SYSTEM PANNIERS OR STHALKOFFER

[Ant1967]

Your comments and experience on what panniers to use(R850GS). At the moment I've got the system panniers fitted but sometimes struggle with the shape of these. Would like something like the proper BMW adventure panniers or the Sthalkoffer ones any advice pros cons etc before I blow a wedge of cash.

Tony

 

[shready]

System panniers are OK but as you have found, have a limiting shape, especially the exhaust side.

I have an 1100GS and went down the Hepco & Becker route. Very happy with mine.

You can easily sell your system panniers and rails too

If I was choosing again I'd seriously consider Vern's. But I needed panniers I could easily remove.

 

[JoeC]

It's an ever expanding market out there and also within the forum.
Personally, I would look at ARD cases but it depends on what you want from your panniers. Occasional use, strength, easily remove them from frames, etc.

 

[Ant1967]

I do use my bike for work as a rep sometimes so need to carry products and paperwork with me but I do want the panniers to detach easily that's why I am being swayed by the Sthalkoffer panniers. Anybody got these fitted?

 

[JoeC]

I do use my bike for work as a rep sometimes so need to carry products and paperwork with me but I do want the panniers to detach easily that's why I am being swayed by the Sthalkoffer panniers. Anybody got these fitted?

You won't want the BMW GSA panniers then as they are wide and would make filtering hard.

 

[topcat2006]

I had Stahlkoffers fitted on my 1200 and when I can afford to I will remove the system cases on my 1100 and fit Stahlkoffers again.

The build quality was far better than anything else I saw at the NEC when I was looking and Bernie was a great guy to deal with.

Tom

 

[Littledumptruck]

I've got givi frames on my 850. But that's mainly because I have givi's on my Blackbird and it saves storing to many different box's.

 

[Jamieboy]

I've got Stahkoffers on my 1150 and really like them. Build quality seems really good.

I also had the system ones before and the Stahlkoffers are so much easier to use due to the shape. I've also got the pannier bags that they make for them - which simply slip in and out making it really easy to pack/unpack the panniers.

If you're thiking of taking them to do any gravel roads etc, this isn't something I've done with them so can't say how they do - but I expect they'll be just fine and much better than plastic luggage.

Quick to mount to the racks and to remove.

I've got the slightly smaller 'city-koffers' (33 and 30 ltrs or somehting like that) and these don't stick out too far. The larger panniers are really quite big and I don;t think I need them that size. I was told of stability issues at high (80+) speeds with the larger size - but never had a problem with my ones.

 

[Grim Rider]

Whatever you are doing I would suggest removing that big heavy silencer and replacing it with a stubby pipe, thereby enabling you to fit two panniers of the same size. if you stick with the system panniers you can now fit a left hand pannier from an RT which is appreciably bigger than the standard GS one. This combination has served me well for last 70k miles and a good few trips abroad.

 

[richierex]

Whatever you are doing I would suggest removing that big heavy silencer and replacing it with a stubby pipe, thereby enabling you to fit two panniers of the same size. if you stick with the system panniers you can now fit a left hand pannier from an RT which is appreciably bigger than the standard GS one. This combination has served me well for last 70k miles and a good few trips abroad.

I think you need to modify the footrest mount as its in the wrong place or fit a bracket to the pannier using them things that hold flat pack furniture together in corners. I think there was a thread on here about how to do it.

 

[Lord Snooty]

I fitted the Stahlkoffer panniers and topbox to my 800GS. They are great to use, excellent locking system, great loops on top of the boxes for lashing other luggage, rugged and well made and I found Bernie at Stahlkoffer to be a great bloke to deal with.

If you go the Stahlkoffer route I am currently selling the 35 litre topbox, mounting plate and pillion pad here http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333638&highlight=stahlkoffer

 

[gspod]

I spent over a year looking at all the different hard luggage options and opted for Ardcases.
They are extremely well made and hardwearing (proven by an off in France), completely waterproof for the last 3 years and best of all by far the cheapest around (at least when I bought them).

Rodger is a great bloke: My cases were made to my exact dimentions at no extra cost and he put a conple of bottle lips and extra hooks on at no extra cost as well. In fact he even fitted them for me, which was no easy task considering the age and condition of my bike (R1100). Oh and he made me a bespoke rack for a very reasonable price.

Planning on getting a set for my wife's bike this year.

 

[gspod]

I spent over a year looking at all the different hard luggage options and opted for Ardcases.
They are extremely well made and hardwearing (proven by an off in France), completely waterproof for the last 3 years and best of all by far the cheapest around (at least when I bought them).

Rodger is a great bloke: My cases were made to my exact dimentions at no extra cost and he put a conple of bottle lips and extra hooks on at no extra cost as well. In fact he even fitted them for me, which was no easy task considering the age and condition of my bike (R1100). Oh and he made me a bespoke rack for a very reasonable price.

Planning on getting a set for my wife's bike this year.