How much for Vario panniers ?

[keff]

I've done a search for this and can't find a definitive answer .
How much are the Vario panniers from a dealer . I've seen them on fleabay , brand new , for £450 delivered . Is this cheaper or am i best going to my local dealer (Williams Manchester ) .
Cheers

 

[John Armstrong]

If you're desperate to have the vario panniers then seeing what they can do at a dealers would be a good idea. Don't forget that though you'll almost certainly need the locks and maybe the mounts as well.

BTW I've had them before and with an inner bag the capacity of the exhuast side one becomes next to nothing. IIWY I'd seriously look at the alternatives, including the 1200 GSA ones, which will fit, if you only want BM badged ones.

 

[Our Gee]

Got mine for £370 fitted, complete with Key Coded Locks etc at Mill BMW.
Mike Tee

 

[pedro]

dont buy them

they're crap.

 

[Narcoda]

I got all 3 boxes when i bought the bike- I think they (Vario) are a good option if you look after them! Apart from the top box warranty issue (cracking across the base~) If I was going to buy again I would definately get the GSA ones though- whatever the cost

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"...they're crap...." A strange remark based ion some unfortunate experience?? I have had mine for over three years, they are often fully loded, never leak, easy to get on and off, easy to adjust in width. Look as good as new - what is the problem? (470€ with same key as bike, supplied new with the bike

 

[Eastriding2002]

"...they're crap...." A strange remark based ion some unfortunate experience?? I have had mine for over three years, they are often fully loded, never leak, easy to get on and off, easy to adjust in width. Look as good as new - what is the problem? (470€ with same key as bike, supplied new with the bike

Whilst not agreeing they're crap. I do however think there are better ones about. I prefer my GIVI ones to the Varios, easier to get on/off, better capacity, cheaper as I already had them! Just a shame the Varios suit the bike better, but I finally put my Varios away in the garage and use the GIVI ones whenever I need to travel.

 

[pedro]

reasons i think they're crap

I bought the varios with my first GS. Used them to go on a tour around Spain-

The nearside one is tiny, even when it is expanded, It's a huge big case on the outside, with little capacity on the inside. Kind of a Tardis in reverse.

They open out the way, so you cant really just open them up and rake around for stuff, without having to take the lot out. They're best used with the inner bags, which I also had.

Take the bike on to a ferry and they pack the bikes so closely that you cannot get in and out of your panniers once they rachet the bikes down.

Whilst touring in Spain, heat seamed to effect the pannier lids, as they just didnt line up right. Thought that it might be due to the aluminium / plastic combo on the lid expanding at different rates, but i'm no expert.

You cannot strap stuff down on top of the varios, as you can with the touratech ones, unless you buy those special top bag things.

Binned the bike at low speed in a camp site and cracked one of the plastic lugs that hold the pannier in place, so don't think that they're very robust.

The locks on the handles are made of plastic, again not very robust. I wasn't happy leaving the bike for any amount of time in town centres as you could have these panniers open with a screwdriver in about 30 seconds.

My mate had a set of givi monokey panniers on his bike and I was far more impressed with them.

I realise that these are only my opinions and experiences with them, but there you go, that's why I think they're crap. It always seems to cause some outrage.

 

[Bengaz]

I just ordered a set with top box and keyed to my bike from BM dealer. Got 10% discount and total cost was £723. Im happy with that.

 

[VAL. H.]

I just ordered a set with top box and keyed to my bike from BM dealer. Got 10% discount and total cost was £723. Im happy with that.

Quoted yesterday by NOG: £450 including locks. Thats just panniers.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

I will agree that the size of the LH pannier is rather pathetic - as I don't see myself running into deep water (!) i would rather have a horizontal silencer and a decent sized pannier - but that seems to be 'fashion;'

 

[Slowdown]

I've just bought a set. If they won't sell them with the locks coded for a price that doesn't start with a '3' then put the phone down and call another dealer.

Don't mention the locks when you're haggling then once a price is agreed say 'it's a deal if the locks are fitted and coded'

And yes - I watch 'Don't get done, get Dom'

 

[Highside]

Just bought a full set off ebay, panniers plus top box inc original bags for each. £535, condition used but perfect!

I think that's a good deal, my opinion and I'm entitled to it!!!

Originally bought as a stop gap because I aint got the money to buy Metal Mules, SW Motech or full Touratech kit at the moment.

Having bought them, I think the look good and will do the job for me.

Previous owner didn't have a problem with leakage so hoping I don't, will let you know....

All said and done, anything upto a % of the new price which you think is reasonable for used, then it's a good price.....surely????

How they look is a matter of personal taste, Givi stuff look Sh*te IMHO, but then I have no taste!!!! LOL

NEWBY off to hide...........................

 

[deaninkl]

I have the full vario set, panniers and top box. I use them in very wet conditions (tropical monssoon rain). they have never leaked, are easy to get on and off, I commute regularly on a weekly basis 400km to where I work, just lift the luggage off straight into the hotel. The smaller pannier (left side) is ok for wet suit and computer bag, other side is plenty for a weeks clothing, and this is not extended, so in the narrow position.

Sure for RTW or one month touring maybe some of the specialist stuff may be better, but look at how many times you will use a metal mual or the Hepco and Beckers.... for everyday use they turn the GS into a truck.

