Pannier options for the GSA

[Easybeaver]

Ok so I thought I would start a thread to see what people have hung on the sides of their new (or old now) r1200gsa's?

What I am interested in is...

1, what is the make
2, where did you get them
3, how many miles have they covered (roughly)
4, what condition are they now
5, knowing what you know now - would you buy the same again

I had the BMW side cases on my 2010 gsa, and rode them about for 200 odd miles, granted this was in the autumn so a bit wet mostly, but never any salt on them.
They were washed then put away for the winter, as I would not be doing any touring. I got them out earlier this year and they looked awful, as if they had been eaten from salt exposure after riding about in snow for 3 months! I was gutted and so disappointed at the same time. I think that the water must have got under the lacquer which bring in the quality of finish issue. I have since seen so many with the same problems.
I really do not want to buy BMW again for the reasons above, and there is so much other stuff out there so opinions on this would be great.

My new GSA should be here at the end of the month, although you never know after a factory shut down? It would be nice to have this decision locked down before that.

Thanks in anticipation!!

 

[jtb]

I've got the BMW vario side cases, and a Givi Trekker top box. Varios have done maybe 1000m and are like new (as you'd expect). The top box is on the bike all the time so between this one and the E45 I had on there before they've done about 5000m. Again, no issues at all. The only issue I've had with a top box is with a very old Givi E52 that I've got on my scooter in France, which has faded a bit in the sun. It is 10 years old though; I think the Givi stuff is excellent.

 

[Wrinkly]

Ok so I thought I would start a thread to see what people have hung on the sides of their new (or old now) r1200gsa's?




They were washed then put away for the winter, as I would not be doing any touring. I got them out earlier this year and they looked awful, as if they had been eaten from salt exposure after riding about in snow for 3 months! I was gutted and so disappointed at the same time. I think that the water must have got under the lacquer which bring in the quality of finish issue. I have since seen so many with the same problems.


Thanks in anticipation!!

To the best of my knowledge the BMW alloy panniers which are made by Touratech are not lacquered.

Use a good quality polish after washing and you should have no problems.

Steve

 

[telbenj]

To the best of my knowledge the BMW alloy panniers which are made by Touratech are not lacquered.

Use a good quality polish after washing and you should have no problems.

Steve

I give mine a quick wipe over with GT85 or WD40 after washing it keeps them looking good as new

Terry

 

[Bardo]

I just took delivery of a 2014 GSA and am trying to decide between the aluminum and Vario luggage. I'm pretty set on the Vario for the top case location because my briefcase doesn't fit in the aluminum top case and I use the bike as a daily commuter. And while I really like the look of the aluminum panniers I'm not sure I love the scaffolding that surrounds the bike when they're not mounted. I haven't been able to find a picture of what the bike looks like with the Vario mounts, but if it looks a little more naked I'm inclined to got that route. At first I was concerned about durability of the Varios, but from what I've read on this forum and others, they're pretty durable and I shouldn't be worried. I look forward to following this post to see what others recommend. Also, if anyone comes across a photo of the Vario mounts without the side panniers on I'd love to see it. Thanks. -Brad

 

[Bryn]

I just took delivery of a 2014 GSA and am trying to decide between the aluminum and Vario luggage. I'm pretty set on the Vario for the top case location because my briefcase doesn't fit in the aluminum top case and I use the bike as a daily commuter. And while I really like the look of the aluminum panniers I'm not sure I love the scaffolding that surrounds the bike when they're not mounted. I haven't been able to find a picture of what the bike looks like with the Vario mounts, but if it looks a little more naked I'm inclined to got that route. At first I was concerned about durability of the Varios, but from what I've read on this forum and others, they're pretty durable and I shouldn't be worried. I look forward to following this post to see what others recommend. Also, if anyone comes across a photo of the Vario mounts without the side panniers on I'd love to see it. Thanks. -Brad

Welcome to the site Brad Take a little time to introduce yourself in the 'I'm new here' section

The vario mounts are indeed less obvious than the Ally frames...but the trade off IMHO is that you can get less in the vario boxes than the ally ones

 

[jtb]

