Vario Topbox with alloy panniers

[Wrinkly]

Hi Folks,
I've just ordered a new 1200gs,i have specced full alloy luggage rather than the vario luggage.
Now a part of me would rather have a vario topbox and alloy panniers. When i asked the question the dealer was unsure,so i'll ask it here.
The question being,
Has anyone done it, or does anyone know,if it is possible to retain the origional rear rack and fit the adventure pannier rails or does one have to also fit the adventure rear rack.
I know the vario topbox can be fitted onto the adventure rear rack,it's just that i think the gs rear rack looks much nicer than the gsa rear rack.
I also realise that the lids on alloy panniers cannot be fully opened whilst the vario topbox is in place.
Hope the above makes sense and that someone knows the answer.

Steve

 

[Yellow Peril]

Do a search there is already one thread on this no more than a week old.

 

[Wrinkly]

Hi Shaun,
I have done a search,i also have read through the thread i think you are referring to,but i cannot find the answer to my specific question.

Steve

 

[EggChaser]

Suspect Shaun is referencing this
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204951

 

[andyclift]

After one holiday I sold my Vario panniers and fitted Zegas but never got round to changing the topbox but can't see why anyone would choose that combination.

I rarely used the topbox as the capacity is poor compared with the outside dimensions due to the expanding mechanism, it's very heavy when empty and rattles.

I preferred the flexibility of the Zegas and a large Ortlieb waterproof rackpack. Weighs nothing, great capacity, will take long and odd shaped items that would not fit topbox and cost a fraction of the price of a topbox.

Just changed the GS for a GSA. I have the ali panniers but will continue with the Ortlieb (wife has just bought one for her bike as well)

 

[E. Buygum]

Hi Folks,
I've just ordered a new 1200gs,i have specced full alloy luggage rather than the vario luggage.
Now a part of me would rather have a vario topbox and alloy panniers. When i asked the question the dealer was unsure,so i'll ask it here.
The question being,
Has anyone done it, or does anyone know,if it is possible to retain the origional rear rack and fit the adventure pannier rails or does one have to also fit the adventure rear rack.
I know the vario topbox can be fitted onto the adventure rear rack,it's just that i think the gs rear rack looks much nicer than the gsa rear rack.
I also realise that the lids on alloy panniers cannot be fully opened whilst the vario topbox is in place.
Hope the above makes sense and that someone knows the answer.

Steve

Hi...did you ever get this sorted? The thread referred to is about putting a vario topbox on a GSA but, like you, I'm looking at swapping the Vario panniers on a 1200GS for the GSA type whilst retaining the Vario top box. I'd be using either panniers or topbox- panniers plus Ortlieb when camping/ touring, just the topbox mainly as pillion back rest. Cheers.

 

[RideTheWind]

I had the same decision to make. My GSA came with alloy panniers. In the end I specced my GSA with Varios. Bought a Alloy topbox from this site and ran a month on each. I sold the alloys and stayed with the varios. I just looked at mine and I am sure the GSA rack uses the same holes as the GS vario topbox plate.

 

[Wrinkly]

Hi...did you ever get this sorted? The thread referred to is about putting a vario topbox on a GSA but, like you, I'm looking at swapping the Vario panniers on a 1200GS for the GSA type whilst retaining the Vario top box. I'd be using either panniers or topbox- panniers plus Ortlieb when camping/ touring, just the topbox mainly as pillion back rest. Cheers.

In the end i went for full BMW alloy luggage.
I think as long as you do not wish to use the alloy panniers at the same time as the top box,you should have no problem.
However if you wish to use the vario topbox and alloy panniers at the same time,the topbox restricts the opening of the panniers and i felt it would be a pain to remove the topbox to allow access to the panniers all the time.
One of the Givi topbox's would work but it was a fairly small one.

Steve

 

[E. Buygum]

In the end i went for full BMW alloy luggage.
I think as long as you do not wish to use the alloy panniers at the same time as the top box,you should have no problem.
However if you wish to use the vario topbox and alloy panniers at the same time,the topbox restricts the opening of the panniers and i felt it would be a pain to remove the topbox to allow access to the panniers all the time.
One of the Givi topbox's would work but it was a fairly small one.

Steve

Thanks, Steve, I think I'll give it a go and get rid of the vario panniers...I cleaned them up today for sale. I can always do the same with the top box if it doesn't work out.

 

[brianmaslen]

As someone has already referenced the thread that I posted on this topic asking the same question. I have tried positioning the Vario topbox on the existing GSA rack and I actually think due to the play in the hinge mechanismn on the GSA side boxes it will be quite possible to open or remove the lids with the Vario in place. You would need to open the boxes using the forward hinges to clear the top box. So as soon as I find time I shall try this option as I have managed to procure a mounting plate for the Vario.