Pannier PICS

[Caroanbill]

Picked up my new colour-matched panniers and top box last night.
.... lookin' mighty fine in crystal grey!

and before you say it, this thread is indeed worthless without ...

I'll take some pics on this weekend's ride to the ACT BMW club rally at Geehi Flat (Snowy Mountains) ... a nice little 1500km jaunt, of which 600km will be winding mountain roads. The campsite has a great view of the last spring snow on the a main Kosciusko range ...


In the meantime, what'd I do? I had the pannier lids painted and then attached the black rubber protectors - sounds like overkill but actually balances the look nicely. Added the back rest over the paint to the topcase lid. Bike actually looks fine with just the topcase, too. I'm waiting on some Hornig clear film for the tops of panniers to protect from the inevitable boot hits while dis/mounting.

Overall, the bike simply looks more finished and balanced - the big black mass at the back tend to overpower the svelte, sinuous lines (only) evident in crystal grey ... ooooh, yesssssss

[Caroanbill]

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/billstan ... 0050389154

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/billstan ... 8640323762

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/billstan ... 7230258370

Yep, that's the Quicklock tank ring you can see.

And a pic out on the shakedown run - this is the Tooma Rd, looking east to the main range of the Australian Alps .... 30C down where the bike is, fresh snow up at 2200 metres

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/billstan ... 4265687154

[mogu83]

Very nice
And that road with the mountains and expected foothills in the distance looks really really interesting.

Enjoy your riding season, I'm getting my electric stuff out.

[Enjoy-Rider]

Hi Caroanbill,

I see I have the same R1200R as you have, in crystal grey, with topcase and panniers painted the same.
I also just ordered the panniers protecting strip.
However.....on your pannier I see they are quit small. Did your R1200R ever fall down and did the protect strips do there job? I know some guys wit a R1200RT (this motor has the same panniers) and they say that when the motor falls it rolls over till the mirror, so the pannier will still be damaged. But maybe that's different with the R1200R?

Another question: I'm 6 ft tall, with quite long legs. So I ordered the tall seat. I haven't tried it yet for it was on back order. However I see you have a footpeg lowering kit. That's another possibility of cource. But doesn't it touch the ground when you're in a fast corner?

Thanks and regards,
Jouke

[Caroanbill]

Hi Caroanbill,

I see I have the same R1200R as you have, in crystal grey, with topcase and panniers painted the same.
I also just ordered the panniers protecting strip.
However.....on your pannier I see they are quit small. Did your R1200R ever fall down and did the protect strips do there job? I know some guys wit a R1200RT (this motor has the same panniers) and they say that when the motor falls it rolls over till the mirror, so the pannier will still be damaged. But maybe that's different with the R1200R?

Nope, never fallen - well, at least, not yet.

I got those potection strips mostly for the small stones that come up off Australian roads. Our roads, especially the backroads I love to ride on, are often sealed by spraying bitumen (asphalt) onto a layer of gravel, then dumping fresh gravel over the top. The final roll / sweep of loose gravel might not be completed for a few dyas or weeks, and some loose stones persist for months. It's horrible to ride over! Anyway, this means a lot of stones are thrown up on country roads - they'd have chipped the panniers, so I got the protector strips.

I also got the Hornig clear adhesive protector sheets for the tops of the panniers, to lessen boots scuffing.

Another question: I'm 6 ft tall, with quite long legs. So I ordered the tall seat. I haven't tried it yet for it was on back order. However I see you have a footpeg lowering kit. That's another possibility of cource. But doesn't it touch the ground when you're in a fast corner?

That is the Surburban Macghinery kit. Very useful in un-cramping my knees! I am only 172cm, and have short legs , but even so the low seat was too tight on my knees.

Finish is quite acceptable, especially when compared to the price of MV Verholen kits - and the current state of the US dollar!

No, I don't scrape, but then I don't ride all that hard either. I have "chicken strips" (unworn rubber on the sides of my tyre) of about 1cm wide on the R12R (less on my F650CS )

[eisen]

question: I'm 6 ft tall, with quite long legs. So I ordered the tall seat. I haven't tried it yet for it was on back order. However I see you have a footpeg lowering kit. That's another possibility of cource. But doesn't it touch the ground when you're in a fast corner?

