BMW vario VS Givi trekker

[SERVDAVE]

I am needing some panniers and have narrowed it down to the BMW varios or the givi trekkers.

I was wondering if anyone had any feedback regarding either set up? I have read the luggage thread but there is not much feed back as to how people get on with each set up?

Open to other suggestions to?

If someone has the trekker luggage I would be greatful if they could measure the width? I was thinking of runnung with 2x33L panniers.

Cheers guys,

Dave

 

[chas820]

Heres a link to an earlier thread on cases

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304934

Problem with the 800gs is the bloody exhaust makes the panniers stick out to far,so you need slim cases on that side.

 

[SERVDAVE]

Heres a link to an earlier thread on cases

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304934

Problem with the 800gs is the bloody exhaust makes the panniers stick out to far,so you need slim cases on that side.

Thanks for that, I plan to fit two 33L pannier if I go for trekkers. My wife and I travel light so with these and the top box it should be fine!

 

[Tim Cullis]

I'm a real fan of the varios, I had some on my 1200GS ages ago. They are tougher than they look and took a couple of gentle spills with no adverse effects. The panniers remove and refit very easily and I found the best way to load them is actually to take them off to do so.

I normally ran with them unextended, then coming back on a long trip I extended them and emptied as much as I could out of my luggage roll so I could stock up in France with bottles of calvados and tins of magret de canard.

 

[SERVDAVE]

I'm a real fan of the varios, I had some on my 1200GS ages ago. They are tougher than they look and took a couple of gentle spills with no adverse effects. The panniers remove and refit very easily and I found the best way to load them is actually to take them off to do so.

I normally ran with them unextended, then coming back on a long trip I extended them and emptied as much as I could out of my luggage roll so I could stock up in France with bottles of calvados and tins of magret de canard.

Now there is a selling point of the varios I have never heard off!

I am out tomorrow with the wife to go look at the trekkers and than the varios. My main concerns with the varios is unexpanded its only 19lt and 29lt. However I do like how narrow they are and the lack of pannier frames when you take them off the bike!

Thanks for the feed back!

 

[Bem]

Like Tim I had Varios on my 1200 and was very pleased with them - left the RHS on full time and fitted all my radio kit (Autocom & PMR) in there.
And I am sure those cunning designers will have ensured that as with the 12, your widest parts will be the handlebars - if that fits through a gap then your expanded varios will do so too.

 

[Wirycow]

Wife had vario's on her 800 gs, found them quite heavy even before you put anything in them and very limited space in exhaust side pannier, especially when not expanded. Now has Stalkoffer panniers, with which she is very happy with, cheaper to.

 

[tosh23]

When touring and "camping" you know that you have panniers and make accommodation for it..Its not that you forget about your side luggage because you CAN NOT FORGET...the bike handles like a pig with luggage..
So buy the biggest and take the kitchen sink. When you try and filter your brain says no no no...
You cannot forget you have luggage...go on..Ya know ya want ta..

 

[Bryn]

When I had my Givi Trekkers on the Triumph Explorer I found they sat very high on the frames ( they were SW Motech ) to the degree that I kicked them every time I got on and off, and SWMBO had a real job getting on the pillion because of them....

Did a swap with a set of genuine Triumph boxes, and they sat a good 2" lower , and no frames when they were off......Something to consider with the Trekkers...

If it were me I'd go for the Vario's , if indeed its plastic you want.... A set of ARD Cases would look great

 

[v8legend]

I've got the Varios on mine. Great piece of kit. On and off in seconds, and virtually no frame showing when off. As Tim says, they're tougher than they look. Plus, if you do damage them, all the parts (although expensive) are listed by BMW.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0219&mospid=55254&btnr=77_0198&hg=77&fg=41

They often pop up on here second hand, and hold their value well when you come to sell. Plus, one key for everything.

 

[captainpugwash]

Ive had trekkers now on my 660 tenere 650 wee strom a 650 klr and transalp in the last three and a bit years all over the uk and europe they have never failed ive used 33lt and 46lt tekkers i now have a pair of 46lts to go on my 800gs (when the quick release fitting kit turns up , i think they well suit the GS just fine

 

[stanbloke]

Will the Vario panniers from a 1200 fit the 800 ?.

Its not often you see the 800 ones for sale but there seems to be plenty of 1200 ones about.

 

[SERVDAVE]

Will the Vario panniers from a 1200 fit the 800 ?.

Its not often you see the 800 ones for sale but there seems to be plenty of 1200 ones about.

Hi Stan,

Afraid not, the 1200GS varios mount in different places compare to the 800GS ones.

I have decided to go for the Trekkers. After having a day out on the bike with my wife Abbie and looking at both. We both prefered the look of the givi trekkers and the loading space is nice a rectangler so it would be easier to pack.

Thanks for all your feedback guys. When I have had the panniers on the bike for a bit I shall write a decent review of all three of the pannier systems I have had for the bike. Be good to get some user reviews down on the pannier thread!