Even before I bought the bike I was not satisfied with the solutions that were out there. I had come from an F800ST and had used the BMW Sports Paniers on that and loved them. They were big, but not too big. They were expandable and had waterproof liners in them. They were not cheap, but nothing BMW is.
Most importantly however, they suited the bike and they provided safe lockable storage while out and about.
Unfortunately, when it came to the R12R, there didn't seem to be any such solution other than the System Cases and they were HUGE wardrobe sized black plastic boxes that looked like dogs balls hanging on the back of the bike. They seemed to work on the larger, fully faired tourers but on the naked urban R12R it just looked wrong.
I looked at all of the options I could find and spoke to everyone I could to get some insight into a solution that looked great and provided the features I wanted. Some aftermarket stuff looked OK in pictures until you got a head or read on view and they were so "bolt on" that I just couldn't do it to my baby.
We were getting close to our first multi-day trip and my small sports bag that I carry on the rack was just not going to cut it.
So I took the plunge with the system cases - but with a slight twist.
I called the spare parts guy at my dealer and asked him for a quote including custom painting of the lids - and that is where the fun started. I said I wanted them paint matched to the colour of the duck tail. There was silence on the end of the phone. "Match which bit" - he says. "You know, the duck tail on the back of the bike that sits over the tail light" - I say. "Oh, OK" - he says.
It takes a couple of days to get the panniers in but once they are in he calls me and we discuss the colour (again).
"I don't have access to a sample of the part but I do have a paint code" - he says. I tell him that it is the same colour as the rack. "No problem, I've got one of the racks in stock, got it, I'll get the workshop to disassemble the panniers and get them sent off for painting" - he says. "
Five minutes later I get a call back from him - "So it's the silver grey colour, right? - he says. " "Yep silver Grey colour" - I say. "Done" - he says.
Fifteen minutes later the head guy in the workshop calls me - "Just wanted to check he says" - with a very concerned note in his voice, "Which colour did you want these painted? The spare parts guys think its this silver grey?".
I confirm it one last time and assure him that his understanding is correct.
I am now so nervous. Have I done the right thing? I thought they would suit the bike. Break the form up a little, and make them look less imposing. The colour matches not only the duck tail and the rack, but also the cylinder heads and front swing arm, paralever/shaft assembly. Nice I had thought - but now I was starting to question it.
Yes I know - the obvious colour choice would be gloss black to match the tank and body work but I'm not one to do the obvious and I stand by what I said - making it two tone would help to minimise the apparent size whilst complementing the overall colour scheme of the bike.
I got them back, nervously fitted them onto the bike and - it was love at first site.
I think they look great.
No getting around it - these are large panniers, just perfect for touring and they have all of the features I wanted.
What does everyone else think?
http://picasaweb.google.com/11806057657 ... directlink
