1200GSA Panniers Now look Like Crap

[John Armstrong]

I would suggest the dealer would laugh at you. They are obviously 'fit for purpose', ie fit to carry stuff in. Just coz the surface has marked in this way does not make them unfit for their intended purpose.

Wouldn't a better tack be to ask the dealer

"would someone buy these panniers if they saw how they ended up after use on the UK's roads", or

"as a BMW dealer are you happy for these panniers to be seen on a new bike and used as an advert for their quality of construction".

Then see what they say about replacing them.

 

[EasySushi]

Wouldn't a better tack be to ask the dealer

"would someone buy these panniers if they saw how they ended up after use on the UK's roads", or

"as a BMW dealer are you happy for these panniers to be seen on a new bike and used as an advert for their quality of construction".

Then see what they say about replacing them.

John you’re absolutely right, this thread seems to have caused some debate. However let’s see what the dealer says tomorrow, will update thread tomorrow

Cheers


Ty

 

[Davy F]

Oh yes, by all means see your dealer, but personally I wouldn't use the fit for purpose route as the real reason is they're not shiney anymore. As for welds leaking, gimme a break.

 

[LiquidLAN]

As John Armstrong has just pointed out, the first step is a polite and quiet conversation. I'm sure that the dealer will look upon the claim and judge it for what it is.

I'm pretty sure that the dealer will not laugh as this would leave them in a very poor light.

As has been pointed out this is the pannier option that BMW offer with the 12GSA, it is should in their advertising brochure "R 1200 GS Adventure - Explore your horizon." Along side the picture, the first caption reads "Ready to take on the world, as standard. If you're looking for adventure, you can't let challengues get the better of you. the R 1200 GS Adventure boasts a range of features fitted as standard that ensure you won't have to shy away from anything. It's the world's only travel enduro that comes ready to tackle anything Mother Nature can throw at it."

While I compeletely understand the advise you are all giving to the contray, the important points are
1. these are less than 3 months old.
2. they have only been used once in salty conditions
3. they are advertised as being able to handle "anything Mother Nature can throw at it" "as standard"... not after applying lacquer, vinyl or powercoat... "as standard"

I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but doesnt it seem reasonable to expect something with such high claims to be able to handle a little road salt?

All the points about steps to protect the panniers are valid, but nowhere in the advertising can I see anything to suggest that the standard product shouldnt be up to the job.

Now I hear that they really aren't I will have to consider following Dronnings example and trying to locate some ACF-50.

I also take Johnnyboxers point about the rest of the bike rusting and falling apart, but again I wouldnt expect this after just 3 month, and three months of good weather at that... maybe that is why the crash bars on my 12GSA are schedule to be replaced under warranty at the next service.

Interestingly... I was told when ordering and collecting the bike that I would have to pay special attention to cleaning the spokes as apparently they are prone to corrosion.

Ty has a reasonable grounds to have a conversation with his dealer, I think it is a bit unfair to berate him.

 

[EasySushi]

As John Armstrong has just pointed out, the first step is a polite and quiet conversation. I'm sure that the dealer will look upon the claim and judge it for what it is.

I'm pretty sure that the dealer will not laugh as this would leave them in a very poor light.

As has been pointed out this is the pannier option that BMW offer with the 12GSA, it is should in their advertising brochure "R 1200 GS Adventure - Explore your horizon." Along side the picture, the first caption reads "Ready to take on the world, as standard. If you're looking for adventure, you can't let challengues get the better of you. the R 1200 GS Adventure boasts a range of features fitted as standard that ensure you won't have to shy away from anything. It's the world's only travel enduro that comes ready to tackle anything Mother Nature can throw at it."

While I compeletely understand the advise you are all giving to the contray, the important points are
1. these are less than 3 months old.
2. they have only been used once in salty conditions
3. they are advertised as being able to handle "anything Mother Nature can throw at it" "as standard"... not after applying lacquer, vinyl or powercoat... "as standard"

I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but doesnt it seem reasonable to expect something with such high claims to be able to handle a little road salt?

All the points about steps to protect the panniers are valid, but nowhere in the advertising can I see anything to suggest that the standard product shouldnt be up to the job.

Now I hear that they really aren't I will have to consider following Dronnings example and trying to locate some ACF-50.

I also take Johnnyboxers point about the rest of the bike rusting and falling apart, but again I wouldnt expect this after just 3 month, and three months of good weather at that... maybe that is why the crash bars on my 12GSA are schedule to be replaced under warranty at the next service.