So look at what you need them for, for normal trips I find the varios great and they definately look good on the bike.

thats my penneth worth;o)

 

[andyclift]

"...they're crap...." A strange remark based ion some unfortunate experience?? I have had mine for over three years, they are often fully loded, never leak, easy to get on and off, easy to adjust in width. Look as good as new - what is the problem? (470€ with same key as bike, supplied new with the bike

I totally agree with Pedros comments on this. I had Varios fitted on my bike from new but after the first tour changed them for Zegas (and sold the Varios on ebay for £450).

The Varios look smart but the side opening is a pain without using inners. That adds to the cost and further reduces the, already poor, capacity, particularly on the left side "glove box" as the inners prevent use of about one third of it.

When expanded they are very wide and as they are only located on top edge and halfway down the front by plastic fittings they shake a lot when loaded. They also flex when loaded making them hard to get the lids lined up. I cracked the plastic edge of one lid trying to close it. After a bit of mucky weather the expansion mechanism jams.

In comparison the Zegas are top opening and being rectangular instead of an odd shape, all the capacity is useable. The left one provides a useful pannier, not a glove box. The top opening is easier to use, nothing falls out and you can get to it when parked next to other bikes. The fittings are bomb proof steel - you could lift the bike with them - and don't look so bad with colour matched grey. The lids provide two extra luggage racks and it's easy to bolt on extras such as bottle holders.

I get comments that they are rather wide but in fact the right one is exactly the width of the handlebars and the left one sticks out just 38 mm so in practice, if the bars go through so do the panniers.

Also discovered recently that if (when) you drop the bike they make a pretty good rear crash bar. No damage to the bike and the only damage to the pannier is a tiny dent in the bottom corner of a pannier which can't easily be seen.

Incidentally it's not a problem to get the locks changed for a new key but you do need access to the old key to take the barrels out. Takes about 5 minutes.

 

[GS800NR9]

Andy, a few questions for you if i may.

What size Zegas do you have? Is it the 29/35 L combo or the 41/41 ?
Can you get a helmet in the 35L if that's the cases you have?
Is there anywhere other than Ebay or Touratech to buy them?

Cheers.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Fit for purpose!

It seems that the various types of panniers will work well if used for certain purposes; I would not want adventure type metal panniers fitted to my bike when I am simply going down to the market and will fill them with shopping. On the other hand if I was going on a tour and particularly there was a possibility of rough roads I would go straightaway for the metal ones. But then I would probably have a ' 1200 Adventure'
(Incidentally, Andy - on another subject, a group in Lyon are plalnning a trip to the UK with schoolchildren to Battle of Britain sites, museums etc;; Is there anything left at Biggin Hill? many thanks, Brian) You can PM me - if that is the term?!

 

[andyclift]

Brian, can't PM so hope you are reading this.

RAF Biggin Hill has completely closed apart from a small section used by the Air Training Corps. There is however a worthwhile visit and that is St George's Chapel. This was the Chapel for the RAF Station, built in the early 50's as the original wooden building burned down. Churchill wanted it to be a Memorial to the Battle of Britain so it has been maintained as such.

I have taken groups of German schoolchildren there and it makes an interesting visit. Unfortunately the original Spitfire and Haurricane Gate Gaurdians were removed some years ago as they were deteriorating but they have been replaced with plastic copies (most visitors don't seem to realise they are plastic anyway). Inside the chapel there are lots which relate to the war. The reredos to the altar has the names of every unit that served with memorials to pilots, the wooden floor is made from Spitfire propellers and each stained glass window was donated by an RAF unit and relates to the unit's work.

A couple of things visitors miss.

The Pathfinders window has a mosquito embedded in the glass - hard to find.

There is a painting of the original chapel on display which is hung so it revolves and the back can be seen. This is because when it went for restoration a portrait of three airman was found on the back but the centre one is just in outline and nobody knew why - until a few years ago and an American visitor recognised it and it seems the guy in the middle died before it's completion and the artist could not face finishing it so used the canvas for something else.

I have followed a visit to the chapel with a visit to Chartwell, Churchill's home, which is about 8 miles away. The house and grounds are both worth a visit and of course there is a lot that relates to the war. A morning visit to the chapel followed by Chartwell for a picnic lunch (or use the cafe) makes a complete day.

There chapel is free and open from 10:00am but always best to check before a group visit as it is still in use and sometimes has weddings and funerals during the week. There is normally a guide available. Chartwell has an entrance fee, not sure how much these days.

Anything I can do to help just email me (mail@andyclift.co.uk). (I have recently retired after 18 years as an RAFVR officer)

 

[andyclift]

What size Zegas do you have? Is it the 29/35 L combo or the 41/41 ?
Can you get a helmet in the 35L if that's the cases you have?
Is there anywhere other than Ebay or Touratech to buy them?

Can't remember the capacities other than the left one is smaller. My wife can get a helmet in the right one but mine won't quite go (big head).

I got mine from Touratech and as I had experienced poor deliveries in the past I phoned them. They had "plenty" in stock and were delivered, very well wrapped, the next day.

I paid a little extra to get them with the "pucks" already fitted and for grey frames to match the bike. Worth doing both (unless you want balck frames for an Adventure). I was impressed with the quality of the fittings and everything went together well although the rear rach and under pillion rack need to be removed to fit one of the frame mountings (but does not have to be removed again if they are removed and refitted)

 

[GS800NR9]

Thanks , sounds like you have the standard cases.