leaky GSA panniers

[ausgsa12]

bent lid

No leaks on my panniers yet.............the ones that do might be worth checking the lid for deformation on a good flat surface.......i try to check if theres anything hanging out before shutting the lid.
I think you would only have to miss something once, then the lid would be out of shape for ever.

 

[Gog yn y De]

I'd be interested in a PM from anyone who has managed to get their boxes replaced under warranty as they basically told me I had no hope of getting them replaced and anyone who had done was quote 'lucky', great.

I got my panniers replaced under warranty - they now both seal like fridge doors and don't leak.

 

[Paul S]

both my panniers leak, topbox watertight though. Took it into Piddocks of Nottingham to see what they could do and i was (mis)informed that they are not sold as waterproof. So there solution is going to be to replace the seals which are on back order, delivery date unknown. All agreed that actually the seals on mine look like new so not sure what this will achieve.

I'd be interested in a PM from anyone who has managed to get their boxes replaced under warranty as they basically told me I had no hope of getting them replaced and anyone who had done was quote 'lucky', great.

Piddies replaced my Ali top box which was leaking so guess I was lucky!!!

 

[sparkplug]

Leaking panniers?

Sorry can't help you there

 

[smartrider]

I HAVE JUST COME BACK FROM FRANCE AND RIDDEN THROUGH PLENTY OF RAIN. I HAVE FOUND SOME MOISTURE IN THE OFFSIDE PANNIER. ENOUGH TO LEAVE A SMALL PUDDLE AND MAKE MAPS DAMP.

I HAVE ALSO ATTACKED IT WITH A JET WASH AND IT DID NOT LEAK.
WHILST UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAINS I FOUND THAT THE LIDS WERE OFTEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN DUE TO THE PRESSURE CHANGES, AND AS YOU OPEN THEM YOU HEAR THE AIR RUSHING IN ( OR OUT?)

ALL THIS MAKES ME THINK THAT THEY DO NOT LEAK, BUT THE WATER IS CONDENSATION, THIS WOULD ALSO MAKE SENSE IN THAT THE ONE BY THE EXAUST DOES NOT DO IT BECOUSE IT IS WARM.

HAVING SAID THAT THE PICTURES FROM COOKIE ARE OF THE NEARSIDE PANNIER AND CONDENSATION IS NOT USUALLY MUDDY WATER, SO I AM CLEARLY WRONG.

 

[cookie]

Leaking panniers?

Sorry can't help you there

considered them, but thought they looked a bit cack on the 1200. odd, 'cos they're fine on all the other bikes i've seen them fitted on

 

[sparkplug]

considered them, but thought they looked a bit cack on the 1200. odd, 'cos they're much stronger and better built than the bike itself

(sorry - couldn't help myself)


Can't say I see what you mean, but then aesthetics are very subjective... I've always quite liked big square boxes although lots of people hate them.

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Cookie, I noticed that whilst on tour the other week, after a few days, my packing of my inner bags got a bit shabby. This led to me forcing the inner bag into the pannier, not too much, just the slightest of pressure, enough to distort the pannier wall outwards. I only noticed this because I got a slight glimpse of the colour of my inner bag, through a very small gap between the lid of the pannier and the side wall.

My conclusion was this;

i) BMW have not made the lip of the pannier and the overlap on the lid, long enough to catch each other, should there be even the slightest distortion from bad packing, hence the leaking.

ii) You can power hose away as long as the pannier is either empty, or correctly packed.

iii) The only thing I can do is make sure the inner bag does not put the pannier under any pressure, when packing.

iv) I am happy enough with the boxes and the waterproofness as long as I remember about my packing techniques!

Looking at your distorted pannier, I would say it had the perfect seal, on the way up the mountain, hence the distortion. Once the pressure got to it, the distortion broke the seal, of the hideously inadequate lip and overlap, it was goodnight dick! I take it from the severity of the distortion, it actually stayed that way until you pushed it out again?

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Atmospheric pressure?

If this distortion IS caused by pressure differences, which sound plausible if they are so well sealed, a very small hole drilled in the bottom will cure that.

 

[cookie]

Can't say I see what you mean, but then aesthetics are very subjective... I've always quite liked big square boxes although lots of people hate them.

i think they stick out too far & look totally at odds with the bike. ditto zegas.

standard boxes look like they were designed for the bike, and are much better for it. yes, it is form over function, but in this case it's a worthwhile trade off for me, even taking the leaks into account.

