The Bede
Registered user
... I like the Vario luggage and the expandable bit makes them super flexible. They're quite narrow when 'condensed', and feckin' big when expanded.
... Liners
, I always pop my stuff in plastic bags I don't get much water ingress at all with standard Varios anyway. Also I generally take the panniers with me into hotels, rather than leaving them on the bike.
... Givi, or SW Mottech, personally I wouldn't, the pannier systems appear to really add width to the bike and the top-boxes look enormous.
... Unless you strike lucky you will always get better residuals from factory gear. Non-factory stuff is essentially worthless if you trade-in.
... Liners
, I always pop my stuff in plastic bags I don't get much water ingress at all with standard Varios anyway. Also I generally take the panniers with me into hotels, rather than leaving them on the bike. ... Givi, or SW Mottech, personally I wouldn't, the pannier systems appear to really add width to the bike and the top-boxes look enormous.
... Unless you strike lucky you will always get better residuals from factory gear. Non-factory stuff is essentially worthless if you trade-in.
Hawk
Guest
... I like the Vario luggage and the expandable bit makes them super flexible. They're quite narrow when 'condensed', and feckin' big when expanded.
... Liners
... Givi, or SW Mottech, personally I wouldn't, the pannier systems appear to really add width to the bike and the top-boxes look enormous.
... Unless you strike lucky you will always get better residuals from factory gear. Non-factory stuff is essentially worthless if you trade-in.
I like the flexibility of the Vario luggage. When in 'small' mode they are less than the width of the handlebars. A useful thing to remember when filtering.
To those questioning why they're not waterproof. I wouldn't expect a variable size pannier to be 100% dry. Though I've not had chance to test them yet in anger I agree with the black bin bag sentiments. I'd always use bin liners even if it said they were waterproof. The least It'll do is keep your gear clean. It's easy to detach the panniers, unlike my old Krausers which were a pain to mount etc so the issue of stuff falling out of them is only if you leave them on all the time.
Plus, I think these bikes/panniers are properly designed and you don't experience any handling issues like you used to in the old days when chucking a huge aftermarket luggage system on a bike that really wasn't designed to take it.
Just my 2p
Eastriding2002
Registered user
Big when expanded? Not the LHS one, it's useless when "condensed" and not that much better when expanded.
They look enormous because they are.
Worthless? Why's that? You just move them on to your next bike without having to fork out for the overpriced factory gear.
The Bede
Registered user
... You probably pack like my girlfriend
I can get enough gear into the two non-expanded varios for a week or ten days touring, without recourse to a top-box.... Sure the LHS Vario is slim (non-expanded) but it doesn't add an elephants arse to the bike
... Can't remember how big they were I left them wedged between a Transit and a Rover 75
... I reckon to pick the panniers for the bike rather than the other way round
Eastriding2002
Registered user
The Bede;1192390... You probably pack like my girlfriend I can get enough gear into the two non-expanded varios for a week or ten days touring said:If that's the case then, after 10 days you must stink, and not wear any shoes as one pair almost fills the LHS!. The Varios look a damn sight better I agree and are marginally slimmer even when expanded, but for sheer useable capacity when touring they're not a patch on the 36 Ltr GIVI's I have as well.
My much better half by the way, managed to get enough stuff for 16 days into one GIVI pannier, which did beg the question as to what she used to take in those two big suitcases when we went abroad! She managed later to fill a Gelert bag with some extra stuff we might have needed for the trip!
As for picking panniers for the bike, why? they're a tool to eb sued surely, and not a fashion accessory to be bought each and every time we change bikes.
TearAway
Guest
Anyone know what a set of BMW GSA panniers would go for?
And what a et of Vario would so for?
Assuming they were in pretty good condition etc
And what a et of Vario would so for?
Assuming they were in pretty good condition etc
Booth
Guest
Is it true that the GSA's are made by Touratech?
steve1074
Guest
Not sure what they'd cost second hand but I was quoted 925 today for a 3 piece aluminium set (or 825 if purchased with a bike!!).
Is that about the going rate for them new? With the model changing over i can't find an accessories price list to verify what the dealers saying.
Well it isn't waterproof, as tested by fellow tossers. I bought the liners, will sell them after I've finished with them for probably only £30 less than I bought them for. Small price to pay to guarantee dry gear.
Yes
I've got the Vario panniers on a standard GS and they do the job nicely, though I've only used both sides with spare room for single 2-week trips.
Since the dollar is so weak you might want to try the liner bags from these guys. I've been very pleased with mine and seen others here that have thought so too.
http://cruiserbackrest.com
All 3 liners $90, just the side panniers $60.
I forget hom much the International postage was but it still worked out way cheaper than the BMW jobbies.
Since the dollar is so weak you might want to try the liner bags from these guys. I've been very pleased with mine and seen others here that have thought so too.
http://cruiserbackrest.com
All 3 liners $90, just the side panniers $60.
I forget hom much the International postage was but it still worked out way cheaper than the BMW jobbies.
The vario panniers don't rot like the GSA panniers do.
And they cost half as much.
So there
And they cost half as much.
So there
desperate dan
Registered user
The vario panniers don't rot like the GSA panniers do.
And they cost half as much.
So there
Mine are aluminum. Non ferrous no rot jonogs
Guest
Wading into the fray.....
I have used a GIVI 52 litre topbox for years, it's great, massive (big enough for 2 lids) does not cvause any weave/wobble (not a Pan you know) or increase in fuel consumption.
I have also used the BMW system cases (I ride an 1100) which whilst small are okay and do not leak.
I cannot understand why so many people use these massive ammo boxes. Lots tour offroad, but many more do not. I can take 2 weeks worht of camping stuff in my panniers and topbox, what else would I need? More space, I'd just fill it and make the bike even heavier - we've all seen this on the TV!!
By the way, aluminium does rot. Next time you get on a high speed very take a close look around your feet. THese things rot like old BL cars,,tear at perforations anyone? Don't be fooled into thing ally does not corrode, it's rubbish.
I have used a GIVI 52 litre topbox for years, it's great, massive (big enough for 2 lids) does not cvause any weave/wobble (not a Pan you know) or increase in fuel consumption.
I have also used the BMW system cases (I ride an 1100) which whilst small are okay and do not leak.
I cannot understand why so many people use these massive ammo boxes. Lots tour offroad, but many more do not. I can take 2 weeks worht of camping stuff in my panniers and topbox, what else would I need? More space, I'd just fill it and make the bike even heavier - we've all seen this on the TV!!
By the way, aluminium does rot. Next time you get on a high speed very take a close look around your feet. THese things rot like old BL cars,,tear at perforations anyone? Don't be fooled into thing ally does not corrode, it's rubbish.
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