Thank you everybody! I'm really glad I signed up here and posted, you've all been really helpful. I've decided to go for the BMW Vario (expandable) top box for every day use and the Metal Mule panniers for tours/camping. Metal Mule offer a smaller, tuck away (Scorpion) exhaust to allow fitment of ba...

I'd definitely recommend buying an interphone, they're robust, reliable, great sound quality and the voice answer command works perfectly. They also tell you the name for who's calling.

What do want to use the bike for ? If your staying in a b+b or hotel its 100 % Varios no argument will convince me otherwise single key turn unlock handle pops up you walk into hotel no problem, they even made one side smaller so the wife can carry it There is no ugly scaffolding on the bike They a...

If I was looking to buy a new set of panniers the last thing I'd do would be buy something from the manufacturer of the bike. Go for one of the aftermarket options then you can either fit them to a different bike very easily or just sell them and the more bikes they fit the higher the resale value....

I've got an 800GS with Vario panniers and top box. The top box lives on the bike for everyday use - I like the fact it expands or contracts depending on how much 'stuff' you need to put in it. The panniers are only used if I'm going away somewhere and again, depending on how much 'stuff' I've got t...

Philiptigerrice wrote:(Sorry - tangent question: How long is it taking from ordering to delivery for your new GS?)

About four weeks

I use the varios, they came free with the bike on a deal at the time. If I had the money I would buy Jesse panniers. That said I have been pleased with the Varios, they are sturdy enough and work well. I like the fact you have a single key all around the bike. The expandable nature of the Varios ma...

They look pretty tidy

About four weeks

Sneezing fit inside my helmet on a windy motorway!