GSA12 BMW Panniers & Top Box - They Leak ! - Panniers & Top Box for Sale !

[WindyChuffer]

I cant believe it. Having waited ages for BMW panniers and top box for GSA1200, the frigging things leak like sieves in the rain. Left the bike stood for 4 days outside, and all three boxes have considerable water in them. Even the lid of the top box has water in it (held in place by capilliary action?) - coming in around the rivets.

I am not sure if its my expectations, but I had the R1200GS before with the Vario panniers and they were totally waterproof. I was kind of expecting the same with this ally boxes...

Cant believe that you pay so much for this overpriced BMW shite and it ain't waterproof. Its not beyond the realms of basic engineering to design a box so its water tight - just what are BMW thinking? It would be possible using a decent overlapping lip, but BMW use a poxy tiny soft plastic lip which has minimal overlap and looks very fragile. Freaking unbelievable.

I don't want to fanny about with waterproof inner bags and I don't care about aluminium stains on my stuff.

So who makes waterproof panniers and top boxes? I'm going to sell this BMW box shite when I get some proper waterproof ones. Pointers anyone?

 

[dirtydog]

I cant believe it. Having waited ages for BMW panniers and top box for GSA1200, the frigging things leak like sieves in the rain. Left the bike stood for 4 days outside, and all three boxes have considerable water in them. Even the lid of the top box has water in it (held in place by capilliary action?) - coming in around the rivets.

I am not sure if its my expectations, but I had the R1200GS before with the Vario panniers and they were totally waterproof. I was kind of expecting the same with this ally boxes...

Cant believe that you pay so much for this overpriced BMW shite and it ain't waterproof. Its not beyond the realms of basic engineering to design a box so its water tight - just what are BMW thinking? It would be possible using a decent overlapping lip, but BMW use a poxy tiny soft plastic lip which has minimal overlap and looks very fragile. Freaking unbelievable.

I don't want to fanny about with waterproof inner bags and I don't care about aluminium stains on my stuff.

So who makes waterproof panniers and top boxes? I'm going to sell this BMW box shite when I get some proper waterproof ones. Pointers anyone?

Take the feckers back, you've paid good money for those and deserve either replacement boxes or a refund. Don't just take shit like that lying down

Get ya boots on and get down to BM in the morning

 

[steveh]

if its any consolation

I cant believe it. Having waited ages for BMW panniers and top box for GSA1200, the frigging things leak like sieves in the rain. Left the bike stood for 4 days outside, and all three boxes have considerable water in them. Even the lid of the top box has water in it (held in place by capilliary action?) - coming in around the rivets.

I am not sure if its my expectations, but I had the R1200GS before with the Vario panniers and they were totally waterproof. I was kind of expecting the same with this ally boxes...

Cant believe that you pay so much for this overpriced BMW shite and it ain't waterproof. Its not beyond the realms of basic engineering to design a box so its water tight - just what are BMW thinking? It would be possible using a decent overlapping lip, but BMW use a poxy tiny soft plastic lip which has minimal overlap and looks very fragile. Freaking unbelievable.

I don't want to fanny about with waterproof inner bags and I don't care about aluminium stains on my stuff.

So who makes waterproof panniers and top boxes? I'm going to sell this BMW box shite when I get some proper waterproof ones. Pointers anyone?

I bought mine off the shelf and they've never leaked......ever

 

[JimboGSA]

mine seem ok!

not much consolation I know, but mine have been through some rough days of torrential rain and been stood outside and they keep the water out fine. Would suggest a faulty batch but doubt it given all 3 of yours are leaking!

So as dirtydog suggests take them back and either give another set a try or get yer hard earnt money back!!

 

[Alte Wolf]

Got panniers but not top box. No leaks yet, take them back and ask for replacement.

Has to be worth a try first.

 

[Schwarz Baron]

You must loosen the other lock, not totally, but enough too centre them, to get the proper seal. That's what I found anyway, give it a try before blowing your stack....

 

[WindyChuffer]

You must loosen the other lock, not totally, but enough too centre them, to get the proper seal. That's what I found anyway, give it a try before blowing your stack....

So every time you open one of the three boxes, you have to undo both locks to make sure the lid is centered? What frikking idjut designed that then???? Really cant be arsed with that.

So, who makes waterproof boxes? Metal Mule?

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Didn't see it as a big hassle myself, was just trying to help, I have found them very water proof, because of this, and find them excellent.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Sorrry schwarz - comments appreciated, but venting not directed at you. Just frustrated with this BMW shite and their delays. I really dont think its practical to have to open both locks...when one should do the trick, particulalry when you are in the boxes regularly.

 

[Captain Pugwash]

Really cant be arsed with that.

