BMW alloy panniers

[Captain Black]

What's the opinion of those who use or had in the past the original Bmw alloy panniers for the 1150 GSA ?
Just trying to see if they are good in terms of build quality and ease of use with the fold up rack system.
I've always has the Zega panniers on my standard GS 1150 but my lads having that bike soon so I need to think of another set for my GSA.
First thought is can you sit on them ?
What would you look at putting on an 1150 GSA ?

 

[zeltus]

Expensive items. But I suppose all metal panniers are pricey.

My two-penn'orth of experience...

a. The hinge on all 3 panniers is a serious weak link - it's all too easy to open the lid too far and break the hinge. Once possible solution (which so far, has worked for me) is to place a length of webbing betwixt the lid and the pannier so the lid can't go beyond 90 degrees (i.e. vertical when open) - existing screws on both lid and pannier can be used as attachment points.

I do prefer the pannier design on the 1200GSA where this is concerned.

b. Labels all over the panniers tell you 5kg is the limit. Which for panniers that size is a bit laughable. I do my weekly shop using the bike and don't care to think too much what weight actually goes in them. I beleive the subframe gives way if anything is going to give - there are other threads showing how and where to weld strengthening braces - didn't Messrs. McGregor and Borman suffer a broken bike thru' overloading it with luggage on their initial safari?

c. The feet on the panniers are a bit weak in the attachment arena. Only matter when they are off the bike and standing on the ground really. One of mine has broken off but I can't get a replacement and my usual answer (JB Weld) failed to work.

d. Likewise the fixing brackets (the bits that lock the pannier to the frame) can be a bit fragile, when the bike goes over. DAMHI... I managed to repair mine with a pop rivetter. Quite proud of that.

e. They look far better than plastic panniers.

f. Despite all my criticism above, I am glad I got mine when I got the bike - they have earned their keep over the years. All in all, they have maintained their good looks with no real lproblems re corrosion or other osues.

g. Hell's bells, but they are pricey.

HTH

Bill

 

[High-Tower]

Mine came with my bike so I've not tried any others on it.

For your first thought, I happily use them as chairs when camping.

Problems, the plastic hinges are crap, if you get anything caught between pannier and lid, or overload the pannier a bit and push down on the lid, they break with next to no pressure. I've learned the expensive way (£23 each). SWMBO has just broken another of mine!! You can get metal replacements from RS or Zycology, which are the same price, but stronger.

And the little bracket that holds the pannier to the fold down rack isn't the strongest thing either. The additional clamp that holds the box to the frame stops them falling off though (also £23).

Would I buy them again if I was shopping for new panniers? No, I'd buy Vern's worldbeaters, just on their reputation for being indestructible.

 

[Captain Black]

Didn't realise they ad plastic hinges!
I also thought they had a steel wire attached to the lid and box so as not to strain the lid/hinges.

I've really only ever glanced at the BMW panniers before. Always thought they look pretty solid and were more box shaped than narrow and deep.
The 5kg bit just seems fecking daft , I mean when you think of what you take on a two week camping trip with cooking gear a few tools etc 10 kegs over two panniers is nowt is it.

 

[High-Tower]

Mine have got wires to stop the hinges overextending. And I ignore the weight limit, they're regularly loaded with all the camping kit, plus a tent or sleeping mats strapped on top. Once the lids are closed, the hinges seem fine. For me, it's just a question of being very careful when I close the lids, but it does seem a silly design. Or maybe we're just clumsy/heavy handed.

 

[Captain Black]

Mine have got wires to stop the hinges overextending. And I ignore the weight limit, they're regularly loaded with all the camping kit, plus a tent or sleeping mats strapped on top. Once the lids are closed, the hinges seem fine. For me, it's just a question of being very careful when I close the lids, but it does seem a silly design. Or maybe we're just clumsy/heavy handed.

My metal mules I use on my 650 dakar are hinged across the full length of the lid. Very cram-able

Not sure what to do ? I'll mull it over again a bit longer!

 

[sycomoto]

Have a look at the ones roger at ARD made for me. IMHO they are excellent bits of kit and very well made.

 

[MATKAT]

Verns

Just talk to Vern and get some bullit proof boxes.
The best by far and I have had Mules, TT's Zegas , 1200 adv. IMO none come close

 

[Bendy toy]

My standard cases have stainless steel hinges and lock linkage. The top box lid seals really well but not the side cases.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

My standard cases have stainless steel hinges and lock linkage. The top box lid seals really well but not the side cases.

