Are BMW panniers/top box any good?

[mickylove]

I'm about to take posession of a 1200GS in two weeks and I've ordered the BMW panniers and top box.

I've read a few threads which seem to cast doubt on the suitability (of the top box at least). Has anyone got them who are pleased with them? Has anyone got alternatives which they believe are superior?

I'll be riding without panniers as much as with, so I don't want the bike to look like a dog when it's "bare" by fitting ugly mounts .

Any suggestions/comments?

Thanks

 

[Georgegs]

BMW Panniers

Had mine about 3 weeks - I am very pleased with the BMW Panniers and Top Box. They do the job well, are waterproof, easy to fit, stay on, don't rattle and are easy to clean. They are fine for me. George

 

[Dahoum]

They have been fine for my needs too. I wouldn't use them for serious off road touring but for mostly road touring they are excellent so far.

I also got the 'Mane Event' liners recently - what a fine piece of kit they are. A lot less than MBW's liners.

(I found out in a ford that the panniers are not waterproof when submerged )

 

[jlabro]

WELL,i like my side BMW panniers

 

[Davel]

Got the panniers but not the top box.

Got them with the same key as the ignition lock.

They work fine and like the fact that they are expandable.

No problems so far.

 

[Mouse]

Again, no complaints.

I haven't done anything too rough but I have dropped my bike with the panniers fitted. The panniers did a good job of keeping the bike off the gorund a bit, and were undamaged in the process.

Some say they are not good off road ... I've been down some rough tracks with the boxes on, without problems, but haven't been properly "off road". I don't think I'd want to do rough terrain with any appreciable weight in the top box - but then again the official weight limit is 5kg.

 

[TerryM]

Got the box and panniers with the bike last October.

The box seal was duff and the whole box was replaced instantly without question.

I had some concerns with the pannier side latches but adjustment of the "mushroom bolts" per the mounting instructions seems to have resolved it and I am confident they are ok for my 99.9% on road use.

They will get a good test on a central european trip at end July.

 

[Aussie]

I'm about to take posession of a 1200GS in two weeks and I've ordered the BMW panniers and top box.

I've read a few threads which seem to cast doubt on the suitability (of the top box at least). Has anyone got them who are pleased with them? Has anyone got alternatives which they believe are superior?

I'll be riding without panniers as much as with, so I don't want the bike to look like a dog when it's "bare" by fitting ugly mounts .

Any suggestions/comments?

Thanks

I would bolt the top box on or you may find it missing

 

[Keje]

Got the panniers and the top box with the same key as the ignition lock.

They work just fine.

Got the bike a month ago and so far everything is OK.

Dealer said there is some minor changes done for this year.

Keje / Sweden

(-Nice!, its snowing here right now, will I put skies on the bike????)

 

[swebb]

i've got the BMW Panniers, i'm impressed with them so far, i (like others) wouldn't risk them for heavy off road use, but for everyday use, they're great.

I've heard many nasty stories of the top box falling off, so i elected to go the Givi route for the box, again, very impressed, acres of space and great to be able to get two full face helmets in....

but certainly, back to the thread, the BMW OEM panniers i think are great...

 

[GrinningGSer]

All three boxes fab, waterproof, very firm with no free play. Top box has pillion backrest.
Have read threads about tob box coming adrift. Dealer says that has never happened to any that he has sold.

Still smiling

 

[themadprofessor]

I have all three. I ride weekdays with just the topbox on (easier filtering ).

I like the expandability of the topbox and have so far not had any problems. Mind you I have not done any off roading with it on either!!

Chris

 

[stephenm]

I'm about to take posession of a 1200GS in two weeks and I've ordered the BMW panniers and top box.

Any suggestions/comments?

Thanks

I've put 14,000km on my panniers/top box, mostly two up and including off road-logging truck routes, gravel etc. They are dust tight and waterproof, well made and easy to use. As long as you don't expect to overload them and pound them senseless on potholed tracks, you should be pleased with them. Make sure they are set up correctly (mushroom bolt) and that the pannier 'hooks' seat properly in the mounting frame slots when you fit them each time.

Stephen

 

[Mr K]

I have BMW panniers - okay but not very space efficient...sturdy though...

 

[DodgyGeeSer]

A couple of quick questions for those of you with the panniers: I'm picking up my GS12 next week and am considering the panniers..

Do you need additional mountings for the panniers, or is it just the top box that you needs additional brackets etc?

Are the panniers easily removeable, or do you use a liner bag inside the pannier?

Finally, are the panniers 'locked' to the bike (so you could perhaps leave them on the bike in a secure parking area?

Thanks loads!

 

[Joyseeker]

A couple of quick questions for those of you with the panniers: I'm picking up my GS12 next week and am considering the panniers..

Do you need additional mountings for the panniers, or is it just the top box that you needs additional brackets etc?

Are the panniers easily removeable, or do you use a liner bag inside the pannier?

Finally, are the panniers 'locked' to the bike (so you could perhaps leave them on the bike in a secure parking area?

Thanks loads!

Do you need additional mountings for the panniers, or is it just the top box that you needs additional brackets etc? no just the top box

Are the panniers easily removeable, or do you use a liner bag inside the pannier?
easy..... got the liners and rearly use as they reduce storage and restrict what you can pack...... only use when camping when i don't want hard panniers in the tent and the panniers can serve as secure waterproof storage on the bike.

Finally, are the panniers 'locked' to the bike (so you could perhaps leave them on the bike in a secure parking area? they all lock to the bike.

i like the panniers even though they don't give you the big pannier gs image. as they come off easy and don't need mountings you get a beautiful naked bike back for evening rides when you get settled. the top box mounting also has a pressure release should you bin the bike and mounts back on without fuss.

 

[DodgyGeeSer]

Thanking you, Joyseeker!

 

[Joyseeker]

pleasure

tale of the top box pressure release is inch 9

 

[DodgyGeeSer]

Enjoyed your adventure! Glad you rescued her from the sea and the PC dubs!

 

[Tim Cullis]

Do you need additional mountings for the panniers, or is it just the top box that you needs additional brackets etc?

Early models came with (extremely unobtrusive) pannier brackets already fitted, there was talk about these becoming options for 2005, so you might want to check.

Tim