Vario panniers feed back.

[SERVDAVE]

Hi guys,

Have been thinging for a while of changing my pannier set up. I have Metal Mules at the moment and two up loaded I find it hard work in strong winds and generally moving the bike around.

I Know any luggage is going to change the handling of the bike but the BMW vario pannier seem to have a smaller side profile and mount at a different place compared to my mules.

Is it worth changing or stick with what I have got? Any other options considered, my wife and I travel light so we can consider any option.

Thanks guys,

 

[Pip_UK]

I've used my Varios for two-up touring and been very happy with them, although when they're full of clobber, they don't just make the bike a lot heavier, but raise the centre of gravity too, making the bike a bit more of a hippo to paddle around and take on/off the stand. This is the same for any capacious luggage system so I personally don't think that Varios would be any better in this regard than your Mules.

Also, whilst the Varios fit nice and snug on the bike, they have an internal shape like Kryten's face from Red Dwarf, which requires judicious packing. They also open sideways instead of top-loading, which is bloody awkward if you have to open them roadside to get the thing which you should have put in the tankbag, but put underneath all your socks instead. The left hander also has a drainpipe-sized cutout to fit round the silencer.

Re: riding in wind, I've not actually noticed any difference with the Varios, and always found the GS to be well-mannered, even in some truly foul weather, but then again, I tend to pootle along rather than crack on.

 

[SERVDAVE]

I've used my Varios for two-up touring and been very happy with them, although when they're full of clobber, they don't just make the bike a lot heavier, but raise the centre of gravity too, making the bike a bit more of a hippo to paddle around and take on/off the stand. This is the same for any capacious luggage system so I personally don't think that Varios would be any better in this regard than your Mules.

Also, whilst the Varios fit nice and snug on the bike, they have an internal shape like Kryten's face from Red Dwarf, which requires judicious packing. They also open sideways instead of top-loading, which is bloody awkward if you have to open them roadside to get the thing which you should have put in the tankbag, but put underneath all your socks instead. The left hander also has a drainpipe-sized cutout to fit round the silencer.

Re: riding in wind, I've not actually noticed any difference with the Varios, and always found the GS to be well-mannered, even in some truly foul weather, but then again, I tend to pootle along rather than crack on.

Thanks for the feed back. Its hard to work out if changing would be a good idea or I am just doing it for the hell of it!

Interesting regarding the wind, I don't exsactly bomb it along every where. Thats the main thing I struggle with. Would love to take a spin with a bike fitted but understanably no dealer fits luggage to a bike for a test ride!

 

[Pip_UK]

PS I should point out that I have a 1200GS - I replied from the top category and didn't notice I was responding to a 700/800 query - sorry. I think the Varios for the twins might be a bit different to the 12.

Hopefully some 800 owners will be along to offer some useful comments shortly

 

[SERVDAVE]

PS I should point out that I have a 1200GS - I replied from the top category and didn't notice I was responding to a 700/800 query - sorry. I think the Varios for the twins might be a bit different to the 12.

Hopefully some 800 owners will be along to offer some useful comments shortly

Thanks, still helpful regarding the panniers! I'm also thinking about changing to a 1200GS so its helpful if I change! I have a tight budget so I might just have to stick with the 650GS twin!

 

[Paddy2492]

I have the Vario Panniers on my 800 and they aren't as good as the metal panniers I had on my 1200. If you can take a look at both, the metal topbox is certainly better.

P

 

[Silversurfer]

Hi guys,

Have been thinging for a while of changing my pannier set up. I have Metal Mules at the moment and two up loaded I find it hard work in strong winds and generally moving the bike around.

I Know any luggage is going to change the handling of the bike but the BMW vario pannier seem to have a smaller side profile and mount at a different place compared to my mules.

Is it worth changing or stick with what I have got? Any other options considered, my wife and I travel light so we can consider any option.

Thanks guys,

If you go for the Varios get the inner bags. They make using the panniers so much easier. With the Varios opening at the side loose items will fall out when you open them, especially on the L/H side when on the side stand. With the inner bags nothing falls out and you can just lift the bag out to pack/unpack - so much easier than even top loading panniers.

 

[Murpies]

I had been using the vario's set up (top & side) since i got my bimmer 2011 F650gs twin. it works great for me doing two up or alone. i realyy liked the idea of expandable. BTW I had to agree tat the opening from the side is a pain in the ass sometime and esp on the left when it on side stand. Things fall out like hell. so i did some add on with the ROK strap and it works for me.

 

[SERVDAVE]

I had been using the vario's set up (top & side) since i got my bimmer 2011 F650gs twin. it works great for me doing two up or alone. i realyy liked the idea of expandable. BTW I had to agree tat the opening from the side is a pain in the ass sometime and esp on the left when it on side stand. Things fall out like hell. so i did some add on with the ROK strap and it works for me.

Thanks for the feedback, if you get the chance could you post a few photos of both panniers inside! Can find loads of photos of them on bikes but none of the inside!

Really not sure if it will cope better than the 38lt mules I have at the moment!

Thanks for the comments guys!

 

[v8legend]

I've got the Vario's.

The most obvious pro is that they are variable width. This was a no brainer for me. I don't like riding with luggage, unless absolutely necessary, so if they're on, I don't want them any wider than they have to be.

They're also light, and detach really quickly.

I use the liners. Apart from stopping things falling out, it's far easier walking about with a bag strapped over your shoulder than a helmet. The RH pannier takes my Shoei Synchrotec. This is especially useful when on a ferry. Pack everything valuable in the RH pannier liner, then carry that not your helmet.

 

[Silversurfer]

I found these inner bags to be perfect. They are pannier shaped and expand to suit the pannier when needed, plus they are a lot cheaper than the BMW inner bags.

http://www.maneevent.org.uk/bmw.htm

Look for item number: BMW 14-15-16

 

[colint]

I find the varois a great peice of kit I agree they are an akward shape inside but as previous user states use inner bags.
The selling point to me of the varios is the racks and ease of detachment also, when the panniers are removed the racks are are unobtrusive unlike the scaffolding set up used for the other contenders.
I find that when packing if you pack any uncrushable items in the inner bag to fit around the cut outs they soft stuff sqashes in well.
They are both extendable to increase capacity but don't tell the wife she asked me last year why another bike with varios on seemd to have bigger panniers than ours!
I have toured extensively with these and I don't tootle around but have never found these panniers to cause any issues with handling.
As with any luggage the higher up it is the more unstable the bike becomes.
If you were nearer you could try mine.
But keep an eye out for some they do come up second hand and not too expensive you could try them and if they don't suit then sell them on they do go very quickly when up for sale.

 

[SERVDAVE]

Thanks for all the feedback, does sounds like the varios will do the trick. The mules are a metre plus width wise. Be nice with the varios beng under a metre in the smallest set up.

It's a good point regarding the frames, there must be a fair bit go weight to my MM frames!