Wrong bike and panniers

He's talking about 1150GSA BMW metal panniers

 

[Madmountainman]

Mine came with my bike so I've not tried any others on it.

For your first thought, I happily use them as chairs when camping.

Problems, the plastic hinges are crap, if you get anything caught between pannier and lid, or overload the pannier a bit and push down on the lid, they break with next to no pressure. I've learned the expensive way (£23 each). SWMBO has just broken another of mine!! You can get metal replacements from RS or Zycology, which are the same price, but stronger.

And the little bracket that holds the pannier to the fold down rack isn't the strongest thing either. The additional clamp that holds the box to the frame stops them falling off though (also £23).

Would I buy them again if I was shopping for new panniers? No, I'd buy Vern's worldbeaters, just on their reputation for being indestructible.

Got some linky's for the replacement hinges?

 

[High-Tower]

I've just ordered these

http://southco.zygology.com/product/product.aspx?pn=E6-10-430-50

They're a bit cheaper than I thought, about 13 quid each plus another 9 quid for delivery. They're not the same as the ones I got last time but SHOULD be a direct replacement for the BMW ones. Watch this space, I'll update the thread when mine are delivered in the next day or so.

 

[Michael R1150GS Adventure]

having used both my personal preference has fallen onoto zega side panniers and bmw top box (metal adv one)

The only things that annoy me are the bloody cable on the top box and the weight of the darn thing - also the zegas are like riding with two bungalows strapped to the side of the bike. Not good when windy.

other than that it is for me the perfect camping solution - i have seats, tables, food prep benches, clean flat areas to put my shit when sitting about if muddy and something comfortable to sit on the floor and rest my back against if the panniers stay on when on the road.

 

[The_Big]

I used to have a link for the exact replacement hinges (metal ones) but damned if I can find it now. However, after a quick Google I came across a few references to this company but I don't know the exact ones to get or whether or not they'd be interested in non trade orders. Might be worth a try though.

And sorry to slightly derail the main focus of this thread but someone mentioned the "off road safety clamps" (to give them their official title). I've got a set of these to fit but my panniers and top box don't have the predrilled holes. Does anyone have, or be able to get the dimensions of where these holes should be drilled? The aversion to drilling holes into perfectly good aluminium panniers is not easy to overcome and mistakes won't be easy to fix...

Cheers

*** bugger *** I just noticed that High-Tower has beaten me to it - must learn to type faster...

 

[High-Tower]

Not wanting to hijack Captain Blacks thread too badly, there's details of my replacemrnt hinges here

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3531430#post3531430

 

[Big Al Litch]

Just about to reach the 10th aniversary of my 1150 c/w Adventure panniers and I am pleased to say that they have proved the doom-mongers wrong in every respect.

Hinges have been fine, mine came with the SS restraint wire fitted from new and I have never had a problem.
Rumors that they leak turned out to be just that. The only way I can get any water into mine when closed is to play the hosepipe right on the lip between lip & case, in normal use they are 100% water-tight.
The QD fixing is fine. I bought the optional clamps but have used them just once in 10-years. I have to fit / remove the panniers to get the bike in & out of the garage and have them fitted for EVERY journey (even the daily commute to work) so the mechansim has been proved and works perfectly.
The mounting-frame is ok, well made and finished. I regularly overload the panniers (bag of cement in each one plus a couple more on the rear) and there have never been any problems.
Finish is good. There are the inevitable scratches on the inside but no corrosion or white residue. On the external surfaces I they are almost unmarked despite being used as a handy storage shelf in the garage where they sit on the floor when not in use. The plastic feet keep the metal base off the floor thus avoiding unnecessary damage.
I have sat on mine from time to time and there is no evidence of distortion of any kind but it is not something I do on a regular basis.

All in all I have been very pleased with them.
When I first started looking at this forum I was worried about all the negative comments especially as they were in no way cheap but time has proved them wrong and confirmed to me that my decission to order them the correct one.

 

[Andy A]

Mine weigh 5 kg and the sticker says I can put 10kg in each, just done a 4 week camping trip two up, all loaded no problems, used as chairs almost every stop, used as side stand once only issue was one of the wire to stop the lid on one box over extending snapped. not used other hard panniers to compare but no complaints with the bm ones.