2006GS fitting varios - help needed

[Stuntman]

Hello chaps

I've just picked up a 1200GS the day before the snow fell!

So I've had some ebay time and bougth the following

Vario panniers
Vario top box and mountinf kit
Pannier frames

My question is this, my good lady prefers to hold onto grab rails while being pillion and I've noticed a GSA rear rack with the built in grab rails.

Will this replace the plastic one that is already on the bike, to which I was going to fit the top vario without casing any probs to anything else?

Thanks in advance chaps

Regards

Andi

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I think the GSA rack has the same sort of handles that the GS rack does. BUT... You'll need an adaptor plate to fit the Vario to the GSA rack.

Someone more knowledgeable than me will be along shortly.

 

[Stuntman]

Brilliant, thanks Miff

Whereabouts in North Norfolk are you chap, I'm up in Thurning (Corpusty)

 

[earthmover]

The Vario's don't interfere with the standard grab rails.
Mark

 

[(RIP) Miff]

As I said, someone with more knowledge will be along in a while.

I'm up near to Sheringham (West Runton)

If you haven't already got one, then I (and most people) would recommend one of these .....

http://www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk/bmw-r1200gs-crud-catcher-24-p.asp

He's a member of this site (Mark Hooton), and makes these items. Might be worth contacting him direct.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

My question is this, my good lady prefers to hold onto grab rails while being pillion and I've noticed a GSA rear rack with the built in grab rails.

Will this replace the plastic one that is already on the bike, to which I was going to fit the top vario without casing any probs to anything else?

The GSA rear rack sits in the same slots that the Varios hang from therefore you will not be able to fit your panniers

You can have the GSA rack with the grab handles or the Vario panniers but not both at the same time

 

[Ali-bear]

I have Vario panniers and a Givi top-box. The Givi mounting rack replaces the crap plastic one and has proper steel grab rails.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I use a givi box, and it retains the original grab handles. As you can see the handles are unobscured. This is the same with the Vario box.

I can get 2 helmets in the givi box, unlike the Vario. Some Givi kits replace the OE grab handles, and some don't...


Tappety Tapped in MMXIII

 

[Buz]

I have vario panniers and vario backbox. The only difference between mine and Miff's is the way the backbox fits, the vario back box is a stronger better bracket to fix but the grab handles are still there as in the above pic

 

[Stuntman]

Brilliant

Thanks chaps

It's my first GS and I managed to get it for a decent price over the phone, so I had a quick test ride, loaded it into the van, drove home then unloaded it and shoved a cover over it in preperation of the snow, I've not been near it since!

Thanks chaps

Regards

Andi

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Incidentally, you can get the Vario box locks coded to your bike's ignition key. You can do it yourself quite easily. There's plenty on here about it (use the search button above) or look on youtube.

 

[Stuntman]

I have to say I was surprised at the cost of getting them done by a friendly chap that I know in derbyshire Miff, he'll do the locks if I do a cam belt on an old astra he has.

So a 20 minute job for me and a quick job for him hopefully

Thanks for all the advice chaps

Andi

 

[Bendy toy]

The Adv rack is all tube steel and needs a riser plate/frame on the top to take a BMW top case. The Adv top rack is yet more tubes and weight, but folded alloy versions are available. I dont know if there is anything that will take a BMW case or a Givi case without spannering every time.

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Andi, some female pillions comment that the grab handles are too far "in" .... usually if they're a little wider in the posterior department! This has occasionally been commented on in magazine tests. Might just be a case of getting used to it! My wife has found the standard GS grab handles awkward, my daughter has no issues, I still have the standard rack fitted though because it works well with the full 3 case Vario setup.

Stu.

 

[Pablo1]

Hello chaps

I've just picked up a 1200GS the day before the snow fell!

So I've had some ebay time and bougth the following

Vario panniers
Vario top box and mountinf kit
Pannier frames

My question is this, my good lady prefers to hold onto grab rails while being pillion and I've noticed a GSA rear rack with the built in grab rails.

Will this replace the plastic one that is already on the bike, to which I was going to fit the top vario without casing any probs to anything else?

Thanks in advance chaps

Regards

Andi

Make sure you copper grease the 2 screws above the rear light cluster that hold the vario adaptor plate for the topbox, prone to seizing big time

 

[Stuntman]

Brilliant thanks chaps, I have to tell my woman she needs to watch her arse width

 

[Ali-bear]

The Vario top box is pathetically small and woefully expensive.

The Givi mounting rack design changed - the original one that Miff has bolts on the standard item, the newer design that I have replaces it.

 

[Bendy toy]

I sometimes bolt a Givi plate onto the standard GSA rack to take a large Trekker case. But its a faff to swap everything over with 8 little bolts to deal with.

Maybe some Dzuz fasteners are the answer.

 

[Stuntman]

All fitted and all on!!!!

I just need front engine bars and top bars

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I have vario panniers and vario backbox. The only difference between mine and Miff's is the way the backbox fits, the vario back box is a stronger better bracket to fix but the grab handles are still there as in the above pic

My Givi box (and therefore bracket) are strong enough to cope with the bike flipping upsidedown in an accident

I think the scratches on the box add a certain "Character", especially when people ask "How do you get scratches up there??"