Pannier dilemma

[GB.]

I have a set of Vario Panniers for my GS but I keep thinking about selling them and getting some metal ones. Now the varios have their plus points, expanding volume, no frame rails when removed, easy to remove etc but they arent waterproof,heavy and not strong enough to sit on.

For those who have had both which do you prefer, vario or alloy?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I like the vario for the top box but I wouldn't change my Jesse side cases for anything. They have minimal rails when removed and are tougher than tough. Sit on them, you could park the bike on them!

 

[Bryn]

Ally every time

Sold my vario's and fitted the GS with GSA frames and panniers.....kept the vario top box though

 

[bikemad]

Had vario's with my 2nd bike sold them on & kept my sw motech alloy boxes,both have slight indents from sitting on but much lighter love my H&B topbox well made kit

 

[Ted]

Vario top box and Alloy boxes. Best of both worlds

 

[Alan R]

Why the need to sit on the panniers? You people not have chairs?
Alan R

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Why the need to sit on the panniers? You people not have chairs?
Alan R

I always find chairs a bit awkward to pack on the bike!

 

[Bendy toy]

Fit a slim exhaust can parallel to the wheel and you'll be able to fit two full size cases.
The standard can is fat but could easily have been made oval.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

I always find chairs a bit awkward to pack on the bike!

Quality.............!

Alloy boxes for me too but the Touratech ones with annodising on so they don't corrode...............Choice of different sizes too!

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

I have Vario's, good kit. I find them totally waterproof, never had a problem there. I sit on them all the time no probs there either. Much easier to fit on and off too. However what I prefer, especially when carrying loads of stuff, is the fact the ally ones open from the top so easier to get stuff out of.I thought about changing to ally ones, but have now decided that I won't be doing much more camping so will stick to the varios.

 

[Fluffmeister]

I prefer Alloy, on my first Twin Cam GS I ditched the Vario's and bought used GSA luggage, and on my Toilet I have fitted some spanky Bumot Alloy luggage.

Vario's are ok however, my main gripe is a prefer a "top loader" easier to get in and out of in confined spaces, and I think the vario's are like a reverse Tardis, fecking huge on the outside and tiny on the inside

 

[bikemad]

Why the need to sit on the panniers? You people not have chairs?
Alan R

Why cart extra crap along my air cushion works well sat on top

 

[GB.]

Top loading is also a bonus.

 

[islandbob]

Ive had both, found the varios a pain, loading was not always as easy as it should be and the expanding mechanism often gave problems, getting quite stiff at times. The Vario top box was the worse for this and on more than one accasion had to strip it down to lubricate to get it to function. Back then I changed the top case for a Givi as I wanted two helmet storage ability. Now have a GSA with the standard panniers and they are hugely better, far more capacity, easy to load and very sturdy. I also have a set of wunderlich pannier lid bags that adds to capacity, they are so much better than the vario cases. Once again I changed the small top case for the Givi Explorer box that provided two hat storage, for me its the best combination and easily allows my wife and I to pack up for 2 or more weeks touring without being cramped. Go for the alloy boxes.

 

[islandbob]

Oh, Forgot to mention, the pannier liner bags on the alloy boxes are ten times better than the vario pannier liners

 

[GB.]

Well its best I sell the varios then, what's the going rate for a good clean set with mounting kit?

 

[bikemad]

Look at completed listings on here & eBay to get an idea,just depends how much use they've had fading plastic scuffs etc ?

 

[MEDICMAN]

Well its best I sell the varios then, what's the going rate for a good clean set with mounting kit?

Hmmmmmmm, not much of a market for them really, but if you're desperate I could take em off your hand for tenner and a pint, posted?

 

[GB.]

That sounds fair.

 

[birdseye]

but they arent waterproof,heavy and not strong enough to sit on.

Really? Mine definitely are waterproof.

I always reckon that the ally panniers look so poserish unless its a bit obvious that the baike has gone to distant places. Bit like all those 4x4 with huge wheels and winches everywhere, just ready for the Tesco run!