Pannier Recomendations please

[bgregor]

Hi Guys,

I've been thinking of getting myself another set of panniers and top box for the 1200 and I would like some recommendations.

Myself and SWMBO go camping and I find the vario boxes good but not perfect. We loose quite a bit of room at the exhaust side and we cant put our helmets away if we fancy a walk about.

Your help will be very much appreciated.

 

[(RIP) Bobble]

Blimey, you've been on here since 2004 and still don't know what panniers to use

Vern's Worldbeaters of course

 

[Ropey]

Had the varios... now a nice set of Zega's,,, works for me!!

 

[MIKE R]

If you want the maximum capacity for the litre space of pannier (if that makes sense) go for 'top loaders'

There are many good ones on the market. You can get these in alloy (most top loaders) or plastic (ie Gobi) and a lot will depend on your budget: whether you buy new or secondhand: what you want to be seen on the bike when the panniers are off; do you want quick fitting/removal etc. etc

Mike

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I have Jesse Luggage http://www.jesseluggage.com/ (there is someone in the vendors supplying them in the uk). Brilliant kit is all I can say about them. The best thing about them is the mountings as it takes about 30 seconds each to remove and put on only leaving an indiscreet bracket behind instead of those ugly big loops most of the others leave behind. Bomb proof construction and some of the biggest but narrowest capacity on the go. I went through a major rain storm in the summer and everything was completely dry inside as well. Ultimately they are all just big metal boxes most on offer through the forum are well made boxes but I chose these because of the mountings. They are engineered into the product instead of just being a universal lash up like most of the others.

 

[chad]

I have Jesse Luggage http://www.jesseluggage.com/ (there is someone in the vendors supplying them in the uk). Brilliant kit is all I can say about them. The best thing about them is the mountings as it takes about 30 seconds each to remove and put on only leaving an indiscreet bracket behind instead of those ugly big loops most of the others leave behind. Bomb proof construction and some of the biggest but narrowest capacity on the go. I went through a major rain storm in the summer and everything was completely dry inside as well. Ultimately they are all just big metal boxes most on offer through the forum are well made boxes but I chose these because of the mountings. They are engineered into the product instead of just being a universal lash up like most of the others.

yup +1 for the jesse system ive had mine on my 1150 with plenty of abuse , good boxs

www.twowheeltrekkers.co.uk

[email protected]

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I use VARIO panniers, and a GIVI topbox. The Givi will take 2 full face crash helmets.

The more pannier space I have, the more shite the missus insists we need on holiday

 

[peter-k]

Wunderlich sells an exhaust lower kit, and the Hepco & Becker LockIt side racks (removable without tools) in a special symmetrical version allowing equal sized H & B cases on both sides. H & B cases are available in a wide variety for many tastes and needs.

I have symmetrical side cases myself (custom-made). Never looked back to the freaky left from BMW.

 

[greg12]

panniers

dumped my varios got a set of hardcases far better imo

 

[wknight]

I am using givi E41 side panniers and a givi top box. Its an unusual combination on a 1200GS but the aerodynamic shape and small lid which opens are a real bonus. Its a change from the usual metal boxes

 

[sven]

Having recently bought myself a Givi Trekker topbox from Italy on ebay (much cheapness), I'd recommend it as being a much nicer piece of kit than the vario panniers.

Buy the quick release pannier frames + a 33/45 litre pannier combination + 45 litre top box

http://www.givi.it/My-motorcycle/?ma=BMW&mo=R-1200-GS-04--10

 

[Bryn]

I've had a few sets of panniers in my time..

Had Jesse's, TT, System cases, Vario's....

If I was going to set up a 1200 again I'd be looking at a set of 1200 ADV luggage

They look great, and go nicely on the bike.

 

[VAL. H.]

I've had a few sets of panniers in my time..

Had Jesse's, TT, System cases, Vario's....

If I was going to set up a 1200 again I'd be looking at a set of 1200 ADV luggage

They look great, and go nicely on the bike.

As Bryn says, the ADV luggage is easy to get hold of and up to most jobs they'll be needed for. Not sure they will hold a helmet though.

Other makes to look at are: Verns Worldbeater panniers and the Al Jesse Safari two's http://www.jesseluggage.com/r1200gsAdv.html these will hold a full face helmet in each side.

IMO: When looking for bigger panniers, it's important to go for ones that are close fitting or profiled. Standard box type panniers are all well and good but a lot of usable space is wasted between the boxes and the bike.

Profiled panniers from Vern, Jesse, Caja Sehal (Civil) and even the BM ADV's (though not as close as the afore mentioned) are good examples of this. Jesse also makes an exhaust lowering kit, allowing for even more capacity.

If you have a look at pictures of Toura Tech, ARDcases, Metal Mules, Givi and the like, you can see just how much space is lost when using this type. This set up is often wider than the bars too. Where as the close fitting profiled panniers are much more space efficient, making the most of the available space whilst looking great and well balanced on the bike. Very often they are the cheaper and better quality option too. Not just an over priced tin box.


Val.

 

[Alex B]

GSA Panniers on Italian Adventure School Video

Great bit of "YouTube" style video showing a GSA1200 and Adv Panniers being used in a very "non-standard" way !

http://www.adventureschool.it/

 

[thosoneill]

dumped my varios got a set of hardcases far better imo

i know where you are coming from however in my opinion hardcases are just too cumbersome when fitted to the bike - i find the expand/retract option on the varios to be the best