MisterB
Registered user
Looking around at used GSAs there seems to be a fair mix - some have BMW metal panniers, some have BMW vario panniers and some have no panniers at all. What's the general consensus on buying a used GSA with vario panniers?
Used GSA - Thoughts on Panniers...
- Thread starter MisterB
- Start date
If you buy a GSA with Vario's try them..and if ypu don't like them sell them on here, and buy some metal boxes instead, always boxes coming up in the 'For Sale' section 
Had most panniers ever marketed, vario's are ok, a little heavy and the side openings can be a pain, but they serve their purpose
Had most panniers ever marketed, vario's are ok, a little heavy and the side openings can be a pain, but they serve their purpose
Bungy
Registered user
Because there are so many bikes out there available I would look for one with aluminium panniers. I have had both and prefer the simplicity but that is my preference.
What are your priorities ? buying the bike or the set of panniers attached to it? 
Bungy
Registered user
What are your priorities ? buying the bike or the set of panniers attached to it?
The priority has to be the bike but if you wait for the right one there is no reason why you can't get everything you want.
Aluminium top loading panniers OR soft luggage....not plastic stuff. Vario's are better than most but side loading are a pain. The real issue I have though is that should you drop the bike....whilst the vario's are quite tough, they don't have any give and will break at the mounting points as opposed to alu's which will bend but stay in tact...ish. You can zap also fix em on tour with a hammer if needed. Bitter experience has taught me this....and they a lighter but not massively so.
If you do go down the aluminium route, have a look at Globescout. They do ones with the exhaust cut out like OEM but are much higher quality for a similar price....you can get black anodised as well.
If you do go down the aluminium route, have a look at Globescout. They do ones with the exhaust cut out like OEM but are much higher quality for a similar price....you can get black anodised as well.
Bendy toy
Registered user
Touratech made the GSA side case frames to fit around the BMW exhaust built with no though for side cases. Hence the afterthought cut out.
The clearance between tyre and inside side case frame is 110mm. Measure on the right and then check the left and you will see how the afterthought chop was added to what should have been symmetrical frames.
The exhaust is rigidly mounted so there is space for a 100mm wide exhaust can or even two 100mm diameter cans stacked one over the other.
In short, an oval exhaust can with custom made link pipe allows enough space on the left to fit a full size side case.
It would need a custom frame but if you are thinking about aftermarket cases then why not look at doing the whole job as it should have been done in the first place.
The obvious question is what about wheel removal? The wheel sits on a lip about 3mm high and retained by its five bolts. The 100mm can mounted at the normal angle would allow enough space to slide in the wheel.
The clearance between tyre and inside side case frame is 110mm. Measure on the right and then check the left and you will see how the afterthought chop was added to what should have been symmetrical frames.
The exhaust is rigidly mounted so there is space for a 100mm wide exhaust can or even two 100mm diameter cans stacked one over the other.
In short, an oval exhaust can with custom made link pipe allows enough space on the left to fit a full size side case.
It would need a custom frame but if you are thinking about aftermarket cases then why not look at doing the whole job as it should have been done in the first place.
The obvious question is what about wheel removal? The wheel sits on a lip about 3mm high and retained by its five bolts. The 100mm can mounted at the normal angle would allow enough space to slide in the wheel.
Feck me....a couple of suitcases strapped to the bike!
Bendy toy
Registered user
Very nice what are they like from the back? Looks like they have the top opening option?
They look well worth having frames made to suit a closer set exhaust for the left hand side.
The RHS issue is the final drive needs space to move. At full bump it comes about 50% of the way up an OEM Adv case. LHS as mentioned above has to clear the exhaust so you'd need to tuck the can(s) in close and make a new frame.
This is what I had on my Diversion 900. Home made from 5/5" OD x 2mm wall ERW tube (I know strange mixed measurement units). It carried Givi 35 litre cases filled with books with no problems. To be fair the bike handling was affected just a bit.
The Divvie had low exhausts. The GSA would need the frames set further from the bike to clear the FD on right and exhaust on left.
I had them on my Tiger XC and just had to buy the fitting kit for the GS.
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/mot...Qx6V18T8ctPf5mcFQQMjfDig_iu1LEJaYIaAll-8P8HAQ
Quite handy as I normally use one of the boxes as a top box for daily use and looks good on the bike.
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/mot...Qx6V18T8ctPf5mcFQQMjfDig_iu1LEJaYIaAll-8P8HAQ
Quite handy as I normally use one of the boxes as a top box for daily use and looks good on the bike.
Attachments
Yep, that was the idea, as well as the functionality of the top opening when on the bike.
They worked that well on my last bike decided to use them on the GS instead of using BMW panniers and of course all I had to do was buy the frames!
A mixture of both I think, nice fit and so far have never leaked.
IrishGaucho
Registered user
I went back and forth with this for a while... my GS only came with the Vario Top box and I would definitely like to get me some panniers.
Now, what I love about the Vario is the fact that you can extend them when you need more space and keep them "thin" while you pack light. This keeps the bike streamlined and filtering/lane splitting is pretty much the same. The other PRO is that you can take them out at any time and you don't have ugly racks in the bike.
But of course, as the lads mentioned above, they're not as resistant to drops or scratches at the alu boxes. I use the bike for commuting and some weekends getways, not sure if I'll ever get away with long distance travels or extreme offroading, so in my case... I'll probably be fine with just the Varios...
Which btw, if anyone is looking to sale a pair and is willing to ship to Ireland, give me a shout!
Cheers,
Rami
Now, what I love about the Vario is the fact that you can extend them when you need more space and keep them "thin" while you pack light. This keeps the bike streamlined and filtering/lane splitting is pretty much the same. The other PRO is that you can take them out at any time and you don't have ugly racks in the bike.
But of course, as the lads mentioned above, they're not as resistant to drops or scratches at the alu boxes. I use the bike for commuting and some weekends getways, not sure if I'll ever get away with long distance travels or extreme offroading, so in my case... I'll probably be fine with just the Varios...
Which btw, if anyone is looking to sale a pair and is willing to ship to Ireland, give me a shout!
Cheers,
Rami
MisterB
Registered user
Thanks peeps, some interesting thoughts...
I think both the ali & vario top boxes are too small so for me a Givi top box is the way to go. I prefer the look of the ali panniers tho some of the aftermarket thinner ali panniers look even better! Varios are probably good enough too though - nice clean lines when removed.
Anyone tried the Givi Trekker Outback ali cases?
I think both the ali & vario top boxes are too small so for me a Givi top box is the way to go. I prefer the look of the ali panniers tho some of the aftermarket thinner ali panniers look even better! Varios are probably good enough too though - nice clean lines when removed.
Anyone tried the Givi Trekker Outback ali cases?
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