Panniers - Overheating Query

[Python]

I wondered if I could trouble you nice fellas and ladies for a bit of advise regards panniers.

My R12 GSA arrives at the end of next month and I am busily searching the net for a suitable Pannier and top Box set up.

I have narrowed it down to Touratech or Caja Sahel as the preffered choice, with maybe the BMW ones as a third choice and as MikeR's thread states smeared in ACF50 for the salty roads we have at the mo!.

Have not actually looked at the BMW offering yet but I see the Touratech sits aside the Exhaust whereas Caja Sahel sits around it.

I have heard stories of heat damage from the exhaust etc to those which sit around the exhaust, just wondering what your findings are with either set up.

I guess what would also be really helpful is some useful comment on Touratech vs. Caja Sahel, some pictures of the set up on a 12GSA would be really helpful including a rear shot of Pannier/ Exhaust infact if anyone is in London or the south east area whereby I could take a closer look that would be really great. As with anything - it looks good on a screen and pictures can be made to say one thing when in reality it is completely the opposite in everyday use.

Many Thanks
J

 

[JimboGSA]

I've got a 1200GSA with the BMW ones on and the pannier that sits around the exhaust has a thick secondary layer of metal between it and the exhaust. It has gone brown through its proximity to the exhaust but this is easily cleaned off.

I went for these as personally I think they suit the look of the bike and I like having one key to operate the bike with and open the panniers, and with a nice thick coating of ACF50 helps keep the winter at bay. Wish they'd painted them like the old 1150GSA ali boxes though, as they seem more weather resistant.

Hope you enjoy your bike when it arrives, I'm sure you will!

 

[dave b]

I've got a 1200GSA with the BMW ones on and the pannier that sits around the exhaust has a thick secondary layer of metal between it and the exhaust. It has gone brown through its proximity to the exhaust but this is easily cleaned off.

I went for these as personally I think they suit the look of the bike and I like having one key to operate the bike with and open the panniers, and with a nice thick coating of ACF50 helps keep the winter at bay. Wish they'd painted them like the old 1150GSA ali boxes though, as they seem more weather resistant.

Hope you enjoy your bike when it arrives, I'm sure you will!

Ditto !

 

[LiquidLAN]

Ditto !

Me to, you find that the left side box gets slightly warmer, but nothing to write home about.

Definately go the ACF50 route, the BM boxes are rubbish for withstanding the weather - mine was off the road until late November and in a day or to of getting it back on the road the top-box showed serious signs of corrosion and I can't even remember them salting the roads around that time.

 

[Python]

I've got a 1200GSA with the BMW ones on and the pannier that sits around the exhaust has a thick secondary layer of metal between it and the exhaust. It has gone brown through its proximity to the exhaust but this is easily cleaned off.

I went for these as personally I think they suit the look of the bike and I like having one key to operate the bike with and open the panniers, and with a nice thick coating of ACF50 helps keep the winter at bay. Wish they'd painted them like the old 1150GSA ali boxes though, as they seem more weather resistant.

Hope you enjoy your bike when it arrives, I'm sure you will!

Thanks for that Jimbo, funny how I seem to keep coming back to these and you are right they do look much better on the GSA than the TT or CS options; I take your point though regards ACF50 - have used it on my winter hack and I must say it seems so much easier to clean the grime off and does appear to be protecting it well. Thanks .

 

[LiquidLAN]

Thanks for that Jimbo, funny how I seem to keep coming back to these and you are right they do look much better on the GSA than the TT or CS options; I take your point though regards ACF50 - have used it on my winter hack and I must say it seems so much easier to clean the grime off and does appear to be protecting it well. Thanks .

hummm, I kind of agree with you on the looking better front, but I do wonder if that isn't part and parcel of the fact that they are the ones that you see in all the GSA promo stuff, its like the fogs... I think the bike looks better with them than without, but is that just because that the image that part of the first images I saw of the bike???

Cons on the BM pods, imho, for the money you have to pay for them I think I would expect something that was a bit more durable and didnt require coating in ACF50 - but I've paid my money and made my choice.

 

[Python]

hummm, I kind of agree with you on the looking better front, but I do wonder if that isn't part and parcel of the fact that they are the ones that you see in all the GSA promo stuff, its like the fogs... I think the bike looks better with them than without, but is that just because that the image that part of the first images I saw of the bike???

Cons on the BM pods, imho, for the money you have to pay for them I think I would expect something that was a bit more durable and didnt require coating in ACF50 - but I've paid my money and made my choice.

Pictures can always be shown to look better than they do in real life, yet in real life its how they work that matters.

Anyone got any comments on the CS or TT versions in terms of function, durability and the heat problem - anyone know how I can get to see a set of Touratechs and Cajas in or near London so I can look at Quality of design and build etc??

 

[JimboGSA]

I know BTBR has put a set of the TT Zegas on his 1200, have a look here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96437

I think the panniers that sculpt around the exhaust look better IMHO.

 

[LiquidLAN]

you might want to try the civil one for the CS panniers, for some reason I got the impression he sells or make or imports them or something...

 

[Flipfly]

Caja sahel over the TT ones IMHO. Civils panniers are made to order and you can have them in so many different variations, it's up to you. The quality is far better than TT and a bit cheaper too. The frames might not look as good but you could always fit TT frames and have the Caja Sahel panniers. I don't think they would be as tough though.
Give the Civil a call, he'll walk you through the options step by step.
No contest if ya wanna look good and have the best.
I looked into it a while back and when I have the cash, this'll be the route I take. I'd've asked him for 0% credit but figured i liked my knees

 

[Python]

Thanks for that Jimbo; just what I was after for the Panniers - can anyone point me towards pictures of the Cajas on a GSA - similar shots would be real useful to mke my mind up for sure.

 

[riderbob]

I'm picking up a set of Civils panniers at the end of March. I saw them at North Oxford Garage and they are quality kit. I've also got a top box from Civil currently mounted.

After my price and product research Caja Sahel came out on top, but I accept it is always a personal decision. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Rhodie]

35 Ltr TT Zegas

I have been riding with TT Zegas for 2 years now thru both Monsoon & Hot/Dry seasons. They have been perfect withstanding everything I could throw/drop & ding them at/on & with.

The bike has just had a makeover with powdercoating on the boxes including the GSA topbox version [made by TT] - also added a custom made back rest which is keeping people happy.

Anyway I am more than happy enough with my TT to be ordering the 41 ltr boxes.