Marking the top of GSA ali panniers

[Carrot]

Has anyone experienced the problem I am experiencing with making the top of the ali panniers on my new GSA?
No matter how I try I seem periodically to scrape my boot across the top of the pannier lid - so I'm looking for bright ideas (short of growing longer legs) to stop it happening - or hiding the fact it has.

 

[custard]

I always clime on the bike with the side stand down, stand on the left foot peg then clime up over the bike, this will give you much more clearance.
Got used to doing this on a trip to spain when the bike was fully loaded.

 

[RickG]

a) Take them off or
b) gaffer tape (mmmm silver or black, decisions, decisions)

 

[MikeMc]

Covered the tops of mine with some clear sticky backed plastic. It is the stuff you get for protecting your petrol tank, its marketed by oxford and is called Paint saver it comes in kevlar, black, carbon or clear. Think it was about a tenner for a roll.
I made a template first from paper that covers the top of the pannier and goes down the sides of the lid, with cut outs for the lashing points, then laid it onto the plastic and cut it with a sharp knife and a steel ruler.
Before you put it on leave the panniers in the house overnight and warm the lids and the plastic with a hairdrier before applying as it makes the plastic more flexible and easier to apply.

 

[oldrascal]

Has anyone experienced the problem I am experiencing with making the top of the ali panniers on my new GSA?
No matter how I try I seem periodically to scrape my boot across the top of the pannier lid - so I'm looking for bright ideas (short of growing longer legs) to stop it happening - or hiding the fact it has.

Presumably you haven't got a top-box because that would be something to watch - holding the bike and getting your leg over the top of it...

Even though I am 6ft 3in, I always put the bike on its side-stand to mount and dismount using what I thought was the standard and only technique because of the top box. This would work for you of course and avoid scraping the pannier lid.

With the bike on its side stand, face the side of the bike, raise your right leg straight up in front of you and push it over the saddle. Then just make an elegant and athletic hop forward to settle your ass where it belongs. Granted, you will look a complete prat and feel like you are auditioning for a John Cleese Ministry of Funny Walks competition, but it works. To dismount, always put the bike on its side stand and reverse the operation.

 

[MikeMc]

Covered the tops of mine with some clear sticky backed plastic. It is the stuff you get for protecting your petrol tank, its marketed by oxford and is called Paint saver it comes in kevlar, black, carbon or clear. Think it was about a tenner for a roll.
I made a template first from paper that covers the top of the pannier and goes down the sides of the lid, with cut outs for the lashing points, then laid it onto the plastic and cut it with a sharp knife and a steel ruler.
Before you put it on leave the panniers in the house overnight and warm the lids and the plastic with a hairdrier before applying as it makes the plastic more flexible and easier to apply.

Forgot to mention there is enough on a roll to cover the tops of the panniers and to cover the bottom of the fork legs and the fork brace to prevent stone chips.

 

[cookie]

Presumably you haven't got a top-box because that would be something to watch - holding the bike and getting your leg over the top of it...

Even though I am 6ft 3in, I always put the bike on its side-stand to mount and dismount using what I thought was the standard and only technique because of the top box. This would work for you of course and avoid scraping the pannier lid.

With the bike on its side stand, face the side of the bike, raise your right leg straight up in front of you and push it over the saddle. Then just make an elegant and athletic hop forward to settle your ass where it belongs. Granted, you will look a complete prat and feel like you are auditioning for a John Cleese Ministry of Funny Walks competition, but it works. To dismount, always put the bike on its side stand and reverse the operation.

why not just get on in the normal way, but bend your leg so your foot misses the top box and panniers?

 

[Dainese Brave]

I must admit I do this occasionally......but Mrs Dainese does it on a regular basis

I must admit, if they were colour coded painted items it would p**s me right off to see them all scratched!....but these are rugged bikes, with rugged looking panniers. I just accept it as a probability with a bike as high as the GSA, with two big metal boxes stuck on the side

....cos at the end of the day you'd need to be a basketball player height to swing your leg over it 'John Wayne style'!

I just try to keep it to a minimum....then buff them out with Autosol when cleaning

 

[MattW]

It's a pannier

Scars are signs of it being used for its intended purpose. If you want to get really upset, wait till the bike falls over onto a pannier.

 

[Big Nick]

It's a pannier

Scars are signs of it being used for its intended purpose. If you want to get really upset, wait till the bike falls over onto a pannier.

+1

FFS what next my seat cover is being wrinkled

 

[tommygun]

It's a pannier

Scars are signs of it being used for its intended purpose. If you want to get really upset, wait till the bike falls over onto a pannier.

What he said....

 

[cocokid]

a) Take them off or
b) gaffer tape (mmmm silver or black, decisions, decisions)

C wear slippers.

 

[Carrot]

C wear slippers.

I thought about that - but where would I get slippers large enough to go over me size 10 boots?

 

[WindyChuffer]

Look - its a pannier; they look better with the "used look". Leave them at home if you worry about how shiny your panniers are.

On a practical note - here's a good way to get on. Engine on, side stand up, in 1st gear. Left foot on left peg, engage clutch and ride away slowly. When moving swing right leg over.

 

[MattW]

On a practical note - here's a good way to get on. Engine on, side stand up, in 1st gear. Left foot on left peg, engage clutch and ride away slowly. When moving swing right leg over.

Yebbut then you've got to ride back and pick up your pillion

 

[GSmonkey]

Wot all the sensible people said - it's a bare metal pannier that goes shitty as soon as the atmosphere gets to it. Don't worry about it, one of the benefits of not owning a shiny sports(tourer)

 

[Carrot]

Wot all the sensible people said - it's a bare metal pannier that goes shitty as soon as the atmosphere gets to it. Don't worry about it, one of the benefits of not owning a shiny sports(tourer)

OK OK OK I get the point.........I'm going to stop being a jessie.

But if someone could help with the big slippers I may just be tempted

 

[harryrune]

Rumour has it that there is a helicopter as a secret option from BMW..... only for GSA owners...... it folds up into the frequently scuffed pannier ...... then assemble when required .......... get the pilot to hover over your bike ....... harness yourself in ...... then radio up and ask pilot to gently lift and lower you onto your seat! ........ the problem is having to carry that bl**dy pilot about as a pillion!?

On my 3rd GSA now and the panniers on this 09 are monumental but they're big metal boxes that are just going to get filthy anyway.

I got over scuffed panniers many years ago when I spec'd painted panniers on my shiney new bike, thinking how lovely they would look in the sunshine ........... and as I rode uphill from the dealers back lane on collection day I got to the main road ....... fannied about and promptly dropped my shiney new bike on its side ......... and how that lovely painted pannier cushioned the fall!

Happy days are riding days ........ scuffed or not!

 

[Gecko]

+1

FFS what next my seat cover is being wrinkled

Touratech do a nice little 12 volt iron which plugs directly into the accessory socket for ironing out those little creases I find my Boot Nr7 make up remover is equally good for removing scuffs on panniers too

 

[spannerman]

scraping top of panniers

try some stretching excersises or pilates then you should be able to get your leg high enough to miss the panniers