Which panniers??
- Thread starter dogman
- Start date
I just bit the bullet and bought the vario`s for mine, including the topbox. my view point, they fit nicely, dont stick out so much as the metal ones, the pannier frames are unobtrusive when the panniers are not on the bike and if I look after them and decided to sell the bike, can always be sold on for a good price
I personally think the Varios are excellent. They're expensive, but you'll get most of it back if/when you sell them. Unlike the Varios on my old F650GS, these have plastic lids, so less likely to dent. They're also suprisingly capacious. Plus, and big plus, they come off easily, and not much shows by the way of fittings/frames when they're off. And, only one key for everything.
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SamD
Registered user
I had the varios when I first bought my bike, but I found the side opening a little inconvenient - if you pack them up you basically can't open then while they are on the bike or else everything falls out.
I changed to the BMW Adventure Alu panniers on mine, and they are much better for my needs
I changed to the BMW Adventure Alu panniers on mine, and they are much better for my needs
SERVDAVE
Registered user
You should check out the Stahlkoffer panniers. Just waiting for mine to be delivered for my 650gs. They look amazing and are a very good price
Thanks for that. Does anyone have any photo's with the vario's off showing the bracket? The dealer didn't have any to show me. The alloy ones do look nice, but the bracket is substantial when they are off... mind you it would protect the bike if it went over! Mmm.
Big Bird
Registered user
GunZenBomZ
Registered user
Plastic is lighter but easier to brake into, metal you'd hope were stronger & more of a deterrent for wood-be thief's!
Full F800 pannier set myself.
Full F800 pannier set myself.
Dean
Registered user
I like my ali jesseys 
Dogman you've probably seen the pannier top box thread with all the different set ups but here it is anyway
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146379
I've got the varios on mine (they were on the bike when I bought it) and to be honest I prefer the look of the Alu BMw boxes, but seeing as I wont be doing much other than a couple of weekends away camping, I dont really need anything more so cant justify the expense.
As far as the boxes go I'm not too impressed with them, the adjuster inside does get in the way when trying to maximise the space and the side opening does mean you have to be care when opening them.
the pannier frame are ok but you cannot use other makes of boxes, or bags, on them.
there some who are using soft luggage on Halon (i think) racks and they swear by them over the hard luggage, but horses for courses and what suits one doesn't suit another,
At the end of the day your needs and your budget
just my 2p worth
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146379
I've got the varios on mine (they were on the bike when I bought it) and to be honest I prefer the look of the Alu BMw boxes, but seeing as I wont be doing much other than a couple of weekends away camping, I dont really need anything more so cant justify the expense.
As far as the boxes go I'm not too impressed with them, the adjuster inside does get in the way when trying to maximise the space and the side opening does mean you have to be care when opening them.
the pannier frame are ok but you cannot use other makes of boxes, or bags, on them.
there some who are using soft luggage on Halon (i think) racks and they swear by them over the hard luggage, but horses for courses and what suits one doesn't suit another,
At the end of the day your needs and your budget
just my 2p worth
Thanks Richie3264. I had not seen that thread.. very useful. Having read it I have gone off the idea of the varios to some extent. The BMW alloy jobs look nice, but the Trax alloy boxes look the best in my view. I actually like soft luggage as once removed there is no naff looking rack left behind - and the trax rack looks the least pleasing. If I find a way of getting my Buffalo sport panniers to sit nicely over the grab rails, I may stick with them and save myself 800 smackers. Choices...
Thanks Richie3264. I had not seen that thread.. very useful. Having read it I have gone off the idea of the varios to some extent. The BMW alloy jobs look nice, but the Trax alloy boxes look the best in my view. I actually like soft luggage as once removed there is no naff looking rack left behind - and the trax rack looks the least pleasing. If I find a way of getting my Buffalo sport panniers to sit nicely over the grab rails, I may stick with them and save myself 800 smackers. Choices...
I think someone on this section had leaking issues with trax panniers AFAIK
Theres always the wolfman ( i think they are wolfman) soft luggage which look fab and great write ups, but they attach to a rack as well.
Some of the guys on here do pannier boxes and for a great price nearly 1/2 the price of the varios and with great reputation as already mentioned to you. Well worth a look see IMHO.
Best of luck
crjbaggy
Registered user
How many beer tokens does a set of BMW Adventure Alu panniers set you back at the moment and how does that compare to Vario versions? Anyone know the going rate from the dealerships? Might need to start saving...!
Klanky
Registered user
Drop the bike fairly hard with Varios on and your pannier will be useless. At least with Ali panniers you can beat them reasonably straight and get any local garage to pop rivet a repair together.
And the side openeing is a pain in the arse. I flogged mine and got Roger at Ardcase ( - just search for 'Ardcase' on here) to make me up a set of Ali panniers. Any size, any coulour and bloody good value.
And the side openeing is a pain in the arse. I flogged mine and got Roger at Ardcase ( - just search for 'Ardcase' on here) to make me up a set of Ali panniers. Any size, any coulour and bloody good value.
You should check out the Stahlkoffer panniers. Just waiting for mine to be delivered for my 650gs. They look amazing and are a very good price
+1 - I have a set and they look the dogs b******s and at 2mm ally very strong. You can also use them on other bikes subject to the racking being available.
Blind Lemon Ade
Registered user
You should check out the Stahlkoffer panniers. Just waiting for mine to be delivered for my 650gs. They look amazing and are a very good price
Another vote for Stahlkoffers here, on a 650 as well.
Admittedly the Varios can't take the punishment of the Adventure style boxes, but BMW sell the various components seperately, so they are fairly easy to repair. The side opening is only a pain if you haven't got a top box. Anything I need whilst travelling goes in the topbox, everything else in the panniers until I get there. Also, I don't think any of the alloy boxes take a full face lid.
Klanky
Registered user
Fair comment, V8. But don't forget you can have ali Ardcase panniers made in any size you like.
I was quoted £550 for the vario's and wait for it... £850 for the alloy jobs!
sijohnston
Registered user
wolfman
i'd get the new wolfman softies from winding roads. if you're only doing tarmac, then hard cases are fine, but if you want to do any off-roading, the soft options are a better call, cheaper, and much much lighter. wish i hadn't bought hard cases now and will probably go for softs in the near future.
i'd get the new wolfman softies from winding roads. if you're only doing tarmac, then hard cases are fine, but if you want to do any off-roading, the soft options are a better call, cheaper, and much much lighter. wish i hadn't bought hard cases now and will probably go for softs in the near future.
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