The BMW standard XR panniers

[Wapping]

Are really rather good.

I'm just about to go away for nine days on my 1600, putting all my clothes, electrical bits'n'bobs, maps, spare gloves, washbag, mini iPad and shoes into the bike's two panniers' inner bags, which the load did not fill.

Just as a let's see, I then put the same load into the - apparently much smaller * - XR's inner bags. The whole lot fitted, with still some room to spare and definitely without having to force the zip or ram the lids shut. That an empty XR pannier will also take a Shoei flip-front helmet is a bit of a bonus, too.

Are they quite adequate enough for most sensible applications and up to two / three weeks' touring (do a bit of washing)? Most definitely. Well done, BMW!



* The panniers' size is one of the apparent criticisms I had read about; probably spawned by the 50 litres (and nothing less) brigade.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I did not get panniers for the XR as i think they spoil the look a bit although i appreciate that to tour there needs to be some way of carrying luggage and panniers are clearly an easy option.
Soft luggage is my choice this time and for this bike but good to hear that the XR boxes are fit for purpose.

 

[Wapping]

Ventura will work, as would Motohaus's soft pannier system that sits on a thin removable single rail.

PS My panniers came lobbed in with the deal.

PPS I can't see much of my bikes when I'm sat on them... The looks? Well, let others worry about that.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Ventura will work, as would Motohaus's soft pannier system that sits on a thin removable single rail.

PS My panniers came lobbed in with the deal.

PPS I can't see much of my bikes when I'm sat on them... The looks? Well, let others worry about that.

Do ventura do a rack bit thingy for the XR yet ? Could not see one when i last looked

 

[Wapping]

Not as yet but I'd be very surprised if they didn't.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

What are the BMW inner bags like? The vario inner bags are a bit over engineered and don't really hold much at all esp if you've got size 12 feet!

Any other thoughts on the panniers ?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

What are the BMW inner bags like? The vario inner bags are a bit over engineered and don't really hold much at all esp if you've got size 12 feet!

Any other thoughts on the panniers ?

I have had panniers on every other BMW i have had but i personally felt that they were just wrong on the XR.

They also did not appear to be very pack friendly due to the shape. I have no idea what the inner bags are like but if anything like the vary ones they will cut down packing space further still.

The XR all IMO is better with a soft bag, large or small dependant on need or some Kriega stuff

 

[Mark Hooton]

Ventura will work, as would Motohaus's soft pannier system that sits on a thin removable single rail.

PS My panniers came lobbed in with the deal.

PPS I can't see much of my bikes when I'm sat on them... The looks? Well, let others worry about that.

And they will, Wapps.............

But I think they look fine and do a great job even if I`m not a great lover of all things `pannier` (apart from the GSA ones which seem to look right for the bike but only in my humble opinion)

ride safe fella