So, who makes waterproof boxes? Metal Mule?

BMW/Touratech do.


They were supposed to be idiot-proof,but we seemed to have found one.

 

[WindyChuffer]

BMW/Touratech do.


They were supposed to be idiot-proof,but we seemed to have found one.

Excuse me? If they were designed properly you wouldnt need to effectively remove and reseat the lid each time you open them. Further, BMW say in the handbook that came with the boxes that the lid can be pivoted around the closed latch such that it is used as a hinge.

The essence of the problem is the lack of overlapping lip between box and lid, so back to my original point - what frikkin idjut designed them?

Manny Fagnet, please dont call me an idiot without justification...

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Nowt wrong with mine either-no leaks-not a drop
In fact they are so well sealed that after descending from altitude in the Picos mountains I had difficulty opening them as a vacuum had been created inside-top product
But keep talking them down they'll be worth about a quarter of what you'll have to pay for replacements
I think i would be paying my dealer a visit if I had the problems you describe.

 

[Captain Pugwash]

Manny Fagnet, please dont call me an idiot without justification...

I meant it tongue-in-cheek.

It does seem odd that your panniers have serious design flaws and leak whereas everybody elses seem just fine and don't leak a drop.


My panniers seem very well designed/constructed.

Admittedly they haven't been tested yet-I'm still waiting for my bike to arrive.


I believe you have to have the lids fitted to prevent leakage ?

 

[R1200GSA]

Nowt wrong with mine either-no leaks-not a drop
In fact they are so well sealed that after descending from altitude in the Picos mountains I had difficulty opening them as a vacuum had been created inside-top product
But keep talking them down they'll be worth about a quarter of what you'll have to pay for replacements
I think i would be paying my dealer a visit if I had the problems you describe.

Fekkin spot on...! I had the same problem after doing the Stelvio thang. Bloody hard work getting into them once youre back down the mountains. Performed faultlessly. Well worth the money. Never even had to feck about with the lids or anything.

If I had any problems, Id have gone back to the dealer and had them replaced, pronto style.....!

 

[Taff]

... the frigging things leak like sieves in the rain. ... all three boxes have considerable water in them. Even the lid of the top box has water in it ... ... overpriced BMW shite and it ain't waterproof. .. just what are BMW thinking? ... BMW use a poxy tiny soft plastic lip which has minimal overlap and looks very fragile. Freaking unbelievable.

I'm going to sell this BMW box shite when I get some proper waterproof ones. Pointers anyone?

My suggestion is that you get somebody else to write the advert for you.

Seriously, it must be annoying but I would have a quiet word with the dealer first, as this just doesn't sound right, especially as other have had no problems with theirs. Take photos as well - as you can't argue with those. I haven't got the 1200 version, but my Touratech panniers are virtually bone dry - and I leave mine on all the time, even when pressure washing the bike. I think I once found about a thimblefull after a full days downpour. Hope it works out for you.

 

[Paul S]

Mine have never let in a drop of water despite riding through torrential rain. I have even pressure washed them without a problem. I also have never had to mess around with both locks. Very happy with them - maybe yours is a one off - see your dealer to see if there is some obvious problem/explanation as to what is wrong with the your boxes.

 

[Adventure Boy]

back them and get a set of vario panniers they will have to replace the frames aswell but they fit and you were happy with them, more functional aswell, having had the 1200 adv boxes fitted I wish id gone for the varios instead

 

[Rhodie]

GSA Topbox

Just completed an 8 day blast thru Laos & Cambodia with my longawaited topbox[3 months].
As its the rainy season I was concerned as I had my mac laptop in it I was particularly concerned. It held up well and remained watertight.
Hope your replacement works out.
Rhodie

 

[WindyChuffer]

Right then, it seems that many of you are finding them waterproof which is reassuring and also provides the ammo I need when I go to the dealer about this. Of course I won't be selling them - that was tongue in cheek...I'll be getting a refund if they can't be fixed...but I don't really want to go down that route as they look really cool.

Have had a closer look at them today and some of the riveting is not too clever - some of the rivets arent on "tight" and by that I mean there are gaps round some of the heads. I would guess that could be a partial cause.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Have had a closer look at them today and some of the riveting is not too clever - some of the rivets arent on "tight" and by that I mean there are gaps round some of the heads. I would guess that could be a partial cause.

Maybe,but look inside and there should be a "film" or layer of soft flexible material between the layers of sheet metal where they overlap,the rivets pass through this "film" and it looks to me like this contributes to the box's weatherproofing.
You could test this by sprinkling talcum powder in the boxes and spraying the boxes with a hose pipe,just a thought

Good luck in your quest,hope you get satisfaction as these boxes aren't exactly cheap