different luggage for gs adventure

[MerrickCampbell]

I will soon have my 08 adventure and i dont particularly like the aluminium box style panniers. I may prefer all black ones or prhaps take the rails off and fit the BM vario panniers. cananyone tell me of some other alternatives that dont have that 'world traveller look'. thanks

 

[Yorkie]

I am interested in the response to this as well. What do people think of the Trax stuff - is that any good?
Peter

 

[RoyCal]

Fitted the Vario to mine as found it easier to remove. Just my opinion.

 

[RoyCal]

And from the other side.

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

....paint them black

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

I think you'll find the GSA has the "world traveller" look. Search for "Vern's" on here.

 

[Mutley]

cananyone tell me of some other alternatives that dont have that 'world traveller look'. thanks

I think you'll find the GSA has the "world traveller" look. Search for "Vern's" on here.

I'm fascinated by this. Why buy a 1200GSA and then try to avoid the 'world traveller look'?

Wouldn't it have been easier to just start with another bike altogether?

 

[trotsky]

I'm fascinated by this. Why buy a 1200GSA and then try to avoid the 'world traveller look'?

To be fair, I've seen some 1200 GSAs with a "tart's handbag" look

 

[London Mole]

....paint them black

I'm sure I've seen pictures somewhere of Vario panniers painted black...

... sorry can't find them!!!

 

[tonkatoy]

Or if you're really determined to get away from the ally box thing then what about a set of Givis. I fitted these on mine initially, because I already had them, and liked them, and it only cost me a few quid for the fittings. Loads of space, waterproof, easy to clean, inner bags available for carting into hotels.

 

[VAL. H.]

I will soon have my 08 adventure and i dont particularly like the aluminium box style panniers. I may prefer all black ones or prhaps take the rails off and fit the BM vario panniers. cananyone tell me of some other alternatives that dont have that 'world traveller look'. thanks

Vario panniers are a nice bit of kit, but internal space is very limited.

I am interested in the response to this as well. What do people think of the Trax stuff - is that any good?
Peter

IMPO: Don't wast your money. You can do much better for the price.

I'm fascinated by this. Why buy a 1200GSA and then try to avoid the 'world traveller look'?

Wouldn't it have been easier to just start with another bike altogether?

Good question, Well thought out, Valid point,

No fekin idea

I'm sure I've seen pictures somewhere of Vario panniers painted black...

... sorry can't find them!!!

Painting the silver anodised alli panels is a bit daft, as they will easily scratch and look pants in no time

Or if you're really determined to get away from the ally box thing then what about a set of Givis. I fitted these on mine initially, because I already had them, and liked them, and it only cost me a few quid for the fittings. Loads of space, waterproof, easy to clean, inner bags available for carting into hotels.

There are basically four choices of panniers for the GS/GSA's. BMW ADV's, BMW Varios, Verns and Civils Kyah Sehal's. These all fit the bike snugly and 'with the exception of the Varios' make the best use of both internal and external space (Big boxes fitted closely to the bike).

TT, MM, Trax, Givi, plus many others, are all basically universal 'fit anything' setups with no consideration to the overall width of the bike, leaving you with panniers that stick out considerably wider than the already wide 35" handlebars, but don't have the capacity of the four mentioned above. They are also very often around the same 'and sometimes more' expensive.

Think very hard about what you want from your panniers and in what traffic situations you're going to be riding before you commit yourself to something that might save you £40-50.00 but prevent you having a look round that pretty little Saxon town you might be interested in seeing.


Val.

 

[MerrickCampbell]

I'm fascinated by this. Why buy a 1200GSA and then try to avoid the 'world traveller look'?

Wouldn't it have been easier to just start with another bike altogether?

I love the GS and now the GSA; its the square Ali boxes i dont like. For my daily commute and not so great long trips I can cope with lesser capacity and not the big ali boxes. I think I have found 2 possible answers. GIVI and the Hepco & Becker 30L junior panniers. BUT I hope to find out if Ican mount them on the Adventure pannier rails as I want to leave them on.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Tesco's carrier bags fit. As do Nike sports bags.

I've probably taken too much Day Nurse, so my suggestions might not be appropriate.

Oh, and I've got the Varios. Don't like 'em.

 

[MerrickCampbell]

I think you think I am a bit of a 'wuss' so I will ignore the carrierbag remark but I am glad of your comment about the Varios.

I will stumble on someting I like if I keep looking asking. Hopefully somebody can answer whether Hepco & Becker or GIVI's will fit on the adv. pannier rails?

I will be using a new 1200RT this weekend I hope i dont come back loving that experience as I dont want to change my bike again. My partner thinks I am mad being so fussy about the detail on my bike. His name is Linda before you wonder.

best regards

the non world travelling 'wuss' merrick

 

[tonkatoy]

The Givi's don't fit (well not without some engineering anyway) on the standard Adventure pannier rails. But the Givi pannier rails don't cost much, and all you need for the top box is a scew on plate. again, doesn't cost much.

I used the Givis for touring before I got the Hepco and Beckers (Alu Std) that I have now, and to be honest I think the H&Bs are probably wider. And despite Val's comments if you buy the right boxes I can't see that the Givis will be smaller than any of the other options. You can after all fit the 52L top box as a pannier as well as a top box, but why would you. There would be room for 6 helmets though so you'd be very popular.

I've been able to get all of the bike gear (jackets, trousers, boots, gloves and helmets into a 3 box Givi set to enable me and the missus to wander round wherever we've been on a day out in shorts / Tshirt / sandals etc. Of course if you're fully loaded en route it doesn't matter what you've got, there ain't space for all your bike gear as well as your smalls/washbag/DJ etc.

or sell it and buy a car - no that's a crap idea, wash my mouth out.....

You pays your money and takes your pick.

 

[Andy B]

Here's another take on the Vario's.

 

[Putneybiker]

Tin Boxes Rule. Buy an RT if you don't want to look like a World Traveller and want to travel Club (if they are still in business)

 

[Dellis]

Tin Boxes Rule. Buy an RT if you don't want to look like a World Traveller and want to travel Club (if they are still in business)

+1

Had Varios on my '06 and have BMW ally boxes on my '09. The ally boxes hold more than twice as much as the Varios, are much easier to load, you can use them as seats when camping (or a table), they're more durable etc - need I go on...

Dave

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

The varios open at the side, so stuff falls out when opening them. The mushroom bolt they fix to can come loose, resulting in the case falling off. They are too small for touring, unless you are a minimalist. The expanding mechanism is sometimes a bit fiddly. They don't feel very securely attached when fully loaded.

My impressions from a tour I did last year.


I now use Tesco's carrier bags.

 

[paul nicholls]

panniers.

you could always have some custom built to you design.
not as expensive as it sounds.
do a search on here for ARD CASES, made by red cap [roger].
he hand makes fantstic ally boxes, and will im sure still be cheaper than the competition.
Yes, i have a set and yes i know him, but mine have been very well travelled and are still going strong, highly recomended.