Verns panniers

[(RIP) willstatt]

Just got back from 3500 mile tour of Spain/Portugal and France... barely touched an A road, let alone a motorway.... In fact found some roads in Spain... on the Southern Portugal to Catalunya (NE Spain) 1000 mile leg, that must be some of the best biking roads, through the most amazing terrain, that you could find anywhere in the world, and I honestly reckon we saw about one car per 5 miles! We found some roads in deepest France of almost similar quality, but traffic was always much worse.

Had my Verns panniers fitted just days before the trip, and what BRILLIANT kit they are! not a rattle and very secure. Comfortably took all my gear with room to spare, and mine are the slightly narrower type. I bought a Touratech inner bag for the Non-exhaust pannier, and it fitted perfectly with room for a pair of shoes and other bits at one end.

Put standard BMW inner bag in the exhaust side pannier, which left ample room for loads of other bits too.... the perfect solution in my opinion.

My mate with his standard GS set, suffered 'pannier jealousy' for the whole trip!

We never had a day under 35 degrees, and when we road across Extremadura (the hottest area of Spain) we had one mid day temp of 46 degrees!!!!! Bikes ran with 7 bars on temp gauges most dates, but ran faultlessly!

Saw the fires in Portugal.... Scary

Only 'improvement' could be Vern custom made, matching alloy top box for spare capacity.... mid day picnic supplies, or last leg duty frees.....

Will

 

[Vern]

Another happy bunny

Glad you had an ace time, and glad the panniers did their job alright. So how big do I make the top box then?????

 

[BAKERMAN]

100 liters please, so I can start selling gear at the seaside.

 

[Greg McDonald]

Pannier envy?

"My mate with his standard GS set, suffered 'pannier jealousy' for the whole trip!"

While I wouldn't argue with anything me mate Will says about the practicality and fine workmanship of Vern's panniers, I can tell you there is an alternative. The standard BMW panniers work fine and, when supplemented by the Touratech tank bag (incl "saddle bag" atatchements) and Touratech rear seat-replacing, expandable whats-it, plus a 48l (or is it 52l?) Non Fango top box, combine to make a load-lugging ensemble that should see anyone through a world tour.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

True but, the tank bag, saddle bag and tail pack can all be 'opened' with a knife..... to get into Verns panniers you need either the key or the assistance of AngleGrinderMan

 

[Vern]

Ah yes, but.............

You load your bike up like that, and I'll load mine up like Wills, then we'll park them in an african dock and go and have a beer, and see whats left when we get back?

 

[Fanum]

Greg....I've read loads of reports saying the BM panniers leak like sieves and crush like grapes as well.....but apparently Vern used to sell his to the Vietnamese boat people.....

How do you find yours??

 

[Vern]

I'm working on a set of 12 seaters at the moment for export to cosovo, something to do with lots of return trips. Homing panniers I think the bloke called them

 

[(RIP) willstatt]

Pannier talk

And another thing... apart from the inferior security.... my mate Greg had so many different bags on his GS that he couldn't remember which bag held what.... couldn't remember which his wallet was in at one stage... but it WAS his round, so maybe that was just a ploy!!!!!

There's no debate really.... The Vern's jobbies are the best solution, but then those of us who have them would say that I suppose.

Just been on 5 day trip round Brittany, and again they proved there worth, and so light, you don't know you've got 'em on... Must get you to make me that top box though vern, because the little Givi one just looks crap.

You know you're only jealous Greg... get a set of Vern's (and a tin of Mandarin paint) and then you'll have a proper GS...

I await your reply citing the benefits of the 'sports gearbox' ect!!!

 

[Vern]

Top box on the way soon, you can be the test pilot if you want

 

[shugie]

and how much do these wonderous panniers cost?

Shug

 

[BAKERMAN]

Top box on the way soon, you can be the test pilot if you want

Hope its heated and all racked out 200 pasties to deliver mate.

 

[(RIP) willstatt]

Chuck Yeager

"Top box on the way soon, you can be the test pilot if you want"


Yep... matey... me test jet just ready for test flight!!!! Just let me know when!!!

 

[Deleted Member]

alternatively

Swiss army amo boxes. Steel but light weight and strong enough to take the weight of the bike on top, repairable in poor countries and guess what. £11 each :O)

 

[Vern]

Alan
was it you I was talking to about making some racks for those boxes, if it was, did you get some made, and if it wasn't, then who was it
£600

 

[Rob Farmer]

Alan,

can you let me know where to get the swiss army ammo boxes from please? There just what I'm after for my Triumph.

Cheers

Rob

 

[Deleted Member]

yes

Hi Vern, yes it certainly was.
Bit stuck at the moment as my cousin works at heathrow and said he would make me a rack no problem free of charge.
We are now at the "if you're too busy I will buy some" stage but he is still adamant he will sort me something out.
Concentrating of sorting bike first anyway so will definately give you a call if and when.
Cheers


Where...
Got them from my local army navy store in b'ham called 'saddlers'.
I bought the last four and asked them to call if they get any more in as i'm sure they would sell on here for the budget concious but nout yet.
Bought last '4' because cousin decided he was going to get an old g/s too and prep in for a big trip but..... see above!!!

 

[SilverFish]

Topbox

Vern,

As and when you get one ready, could you let me know about your topbox idea?

I would like one that matched your panniers and was just as secure and waterproof.

Let us know how you get on,

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Banjaxed]

Hmm ...

Let's see.

Can't be wider than 40cm, or the panniers won't open (don't I know!). Perhaps 30cm front to back so the pillion can sleep, perhaps 35cm high (including arty chamfered lid). That gives 42 litres, less a bit for the lid shape - say about 40 litres.

The box would be very rigid (unlike Vern ... who's very flexible!), so two hinges on the front and one locking catch on the back?

Secured through base into a Givi Monokey baseplate - now available for the Adventure as well as the standard GS.

How much Vern? Especially with that nice silver anodised finish?

 

[Greg McDonald]

Greg....I've read loads of reports saying the BM panniers leak like sieves and crush like grapes as well.....but apparently Vern used to sell his to the Vietnamese boat people.....

How do you find yours??

Dunno 'bout holding rain out as recent trip to Algarve was in 45 deg C heat. It sprinkled en route for about a minute, which was just heaven but, of course, not enough to test out panniers.

Anyway, I like my comforts too much to want to test them out for rain worthiness. If it rains, I head for the nearest cafe for refreshment!

I did buy pannier liners, just in case and to help unpack quickly when arriving at hotel/parador.