I just took delivery of a 2014 GSA and am trying to decide between the aluminum and Vario luggage. I'm pretty set on the Vario for the top case location because my briefcase doesn't fit in the aluminum top case and I use the bike as a daily commuter. And while I really like the look of the aluminum panniers I'm not sure I love the scaffolding that surrounds the bike when they're not mounted. I haven't been able to find a picture of what the bike looks like with the Vario mounts, but if it looks a little more naked I'm inclined to got that route. At first I was concerned about durability of the Varios, but from what I've read on this forum and others, they're pretty durable and I shouldn't be worried. I look forward to following this post to see what others recommend. Also, if anyone comes across a photo of the Vario mounts without the side panniers on I'd love to see it. Thanks. -Brad

Hi Brad, here you go - 2014 GSA with the scaffolding removed, and GS rear footpeg hangers fitted so the vario luggage can be used:

 

[SteveM]

Hi Brad, I'd go with the aluminium (aluminum) top box and buy a smaller briefcase.
I've had both the vario and ally luggage and much prefer the ally, it's only personal preference though - enjoy your new steed.

 

[SteveM]

The vario's aren't so keen on this type of use.

 

[scooter paul]

I'm using Magadan throw over soft panniers on my 2014 GSA. The bike came with rails and the panniers fit well and have the same if not slightly more capacity than alloy types I've used in the past. Advantages are; less likely to damage stuff when parking or filtering. Disadvantage; not so secure if left loaded and unattended although they do have reinforced loops that you can put a cable through. Oh, and less than half price of alloy boxes. I'm very pleased with the decision and I've been on three trips this year to prove the point.

Paul

 

[DC]

on mine i opted not to have the panniers ,just the BMW top box,,,,incidentally does anyone know if these are waterproof ?

 

[Gorilla GS]

Very pleased with these panniers. ARD cases, made to measure, fitted by Roger himself and no modification needed to the pannier rails. Choice of powder coated colour, far cheaper and look great, in my opinion.

 

[GSMartin]

on mine i opted not to have the panniers ,just the BMW top box,,,,incidentally does anyone know if these are waterproof ?

No leaks even after a good powerwash. They have not been underwater yet

 

[Fluffmeister]

Whilst mine is a GS, not a GSA, I fitted Bomut panniers instead of Vario's. Did 2200+ miles around Austria, Germany etc in torrential rain this August, no leak's at all, they have resistive hinges so the lid stops wherever you leave it, and have a real quality feel about them. I'm really happy with them.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?378098-Bumot-Panniers-R1200GS-LC

 

[Ash700]

I know it's quite often down to personal preference, but it's interesting how even that can change!

For over thirty years I've gone from riding nothing but radical sports bikes (last one being S1000RR) straight to the LC GSA. Before pictures of the new GSA were released, the number one thing that I didn't particularly like on the outgoing GSA was the pannier framework. I was used to tidy, sleek bikes and hoped that BMW may have come up with something more subtle to mount the panniers on for the new LC GSA - no such luck!

Anyway, I picked up my new LC GSA and started the process of acquainting myself with it and learning to ride in a slightly different position to which I'd been used to for so many years, and... enjoying the novelty of actually being able to carry luggage! For day-to-day use I don't actually use the panniers very often and having examined the pannier mounting framework, noticed that it can be easily be removed by 6/7 easy to remove bolts. So, I removed the framework (took about 10 mins) and proceeded to ride around with a more naked back end (the bike, not me). The framework was actually off the bike for about 2 days before I refitted it! The reason being, I'd got used to seeing it on the bike and, without realising it at the time, I'd come to the opinion that it made the bike look quite rugged - which is what it is!

So, my number one design feature dislike of the bike is now totally acceptable to me! I conclude by this, I must now therefore be a fully fledged tosser!!!

 

[Fluffmeister]

One thing I like about my Bumot Pannier rails is they are Plastic / Powder coated black so apart from the fact I have the toolbox option fitted, are much less noticeable than the stainless ones on my TC GSA.

 

[Ash700]

One thing I like about my Bumot Pannier rails is they are Plastic / Powder coated black so apart from the fact I have the toolbox option fitted, are much less noticeable than the stainless ones on my TC GSA.

Mmmm, I imagine they look good too!