Too wide? Hard side panniers

[Bem]

Apart from the fact they weigh as much as if they were made from lead, hold next to nothing, open at the side and disintegrate on contact with the road.

They do look good though, I’ll give you that…

Clearly, varios are not for the O/P as he wants something "that doesn't protrude much wider than the handlebars" - we all know that expanded varios are not as wide as the engine.

 

[PhilBoy]

950 expanded, 840 otherwise for the various.

 

[mikef]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Lone Rider panniers. I have tried the Bumot soft panniers but they are not waterproof so you have to pack everything in one of their watertight inner bags which dont really fit the shape of the panniers well so you lose some storage space. In contrast the Lone Rider panniers are completely waterproof so you can just throw stuff in them like a hard pannier. They also have (removable) liners to make sure they keep their box shape and they fit directly on to the existing GSA pannier frame. In addition they can be locked onto the frame and locked themselves with a combination padlock. The only PITA for me is that they are a bit of faff to close because you have to roll the top, attach some straps and then close the locking frame if you want to padlock it. All in all, not as easy to use as hard panniers but the vital bit is that you can drop the bike without damaging them, unlike the standard BMW hard panniers which are far too easy to bend out of shape

 

[resovoir]

Personally I would keep away from a big heavy top box if possible. Raises the centre of gravity and overhangs the rear wheel spindle which in turn increases rear tyre wear and stability

 

[TheStammeringBiker]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Lone Rider panniers. I have tried the Bumot soft panniers but they are not waterproof so you have to pack everything in one of their watertight inner bags which dont really fit the shape of the panniers well so you lose some storage space. In contrast the Lone Rider panniers are completely waterproof so you can just throw stuff in them like a hard pannier. They also have (removable) liners to make sure they keep their box shape and they fit directly on to the existing GSA pannier frame. In addition they can be locked onto the frame and locked themselves with a combination padlock. The only PITA for me is that they are a bit of faff to close because you have to roll the top, attach some straps and then close the locking frame if you want to padlock it. All in all, not as easy to use as hard panniers but the vital bit is that you can drop the bike without damaging them, unlike the standard BMW hard panniers which are far too easy to bend out of shape

I wanted these, but the price difference over the Bumot is massive. Generally I'm happy with the Bumot's and putting the inner bag inside the larger bag isn't too much of an issue as I use packing cubes, so most stuff stays put, but the side with the cut out is a tw@t to get in so I tend to remove the whole lot each time and use the handle to carry them.

 

[DJ123]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Lone Rider panniers. I have tried the Bumot soft panniers but they are not waterproof so you have to pack everything in one of their watertight inner bags which dont really fit the shape of the panniers well so you lose some storage space. In contrast the Lone Rider panniers are completely waterproof so you can just throw stuff in them like a hard pannier. They also have (removable) liners to make sure they keep their box shape and they fit directly on to the existing GSA pannier frame. In addition they can be locked onto the frame and locked themselves with a combination padlock. The only PITA for me is that they are a bit of faff to close because you have to roll the top, attach some straps and then close the locking frame if you want to padlock it. All in all, not as easy to use as hard panniers but the vital bit is that you can drop the bike without damaging them, unlike the standard BMW hard panniers which are far too easy to bend out of shape

The LoneRider bags are not entirely waterproof without the liner. There are holes in the black outer bag - multiple at the back where the mounting frame is screwed on. And some at the bottom too.

I have them and they are a good pannier to use, as they're easy to pack, waterproof when used with the internal bag/liner (which makes it easy to carry everything to/from your accommodation), they can be slimmed down when removing the shape fillers too - if staying somewhere and you're unpacked.

 

[Micky]

Do it yourself

https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/pannier-porn.260325/

 

[Ash700]

Just for info…

The 1250 GSA’s panniers (alloy) are exactly the same width across as the handlebars (to outer part of hand guard), which is 998mm. I’ve measured my past three GSA’s (all LC’s) and they’ve all been the same. If the handlebars go through, the panniers will.

 

[Author]

From the Adventure Bike Shop, the Bumot Defender panniers are listed as
35L / 31L – Width 86 cm
40L / 36L – Width 92 cm
45L/41L - Width 98 cm

 

[kennyc]

Varios are aceView attachment 283426

Ha! was there in June for the opening day of the Susten Pass, and last week for a last run around of the loop before winter arrives