Leaking BMW R1200GSA panniers

[rlbgs]

My panniers leak when in a heavy downpour. Anyone else have the same issue? I went to dealer and they said they are not meant to be waterproof in the first place and tried to sell me the super expensive bmw waterproof inner bags, no thanks. I have non waterproof inner bags already and am looking for a quick fix to make the seal more water resistent than it is now.

All ideas welcome, tks in advance.

 

[autogs]

i toured scotland in the pissing rain for 4 days and my panniers and top box
never leaked and im sure when i bought the panniers i was told they were
waterproof

 

[BAKERMAN]

put the lids on

 

[MIKE R]

The BMW on line Accessories Brochure claims they are waterproof.

I can't get the link to work but go to BMW Motorrad UK, click on 'Enduro' then either GS1200 or GS1200 Adventure. On the left is a list. Go to 'Motorcycle Accessories' and you'll find the claim on page 34.

My left hand pannier also leaks in extreme conditions but I may have strained by over loading in Spain!!

Mike

 

[cookie]

some leak, some don't.

mine do, sometimes.

i've had the later uprated seals, but they did FA to help. eventually i just drilled tiny holes where the water collects to stop it puddling. they have the added benefit of not allowing the lids to vacuum lock on when descending mountains.

i have the super expensive waterproof bmw inner bags. they're really very nice

 

[Beemerman59]

One of mine leaked so I removed the seal, put a thin bead of silicon into the groove, refitted the seal leaving it slighly raised and then semi closed the lid for 24 hrs. It worked so well I did the other one. Leaving it 24hrs before completely locking the lid left the seal just proud enough so it was a firm fit when fully closed.

 

[Wapping]

some leak, some don't.

mine do, sometimes.

i've had the later uprated seals, but they did FA to help. eventually i just drilled tiny holes where the water collects to stop it puddling. they have the added benefit of not allowing the lids to vacuum lock on when descending mountains.

i have the super expensive waterproof bmw inner bags. they're really very nice

....and me. All exactly as above.

But I only hand drilled single small hole drilled in the lowermost corner (when the bike is on it's sidestand) of each pannier and the top box cures both issues. Takes no more than a minute to do.

 

[cookie]

yes, one hole in each pannier, only i did it on the mainstand.

put half a cupful of water in each box, and drilled where it puddled.

 

[Dainese Brave]

I have found that I can get severe condensation on some occassions...

....but this year I rode through some of the worst rain of my biking life..and it never leaked a drop...

...a couple of days later in nothing more than a shower it leaked like a sieve...

....the reason....

.....I'd got the wire trapped in the lid and was protruding out preventing a good seal...

....it made me wonder if that hadn't been the reason for the other unexplained leaks??

I now check carefully now!

 

[Pukmeister]

Same problem, same response from dealer (despite the bike being sold with panniers and still under makers warranty.)

Fixed it by repairing a nick in the hard plastic seal lip with araldite, fitting a new rubber seal and manipulating the flimsy metal panniers back into square so the pannier matched the lid and the seal fitted perfectly.

If only I could rectify the corroded aluminium (now hidden by stickers)......

 

[maxtedbike]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251122

 

[Edventure]

I have had 2 sets replaced by my dealer under warranty because they leaked. absolutely no quibble from BMW at all.

 

[Dellis]

Mine leak if I power wash them and have let the odd dribble in during some pretty extreme weather.

Dave

 

[big pete]

My panniers leak when in a heavy downpour. Anyone else have the same issue? I went to dealer and they said they are not meant to be waterproof in the first place and tried to sell me the super expensive bmw waterproof inner bags, no thanks. I have non waterproof inner bags already and am looking for a quick fix to make the seal more water resistent than it is now.

All ideas welcome, tks in advance.

I was told when picking up new bike at Allen jefferies don't pivot the lids on the clasp i.e lift lid right off and put it back on square then lock it. cheers Pete