Verns Worldbeaters

[MattW]

NB: Originally posted in 'Equipment and toys' - I've closed that thread and reposted here for a bit of extra visibility (hope this is ok).

I'll be ordering a set of Vern's Worldbeaters next week, but as they're a bespoke product you obviously get lots of choices. I'll obviously be talking it through with Vern, but if I could ask a couple of questions of those of you with a set of Verns finest...

NB. I'll be using mine for a mixture of solo and two up touring.

What width did you get? I'm thinking I'll get 11" wide ones - are you happy with your choice of width.

Which lid do you use? I'll probably go for the 'medium height' one - or at least the one shown on Tsiklonaut's bike here:

And of course most importantly - which colour? I'll probably go for the natural alloy as on the pic above, although black with natural lids looks good also....

Opinions welcome!

Matt

 

[motobiker]

Shirley the man himself is the best person to listen to.

whats this about.. you off to the Atacama for the summer. Or is Waitrose having a sale?

 

[MattW]

Thanks for your constructive input Tony.
I'm merely after the opinions of those who've bought and used Vern's panniers - surely not that strange a thing to ask?

And the use to which they'll be put is quite frankly up to me. However, rest assured, it won't be for shopping - as I said in the original post I intend to use them for a mixture of solo and two up touring.

 

[motobiker]

thats me told then.

However the largest that are practical. but less than the width of the bars... with the lids at such a height that they maximise the rear platform area. And plain silver anodised for long term looks (doesnt black turn them into a solar furnace?)

I like the idea of these FOR touring.. But having seen first hand how they affect the ride of those who leave them on permanently then No.. they're not for me. and thats no criticism against Vern or any other Fabricator.

 

[seamus1504]

Hi Matt
I have a set of Verns 11'' and I love them, as my 1150 is my only mode of transport they have stayed on since Vern put them on.
They hold tons of kit and are very well made !!
I changed the hinges to catches so I could fit on my 52 ltr. top box, Vern was kind enough to exchange hinges for the catches, top bloke !!
They will certainly come in handy when I set off to Croatia in July !!
Buy them you'll love them !!!
And filtering isn't too bad once you get use to the width !
Hope this helps !

Seamus

 

[Carl]

I had some on loan from Vern for about 6 months, they were the 11" wide ones, however I went with the 10" set when I bought some.

FWIW I prefer the 10" as they look much better on the bike, but that is just my opinion. Also think the black with silver lids look best, get the medium or deep lids as it adds a suprising amount of space.

Best thing to do though is pop and see vern and see what he has on the shelf, then make your mind up, you will get 101 different opinions asking on here.

 

[Canuck]

I went for the 10 inch wide so that when commuting I can filter a bit easier than the 11's, plus the more room I had the more I would pack.

I also went for the catches on both end so that the lids lift off and can be used as table/cutting board/ironing board (when the wife comes with) etc.

I got the low lids as when the missus isn't on the back I have a nice flat surface to strap down a rollbag... oh and got 4 stainless hooks on each pannier.

Enjoy them when you get them

 

[sockpuppet]

I went for the 10 inch wide so that when commuting I can filter a bit easier than the 11's, plus the more room I had the more I would pack.

I also went for the catches on both end so that the lids lift off and can be used as table/cutting board/ironing board (when the wife comes with) etc.

I got the low lids as when the missus isn't on the back I have a nice flat surface to strap down a rollbag... oh and got 4 stainless hooks on each pannier.

Enjoy them when you get them

Snap. I've got verns 10" panniers with 40mm lids on mine. Wanted the lids that flat as it made a flat surface for a roll bag.

Also got 4 lid catches.

 

[MattW]

thats me told then.

However the largest that are practical. but less than the width of the bars... with the lids at such a height that they maximise the rear platform area. And plain silver anodised for long term looks (doesnt black turn them into a solar furnace?)

I like the idea of these FOR touring.. But having seen first hand how they affect the ride of those who leave them on permanently then No.. they're not for me. and thats no criticism against Vern or any other Fabricator.

Thanks Tony

They won't be staying permanently fixed, so that much at least is out of the equation.

 

[MattW]

Hi Matt
I have a set of Verns 11'' and I love them, as my 1150 is my only mode of transport they have stayed on since Vern put them on.
They hold tons of kit and are very well made !!
I changed the hinges to catches so I could fit on my 52 ltr. top box, Vern was kind enough to exchange hinges for the catches, top bloke !!
They will certainly come in handy when I set off to Croatia in July !!
Buy them you'll love them !!!
And filtering isn't too bad once you get use to the width !
Hope this helps !

Seamus

I had some on loan from Vern for about 6 months, they were the 11" wide ones, however I went with the 10" set when I bought some.

FWIW I prefer the 10" as they look much better on the bike, but that is just my opinion. Also think the black with silver lids look best, get the medium or deep lids as it adds a suprising amount of space.

Best thing to do though is pop and see vern and see what he has on the shelf, then make your mind up, you will get 101 different opinions asking on here.

I went for the 10 inch wide so that when commuting I can filter a bit easier than the 11's, plus the more room I had the more I would pack.

I also went for the catches on both end so that the lids lift off and can be used as table/cutting board/ironing board (when the wife comes with) etc.

I got the low lids as when the missus isn't on the back I have a nice flat surface to strap down a rollbag... oh and got 4 stainless hooks on each pannier.

Enjoy them when you get them

Snap. I've got verns 10" panniers with 40mm lids on mine. Wanted the lids that flat as it made a flat surface for a roll bag.

Also got 4 lid catches.

Thanks for the iput guys

 

[mad moose]

hi matt i have a set of vern`s i went for 11`s with high lids with black bottoms and silver lids

 

[Toolmaker]

I have a question for those with the 11” worldbeaters. Where is the 11” measured from? On the outside of the box, or the opening width? I would like to store my helmet in the pannier, and it is about 10.5” wide.

 

[sockpuppet]

Its 11" on the outside of the box. The opening will be around 1" smaller on normal boxes.

However Vern has made in the past a wider opening so you can get your helmet in there.

 

[motobiker]

Toolmaker - Vern will I believe construct your panniers to the dimensions YOU specify - he offers a full bespoke service.

 

[Toolmaker]

Great information guys! I have done a lot of reading about the workmanship of Vern. He seems to be top of the pile. I got my 2008 GS last fall, and am waiting on Vern to start offering them for my 1200. I read where he will offer a full left box w/o the cutout for exhaust. Looking forward to the release date!

 

[MattW]

Well, I went to Vern's today and rode away with a pair of 11" panniers fitted. The workmanship and fit and finish has to be seen to be appreciated and knock mass produced stuff into a cocked hat. Although he was working on other stuff, Vern happily spent a couple of hours talking the choices through with me and then as I'd chosen some he had on the shelf, fitting the frames and boxes. He even fixed the front indicator I had taken out by a (now dead) pheasant on the way to his workshop

Thanks Vern

 

[DutchBryn]

Hi Matt, glad you got yourself sorted with your Verns.
Your 'bike / Verns ensemble is a credit to you.

 

[Vern]

I thought he might be sulking a bit after he had a look at my "nice" 1100 but he went away happy enough.

Cheers Matt

 

[MattW]

I thought he might be sulking a bit after he had a look at my "nice" 1100 but he went away happy enough.

Cheers Matt

Thanks Vern

Don't forget, I know where your nice 1100 lives

 

[motobiker]

Matt.. when you get time post a picture of the bike without the boxes fitted. So i can see what the fttings look like. many thanks.