R1250GS - Vario Pannier Bag capacity

[hawkeye]

First time away for a trip on my R1250GS tomorrow, and I have to say that I'm rather surprised how little one can get in the OEM pannier liner bags compared to just packing the pannier. There seems a lot of wasted space within the pannier when you put the bag in - is there is a knack to packing the pannier bags and panniers to maximise using the "lost" space? At the moment, I've ditched using the bags and packed the panniers directly, it just seems to me that one can get so much more in, and more efficiently as well.

If anyone has any tips or hints on how or what they pack where, it would be great to hear them, as I'd much prefer to utilise the bags if I can.

Thanks in advance

 

[Doc]

Do you pack them when they are in the panniers ? That's what I did and used something like these to pack everything in the pannier bags.
Or ditch them and just use the clothes bags.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasi...64&hvtargid=pla-328298048324&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

 

[Mr Bean]

First time away for a trip on my R1250GS tomorrow, and I have to say that I'm rather surprised how little one can get in the OEM pannier liner bags compared to just packing the pannier. There seems a lot of wasted space within the pannier when you put the bag in - is there is a knack to packing the pannier bags and panniers to maximise using the "lost" space? At the moment, I've ditched using the bags and packed the panniers directly, it just seems to me that one can get so much more in, and more efficiently as well.

If anyone has any tips or hints on how or what they pack where, it would be great to hear them, as I'd much prefer to utilise the bags if I can.

Thanks in advance

First time the wife and I went away I packed the cases direct - didn't do it again.

Use the liners and reassess what you actually need vs. nice to have.

Standard vario's carry enough for two weeks for the both of us.

 

[CPJS]

Don't pack so much!
I'm not trying to be funny, most people pack way too much.
The wife and I pack for four days, then start washing smalls as you go.
During the day you wear your bike kit, when you get to where you are going have a shower. The clothes you put on for a few hours will be good for three or four days. Cargo pants that you can unzip the legs, that's your shorts taken care of, and so it goes.
The wife gets the left pannier cos it holds more, and yes we use the liners.
The panniers stay on the bike and we carry the liners into where we are staying.
Maybe we are good at it because we've had twenty five years of practice.
If you are going away for a week, don't take seven of everything.

 

[Rowle]

Do you pack them when they are in the panniers ? That's what I did and used something like these to pack everything in the pannier bags.
Or ditch them and just use the clothes bags.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasi...64&hvtargid=pla-328298048324&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

I do this as well.
I do have the proper inner bags but they are not flexible enough. Packing cubes are the way to go.

 

[DS]

During the day you wear your bike kit, when you get to where you are going have a shower. The clothes you put on for a few hours will be good for three or four days. Cargo pants that you can unzip the legs, that's your shorts taken care of, and so it goes.
The panniers stay on the bike and we carry the liners into where we are staying.

Exactly what I do. I use a pair of wunderlicht pannier bags into Bumot soft panniers, but have s[ace for the odd purchase en route. Top box is used for helmet storage and arm warmers in case the weather turns.

 

[ChazzyB]

And to think I once detached and carried my Vario panniers into the hotel. Until I bought inner bags...

The Vario boxes themselves usually weigh more than what you put in them. About 7.5kg each. Empty.

 

[Bem]

I really like the fitted inners for the panniers as they are manageable to put in and out. The top box I am less taken with however, and am thinking about using a pair of carrier bags so that we can use one each for an overnight eg pair of shoes and a shirt and trousers. We could then use the others for reserves.

 

[Mr Bean]

And to think I once detached and carried my Vario panniers into the hotel. Until I bought inner bags...

The Vario boxes themselves usually weigh more than what you put in them. About 7.5kg each. Empty.

See post #3.

Carried full Givi cases/top box (lighter than vario's) up various flights of stairs in full gear @35 degrees heat - was a tad sweaty.

First trip to Spain/France - not made the same mistake since