Opnion wanted: BMW Vario Top Box...

[Brahma]

Of the folks who purchased the BMW Vario Top box-

1. Do you like it?
2. It worth the money?
3. How large is it?
4. What all is needed to install? (I'm confused about the parts in the fiche)

Thanks!

B.

 

[Narcoda]

Of the folks who purchased the BMW Vario Top box-

1. Do you like it?
2. It worth the money?
3. How large is it?
4. What all is needed to install? (I'm confused about the parts in the fiche)

Thanks!

B.

I have the full vario pannier set- mixed feelings...
it has been waterproof and very robust- i use them everyday fully loaded as i live on my bike and travel for a living. The top box is quite large, i fit loads in it (waterproofs, laptop, maps, food, spare jacket etc) My first one cracked at the base (common fault repaired under warranty)- new base plate is better, although I still have in the back of my mind taht it may fall off- hence why I am upgrading from Vario to BMW Touratech panniers soon.
I would say the varios are good quality for the money, but consider the millions of variations out there, you could easily find better....bmw installed mine...just a base plate on back of bike...good luck

 

[Bear]

The (small) attraction of the BMW box is that it takes the same key as the bike. The downsides are that it's heavy and only holds one helmet (and then only some models and sizes). If you never carry a pillion, or never want to leave two helmets out of the rain, then it's an acceptable, if pointlessly over-complex, piece of kit, othewrwise buy Givi.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Good kit but can't fit my helmet in it - Sys 5 large - which is a bugger.
Only consider new type with revised mounting.
Looks nice, works well.

 

[rick]

I looked at the Vario box, but decided that for my purposes the Givi is better. It will take 2 full face helmets, or loads of camping gear.

I don't see the point of having a top box that you can make bigger, or smaller and the mechanism takes up quite a lot of space.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

I think the Vario kit is ace. I'm sure if you were doing serious miles off road then the more durable luggage with heavy duty pannier rails etc would be better. I can fit my Meduim Shoei Multitec in mine with enough room for gloves etc etc etc. I like the fact that it's it's size is adjustable so I don't have a great big suitcase perched up behind me when I only want to carry a few bits with me.

 

[muppix]

When I traded in my Bandit 12 for the GS I kept the Givi box and mounting plate, even though the GS came with full vario luggage. I used the BMW top-box on it's own for a while, commuting and to carry the camera at weekends, and it was OK. Annoying that I couldn't get my helmet in there, even when expanded, but the fact that it was compact, neat, and as waterproof as the Givi meant I used it for most of the winter.

I then got fed up carrying my laptop in the box and my gym stuff in a rucksack, and not being able to stash my helmet, so I bought the GS fitting kit for my Givi and was happy again straight away.
Last weekend I rode to Nancy, and because I wasn't going to be stopping for sightseeing on the way (helmet park a bonus; on the Bandit my Givi was used solely for this purpose on longer trips) and because I was also taking the Vario panniers I decided to revert back to the Vario box as well.

So in summary, I think the BMW box on it's own is too small to be of any real use. I think I've already said that you can't put your lid in it, even though the ability to operate it without using the key is a bonus over the Givi in my opinion. But if you use panniers as well then you don't really need the extra capacity that a Givi Maxia would give you, so the Vario box is the way forward.

Just my tuppence worth.

Mup.

 

[mikepg]

I really like the Vario, especially the fact that you can expand it when required.

 

[muppix]

It will take 2 full face helmets, or loads of camping gear.

Givi only rate the boxes for 10kg, but a friend managed to get back from the supermarket with 24 cans of Stella in his. (The panniers were filled with wine) He had a puncture and was still the first one back to the campsite ... happy days.

Watch out for adverse handling with all that weight up there though.

Mup.

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

I really like the Vario, especially the fact that you can expand it when required.

+1

I use one combination or another of the bags about 80% of the time for the past 3 years. No regrets.

Kai

 

[Tomcat]

I think the Vario kit is ace. I'm sure if you were doing serious miles off road then the more durable luggage with heavy duty pannier rails etc would be better. I can fit my Meduim Shoei Multitec in mine with enough room for gloves etc etc etc. I like the fact that it's it's size is adjustable so I don't have a great big suitcase perched up behind me when I only want to carry a few bits with me.

Yup, I agree. I have the top box mounted in place of the pillion seat, and have had no problems in 3 years. I can also fit my Schuberth and System 5 (I think thats what it is) in there with the box expanded, but the helmet will only fit in if tipped on its side with the dome towards the latch (and only one helmet at a time!!)

 

[Eric_Norman]

Of the folks who purchased the BMW Vario Top box-

1. Do you like it?
2. It worth the money?
3. How large is it?
4. What all is needed to install? (I'm confused about the parts in the fiche)

Thanks!

B.

1. its ok but not large enough to take my helmet
2. probably not but it does go nice wih the panniersand is used ever day
3. not large enough
4. had to add additonal bolts to ensure it stays on.

5. wont buy another one would probaly go for something ali...

 

[marcus]

(puts stuck record on to play)

Make sure that it's the newer version which apparently does not fly off the back off the bike if you hit rough surface eg white lines

(removes stuck record)

 

[Gauche Rider]

I like it



Bought mine to go with the panniers when I got the bike. Used on my daily commute to take my Berghaus Mule 40 (ok, it's never that full), it's waterproof and takes my full face AGV. Variable capacity is really useful too. It's not fallen off yet so I'm well chuffed. Pity about the price tho.

 

['Nuffsaid]

Good bit of kit IMHO

Now fitted to my 3rd GS(A), really versatile and practical. I have looked at other options, but none of them really do it for me. I have the 2 x panniers as well, and spend a heap of time on the bike loaded with all 3. The bike rides really well with them all on, they are waterproof and are robust enough for the occassional off road forray on the way home over Salisbury plain ( Wouldnt like to fall off with them though )

Get my vote

 

[Johnny Davies]

Vario - good stuff

The vario stuff is good, well thought out and fleixble in its application. One niggle has been the cracking on the base plate and I'll have to get another.

Not bothered about wanting to put crash helmets in it - you really should have your most important saftey device with you at all time anyway!

Looked at all the other systems out there and none look as good (in the eye of the beholder). Givi is good value but in my experience too big, in flexible and looks dreadful.

Johnny

 

[SPL]

BMW are taking the piss with the cost of the vario topbox IMHO.

I bought the panniers, because they are well integrated with the bike and therefore worth the money (just).

But for a topbox, I think the SW Motech plate plus a Givi box is a much better bet than the BMW one...

 

[Donny2Sugars]

How much will it cost (including box) to fit a Givi top box i(ncluding plate)

 

[SPL]

Take a look here http://www.motohaus.com/acatalog/BMW.html

Then here http://www.motohaus.com/acatalog/Alu-Rack_Equitment___Adaptors_.html

The adapter plate can be taken off in 30 seconds using 3 quick release screws.

Looking at about £140 for the rack and adapter plate, plus a box off ebay.

 

[RustyNuts]

I reckon the vario is ok for most road work.
I like the top box because its not too big - you don't want too much weight perched up over the back of the bike.
Bit expensive though!