Advice on panniers

[Malcvtr]

Before the "Why don't you search previous threads?" guys start moaning, I have searched and found out some useful stuff. Thanks.

But I've never had panniers before and I have a simple question in my mind (but I know the answer won't be simple): overall, are the Vario panniers up to the job of a week or two's touring holiday in UK/Europe without causing me grief and hassle? I'm not intending to ride around the world (yet) and so I'm thinking that all the aluminium alternatives would be a bit OTT.

Thanks for any (and all) helpful comments in advance

Malc

 

[BeemerBaz]

Varios are excellent, I have the full package and find them great especially the ability to shrink them when empty.

 

[liam_dillon]

Hi i bought a second hand set of vario panniers of ebay for £280. No need to buy a rack which saves a load of money
I think they are fine for a road trip, i'm not sure not good they would be if you went off road and dropped the bike, i'd say they would get badly dented/scratched, where as ali ones could take a bit more punishment.

They are side opening rather than top, which is a bit of a pain, i use some dry sacks from millets as pannier bags which work well, since i only poke around in the panniers when im bedding down for the night. I like the expanding option too.

I've seen some ali ones for £150 a pair, but then you have to cough up another £300 for rack, adapter plates and the likes.

I reckon if you going to get a bit more adventurous and intend going off road in the future, then i think you should cough up for ali ones, if you intending sticking to the road, the vario ones should suit you fine.

 

[pedro]

As Always

Difference of opinion, I hated them. Dropped the bike once and broke one of the plastic lugs off. I didn't like the side opening part much either, but there you go, some people love them.

 

[Malcvtr]

Thanks for the views so far

At the moment, on balance, I'll be looking for some Varios on eBay. Just out of interest, has anyone managed to get a good discount from a dealer on Varios?

Thanks again.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Vario's great for what they are but for extended travelling the side opening is a pain in the arse.

 

[karnevil]

I have had my varios from the moment I had my first bike.Been to Europe a good few times and have always managed fine.I tend to take too much stuff and feel that a lot of space is lost due to the internal mechanism and the inner bags and sometimes i have the tankbag on which makes me a little uncomfortable about leaving the bike parked in cities etc to go site seeing.All in all tho i think they are pretty well ok.The side opening is not a problem for me as I have the inner bags but a tip would be to put the bike on the centre stand every time you wanna open them.Having said that I do keep threatening to make my own ally panniers and racks simply for the extra capacity I would get from thinner sides and therefore have all my belongings locked when the bike was left.But,and the real answer,for me,is not to pack so much!

 

[Bmmike08]

Vario Panniers - modification

I have Varios on my 1200GS and have made a mod to the left hand one.
The exhaust cuts into the LH pannier and leaves an area at the back which doesn't fill up easily especially if using inner bags.

I have fitted a panel made in rigid plastic to blank off the unused areas and can now store my electric pump and Stop n Go tyre repair kit.

A full article will appear in the BMW Club Journal December or January.
I can easily put an inner bag (use old one off R1100RT) in the pannier with it still compressed, with enough gear for long weekend and if expanded there is much more room as well. The panel doesn't really affect the room inside too much but allows the wasted space to be used efficiently.

safe riding

 

[John Armstrong]

My 2p's worth.

Had BM system / varios / 1150 GS tin / 1200GS tin panniers and zegas. Not all on the same bike.

Varios, nice looking, designed by a designer, not someone who goes on long trips with loads of kit, and especially not someone who carries a pillion on tours. Add on the BM inners and the LH is verging on pointless. And, when unloading tries to throw your kit on the floor if you're using the sidestand. Plus points is the tidy look when you take the panniers off, but the mounts don't give any crash protection.

Top loaders ie 1150 / 1200 GSA and zega tin panniers. Easy to load / unload most of the space is usable, even on the 1200GSA / TT special panniers. Pannier racks add some protection to the rear, even if the 1150 ones do look a bit ott. And, if you get the tt zegas, in theory, you can fit them to other bikes as well. One other thought is to look at something like the H & B new ones or the Trax as well.

My conclusions, if you're going to keep a 1200 or replace it with one, only tour solo, are paranoid about the width, can get them dirt cheap, don't like having a rack on the back without the panniers, then go for the varios, otherwise, top loaders every time.

 

[Wapping]

are the Vario panniers up to the job of a week or two's touring holiday in UK/Europe without causing me grief and hassle?

Thanks for any (and all) helpful comments in advance

Malc

In a word. YES.

I had them on my vanilla 1200GS and they were 100% fine.

I spent six to eight weeks away around Europe and had no problems.

I took them to Morocco on Steptoe's dash, no problem.

I used them on other assorted European and UK jaunts, no problem.

Novice's 1200 with Vario boxes went on its side in Morocco, when he deviated to avoid a lorry. We held the box on with cable ties and a strap (took about five minutes) - No great drama and I'm not sure a metal box would have been so much better.

Easy to take on and off.

The expanding feature is good.

Buy some cheap inner bags.

That's it.

 

[karnevil]

I have had my varios from the moment I had my first bike.Been to Europe a good few times and have always managed fine.I tend to take too much stuff and feel that a lot of space is lost due to the internal mechanism and the inner bags and sometimes i have the tankbag on which makes me a little uncomfortable about leaving the bike parked in cities etc to go site seeing.All in all tho i think they are pretty well ok.The side opening is not a problem for me as I have the inner bags but a tip would be to put the bike on the centre stand every time you wanna open them.Having said that I do keep threatening to make my own ally panniers and racks simply for the extra capacity I would get from thinner sides and therefore have all my belongings locked when the bike was left.But,and the real answer,for me,is not to pack so much!

In a way of a P.S
There is a good article regarding packing and panniers in this months Motorcycle Sport and Leisure.

 

[Blackal]

Varios on Ebay during the last 5 months or so - have realised about £320 a pair.

If you buy a pair around the £300 mark, and don't damage them - you will always get your money back if you decide to go for something bigger - later

The one thing that surprised me, was that the panniers are quite heavy when empty, and are really wide (for their capacity) when extended.

Al

 

[Malcvtr]

Very, very useful comments by all. Thanks very much, gents. Overall, for my modest touring needs, it would seem that the Varios will do the job. There's a pair on eBay at the mo...

If I don't get them, I might try a couple of dealers after talking to them about the recession

 

[magpie]

Varios are excellent, I have the full package and find them great especially the ability to shrink them when empty.

+1

 

[Humbug]

I've done four European tours of up to 3 weeks duration with a pillion. The vario's have held all we wanted for the duration.

I got mine for £350.00 with coded locks from my dealer.

 

[Bub]

Varios

Mal

I have a set of Vario panniers (and the "stash panel" designed by a member of this site). I will be selling them shortly as I am selling the bike.

Send me a PM if youre interested. £285, plus p&p, or we can meet somewhere convenient (Im in south London).

I can send pics via e mail if you want them.

Dave

 

[Malcvtr]

pm sent

 

[Big Lee]

The locks can be coded to your ignition key really easily too, took me about 10 mins for both