Which panniers?

[NeilGS]

I thought I would put this as a separate post..

I have a set of vario panniers and a set of black GSA luggage. Both as new.
Which one to fit?
I can either go the vario route and stick some nice exclusive stickers on the side cases or
Fit the black GSA kit. I still need to get the frames if I go the GSA route.
Which do you chaps think suit the 1250 exclusive best.
I am still 50:50 !

 

[Reggie353]

I like the wrapped Vario’s. They look great.


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[littleade]

The Ali panniers look nice and some prefer them because they are top loading but the bike will IMO look crap when they're not on the bike with the frames still in place. In their collapsed state the varios will probably be thinner too if you intend filtering?

I'd go with the varios myself

 

[southernpete]

IMHO I would go for the wrapped varios, the gsa ones are getting back to the fat boy look. Wrapped is better than the bare look of the varios.

 

[richardbd]

+1 for the varios. The top-loading of the ali boxes is a way better system but the varios look much better. They'd look even better wrapped in plain black...

 

[Doc]

Ally ones for me as i like the top opening.

 

[Monty B]

I'm not ashamed to say 'the look' is important to me, but when it comes to luggage, it's all about functionality.

 

[twizzle]

Varios look too fussy wrapped... top loaders for me

 

[stick]

I have both , i use the varios when just local as the ease of use is good and the look of the bike remains clean lines when not used , Euro trips the Ali as they are better to use , down side is the frames that look awful with no boxes so only use when away for 1 week plus , vain i know but the frames look crap and feel they are a hazzard if involved with an off.

 

[RichardD]

If you go with aluminium panniers, I know someone (me) who would happily fund your purchase of the frames by buying the vario panniers off you...

 

[GoSquirrel]

+1 for the varios - they are great for the daily to-ing and fro-ing that I seem to do these days, I also like the fact that you can expand them if needed!

Don't get me wrong, I think the ali ones are excellent too, certainly they would be my first choice for any hardcore adventure as they should survive a spill or too - and even if you managed to break one in the back of beyond - you could beat it back into shape!

They're all good, which ever ones you choose!

 

[markyparky]

If you go with aluminium panniers, I know someone (me) who would happily fund your purchase of the frames by buying the vario panniers off you...

Hi Richard - Is it just the panniers you are looking for as I have a Vario Top Box on offer at present

 

[RichardD]

Hi Richard - Is it just the panniers you are looking for as I have a Vario Top Box on offer at present

Yeah. I saw your advert too late. I have a top box but I need panniers. I'm in the same boat as the OP - debating between Aluminuim or Vario for exactly the same bike. If I can't get some decent second hand varios, I'm thinking of going for Givi panniers. Cost is about the same as new varios and they fit on removable frames and are top-opening. Probably the best of both worlds?

 

[GB.]

Had both types and the only advantage the varios have is you don't need frames, that's it. Varios are heavy and crap to pack. The frames have their advantages as they save your exhaust when you drop it off road and give you something to pull on when you get stuck. The standard touretech frames look better than the bmw ones do when no boxes are fitted, simpler and less complex. Get the mundos and frames for half the price of bmw Ali ones and about the same price as varios. Once you've had alloy panniers you won't go back to varios, well not if you actually travel any distance. If you are just hotel hopping and not camping then a bag on the back will hold more and be easier to carry into the hotel.

 

[team duvet]

GSA

GSA panniers for me

 

[stever1]

I've had both vario's and top openers (givi trekker outback ) top loaders win every time.

 

[NeilGS]

Well it seems to be a draw! Half for varios and half for GSA boxes.

I am now leaning towards the varios purely because I think the bike has cleaner lines when no panniers are fitted, which will be most of the time. Not keen on the GSA pannier frames, but I do like the look of the boxes.

So I think I will keep the varios, and get some ‘stickers’, and sell on the GSA luggage.

 

[Neil W]

After years of using side loading types of panniers both bmw and givi I fitted top loading alloy panniers to my 2011 gsa when I bought it.
Since then I have had alloy top loading cases on 3 bikes and wouldn't go back to vario type panniers as I find them a lot less hassle to pack and retrieve items from them when touring

 

[NeilGS]

I have decided to go for the varios with the exclusive decals. I do like both though !
Black 2019 alu box set now in ‘for sale’ section.

 

[GB.]

If your not camping or going off road (looking at your set up and how clean your bike is I doubt you are) then varios are the solution, especially if you don’t like frames. I had two sets of varios before I went to alloy boxes, I was always concerned how they would look without the boxes fitted, but as the finish matches the crash bars I don’t notice them when the boxes aren’t on. The touratech ones are a lot simpler and less cluttered than the bmw ones and if I wanted them off for say a trackday (but a trackday dragging panniers does get some looks) it wouldn’t take me any longer than when I swap wheels over for off road riding. Ideally I want soft luggage with no frames, I know I could use giant loop as I’ve used them before on my 701 but I don’t want to lose my pillion seat or have to fit a heat shield that looks uglier than frames do. For me the smallest alloy boxes and a dry bag works best for virtually all scenarios.