Vario Panniers on a GSA Request

[MIKE R]

Hi all

I would be very grateful if someone out there could post a picture of a 12GSA with Vario luggage. I'm not a lover of the alloy panniers and do not go off road, so the plastic ones may be more suited to my needs.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[The Bede]

... Try this, don't have a piccie with the top-box on as well, but it looks fine.

 

[MIKE R]

That was quick!

Many thanks

Mike

 

[London Mole]

more GSA with Varios...

Never had aluminium panniers before, those do the trick in town, I keep them in "folded" position and that's plenty enough!

 

[brianmaslen]

Well I have a Vario Topbox complete with mounting plate and "GS" rear bracket which i'll be selling very soon if you are interested. Will swop straight over in place of the GSA rack which i am sure you will sell easily on here.

 

[Blackal]

It isn't a fantastically cheap road to go down, especially if you add the top box.

You need the side pods with the mushrooms for hanging the panniers, but the real expense is the tripod mount and fittings for the topbox.

I can't remember the exact cost - but it ain't cheap.

You might pick up the tripod mount on Ebay or on here from someone who is breaking a bike?

Al

 

[MIKE R]

Thanks for all that.

I've got a deal worked out on a new 2010 GSA (depending on a test ride next month). The dealer has offered to take the GSA pannier and topbox fittings into stock and replace them with a set of Vario fittings without charge.

I had an 07 GSA with BMW alloy luggage and although I found the capacity to be spot on, the alloy began to corrode at the first sign of rain, never mind salt. That is why I am now considering Varios although I am also investigating black Trax panniers. A picture of Trax panniers on a 12GSA on Bikegear.co.za seems to indicate that these panniers will fit the GSA luggage frames with a modification kit. I've emailed SW Motec to find out.
Best wishes

Mike

 

[E. Buygum]

Hi all

I would be very grateful if someone out there could post a picture of a 12GSA with Vario luggage. I'm not a lover of the alloy panniers and do not go off road, so the plastic ones may be more suited to my needs.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Mike, have you already got the GSA alloy panniers? I have the Varios on my GS (not GSA) but would personally prefer the alloy ones.

 

[Blackal]

If I remember correctly - Trax were launched (eventually) amid a great fanfare.......

But - I think there have been several dissatisfied owners since then with reports of really poor design w.r.t. water sealing

Do a search on the site.

Al

 

[Andy Davies]

As I have changed over to Ally panniers on my GS, I have a full set of varios complete with inner bags available. PM me if you want to discuss further.

Andy

 

[MIKE R]

Mike, have you already got the GSA alloy panniers? I have the Varios on my GS (not GSA) but would personally prefer the alloy ones.

Sorry, I sold the alloy panniers with the bike a couple of years ago. As I may get a new bike, I'd like new panniers.

Mike

 

[brianmaslen]

Well I have a Vario Topbox complete with mounting plate and "GS" rear bracket which i'll be selling very soon if you are interested. Will swop straight over in place of the GSA rack which i am sure you will sell easily on here.

This does include the rear wing mount too.

 

[Andy B]

Here's mine.

 

[andyclift]

On the old GS I dumped the Varios after one tour. Look good but bloody heavy when empty, useless left one, not very good capacity on right one and top box cos the Vario mechanism takes up too much space. Also a pain to take stuff out when fitted to bike without dropping everything all over road and with other bikes parked close can't open the lids anyway.

Sold them and bought a pair of Zegas. Yes they discolour quickly but if you leave them alone and don't try to keep polishing them they eventually just go a dull grey. Much more practical to use with top loading, practical square space, good capacity BOTH sides and for really big stuff just leave the lids at home.

Now have GSA and very happy with ali boxes and would not change to Varios if they came for free. My only reservation is they are a lot lighter than my old Varios and I don't think they would survive throwing the bike down the road as the Zega did twice.!!

Easy choice really Pretty = Vario or practical = Ali