Interestingly... I was told when ordering and collecting the bike that I would have to pay special attention to cleaning the spokes as apparently they are prone to corrosion.

Ty has a reasonable grounds to have a conversation with his dealer, I think it is a bit unfair to berate him.

Thanks for your support

 

[(RIP) Stormchaser]

Don't want to sound like a smart arse, but mine have gone the same way. BMW will very likely replace them for you (are they still in short supply) but there's nothing to stop it all happening again is there? I don't mind the weathered look personally.

 

[LiquidLAN]

BMW will very likely replace them for you (are they still in short supply) but there's nothing to stop it all happening again is there?QUOTE]

and on that note, I'd be very interested to know what the BMW response is to ensuring this doesnt happen again. At the moment I'm very tempted to buy some ACF-50 and coat mine, the only problem is once I've done that I can't then return them to BMW if I have a problem with them in the future.

Ty let us know how you get on.

Its just a thought, but it might be cheaper to give a free can of this stuff with every pannier than it would be to reprint all the sales literature.

 

[Shep]

Surely, it isnt that long ago bikes were sold with bare alluminium cases that needed protection during the salt months if not all the time, I think BMW may well replace your panniers but more as a goodwill gesture rather than in reaction to a genuine fault. Unprotected ally will oxidise real fast on its own, even without salt, electrolosis etc.

There used to be craft to owning and maintaining a motorcycle, these skills seem to be in decline with alot of riders, not good IMO

Shep

 

[LiquidLAN]

Surely, it isnt that long ago bikes were sold with bare alluminium cases that needed protection during the salt months if not all the time, I think BMW may well replace your panniers but more as a goodwill gesture rather than in reaction to a genuine fault. Unprotected ally will oxidise real fast on its own, even without salt, electrolosis etc.

There used to be craft to owning and maintaining a motorcycle, these skills seem to be in decline with alot of riders, not good IMO

Shep

That is a very interesting and relevant point, but did these bikes you talk about get advertised as "ready to tackle anything Mother Nature can throw at" them or where they built and advertised for sale before 1979?

The phrase "as standard" would lead me to believe that this was a product I didnt been to do anything to before I started my adventure... what ever that maybe. If you need to coat it in something to protect it from one days use on a UK road in the winter then I'm sorry but that leads me to wonder it the product really did come "as standard" "ready to tackle anything Mother Nature can throw at it".

I'm really sorry to be beligerantly hammering this point, but I can be a milliatant little bugger when I want to be good will or not, the claims made of this product are published and as such need to be honored.

 

[Shep]

That is a very interesting and relevant point, but did these bikes you talk about get advertised as "ready to tackle anything Mother Nature can throw at" them or where they built and advertised for sale before 1979?

The phrase "as standard" would lead me to believe that this was a product I didnt been to do anything to before I started my adventure... what ever that maybe. If you need to coat it in something to protect it from one days use on a UK road in the winter then I'm sorry but that leads me to wonder it the product really did come "as standard" "ready to tackle anything Mother Nature can throw at it".

I'm really sorry to be beligerantly hammering this point, but I can be a milliatant little bugger when I want to be good will or not, the claims made of this product are published and as such need to be honored.

If you genuinley think that a bit of oxidisation would stop you from completing your Adventure then yes you have a point, but you would need to go on a long, long Adventure before the panniers ceased to do there job due to corrosion

There is a slight chance of accelerated corrosion due to a missmatch in materials somewhere but seeing as the panniers are made by TT its not exactly new technology

If it was me and I was in the mood, I may try it on with my dealer looking for a goodwill gesture, but i would feel I was a bit of a whinger stamping my feet about it if i failed to get a result

Shep

 

[LiquidLAN]

If it was me and I was in the mood, I may try it on with my dealer looking for a goodwill gesture, but i would feel I was a bit of a whinger stamping my feet about it if i failed to get a result

Shep

Thats just the way we are brought up here though... mustn't grumble, mustn't complain.

its not a question of stamping your feet and whinging... its a simple conversation... I've bought this... it was sold to me with these expectations... and this is the result after one days use in these conditions...

Dealer say
1. on your bike
2. sure sure we'll sort you out a replacement
(delete as applicable)

the other option is:
do nothing and get nothing.

