Vario Panniers? Too cumbersome?

[malcopopolo]

Good idea to keep the top box empty, ideal to put your tank bag, gloves and jacket in when mooching.

I lock my helmet to the handlebars with a cheap cable lock which is ok in the day time in public

 

[yans]

Really appreciate everyone's views and thoughts, very helpful indeed.... and yes packing space is going to be done - mates have volunteered me as souvenir carrier !!!!!

Thoughts welcome!

 

[Andrew 789]

Pannier inner bags are a must

+1
Inner bags are a must

 

[yans]

+1
Inner bags are a must

on the shopping list

 

[Hatcho]

on the shopping list

These are the ones I went for. Considerably cheaper than the BMW ones and totally up to the task required...

Top box inner bag - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOP-BOX-INNER-LINER-BAG-FOR-BMW-VARIO-R1200GS-EXPANDABLE-/301570034497?hash=item4636f98b41

Pannier inner bags - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PANNIER-LINER-BAGS-TO-FIT-R1200GS-WATER-COOLED-LC-EXPANDABLE-/301727705932?hash=item46405f6b4c

 

[yans]

These are the ones I went for. Considerably cheaper than the BMW ones and totally up to the task required...

Top box inner bag - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOP-BOX-INNER-LINER-BAG-FOR-BMW-VARIO-R1200GS-EXPANDABLE-/301570034497?hash=item4636f98b41

Pannier inner bags - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PANNIER-LINER-BAGS-TO-FIT-R1200GS-WATER-COOLED-LC-EXPANDABLE-/301727705932?hash=item46405f6b4c

Funnily enough that's the ones I was looking at... Are the pannier ones differently sized to accommodate the exhaust etc etc?

Thanks mate. Very helpful


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[Deleted account 191119001]

Practice opening and closing them correctly, as to not force and break the latches...................

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

When packing it is always a good idea to "pack some space" to allow room for stuff you may pick up along the way.

Always have more space on the way home, as take old tee-shirts to sling in the bin or to wipe the bike down, then sell them on here.............

 

[m1keyp]

I had vario's on my first GS

Found them to have very limited storage space and when extended they were too wide

Eventually sold them and invested in the Metal Mule Balanced system with the tucked in exhaust

This is not a cheap option but the panniers are now on my second GS having lasted 8+ years fitting removing the panniers is very quick and very secure

Along with the Panniers I have the Givi Outback topbox

 

[burnsey66]

I sold the Varios (which I’ve used effectively on tours) and now have the BMW OEM aluminium ones. Some don’t like the look of the rack when panniers aren’t connected, but I like the extra protection it gives my exhaust...

 

[Hatcho]

Funnily enough that's the ones I was looking at... Are the pannier ones differently sized to accommodate the exhaust etc etc?

Thanks mate. Very helpful


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Yep - each inner bag is matched to its particular pannier. Bags are expandable to match whether you have the vario boxes at reduced or full capacity.

 

[yans]

Yep - each inner bag is matched to its particular pannier. Bags are expandable to match whether you have the vario boxes at reduced or full capacity.

I'm sadly excited!!!!!!


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[Engineer]

Guys and girls, need your expert thoughts please....

I have a GS Rallye, and off to touring to France in a few weeks.

I've never had panniers before attached to a bike but went ahead a purchased the Vario panniers and top box from my mate as it as a great deal and thought it would a great addition to the bike...

Is there something fundamental that will make riding/touring with the panniers on that I should think about or worry about ?

They are going to add weight and width, but being attached to the bike means they are sturdy and obviously lockable...

Just wondered people's experiences and worries riding with panniers ? Any major negatives that I haven't thought about ?

Thanks very much.
Yans.

The Varios panniers and top box are great, been using them for years - always tour two up with them, I used to use a combination of panniers and roll bag but now just stick with the full set of Varios.

The only problem I have experienced is the pannier expanding mechanism does become very stiff if not exercised regularly.

PS - the zips on the BMW inner bags are not robust and don’t last with daily commuting use, bit pants really considering their astronomical cost.

 

[fs996]

The varios can be stripped down and the mechanism lubed pretty easily when it starts to *cough* stiffen up...

I added a bungee net to the door too, useful to stop items getting flung out when you open the panniers, especially from the left one if the bike is on sidestand.

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[JerseyNeil]

Like Burnsey I started off with Vario panniers on my GS Rallye (had them on my GS TC too). I agree with everyone else;
They look good
fit well
waterproof
secure
heavy but don't generally affect the handling of the bike (I don't use a top box as I travel solo).

I did not like the lack of space inside them considering the external size (I nick named the the Irish Tardis).

I sold them and went for the GSA Ali panniers with racks. Yes the frames are apparent but I like that. I could take them off completely in about 15mins if I wanted too. The Ali panniers are a bit bigger but lighter. They also hold a lot more stuff. I have yet to use them away properly but am looking forward to doing so.

 

[the woodster]

Just something I found when using a non-BMW inner bag in the vario top box:

I cut a thick piece of cardboard to the correct size to stiffen the base as they are really floppy until almost full. It can make them a bit awkward to get in and out and carry.

 

[yans]

More great advice and guidance, thanks to ALL
I've taken on board everyone's comments and they have been very helpful.
Going to commute this week as I think the weather is good and continue the testing

 

[leadfarmer]

For the paniers I prefer top loaders for practicality and have Touratech Zega Pro 2s on my GS

The Zega boxes are great and leave more foot room for wifey than Varios would but the quick release system is utter shite, not a patch on the system used by the Givi Trecker Outbacks I had on my last bike

Not a problem since I started to use inner bags which I recommend totally

As others have mentioned, I use a Givi TRK52 plastic top box which I always leave empty for our two lids and gloves etc when we stop

Oh, and don't worry about filtering, if the bars and the pots go through the panniers will too

 

[yans]

Thanks Leadfarmer.... Filtering here we come! LOL!!!!

 

[Hatcho]

Thanks Leadfarmer.... Filtering here we come! LOL!!!!

If you're two-up, the hard squeeze of your pillions legs will give you a good idea if you're gonna fit through the gap or not!