LUGGAGE OPTIONS

Pablo1

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So I would like to change my bike for a 1300GS and whilst Id love a full set of the new style Vario Luggage the price of these at £1500 are putting me off the bike, id probably suck it up for the topbox but in terms of panniers id only use these perhaps twice a year for trips so would consider something else in this respect, appreciate any suggestions or experience.
 
I would go down the Touratech route for Panniers & frames. Which would come to circa £1200 at full retail value (plenty of used options out there too)

2 x 38L Evo pannier £440 each
1 x frame £290
Add in the UKGSER 10% discount from Rugged Roads and it's a smidge over £1k

When you come to sell on the panniers, you'll claw back some good money still even years down the line as they fit multiple racks & Bikes.


 
I just ticked every box. All in black. The Right pannier is now the same capacity as the left, Light in the top box, USB charging too. To me, There is no other option. !
Bring it .......

 
I would go down the Touratech route for Panniers & frames. Which would come to circa £1200 at full retail value (plenty of used options out there too)

2 x 38L Evo pannier £440 each
1 x frame £290
Add in the UKGSER 10% discount from Rugged Roads and it's a smidge over £1k

When you come to sell on the panniers, you'll claw back some good money still even years down the line as they fit multiple racks & Bikes.


These are what I have and tbh cant recommend them enough, I dont think the frames look bad they blend in with my black bike. Noticed these on ebay and was going to check what I paid so watched, was then offered cheaper from rugged roads.


Screenshot 2025-02-05 at 18.40.07.png
 
I just ticked every box. All in black. The Right pannier is now the same capacity as the left, Light in the top box, USB charging too. To me, There is no other option. !
Bring it .......

Do you have a delivery date for your luggage? Ordered mine early Dec, took delivery of my 1300GSA mid Dec. Luggage still not arrived with no eta either.
 
Do you have a delivery date for your luggage? Ordered mine early Dec, took delivery of my 1300GSA mid Dec. Luggage still not arrived with no eta either.
I've been promised, that when I collect my bike 1st March. It will be complete with luggage. From my local dealership )Sycamore Witham) they confirm Luggage is now coming through.
 
I've been promised, that when I collect my bike 1st March. It will be complete with luggage. From my local dealership )Sycamore Witham) they confirm Luggage is now coming through.
🤞🤞

I also went for the full soft luggage, that was all in stock. I don’t really like it and will be getting rid when my boxes arrive. The tank bag could be useful but I don’t like the position of it. The other bags are rather small and don’t hold much.
 
These are what I have and tbh cant recommend them enough, I dont think the frames look bad they blend in with my black bike. Noticed these on ebay and was going to check what I paid so watched, was then offered cheaper from rugged roads.


View attachment 383004

I’ve got the same boxes but with silver frames

The Evo panniers are a great improvement over the previous models, especially the way they attach and detach from the frames, very pleased with mine (y)
 
🤞🤞

I also went for the full soft luggage, that was all in stock. I don’t really like it and will be getting rid when my boxes arrive. The tank bag could be useful but I don’t like the position of it. The other bags are rather small and don’t hold much.
The smaller bags will hold gloves, tyre plugger kit, disc lock etc.... im very impressed with the luggage, lots of detailed thought has gone into it.
 
I’ve got the same boxes but with silver frames

The Evo panniers are a great improvement over the previous models, especially the way they attach and detach from the frames, very pleased with mine (y)
Its always puzzled me as to why you would chose a different luggage system as to the one designed and manufactured for that bike ?
Is it just cost ?
 
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Its always puzzled me as to why you would chose a different luggage syatem as to the one designed and manufactured for that bike ?
Is it just cost ?
from my perspective I can tell you (the cost is similar perhaps more)

originally I would perhaps have gone for vario but I now feel bmw did me a favour with all the delays, experience tells me top loaders are better and easier to use, I would guess these are a fair bit roomier too based on the previous vario which were small and a bit flimsy....these are potentially future proof, if I swap bikes down the line I might get away with just a new frame.

I also find the new varios a bit of a strange shape and look a bit gorky, to me a squarer pannier looks better on the bike but thats a subjective thing.
 
I would have probably gone with the new varios but they weren't available last March and I had a big trip coming up so I went with Givi which have been brilliant so far .Did me a favour in the end as the new various are too small for 2 up touring.
As far as cost ,the Givis are probably more expensive than the varios if you add in the frame that you need.
 
from my perspective I can tell you (the cost is similar perhaps more)

these are potentially future proof, if I swap bikes down the line I might get away with just a new frame.

I also find the new varios a bit of a strange shape and look a bit gorky, to me a squarer pannier looks better on the bike but thats a subjective thing.
Future proofing makes sense, which is a cost incentive.I was more referring to the same for same Ali panniers.
I know this is a std gs thread. Which use the plastic cases.
 
Its always puzzled me as to why you would chose a different luggage syatem as to the one designed and manufactured for that bike ?
Is it just cost ?

Several reasons for me personally, cost isn’t one of them as it happens

1) I prefer top loader panniers, I find them far more practical, so wouldn’t want varios, if I had a GSA the OEM would be fine
2) I need a top box that will take 2 full face lids, I ride 2 up a lot and leave the top box empty for the lids, no BMW top box is suitable

The varios on the 1200/1250 don’t leave enough clearance for the pillion to move their feet around, this was one of the reasons I went for aftermarket when I had my 1200

I went touratech again for the 1300 as I was happy with the ones I had before and now they’ve been further improved (y)
 
Several reasons for me personally, cost isn’t one of them as it happens

1) I prefer top loader panniers, I find them far more practical, so wouldn’t want varios, if I had a GSA the OEM would be fine
2) I need a top box that will take 2 full face lids, I ride 2 up a lot and leave the top box empty for the lids, no BMW top box is suitable

The varios on the 1200/1250 don’t leave enough clearance for the pillion to move their feet around, this was one of the reasons I went for aftermarket when I had my 1200

I went touratech again for the 1300 as I was happy with the ones I had before and now they’ve been further improved (y)
It was one thing I hated about my R1150GS, The side loading rounded plastic panniers. Top loading is so much better.
 
Speak to your suppling dealer, I got £600 discount on panniers & top box when I bought my S1000XR, if its a deal breaker they will help you.
 
So I've gone for a 1300 gs and ordered Vario Topbox, the panniers don't seem to be available at moment, looking for an alternative that doesn't require me to remove the existing OEM kit.
Any suggestions
 
Its always puzzled me as to why you would chose a different luggage system as to the one designed and manufactured for that bike ?
Is it just cost ?
Because OE luggage is usually more expensive and not as good as the likes of Bumot or SW Motech.
In the case of BMW luggage it is also likely to be unavailable due to design flaws and recalls.
 


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