Advice

[Janie]

how much is the bmw metal luggage for the r1200gs?

 

[John Armstrong]

About £1000 for the racks and panniers and top box plus keying the locks to the bikes IYSWIM.

 

[Bert]

Metal cases

Janie

Consider getting a set of Metal Mules and get them powder coated- will not leave any nasty ali marks on your frocks!
Better build quality
Best locks on the market
Better 'locking on' to frame mechanism
Better in soooooooo many ways! ( IMHO!)
Different sizes- etc

 

[BBB61]

The panniers are £380 for the pair, the frames are about £185 and then there is the cost of the 6 locks needed for the pair plus the other bits and pieces needed to fit the frames. Its in the region of about £700-750 or thereabouts for the whole lot (not including the top box).

 

[Janie]

thanks...................no idea what i want for me bike now!!!!!!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Standard BMW panniers

I find that the standard panniers work well - they look smart and are waterproof even when extended. Esay to get on and off - wht is the problem?

 

[k12pfc]

I find that the standard panniers work well - they look smart and are waterproof even when extended. Esay to get on and off - wht is the problem?

Totally agree, the standard ones are superb. The metal ones maybe? look better. especially when they are covered in stickers???

 

[Janie]

so how do they fit to the bike? do you have to put a frame on first then the luggage.......ok i admit it i'm new to the hard luggage, always used throw over soft panniers..........till i burnt a big hole in one with the exhaust....

 

[LiquidLAN]

so how do they fit to the bike? do you have to put a frame on first then the luggage.......ok i admit it i'm new to the hard luggage, always used throw over soft panniers..........till i burnt a big hole in one with the exhaust....

There are two types of standard panniers plastic and metal (I'm sure there are posh names)

The plastic type fit onto metal mushrooms that perminantly screw into the frame.

the metal type fit to a frame that is perminantly on the bike... there are a few comments about it looking like scaffolding.

Pros and cons for both systems.

the plastic boxes can be expanded and shrank making the back end of the bike thinner if you arent carrying so much stuff, the downside is that there seems to be an issue with the boxes ripping away from the mushrooms - I've seen a few posting here from people who've lost them and I get the impression BMW have addressed the issue by changing the design slightly.

The metal ones are one fixed size, they seem to be more robust (I've dropped the bix on both sides with mine on and you really wouldnt know it) and are designed to be as "enduro" as the rest of the bike is - that said I read a report when the 12GSA just came about about some guy riding one across africa and having all kinds of problems with boxes dropping of (probably just an extreme case) the real down side of the BMW metal panniers is that the corrode at the first sign of salt. Mine where fine throughout the summer and autum, but 2 day and maybe 100 miles in the winter left the topbox pitted (luck I left the panniers off) You will need to do something with them

which ever way you go, metal or plastic, I get the impression its worth getting the inner bags - especially for the metal ones as the aliminium is unfinished and rubs off on everything. I can't remember how much the panniers cost, but IMHO it was enough that they should have been finished properly - luck I got the inner bags for free.

I know that there are a lot of people who rate the metal mules here, but I think they look too industrial - sorry guys.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Standard Vario Panniers

I paid 560€ (£385) * for my set when I bought the bike new over two years ago. That includes the locks which operate with the ignition key. The fitting on the 'mushroom' is precise and really, once set ( perhaps with loctite) should cause no problem. If they are tight to get on then they will be firm enough to stay on, but quick and easy to remove. The framework that stays on the bike is quite unobtrusive.
One drawback with metal boxes is the top loading - it depends on what you will use them for. (*It seems that often BMW accesories are cheaper here than in the UK.()

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Defo the MBW ones as thy are far more practicle for everyday use IMHO plus there is no 'scaffolding', as somebody else put it, left on the bike when you are not using them. Together with a tank bag there is more than enough room for me and the lovely Amanda to carry all our stuff for two weeks away on the bike and when on my own it's sheer luxury

I've never heard of panniers falling off (unless not locked on properly?) but there was an issue with early top boxes which would now seem to have been addressed with a modified top box base.

Andres

 

[Cole]

I have an unused metal pannier frame (they come standard with the adventure). I removed it within 5 minutes of getting the bike home. It is the frame for the BMW aluminium boxes that are optional on the Adventure.

If they cost £180 new, then I am happy to let it go for £90 if you pick it up (in London). You would be able to fit it and ride away in 10 mins.

If that helps your quest ...

 

[John Armstrong]

One drawback with metal boxes is the top loading - it depends on what you will use them for. (*It seems that often BMW accesories are cheaper here than in the UK.()

Personally I'd say the top loading is a good idea, as long as you use inner bags. And as you have to use them on the plastic ones ...... BTW the BM inners for the plastic ones aren't the best value option so when I get my tin ones I'll be looking here: http://www.maneevent.org.uk/bmw.htm