GSA inner/external bags

[Tim Cullis]

I was quite interested when I was sent a PDF file showing the design of the inner bags for the 1200GSA panniers, as they are designed also to be used externally on top of the boxes. A good way of neatly improving carrying ability when riding with a pillion.

The quick release buckles that hold the bags to the boxes can also be used as lifting straps if you want to take the boxes off the bike. You'd think dealers would have them on display, but it wasn't until I went into North Oxford BMW last week that I saw a set. The straps for external fitting were included, don't know if they should normally be extra.

A copy of the datasheet is here.

Tim

 

[LiquidLAN]

hummm, I know that is what you are supposed to do with them, but I'm not hugely convinced about how waterproof they are.

Looking at them I thought you had to zip, then roll the tops of the bag down then clip the bags ends together to form a dry bag? Same way a dry bag works. Thats great, but you loose a lot of the capacity. Also there is no obvious way to secure the handles, that said I guess you could secure them under the straps.

I wouldnt try to use the clips as carry handles, any weight in the boxes and the webbing will slip... that said I have turned a spare set of these straps into carry handles have a look here
Its easy enough to do.

I guess they should be secure enough, I just wouldnt want to put too much weigth in them, especially if you are carrying a full load in the panniers as well. It should be good for bulky items, sleeping bags etc.

There was a guy in Africa who did a write up on the 12GSA when I first joined the site, he was talking about the panniers failing and falling off, I can only imagine that would be made worse with the extra weight.

 

[LiquidLAN]

actually havign read your previous posting about storage space... are you really sure you want to fit anything else on there???

 

[Tim Cullis]

I guess they should be secure enough, I just wouldnt want to put too much weight in them, especially if you are carrying a full load in the panniers as well. It should be good for bulky items, sleeping bags etc.

There was a guy in Africa who did a write up on the 12GSA when I first joined the site, he was talking about the panniers failing and falling off, I can only imagine that would be made worse with the extra weight.

If it's the same write-up as I remember, they were accompanied by a Hummer as a support vehicle, and were talking about the plastic corners splintering and other problems when they dropped the bikes. I think the GSA was a bad choice for the type of riding they were doing.

I haven't heard anything negative about the GSA panniers from any other source.

I prefer to use the panniers for things that will stay on the bike most of the time. The 10kg pannier weight restrictions obviously include anything strapped on top.

Tim

 

[wilbjr21]

I've used the top box inner bag in the way that you show with the side panniers. Absolutely solid. An excellent design.

 

[LiquidLAN]

If it's the same write-up as I remember, they were accompanied by a Hummer as a support vehicle, and were talking about the plastic corners splintering and other problems when they dropped the bikes. I think the GSA was a bad choice for the type of riding they were doing.

I haven't heard anything negative about the GSA panniers from any other source.

I prefer to use the panniers for things that will stay on the bike most of the time. The 10kg pannier weight restrictions obviously include anything strapped on top.

Tim

Dunno about the Hummer, but I do remember something about them dropping the GSA a bit, think the guy ended up strapping the panniers on - but as you say I think its just an extreme and early example. I haven’t read or hear of any other failures in that vain either.

Again it's probably not an issue now, but one of the first three bags I got (panniers and topbox) had a fault on one of the seams, the glue just hadnt taken. No issues in the box, but not great sitting on top of it You will actually need to run a finger around the seams to check. Mine looked fine but there was quiet a big gap in the seam 2 or 3 inches. Probably a one off, but all the same.

Any joy with the extra storage? Did you see what I meant about under rack storage?

 

[nick]

Just going for a short ride-out there are you Tim ?

 

[LiquidLAN]

Just going for a short ride-out there are you Tim ?

I really hope not... those tyres will never stay on the back like that