Adventure or Vario panniers for 3015 adventure

[Benhur Malta]

Hi all

Am evaluating whether it makes sense for me to sell my BMW aluminum luggage and rails and substitute with the vario luggage.

I like the fact that it can be partially reduced in size and therefore slimmer when on the bike.


Am I correct in stating that vario panniers mount by slotting in instead of the adventure luggage rails ?

1. Does anyone have a comparison of capacities of the vario panniers as compared to the adventure panniers?
2. What are the relative weights (empty) of the 2 systems


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[Bigcats]

the variable pannier offers stowage space of 30 to 39 litres and 20 to 29 litres.

The metal ones

Right hand pannier capacity is 36 litres
Left hand pannier capacity is 44 litres – large

I just don't like they are plastic

 

[APHezzer]

Hi all

Am evaluating whether it makes sense for me to sell my BMW aluminum luggage and rails and substitute with the vario luggage.

I like the fact that it can be partially reduced in size and therefore slimmer when on the bike.


Am I correct in stating that vario panniers mount by slotting in instead of the adventure luggage rails ?

1. Does anyone have a comparison of capacities of the vario panniers as compared to the adventure panniers?
2. What are the relative weights (empty) of the 2 systems


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Hi,

I have had both .. vario's on my 1250 GS (and my old Daker) and BMW Alu Panniers on my current 1250 GSA.

1. The vario's are good and as you say the 'expansion' is handy .. they slot on to the mount on the pillion peg and onto an 'intergal' frame alongside the rear seat and have a red lever which acts as a switch to lock them on/off: there's a useful review, here:

2. I have found them to be reasonably water resistant (I bike through the winter)
3. You need to keep the components lubed with silicon spray .. the mount 'lever' can bind a little when left on the bike and the slider area also needs to be kept clean as road grit can cause scratching and binding
4. I found the side opening a bit of pain as stuff falls out as you open them on the sidestand .. always seemed to happen when it was wet and/or muddy
5. I much prefer the Alu boxes as they are simpler, tougher, need less maintenance and have a much stronger mounting mechanism.
6. In addition, the Alu's are top opening, so nothing drops out and the tops are nice and flat so they make a nice little side table when camping

I found the Vario's do a job but I much prefer my Alu boxes .. horse for courses

 

[GB.]

A lot of it depends on what you are carrying and where you are going. If you’re a hotel dweller when away varios are quick and easy and you can load them on the hotel room, but if you’re camping I find Tins better as you can put them on your bike and load them from the top, not so easy with the varios Also they make good seats and work tops.

 

[Bem]

Aside from you being a time traveller from the year 3015 and coming back to visit us.......

I like varios because I do stay in hotels when travelling, and when I stay at home they are up on the wall.
I am not a rufty tufty even though I have seen some of the world.

There is no significant weight or storage advantage one way or the other, simply choice. Some will pretend that a bump on an ali palli can be knocked back whereas the same on a vario will cause it to fall apart - they are quite robust and your bike is likely to be inoperable if you your vario is damaged.

 

[siddo]

What about soft luggage? I have the Bumot and will never go back to hard luggage.

 

[Benhur Malta]

What about soft luggage? I have the Bumot and will never go back to hard luggage.

Can you lock soft luggage though?

From what you guys say my 3015 GS will not benefit terribly from going to varios

R


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[DJ123]

Going to Vario panniers you'll need to change pillion footpegs to normal GS ones as they have a hanger on the rear of them to prevent the box swinging.

Whilst your Bike may be slimmer you lose a fair chunk of usable packing space & ease. Depending on what you pack/use your current panniers - are you utilising your current space?

 

[siddo]

Can you lock soft luggage though?

From what you guys say my 3015 GS will not benefit terribly from going to varios

R


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I have some surf board security rachet straps. They have steel wire through them to stop them being cut. TBH, all I have in them are clothes & footwear and if someone lifted them, I'd buy some replacement mid tour.

 

[sven]

I liked the Varios on my 2009, 2014 and 2019 GS's, particularly because there's no scaffolding left on the bike when they're not fitted and they're slim when unexpanded, but they're very heavy in comparison to the aluminium panniers on my 2022 GSA.

I prefer the ease of top loading with the ali panniers and the extra capacity as I always tour with my wife. They are more awkward to carry when removing them from the bike, but I only take them off on tour if I'm staying in the same place for a few days. The rest of the time I leave them on the bike and just take the inner bags into the hotel. A pair of cheap webbing carry handles from eBay make them much easier to carry.