BMW Vario Panniers

I really like the BMW Vario Panniers and tend to just leave them on the bike all the time. I have made a couple of minor modifications to them that may be of interest.

Firstly I decided to add reflective material to them. I found that a stick on yellow reflective number plate was ideal. Cut in half they were just the right height for a pannier. Not easy to find but only cost me £3 for a pair which as enough to do the front and back of the panniers.

Added a couple of rectangular reflective badges to the sides of each pannier. They came in a set of reflectors from Poundland. I thought they would make first contact if the panniers came in contact with something.

Added a BMW Roundal at the rear of each pannier. Part of a set of four alloy wheel centres, Used the other two on the centre pivot area and the screen.



Added a pair of Hein Gerricke Bungee Anchors (£3.49) to each pannier. Again they sit slightly proud of the pannier so might stop the panniers getting scratched if they come into contact with something.



On the Pannier rails I noted that there were three points where you could thread webbing through. I had a couple of pieces of webbing with Velcro on them and have found them useful for securing items like roll bags. I have one through each centre mount. When not in use I just fold them between the rear carrier and the rear seat.







I am going to be doing an HNC course soon and need to carry document files in the panniers so made up some retainers using elastic cord and cable "p" clips from Maplins. By chance I happened to have a M&S canvas grocery bag at hand and thought it might fit the larger right hand pannier. Low and behold it is a great fit for the pannier in extended position. Not bad for £1 or so. It folds up fine and my document retainers hold it in place fine.

These are not just panniers................ these are M & S panniers

Useful mods


Al

i like the bungee cord anchors - i've been looking for a set for my varios for a long time but couldn't locate them so i'll give these a shot!
david

Now that I've seen yours, I'm thinking of buying the BMW panniers myself

Re the Hein Gerricke Bungee Anchors, how did they fit, bolt or screw. Do you need to take the panniers apart to fit them.

Thanks for the tread very useful.

Perren

To fit the Bungee Anchors I drilled a small hole into the panniers to check it was clear behind before using a Self tapping screw with a thread of approx 6mm wide by 14mm long.

I didn't even try to take the panniers apart to use the supplied nut and bolt in case I couldn't get them all back together again


I have found a further use of Vario Panniers, a good mount for a bullet camera

I've put strap loops on the top of my vario panniers as well. The loops are actually drawer handles from B&Q (other diy outlets are available ) and to fit I removed the outer corner piece from the pannier, by undoing the screws that hold it and the lock in place, then bolted through the flat area on the top edge. Take care not to put the bolts through too far inboard, or the corner piece won't go back on. I can't post pics from here, but may get chance tonight.
Mark

skyenet said:

Click to expand...

If anyone's going touring with this set-up, don't forget the weight limit for each pannier is 10kgs.
If you're close to this limit try to put some weight over the rear seat.

Nice set-up Skyenet

YOO

Nice mods, though, once the stuf is on the panniers, try to open them That's why I don't think it's the perfect solution.

Bit still, nice mods, if I can't find a descent pair of alu panniers second hand, I might very well put the bungee ancors to.

Grtz, Philip!

Phluppe said:

YOO

Nice mods, though, once the stuf is on the panniers, try to open them That's why I don't think it's the perfect solution.

Click to expand...

Agree its not ideal but in the photo above of the Hein Gerricke Roll bags they are secured to the bike by a webbing strap so it will stay in place when you undo the 2 bungee straps to open the pannier. I reckon I would only have light stuff like camping mats/sleeping bags in the HG Roll bags so not a lot of weight on top of the panniers. Plus being a short @rse I couldn't get my leg over if the bags had too much in them

Just done some more mods inside the left hand pannier with velcro to keep things neat and organised. Tend to use it for smaller things like drink, MP3 player, glasses, GPS, Disc Lock, gloves, First Aid kit and Waterproofs. Tend to keep the right hand pannier pretty empty for helmet storage. Now tidier and more organised with many of these things velcroed down. 50 years since velcro was invented by the way

Thanks for the info everybody

Thanks Andy, I found the wunderlich pannier bags about an hour after posting (typical).

I think I will do some practice packs starting with skyenet ideas using straps which look simple and cheap which is always good.

I like the idea of adding some tie down point like others have done but am a little concerned about how strong/durable they may be.

The more Adventure style metal cases with top openings and tie downs will be the best solution and the most expensive. I also like the idea of simple mods to the cases as Andy suggest for oil etc. I will look at the cost and options available. I'm sure there are a couple of threads on the subject!

Maybe I will have to force myself in to a couple of weekends away to evaluate the options, any excuse.


Thanks All

sorry replied to wrong thread

sorry replied to wrong thread, followed link in original tread, Sorry

Hi there, did the bungee anchors come with the screws or did you provide your own self-tappers? I presume you only put the anchors on the outside edge and just bungied on to the frame?
A neat set up none the less and just what I'm looking for!

Instead of using the Hein Gericke D rings at £3.95 a pair and £5.50 p&p, I used some nickel plated D ring from my local ironmonger at 54p a pair. I put 4 on each pannier and top box and dabbed a blob of silicon on the backs before tightening the screws to waterproof them. There is 2 self tappers per D ring and the result is a very secure fitting.

Coleman sell waterproof roll bags that have 4 points where you can thread thru 2 attaching straps, these can then be attached to the D rings on the panniers holding them firmly in place.
The medium size was £4.95 and the large was £6.95, they are also semi see thru which gives you an idea whats in them.
I bought these from Caseys camping store.

tie downs

This might be it

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=993796

Good to see somebody using thought and imagination rather than wallet. Thanks for the ideas.