someone has taken pics of the Stalhkoffer panniers as people can make their own judgement when they see pictures. I really like them and reckon I'll be placing my order after the Christmas & New Year hols are over. Should be able to see them on an 800GS on their website by then !

 

[Blackal]

Quite like the securing arrangement to the rack, with the ability to lock the boxes in place (and release) from the outside.

Al

 

[Slappy McGee]

Left pannier: 71 60 7 695 085
Right pannier: 71 60 7 695 086

Mounting hardware: http://vision1001.de/R1200GS/F800GS_Alu.jpg

Width:http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1554194&postcount=175

Good luck ordering. Demand surpasses delivery capacity. Touratech make these panniers for BMW, and as we all know, their order capacity was already thin-stretched. Pure luck made it possible for me to get my order.

I got mine in the US in about a week, although I think I was one of the first in the States to order them so supply may have changed. I really like them although like most of the other solutions, they're a touch wide.

 

[mystic]

I got mine in the US in about a week, although I think I was one of the first in the States to order them so supply may have changed. I really like them although like most of the other solutions, they're a touch wide.

Slappy

Any chance of posting some photos please?

One from the rear to show the degree of balance achieved

and one without the boxes ( from each side) to give us some of idea of how the frames look fixed to the bike.

Was fitting straightforward on the 800Gs?

 

[The Other PaulG]

Anyone sporting HB platic luggage? Pictures?

These are H&B's Gobis.

Lots of adventure riders like them, they're brilliantly made and very robust.


BUT... they're heavy, and you know how the tardis is much bigger on the inside than the outside...?

Seriously, the walls are so thick and the lid so deep, that for what's externally a big pannier, you get a very much reduced interior size.

And for me, that disadvantage outweighs all the build quality benefits. Don't do it.

PG

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

Slappy

Any chance of posting some photos please?

One from the rear to show the degree of balance achieved

and one without the boxes ( from each side) to give us some of idea of how the frames look fixed to the bike.

Was fitting straightforward on the 800Gs?

Mystic, please watch earlier postings in this thread before you ask. I've already posted some pics and linked to detailed photos on my own photobase.
And yes, the fitting of pannier mounting hardware was very straightforward. I one-hour simple bolt-on job I did myself ine the dealers workshop.
Knock yourself out: http://www.bildelagring.no/viewalbum.php?user=motörhead

 

[Slappy McGee]

Thread within a thread! My mistake ..... I was referring to the Stahlkoffer panniers pictured by nikp .... not your BMW boxes! Misread Slappy's post as referring to the Stahlkoffer ones!

Guess we'll have to wait for pictures of the Stahlkoffer panniers mounted on a bike til 2009!

Here's a "glamour shot" of the bags in use.

The BMW bags hold a ton of stuff and I'm very happy thus far. Only caveat to mounting them was that I needed a clamp (or a third hand would have helped) to hold the part that wraps around the passenger footpeg supports before I could attach the screws. Once I figured that out it was smooth sailing.

 

[nikp]

Thread within a thread! My mistake ..... I was referring to the Stahlkoffer panniers pictured by nikp .... not your BMW boxes! Misread Slappy's post as referring to the Stahlkoffer ones!

Guess we'll have to wait for pictures of the Stahlkoffer panniers mounted on a bike til 2009!

I did ask Bernie of Stahlkoffer if he had any photos of the panniers on the F800GS but not as yet as he is in the process of arranging a proffesional photo shoot to update the web site. I will be ordering some once he gets finished at the NEC and he reckons they might be ready around Christmas time so I'll post some photo's - or you might see them cruising around scunny whilst I'm out and about! (I live nearby in Scotter).

 

[mystic]

I did ask Bernie of Stahlkoffer if he had any photos of the panniers on the F800GS but not as yet as he is in the process of arranging a proffesional photo shoot to update the web site. I will be ordering some once he gets finished at the NEC and he reckons they might be ready around Christmas time so I'll post some photo's - or you might see them cruising around scunny whilst I'm out and about! (I live nearby in Scotter).

Thanks for that nikp.
Really like the look of these boxes ..... (and price is a bit more sensible than some as well!)
Look forward to seeing them fitted to your bike (either in the flesh / I'm south of Barton ) or here on the site.

Cheers

 

[nikp]

Thanks for that nikp.
Really like the look of these boxes ..... (and price is a bit more sensible than some as well!)
Look forward to seeing them fitted to your bike (either in the flesh / I'm south of Barton ) or here on the site.

Cheers

Just got an email from Bernie at Stahlkoffer and thier panniers and frames for the 800gs are on track to be ready late dec / early jan so getting mine reserved

 

[CourtFisher]

Can anyone confirm (or otherwize) whether BMW's black Vario side panniers and mounting frames are interchangable between the 650GS & 800GS twins?

Thanks

Panniers & mounting frames are interchangeable.
Mounting frame P/N (USA) 7160769301 is same for both bikes;
You can verify yourself on
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/MainDiagrams.asp?mospid=50779
or
http://www.realoem.com
or other BMW parts fiche sites.

 

[blackie]

Hey there 650Dakar_Norway,

A silly Yank here with a question, I apologize if it's already been asked but after seeing your panniers I went through and looked at all all your posts and want to ensure I have clarity. Please tell me if I am correct or not: you originally ordered the 1200GSA panniers but they did not mount correctly, so you (through some magic no doubt) got your hands on the proper F800GS Adventure Panniers? So as I understand there are different Alu cases and as I have an 08 F650GS I should ensure I get the panniers that you have and not the 1200GS ones... correct? (I am fully assuming that if they fit the 800 they fit the 650?)

So are the part numbers and website (for the mounting hardware) that were posted quoted here what I want to get on a wait list for with my dealer?

Thanks a ton!

There are 2 kinds of mounts available for the GStwins for the Adventure cases.

One is OEM BMW, these are custom made for the FGS series. Overall capacity is slightly less than the ones for the 1200gs. These you get from your dealer. Last I heard they were about $1600 total.

The other is the cases that at the same as the OEM cases for the 1200GS but has mounts made by another company called Holan. You can find these at f800depot.com in the US. These ones are slightly wider overall and cheaper. Last I heard they were about $1000.

So depends on which ones you want to get.

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

Hey there 650Dakar_Norway,

Please tell me if I am correct or not: you originally ordered the 1200GSA panniers but they did not mount correctly, so you (through some magic no doubt) got your hands on the proper F800GS Adventure Panniers? So as I understand there are different Alu cases and as I have an 08 F650GS I should ensure I get the panniers that you have and not the 1200GS ones... correct? (I am fully assuming that if they fit the 800 they fit the 650?)

So are the part numbers and website (for the mounting hardware) that were posted quoted here what I want to get on a wait list for with my dealer?

Thanks a ton!

The part numbers on my previous parts # posting are for the original, BMW proprietary F800GS alloy panniers and its F800GS mounting hardware. And, yes - those part numbers are what you want ordered through regular BMW dealerships.

Both me and my dealer were astonished that the R1200GS ADV panniers didn't fit - but got it sorted out finally.