 

[cookie]

Cookie, I noticed that whilst on tour the other week, after a few days, my packing of my inner bags got a bit shabby. This led to me forcing the inner bag into the pannier, not too much, just the slightest of pressure, enough to distort the pannier wall outwards. I only noticed this because I got a slight glimpse of the colour of my inner bag, through a very small gap between the lid of the pannier and the side wall.

My conclusion was this;

i) BMW have not made the lip of the pannier and the overlap on the lid, long enough to catch each other, should there be even the slightest distortion from bad packing, hence the leaking.

ii) You can power hose away as long as the pannier is either empty, or correctly packed.

iii) The only thing I can do is make sure the inner bag does not put the pannier under any pressure, when packing.

iv) I am happy enough with the boxes and the waterproofness as long as I remember about my packing techniques!

Looking at your distorted pannier, I would say it had the perfect seal, on the way up the mountain, hence the distortion. Once the pressure got to it, the distortion broke the seal, of the hideously inadequate lip and overlap, it was goodnight dick! I take it from the severity of the distortion, it actually stayed that way until you pushed it out again?

interesting points there. i had earlier thought that the panniers may deform in use as i know they don't leak when jetwashed. coincidentally, i have just cleaned mine again & they are bone dry despite being attacked with an industrial steam cleaner.
i had not thought of the packing angle, and i do usually have to squeeze the bags in

the distortion popped straight out as soon as i found something man enough to lever the lid off. i didn't just jam it in the seal either.

as regards the vacuum locking, i think i am going to buy a few duplicates of the the M5(?) fixing screws used and get an engineering shop to put a small hole down the centre of each. that should let air pass, but not much in the way of water. no holes in the panniers either

 

[sparkplug]

i think they stick out too far & look totally at odds with the bike. ditto zegas.

standard boxes look like they were designed for the bike, and are much better for it. yes, it is form over function, but in this case it's a worthwhile trade off for me, even taking the leaks into account.

Bottom line is they have to work for you I'm only being mischievous for a bit of fun.

I think I know what you mean about them sticking out. The 1200 is a much narrower looking beast than the 1150 was.

 

[JimboGSA]

Piddies replaced my Ali top box which was leaking so guess I was lucky!!!

yeah you must have been lucky as three of them in the parts department all stood there defensive like as I suggested that paying a premuim price for a premuim brand one might hope they do the job they're supposed to do, still no word on the replacement seals....

 

[Gog yn y De]

Leaking panniers?

Sorry can't help you there

Mine let in mug fulls of water hence why I got a refund then went for OEM ones on the GSA. They leaked too until they were replaced under warranty.

 

[Schwarz Baron]

interesting points there.

the distortion popped straight out as soon as i found something man enough to lever the lid off. i didn't just jam it in the seal either.

Ok, here's a further thought on the Vacuum thing, and water getting in. Until the distortion you had a perfect seal. So whilst at altitude, the water gets in the distorted pannier, but that would suggest if water could get in, so could air therefore the pressure would equalise and the pannier would re-seal itself, but not if the lip and edge of the lid and box, could not pass over each other, leaving what looked like a perfectly normal pannier, but with an unseated seal, that let all and sundry through.!

Nearly contradicted myself there!


In short, I'm happy with mine, and just like my system panniers a few years ago, and my Krausers before that, they would leak, if I stuffed them with too much, or packed them the wrong way. Otherwise, they are totally waterproof!

 

[judge]

So just to clarify then...

They leak...

The forced vacuum means you cannot open them...

And the bags don't do up because they fitted the catches arse about face...

So in summary then and using your own words...

they were designed for the bike, and are much better for it.

Did you think for a second there I was overlooking this thread

 

[cookie]

Did you think for a second there I was overlooking this thread

it had certainly crossed my mind.


i can dream, can't i?


ps. you forgot: they look nice

 

[cookie]

latest report from CWs is that they are to take this issue (and others) up with BMW next week.

BMW say the panniers are water resistant, not waterproof, that's why they sell waterproof liners.
it says waterproof in the brochure, but that is apparently a "mistranslation" according to BMW
i think calling it that is a lot cheaper than a complete redesign, which is what is needed IMO.

my misassembled liner is to be replaced, no problem.

 

[cookie]

bmw have made new seals available, these are they:

 

[2 wheel humvee]

bmw have made new seals available, these are they:

What's the verdict?
Do they look like a better design-do you think they will improve matters? I've not had a problem with my luggqge but if the new seals look like a better design it might be prudent to make a claim before the warranty expires

Why is this thread not in the 1200 section