BMW Adventure boxes

[Zebedee]

Another thought …

It’s just dawned on me that Trading Standards might be able to help out (in the UK).

If the things were “Fit for purpose” in the first place, why did they need to go and add in the retaining wires?

Just a thought … right I’m off to the pub

 

[MikeO]

Re: I’ve just picked up set of Ally luggage, and guess what?

Surely, even with a retro fit kit you should get a set of six matched lock barrels, so that you only need to carry two keys (ignition and luggage).

Zeb,

the lock barrels you've been given can be altered to match your ignition key. Go back to your dealer and tell him to do his bloody job and alter them for you - this should take him under 5 minutes and should be free of charge. If, for some reason, he won't/can't do this, the instructions for doing it yourself are here .

Who is your dealer? - he ought to be ashamed of himself leaving you in this position after what you've spent.....

Rant over

Mike

 

[Zebedee]

Mike,

I’m with you 100% on the dealer doing their job (Mill at Boldon in case anyone cared )

However, I thought that I would post a … sensible post, before I started to rant (for a new kid on the block, I seem to have done too much ranting).

I’ll give Steve a call tomorrow (biker, fitter turned salesman, GS rider and all round sound bloke [from more than one source]).

However, it comes back to a common rant … after sales.

IMHO Da boyz from München need to learn that:

1) BMW Bike riders are decades behind the ‘fashion victims’ who think of their ‘designer crate’ is a ‘phone box on wheels’.

2) They have to back the product up.

Fortunately, Steve comes across as a ‘biker’ turned, GS fan, as opposed to a ‘BMW salesperson’ turned bike salesman.

… time for bed said … now who was that?


Ps. As far as those folks who it applies are concerned, the Sale of Goods Act strikes me as a powerful weapon on our side. ‘cos if I, for one, don’t get any joy tomorrow, Trading Standards will be my next port of call.

Pps Isn't it great, looking down on X5 drivers

 

[Big Al Litch]

Panniers

That really is wierd, surely I can't be the only person who had the retaining straps already fitted by BMW?

When I picked up my bike from Hughendon M40 they had neglected to check whether the lock barrels had arrived with the panniers, you guessed it, only two barrels had arrived.
When I pointed out to them that I would really like to be able to lock the panniers onto the bike AND lock the lids they said they would send the barrels through as soon as they recieved them. As it tuned out there was some confusion at their end and it was only after chasing them with a couple of phone calls that I recieved the new barrels.
Setting the tumblers to match the ignition key was simplicity itself (tip, use a light oil or thin grease) and within a few minutes I was all set, shame it wasn't done prior to picking the bike up though!

 

[RickX]

Like Range Rovers in Knightsbridge...

Seems to me that most of you Adventure box people are unlikely to use them for anything more serious than popping down to the shops (...which is an adventure for some girls I know).

Now, while your plastic locks and hinges may provide adequate security while left in the Safeways car park for 30 mins, a flat blade screwdriver would make light work of forced entry with 2 twists of the wrist.

Also, while you're there, don't buy too many tins of beans coz the BMW frame's got a load limit of 10kg per box and would you really trust it and those beautifully formed (wafer thin) aluminium boxes to take the full weight of the of the bike (...and you) in a spill?

So for those who want their Adventure for an adventure there is only one solution: do what I did and sell your boxes to a trendy director of a Soho TV production company and invest the proceeds in some real boxes like Vern's (www.projectvnd.com). These are the real McCoy - engineered, bomb proof, rugged, secure and surprisingly good looking. For those who couldn't contemplate anything as ugly as the Touratechs these are a good compromise...

There aren't many pics around so I'll post one here over the next week (...once Vern slips me a tenner)

 

[Deadskin]

Seems to me

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do!"
seems to me your signature says it all.

 

[RickX]

...it certainly says something

 

[Deadskin]

Seems to me that most of you Adventure box people are unlikely to use them for anything more serious than popping down to the shops (...which is an adventure for some girls I know).

It says your a patronizing

 

[RickX]

It says your a patronizing

...world's full of 'em

 

[Running Dog]

not a silly qwestion

This is not a silly question. Why in the fist instance were hinges/design not used wich allow the lid to open fully to the extent that the lid can when open rest on the front of the pannier . now we have all sorts of ideas using wire and lectric lugs looks like you could loose a digit or two on that cheese wire on a windy day .. back to the drawing .....................

 

[RickX]

...they do (2 posn.) but if the wind catches them or you are heavy handed then... pop!

 

[Cam]

Got a new Box yesterday on warranty.

Still no cable support in this one but got a couple of DIYs from
Gauloises which do a great job. Cheers

So no more lid worries whilst I'm loading my baked beans & if I ever go further than Knighstbridge Safeway I can always look at getting some of Vern's kit :chewstick

 

[Running Dog]

...they do (2 posn.) but if the wind catches them or you are heavy handed then... pop!

So if you fit or are suplied with the" cheese wire "attatchment would that then make the two position idea not work ? ?

 

[RickX]

Guess it depends on the length of the cheesewire and whether they're deatchable. Vern included 'cheesewires' on the boxes he supplied to me - with detachable spring clip..

Pic posting soon..

 

[The Phantom Pieman]

So, as I have just bought an Adventure, am I better to opt for BMW standard plastic panniers or the Ali ones. I have a choice , but need to make it in the next day or so .....

 

[RickX]

I think you can do better than BMW boxes if are going off road. The frame for the aluminium boxes is not strong enough if you are going to be carrying serious amounts of luggage. Even though they have locks (plastic), they are not very secure. I have not examined the plastic BMW boxes.

 

[The Phantom Pieman]

To be honest, it will mainly on road touring the Alps and the like ......

Deepest Sudan doesn't beckon just yet!!

 

[gasman]

Pieman,
I've got the standard plasteek ones. Don't have personal experience of the alu ones but I've certainly read a lot of posts about how crap they are. The plastique ones are excellent. Robust, waterproof, got an elastic bit to keep your clothes nicely folded (yes,yes, OK), well designed locks and fixings. Big enough for 2 weeks in Yoourp.
I reckon the alu ones are just for posing.
Oh, and Vern's ones are dam' ugly !!!

 

[The Phantom Pieman]

At the risk of being flamed, I have to agree with you comments .... I know they probably work well, but they are a bit industrial!

Shame that the BMW Ali ones seem to be crap ......

 

[Deadskin]

At the risk of being flamed, I have to agree with you comments .... I know they probably work well, but they are a bit industrial!

Shame that the BMW Ali ones seem to be crap ......

If i was touring i'd go for the ali ones or get the wider lid plastic
ones.