Vario panniers GSA 2010

[ahmorris]

I hear the BMW Vario Panniers aren't the best thing for serious offloading / touring, but i think they look nicer than the bigger BMW panniers, but they are ideal for my purposes

Anyone know if the BMW Vario Panniers fit a 2010 GSA 30th anniversary model?

Also looking for a smallish soft (cordura) bag top box. Any suggestions?

Alan

 

[Andy B]

Here's my GSA with Vario panniers. You'll need the different fittings to attach them but the fitting system is really easy - it's one 'leg' for each side that mounts to part of the rear frame.

 

[team duvet]

As Andy B say's

I got Vario's with my new 60 plate GSA last September..........looks rather nice! ....... IMO, as per Andy's photo

TD

 

[Andy B]

Here's a pic from the back:

 

[ahmorris]

Thanks for pics. They look pretty good and will more than suit my needs.

I dint need / want a big top box. A small soft bag would do - any ideas? Have seen the Touratech tool bag but this looks a bit iffy in my humble opinion.

 

[Andy B]

I had the full set tranfered over from my old GS. After forking out for a brand new GSA I could justify the luggage for only a few weeks of the year!

The top box is shown in its 'extended' mode so you can use it in its reduced form if size bothers you. It helps in winter to keep the crud off you that flys up from the rear!

 

[ahmorris]

It helps in winter to keep the crud off you that flys up from the rear!

I live in Hong Kong...don't really have a winter. The coldest / horriblest it gets is about 5 degrees for a few weeks...then back up to 32 degrees for summer...roll on.

 

[MartinB]

Here's mine

I didn't fancy the Ali boxes either, these were fitted on my 08 Adventure now this one.

 

[ahmorris]

Thanks, Vario Panniers look pretty good...I'm sold!

 

[tunnie]

top box Vario panner is almost like a suitcase, did a run to Isle of Man TT, where i just stayed in B&B's, popped spare clothes in top box. Got to the hotel, unclip and lift handle, just walk in.

 

[Doberman]

Τhe only thing that made me buy the aluminium panniers is the fact that I could fit a helmet on the top box and another one on the right pannier. The Varios weren't big enough.
There were numerous times that I wanted to go somewhere near with the wife and didn't feel like carrying two helmets in my hands.

 

[MartinB]

Helmets in Varios

I can get my Tour X in the top box OR the R/H pannier. It's a bit of a squeeze height wise in the top box but it's an easy fit with room to spare in the pannier.

I can only imagine that they weren't expanded when you tried it

The sales bod really should have pointed that out to you !

 

[bod]

I can get my old Shoei XR1000 in the Vario topbox, but my new Multitec will not go in

 

[Andy B]

I can get my Multitec in but it has to sit flat on the bottom of the topbox and the lid needs a little gentle persuasion to close!

 

[bod]

I can get my Multitec in but it has to sit flat on the bottom of the topbox and the lid needs a little gentle persuasion to close!

I am a medium, havn't tried to get rough with my multitec yet . . as it's still new!

 

[Ceri JC]

I've got them on my F800GS. I can fit a BMW Enduro lid in the top case and also one in the RHS case (provided both are fully expanded). Overall very happy with them. Survived a 40mph off on tarmac very well. Being able to expand/contract them is a huge boon.

 

[RideTheWind]

Heres mine on a four day trip. Tent over seat resting on the varios. Ordered mine new with Varios in 09. Vines were doing a deal at the time & I got two Alu panniers free. Tried them but prefer the look of the varios & they are more practical for everday use. Save a fortune on Autosol too

 

[Andy B]

I am a medium, havn't tried to get rough with my multitec yet . . as it's still new!

Mine is a large, and I'm not talking about any abuse. You can't put too much strain on the top box lids anyway otherwise the catches won't take it.

 

[iand46]

R1200 GS - Are the Vario Panniers wider than the Handle bars when retracted ? I do a lot of filtering