Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Equipment Reviews
BMW F650 Expandable Panniers BMW F650 Expandable Panniers
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Mar 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 3
BMW F650 Expandable Panniers
Hi

Has anyone had any experience with these panniers? They seem to be reasonably well made and I like the idea of shrinking them for city use and expanding them for touring. Also dont seem to be quite as expensive as some of thye others.

How well would they hold out on dirt roads etc, bearing in mind that my 650 Dakar isnt exactly a motocross bike so I wont be screaming over jumps etc.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Mar 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 18
Good design,
Easy to use,
Cr*p finish.

The design is excellent - they fix easily - it only takes 15mins to fit the brackets! Well secured. Good in small mode for filtering through traffic, & takes loads of stuff when expanded - why can't more be designed like these?

BUT..... whoever put the aluminium tin foil finish on them should be shot. Flies make dents in it! It tarnishes in bad weather.
I covered the vulnerable parts with protective stick on sheets (in carbon fibre) once I realised how bad it was.

A great design, let down.....
__________________
Wow.....Splat!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Mar 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 3
Thanks for the reply.

Not sure if I understand you correctly, does the finish just look bad after a while? Or are they fragile ie prone to breakage and denting?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Mar 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Country NSW Australia
Posts: 19
I used the expandable panniers on a recent 4000km trip around New Zealand, on a F650GS P/D.

They work well, look good, and are much more practical shape for packing than the other 1100 bags. Quality is high as you would expect. But as mentioned in post above, they are very subject to damage from minor bumps.

Peter

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Apr 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: berlin oh usa
Posts: 4
are you talking about the expandable saddlebags offered by bmw for the 650gs? from the pic i saw they looked like a hard black plastic
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Apr 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 18
ALANB...
It's just the finish - under the tin foil is hard black plastic - & the build quality is good. Never dropped it on one though.

JRSUE....
Maybe you've seen something I haven't - the only ones I've owned & seen are hard black plastic, but the outer part (the lid) is covered in thin brushed aluminium. Could be that BMW have realised the failing & have brought out something new.
__________________
Wow.....Splat!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27 Apr 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Girdwood, Alaska, USA
Posts: 27
We just took as set through Mexico, and they work great if you are not riding off the normal path. We had minimal weight in each side, but still had problems. Our route allowed us to destroy a set in three weeks, broke the sub frame from bag vibrations, and had the frame and bags replaced under warranty after we returned to the US. (The design allows for the bottom mount to wear out the rubber, making enough space for the bag to move/pivot on the main pin.) If I needed to use those bags, I would change to lower mounting mechanism prior to a big trip.

They are nice on the hwy, but your money would be better spent on something more durable if you want to be ready for anything!

[This message has been edited by chuck (edited 05 May 2002).]
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:18.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top