Hard panniers - what would you change

[martin ness]

I'm in the market for some hard panniers am looking at Bumot and Wunderlich there is a couple of little differences that got me wondering.

If you've used hard panniers what features have you liked the best, which things would you have tweaked/ changed.
I know everyone has their different opinions and there may always be a compromise but thought it might be interesting to hear of other peoples experiences.


Martin

 

[stick]

I'm in the market for some hard panniers am looking at Bumot and Wunderlich there is a couple of little differences that got me wondering.

If you've used hard panniers what features have you liked the best, which things would you have tweaked/ changed.
I know everyone has their different opinions and there may always be a compromise but thought it might be interesting to hear of other peoples experiences.


Martin

I have the Varios as I can take them on and off with ease and have no frames on the bike ( I don't like the look ) , but when away on a tour I use the Touratec Evo plus the frames as the access is great compared to the varios , but the varios are still a great pannier as they are adjustable and clip on clip off so on a day out they work . I use the touratec top box as I like the rear frame rather than the standard plus I have the 38 ltr and the 25 ltr tb

 

[Smeagol]

I'm in the market for some hard panniers am looking at Bumot and Wunderlich there is a couple of little differences that got me wondering.

If you've used hard panniers what features have you liked the best, which things would you have tweaked/ changed.
I know everyone has their different opinions and there may always be a compromise but thought it might be interesting to hear of other peoples experiences.


Martin

Had Varios and found them easy to take off and on but surprisingly heavy. I prefer top opening panniers and presently use Bumots. These are excellent quality and have friction hinges. This means that the lids are not connected to the main pannier with a wire line which often gets trapped and are not blown closed with gusts of wind.

 

[leadfarmer]

I’ve got Touratech Zega Pro panniers on my GS

The boxes are top quality, however the locks are a bit of a fiddle and the quick release system is pretty shite

I had Givi Treker Outback panniers on my Crosstourer, they were great quality too and the single lock system for opening them and releasing them is excellent

They also have quick detach frames you can take on and off in 2 minutes so the bike looks better when you aren’t using the boxes

I’ve had clam shell panniers in the past but much prefer top loaders with inner bags to carry into hotels etc

 

[martin ness]

I've a GSA so preference is something that fits to those frames but isn't a deal breaker. I'm happy to leave frames on the Bike.

So Top loading seems preferable option.

Many people mix and match top boxes with different panniers?

 

[Doc]

I have the bmw ally panniers and givi outback trekker 58L topbox..def top opening for me is best on the panniers.I find the side opening on other bikes i use a pain as stuff falls out when you open them.

 

[Max_W]

I have the OEM metal panniers on my R1200GSA. A few thoughts not already covered:

The good:
- Top loading is much easier than side loading. Being able to throw a jacket with back protector in one makes walking round once you've stopped somewhere so much easier.
- They're strong enough to sit on, which is great when camping on tour.
- With the chamfered edges they're much nice nicer looking than some of the aftermarket panniers which are just ugly rectangular boxes.
- Luggage loops mean its far easier to carry random things that won't fit in a pannier.
- The locking system is easy to use and robust. Some of the aftermarket ones I've seen look a bit more delicate.

The not so good:
- Top box wasn't completely waterproof from the outset. A small smear of black sealant around the joins in the sides solved this, but was annoying to have to do.
- The surface finish looks a bit rubbish over time (some would say it had character though!). Black vinyl wrap would hide it if I was that bothered, but it would probably also make the Triple Black bike a bit too black imho...

The bottom line...after 6 years of GSA ownership with countless overseas tours, I've not seen any other pannier I'd rather have than the OEM ones.

 

[Engineer]

I have the varios including the top box, they stay on the bike 90% of the time - the expansion mechanism can get a bit stiff to operate but they match the bike and work well, so wouldn’t have any other type on the GS. I also assume they have been tested at speed buy BMW and the bike remains stable at over 100mph, whereas the aftermarket stuff hasn’t been tested or is limited to 80mph.

 

[Neil W]

Wish the standard BMW /Touratech alloy boxes and the Givi Trekker Outback stuff was hard anodised as standard

 

[leadfarmer]

Many people mix and match top boxes with different panniers?

Yes, in my case I use a Givi Treker 52 plastic top box which stays on the bike almost all the time

I leave it empty and put the helmets in it when we stop

For touring or weekends away I use inner bags with top loading panniers as it’s a lot easier to carry your gear into hotels and you can put jackets in the empty boxes when you visit places

 

[leadfarmer]

Wish the standard BMW /Touratech alloy boxes and the Givi Trekker Outback stuff was hard anodised as standard

You can get all of them anodized black from the factory which wears a lot better than the bare aluminium

This is my setup

 

[team duvet]

I'm in the market for some hard panniers am looking at Bumot and Wunderlich there is a couple of little differences that got me wondering.

If you've used hard panniers what features have you liked the best, which things would you have tweaked/ changed.
I know everyone has their different opinions and there may always be a compromise but thought it might be interesting to hear of other peoples


Martin

Hi Martin https://www.shad.co.uk/ New Terra range ?

TD

 

[martin ness]

Not looked at Shad. Will do thanks