 

[wilbjr21]

All this talk of "Sale of Goods Act", "Fit for purpose", "As advertised" etc. OMG - is there any room left for common sense and taking responsibility for one's own actions - or must we always find find someone to blame and claim from?.
Believe me they will polish up just fine (my top box did when loose straps marked it). Surely it's just too embarassing to whinge to a dealer about this sort of trivia .
If you can't accept the facts of life with Aluminium panniers - get something else.
These panniers are strong and rugged; being aluminium you can even bash them back into shape if required. This is why aluminium is used - along with weight considerations of course.

 

[LiquidLAN]

Do you know what I find really interesting about all of this???

Its the responses that go to suggest that you are some kind of childish whinger for even thinking that you should be able to complain about something and that infact you should have to go to the dealer asking for some kind of pitty on you.

its all very strange...

 

[MikeP]

Do you know what I find really interesting about all of this???

Its the responses that go to suggest that you are some kind of childish whinger for even thinking that you should be able to complain about something and that infact you should have to go to the dealer asking for some kind of pitty on you.

its all very strange...

Well different strokes for different folks.

The thing I find strange is that anyone would look at bare aluminium and not imagine that it will discolour or tarnish.

Even more strange is the fact that anyone having the wit to realise that in the first place, should then go ahead and buy them & think that when it does happen, someone else should be held responsible.

"Excuse me Mr motorcycle salesman. If I buy this motorcycle and run the engine, will it cause wear to the bearing surfaces? If it does, who will be responsible?"

 

[LiquidLAN]

Well different strokes for different folks.

The thing I find strange is that anyone would look at bare aluminium and not imagine that it will discolour or tarnish.

Even more strange is the fact that anyone having the wit to realise that in the first place, should then go ahead and buy them & think that when it does happen, someone else should be held responsible.

"Excuse me Mr motorcycle salesman. If I buy this motorcycle and run the engine, will it cause wear to the bearing surfaces? If it does, who will be responsible?"

Mike you are looking at that from the wrong angle.

"Dear Mr customer sir, this is our brand-new state of the art engine, it has been manufactured to last 10 times longer than any other engine"

If it then show signs of failing after oh, lets say three months, would you feel that you had the right to at least have a conversation with the dealer about it or would you honestly go oh, different strokes and all that I'll repair it out of my own time and money or just buy the next new and improved one?

Here's another example... I've seen a few reports here about the plastic panniers falling off because the mushrooms and plastics are failing, aren't those people just whinging and stamping their feet? after all it was their choice to buy BMW panniers in the first place and they are only plastic after all and held on by such little clips... god what do they expect??? shouldnt they just put less load on their panniers, oh and maybe hold them on with additional straps and stuff? If I where them I would have to think about spending my time and money building some kind of ectoskeleton for the case to ensure it remained attached to my bike at all times?

or am I just being a little silly at this stage?

 

[wilbjr21]

Here's another example... I've seen a few reports here about the plastic panniers falling off because the mushrooms and plastics are failing, aren't those people just whinging and stamping their feet? after all it was their choice to buy BMW panniers in the first place and they are only plastic after all and held on by such little clips... god what do they expect??? shouldnt they just put less load on their panniers, oh and maybe hold them on with additional straps and stuff? If I where them I would have to think about spending my time and money building some kind of ectoskeleton for the case to ensure it remained attached to my bike at all times?

Now your're being just plain silly

This is dividing into two camps, you and Ty who think he has a legitimate grievance and the others, me included, who think it not a fault and to be expected.

Can we leave it there or do you want the last word - feel free

 

[Dellis]

There used to be craft to owning and maintaining a motorcycle, these skills seem to be in decline with alot of riders, not good IMO

Shep

I agree 100% - well said

Dave

 

[LiquidLAN]

Now your're being just plain silly

This is dividing into two camps, you and Ty who think he has a legitimate grievance and the others, me included, who think it not a fault and to be expected.

Can we leave it there or do you want the last word - feel free

thats the trouble with last words... someone has to have them...

Oh and while I'm here and seem to have the right audiance...

Does anyone want to buy my goose... she a fine goose and lays one big fat golden egg every day... yours for £100

 

[Davy F]

Must buy some Solvol Autosol shares tomorrow.........

 

[EasySushi]

Hi Guys,

My 3 month old BMW 1200 GSA aluminium panniers now look like crap after riding in the rain last week. The surfaces has pit corrosion marks over both panniers, I guess its to do with the salt on the road has anybody else experienced a similar problem.

How get I get rid of the corrosion and ensure it does not come back. Can I claim BMW warranty on them?


Cheers



Ty

Well what can I say.

Certainly did not expect, the sort of comments received. Anyway I will take to the dealer and see what they say.

Thanks for your comments, I think