BMW Varios or BMW aluminium panniers

[Colm Cummins]

Hi all,
I have a R1200Gs twin-cam and I picked up a set of each of the above panniers. I have the aluminium top box fitted at the moment and it does not look like I can fit the Varios with this (is it possible?). I will need to get my hands on a set of fittings for the aluminium panniers if I am to go with them.
Question, which are best and which are more user friendly?

All the best
Colm

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Where to start

The VArios are quite a clever bit of kit which fit to the bike when needed without the need of scaffolding permanently attached. They are a good shape for packing and the expansion thing is just very clever design.

The Ali ones are equally good for packing but often leak they look more rufty tufty but as said need rails to attach them

Your call they each have their merits

 

[Delboy777]

When i bought my 13 plate GSA It came with ali panniers i hated them and threw the scaffolding off and fitted Varios. Much more aesthetically pleasing and don’t leak like a hooers fanny when it rains.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mistacat]

Do you still have the scaffolding for the ally panniers and if so is it for sale, a friend who is a forum member is looking for some I have suggested to him to post in the wanted section.

 

[botus]

if you go in traffic the aluminum panniers will kill you / increase insurance costs as they are 8" too wide overall

the vario set to narrow can hold a few things and will not impact heavy traffic filtering at all, (on wide you have to be sensible - but still way smaller than the aluminium ones),

vario panniers need the extra arms and another bit of plastic rear rack and the fitting kit for the top box.... and vario ones need the aftermarket stabiliser between the panniers to save excessive stress on the hanging points

both top boxes are an utter joke, with the vario one too small for a some lids to fit

in summary givi trekker outback double lid top box
aluminum panniers for a big trip (never left on the bike when you get back)
vario look good, pretty hopeless and not designed for serious loads

 

[Greenman14]

I had Varios and they saved the bike from serious damage on a couple of occasions. The mounts broke before the panniers were seriously damaged. They are quite heavy, when not expanded they don’t hold a lot but I always found they were good for a 10 day tour, solo. If you plan on camping 2 up they’re definitely not big enough. Personally I hate top boxes, and the bigger they are the more I hate them so the Vario was fine for me.

 

[Ian J Hartley]

So it’s horses for courses then.....no surprise really

 

[Traffic893]

Camping 2 up with Varios is possible. Depends what kit you pack.

 

[botus]

5kg load on varios



they need these (particularly when you load them up....) its a bit naff but it works and isn't in the way, don't look at the way they wobble over bumps and don't look at the stress marks on the hanging points….. utter joke they way they do things

https://www.cymarcbikeparts.co.uk/bmw-r1200gs-vario-pannier-stabiliser-bracket-83-p.asp

 

[TLSgazza]

I prefer the aluminium panniers mainly because they load from the top. So easy to drop the bag in then put a few extras in around and shut the lid on it all. The amount of pissing around I've seen mates doing trying to load side loading panniers. Probably easy to pack stuff on top of them too compared to varios if needed.
Also the aluminium ones look good covered in stickers to cover up the corrosion.


Ps mine haven't killed me yet filtering in heavy traffic. Strange comment indeed, they are no wider than the handlebars/ mirrors

 

[botus]

yes that's true....total joke side loading, everything falls out and you need 4 hands to close as it gets trapped in the hinge / round the edges

 

[TLSgazza]

One other thing. The aluminium panniers make a great table when camping too. Or even a seat if you don't have a chair. Oh that's 2 other things.

 

[Colm Cummins]

Lots of good advice.

 

[KJB]

Hi Col. over the years have had both systems, if your looking at a three piece ie decent top box for touring and passenger comfort, neither are fit for purpose, I have used the GIVI Trekker 52 ltr top box great peace of kit and looks great with both systems however now have a GSA and think Ali ones are far better and more usable so that’s my advise mix and match and you will be really pleased.