BMW Panniers - Quality??

[aspad]

Bought a set yesterday and will have to take them back to the dealer today.....
The spring mechanism that releases the catch on the post (top) fastener does not release properly and the rh bag cannot be removed without the use of a screwdriver from underneath....
Not impressed. Also noticed a lot of movement in the plastic frame when I was trying to remove the stuck pannier...and the dealer gave me a spiel about no more than 6Kgs per bag and 'they are touring bags + not designed for long stretches of corrugated dirt + if you drop the bike they will break etc....'
Must admit to having second thoughts about them.
What are your experiences with bm panniers?
+ anyone from OZ know if it is possible to get a set of Jesse cases over here???
Thanks for any advice

 

[Kave]

They are quite bad quality really. I don't like them. Mince have become stuck more times than I can count.

 

[andy1200]

Very happy with mine.

As regards getting stuck, I found it needed an extra little tug on the tab and they come off fine.

Top case, in particular, is ace.

 

[Pressurized]

If it's hard to fit and remove your panniers, adjust the bolt that the red securing tab locks onto. Turn it out to make the fitting easier and looser, in to make it tighter.

 

[Bloggs]

I've been in contact with Jesse and he said there's no distributor in Oz, so we'll have to ship them. (Shipping is about $100US from memory.) I'm waiting for Staintune/Akrapovic to bring out an underseat exhaust so I can fit 2 full sized panniers - hopefully won't be too long.

 

[Mouse]

The manual says the weight limit is 10kg in the side panniers and 5 kg in the top box.

I'm perfectly happy with mine. My only complaint would be that you really have to take them off the bike to load them, but that's due to opening sideways. I can see top loaders would be more convenient.

 

[laughingBob]

Mine were all floppy when SPC fitted them. I rode away from the shop and had to stop or I'm sure they would have fallen off. Luckily I had already put together an auxilliary tool kit and adjusted the mushroom bolts that lock the panniers on. It only took a few minutes but, now they are fixed firmly to the bike. There's a knack to fitting them and taking them off but, I'm very happy with them. Been on the bike for 2000 miles and no problems. They're watertight and alot narrower than the Touratech's I had on the AT/GS. I think alot of the problem's are down to the adjustment of the mushroom bolts.

 

[motozen]

I'm waiting for Staintune/Akrapovic to bring out an underseat exhaust so I can fit 2 full sized panniers - hopefully won't be too long.

Bloggs: Is there a timeline for the Staintune underseat exhaust for the 12GS? Their can sells for USD$475 which is reasonable, compared to Jesse's $875 for the 1150GS underseat exhaust.

If you hear any news from Staintune, please let us know. I'm planning on installing Jesse bags next July at the BMW Rally in Ohio, so I hope by then, those pipes will be ready.

 

[Dave Price]

Really pleased with my panniers. On a recent trip I used M&S reusable bags as inners. The're just the right size and cost only a few pounds. Saves taking the panniers off every time you stop and are quite durable.
The panniers were totally waterproof despite several downpours.
Time will tell if the seals start to leak on that fancy telescopic system.