Protection for Vario panniers

[The Hobbit]

Hi guys
I have been thinking about an idea which I have kicked about with Mark from Cymarcbikeparts and wonder what you all think.

The idea is to fabricate some form of protecting corners for the vario panniers to help with car park drops etc..
I think you could find something similar to the corners that are put on flight cases but some custom brushed stainless ones would look better.

What do you think?

Barry

 

[Wapping]

BMW 1150 dry weight 229 kg

BMW 1200 dry weight 203 kg

The bods in Munich must be crying into their steins, hours spent trimming grammes off in an effort to improve the power-to-weight ratio....

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What do I think? It's a solution (which you pay for) that is looking for a problem.....

 

[Fluffmeister]

personally I think it's just a battle scar and you need a few here and there like Mr W says it's a solution that's looking for a problem and just adding weight.

Off topic, I look at the Touratwat catalogue and see they have a protector for everything, all adding weight and in many ways looking pretty tacky whilst it's at it. People have been round the world on C90's and not needed anything other than a sleeping bag and a lump hammer

 

[mrjim130]

Panniers seem to be pretty robust, 2 low speed drops in snow this year with very little to show for it.
If you can find a way to sheed a few more Kg so I can pick the bike up, now that would really get my interest.

 

[darkhorse]

I wouldn't worry BMW add plastic corners to protect their adventure aluminium panniers, so leave as is and save weight as you already have built in protection

 

[NLC]

If you look at the Vario panniers the wrong way they will break and BMW carries all the spare parts for that reason. I.e. I can't remember what cylinder heads cost but I am sure it is cheaper to replace the cover than adding engine bar protection, etc. Get some metal Ardcases or Verns etc and when you do drop it will make your steed look mean. Also very satisfying to use a hammer to bang out the dent.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

If you look at the Vario panniers the wrong way they will break

I've NEVER broken my Varios. Even after throwing the bike down the road, the Varios were still closed, although one of them had come off the bike. It was STILL attached to the mount though

They still work, although they are a little bit fecked. They got replaced when I bought another 1200.

I don't ride off road in the "rufty tufty" sense, although I do live on a private, untarmacced road, which is quite bumpy.

 

[Ted]

Have a look at Marks Vario Pannier steady bar. Had one on mine(used to be by Stick of this parish) think the problem is the paniers twist due to the unsupported back section, this seems to stop it. Had a couple of tumbles without a problem and heself seems to make a habit of falling over and panniers still ok, marked but ok,,