I have the tall seat on my R12R - and at just over 6'1 (188cm) i, and my knees, are fine for well over 7 hours.
I had the Verholen lowered pegs on my R12RT and i can assure you that i will not be making the same mistake on my R.
The bike scraped everywhere and severely limited cornering clearance BUT they were VERY comfortable and top quality.
My R12R is used for the daily commute, fun weekends, trackdays (very limited) , etc...But i don't do any 2-up touring with it, so rider lowered pegs are out of the question.

You have to weigh up the pros and cons. Do you corner (alot)? Do you corner fast?
If long distance, highway mile munching is your thing - then i highly recommend the lowered pegs.
If not - and your trip has so much as a sniff of corners and hooliganism , then i would think twice about your hard earned $$$'s.
If you have a pillion - how about a set of lowered pegs for her/him?? Now that, IMHO would be money well spent...

[famousperson]

The bike looks really nice with the paint job. Unfortunately my panniers will have to stay black since I lack the $$$.

[deilenberger]

Bill, you said:

I also got the Hornig clear adhesive protector sheets for the tops of the panniers, to lessen boots scuffing.

URL reference please! And how difficult were these to install?

[hoonu]

All of those clear protector films require some patience to install. My experience has been best when it's warm out (>70F). With big areas, you almost have to have a spare set of hands, to hold the part of the sheet you *haven't* attached under tension. Use a mix of 25% alcohol/water, and keep the bag and the sheet wet, and work the protector down with a squeegee; I've always used the one that came with the tank protector (tankslapper), and it works well. You don't want to crease the film. If you keep it wet, and get a wrinkle or bubble, it's easy to lift and re-place the film. If you were closer, I'd say just bring it by and we'd knock it out.

I think the instructions are on Tankslapper's website (http://www.tanslapper.biz). They also may make the bag-top protectors.

[Caroanbill]

URL reference please! And how difficult were these to install?

Don

Very finnicky to install. Hornig forgot the squeegee and consequently I have a small crease in one I'm just going to have to live with awhile until I get the patience (and a squeegee) to re-do it. Hoonu's advice is very good - keep them warm, wet and keep yourself calm .....
http://www.motorradzubehoer-hornig.de/e ... ction.html#
- go to pic 5 to see the pannier protector

[deilenberger]

I think the instructions are on Tankslapper's website (http://www.tanslapper.biz). They also may make the bag-top protectors.

That url doesn't quite seem to work.. got another?

[deilenberger]

Don
Very finnicky to install. Hornig forgot the squeegee and consequently I have a small crease in one I'm just going to have to live with awhile until I get the patience (and a squeegee) to re-do it. Hoonu's advice is very good - keep them warm, wet and keep yourself calm .....
http://www.motorradzubehoer-hornig.de/e ... ction.html#
- go to pic 5 to see the pannier protector

Ah see what they did:

The relief cuts in the curved/rounded part are the trick. I have some rolls of 0.010" film, I may have to play a bit (made one for my tank between the pinstripes to protect it against the tank bag..)

Thanks!

[NCGS]

If you live near a dealer, these folks do a remarkable job installing clear bras on cars. I have no doubt they could do the same with Beemer bags, etc.

http://www.xpel.com/

[Enjoy-Rider]

Hi Caroanbill and Eisen (and the rest of you), thanks a lot for your answers!
I now understand that lowered pegs are not such a good idea when you corner a lot.
Well, I don't......yet.
You see, I got my motor bike-drivers licence only a few months ago and this is my first bike. So I have to get more experience and self-confidence before I dare cornering (fast)
But that's only a matter of time

About the protect strips for the panniers.........I allready have them installed (not yet on this picture), but I really hoped it will protect them in case of falling.
I don't think I will ride gravel roads, and our Dutch roads are all well paved.
I have VentureShield allover my bike, also the panniers and the topcase. It's great, I have it on my car for years because the paint is sensitive for stone-chippings. It's hardly invisible (http://www.ventureshield.com/)

Regards and safe drive, Jouke

[parkec]

They look great!


btw Do they sit on your muffler or is there an air gap?

[Enjoy-Rider]

No, there's room in between.
Here you have a better view: