Vario side case latch stiff

TaskMule

Registered user
Joined
Mar 17, 2024
Messages
376
Reaction score
218
Location
canada
Finding the side case latches very stiff, and sort of catching on something inside the mechanism. I make a point of being sure the cases are seated fully on their hooks but pushing down the latch takes major force. When lifting the latch to remove the latch catches on something inside before releasing violently. Has anybody experienced rough operation of the vario case latches? Are any working amazingly smoothly?
 
Finding the side case latches very stiff, and sort of catching on something inside the mechanism. I make a point of being sure the cases are seated fully on their hooks but pushing down the latch takes major force. When lifting the latch to remove the latch catches on something inside before releasing violently. Has anybody experienced rough operation of the vario case latches? Are any working amazingly smoothly?
Probably one of the reasons they've been temporarily pulled from sale.
 
That’s one of the reasons mine went back, plus the electric locking/unlocking didn’t work on the left side and the right side intermittently.
Both levers were very stiff and awkward to release, plus I feared damaging the key trying to get them off.
They are recalled by BMW and I was given a free tank and tail bag by way of compensation.
No firm date given for when I’ll get them back but I can keep the soft bags.
Genuine BMW Black Collection bags, around £300 worth.
 
That’s one of the reasons mine went back, plus the electric locking/unlocking didn’t work on the left side and the right side intermittently.
Both levers were very stiff and awkward to release, plus I feared damaging the key trying to get them off.
They are recalled by BMW and I was given a free tank and tail bag by way of compensation.
No firm date given for when I’ll get them back but I can keep the soft bags.
Genuine BMW Black Collection bags, around £300 worth.
I got £350 towards a Givi top box and plate,decent of BMW I thought!
 
My '22 plate 1250GS TE with three piece Vario has been fine to my current 24k miles
They are removed and refitted pretty much three times a week, and I usually use a silicon type spray every now and again in the mechanism.
Is there a pattern as to why these fail? Have I got this to look forward to?

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk
 
My '22 plate 1250GS TE with three piece Vario has been fine to my current 24k miles
They are removed and refitted pretty much three times a week, and I usually use a silicon type spray every now and again in the mechanism.
Is there a pattern as to why these fail? Have I got this to look forward to?

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk
The 1300 Vario panniers are totally different to the 1200\1250 ones so yours should be fine.
 
Finding the side case latches very stiff, and sort of catching on something inside the mechanism. I make a point of being sure the cases are seated fully on their hooks but pushing down the latch takes major force. When lifting the latch to remove the latch catches on something inside before releasing violently. Has anybody experienced rough operation of the vario case latches? Are any working amazingly smoothly?
Had problems with removing mine from the bike. The sliding catches at the back get dirt and grit between the sliding part and the parts on the bike mounts they slide under. This causes them to be very stiff or jam. I pulled so hard on the release lever at the back if the pannier that it jumped it's mechanism inside and I had to reach behind the pannier and manually prise the catches back. You can try making sure the locking sliders are the back of the panniers are clean by het washing them??. I also sprayed silicone spray liberally into the rear release lever mechanism when it was lifted up and that seems to have helped. Don't use WD40 but proper silicone spray like you get for on rubber door seals etc. to stop them sticking.
Pull on the lever too hard and the plastic inside will bend and there's a metal pin which jumps out of place. If it's any consolation it's good quality plastic and doesn't brake, it bends, and you can get the metal pin back in place.
I still gave my panniers but the dealer has ordered a new pair for when the revised ones are available. Have seen mention of BMW maybe sending out replacement mechanisms to be fitted to the panniers but not sure that is correct.
 
Thanks for the replys, this is what I expected. My top case has not been supplied but I do like the side cases. I think I'll open the mechanism and see what's catching, particularly if a fix is a ways off.
 
Thanks for the replys, this is what I expected. My top case has not been supplied but I do like the side cases. I think I'll open the mechanism and see what's catching, particularly if a fix is a ways off.
It's the sliders at the back on the outside where they go under the mounting tabs which stick due to dirt and grit.
 
My '22 plate 1250GS TE with three piece Vario has been fine to my current 24k miles
They are removed and refitted pretty much three times a week, and I usually use a silicon type spray every now and again in the mechanism.
Is there a pattern as to why these fail? Have I got this to look forward to?

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk
You'll have nothing to worry about with the old varios I had mine for 8 years on 3 GS's they were faultless.Some don't rate them but I liked them !
 
Mostly fixed now. All the moving plastic parts are completely dry of any lubricant. A little silicone spray in a few spots frees things up a lot.
 
It's the sliders at the back on the outside where they go under the mounting tabs which stick due to dirt and grit.
Mine were absolutely brand new on the the day of collection, they’d just been unpacked and put on my bike. When I got home, nice dry day, I couldn’t move them and feared breaking something, particularly the key, plus, as said above, the central locking wouldn’t work.
 


Back
Top Bottom