Bag/Panier options K1300S?

[CMS_Sprint]

So I'm looking very seriously to get a K1300S and move to one motorcycle in the garage. I've had a look at the bags that BMW offers, and I'm not sold on the looks of them. Coming from a Sprint ST I've grown to love the color matched look that the hard bags on that bike, and I'd like to keep the same look at about 25l per bag.

Any STN'ers have a set up they can post a shot of? Or maybe some suggestions?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Squareman357]

So I'm looking very seriously to get a K1300S and move to one motorcycle in the garage. I've had a look at the bags that BMW offers, and I'm not sold on the looks of them. Coming from a Sprint ST I've grown to love the color matched look that the hard bags on that bike, and I'd like to keep the same look at about 25l per bag.

Any STN'ers have a set up they can post a shot of? Or maybe some suggestions?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Don't have pictures, but SW Motech makes Givi racks for the bike that will allow the use of Givi hard bags.  I THINK they even have a rack for the V35s now.  Check Twisted Throttle to see what the current offerings are.

[spnorm]

I had the SW Motech racks on my K1200S but whey flexed a lot and they're very wide. Givi themselves now make quick release panniers frames for the K and they seem much more rigid as they're fixed at three points.

http://www.givi.it/My-motorcycle/?ma=BMW&mo=K-1200-S-05--08---K-1300-S-09--11

http://www.givi.it/attachfile/content/prodotti_padre/39088/0.0.1.man_plr692.pdf

[CMS_Sprint]

Thanks for the help!

I need to have a look at them in person I think to figure out if they will look OK.Normally they come to bike week so I'll try to see them there....

If anyone uses the BMW expandable bags, I'd be all ears as to their experience with them...

[Jetpilot5]

I had the BMW bags on my K1200S.  They fit nice, the mounting hardware disappears with the bags off the bike, and it's impossible to remove your key unless the bags are locked to the bike or completely off.  They're not waterproof unless you use the bag liners and they were kind of tough to pack because of their odd shape and they aren't very big, even fully expanded. I never travel 2 up so I could pack enough in them to keep me on the road for about 5 days.  My bike was gray so they matched pretty well, on some of the other colors they don't look quite as nice.  I liked them.

[sfarson]

Thanks for the help!

I need to have a look at them in person I think to figure out if they will look OK.Normally they come to bike week so I'll try to see them there....

If anyone uses the BMW expandable bags, I'd be all ears as to their experience with them...

You know, I'm fine with them.  With a sleek bike like the K12S, I didn't want something "out of form".  They expand nicely, tuck in nicely, go with the lines of the bike, and when they are off, the mounting hardware is very discrete.  The volume they hold isn't great, but it's plenty for me.

[denydog]

Mine are color matched as well.   



Bags are fairly easy to attach, remove, and carry into a hotel room.  I particularly like that the mounts are not very noticeable with the bags off. 



If you ride with one bag slightly expanded, be prepared for people to go to considerable lengths to warn you that one of your bags is open.

I can just fit my helmet in a bag when it's fully expanded.

After four years of use, I find that when loaded, my bags sometimes need a little extra care to align the two parts when closing.

It's a shame that these bags are made to fit more than one bike model.  I lose out on quite a bit of interior room due to the indentations needed clear body work that my bike doesn't have.

[Max Wedge]

How about the K1300GT bags?

[Bigpoodle]

I've been running the expandable BMW "sport bags" for two seasons now, and have been pretty happy with them.  Agree with everything Jetpilot5 said.  The somewhat oddly shaped interiors mean that how you pack the waterproof bags will make a big difference in how much stuff you can actually fit, but with some trial and error I have found that I can carry enough for a several-day trip with ease.  For camping or longer trips I added a big, easily removed SCAD top case.  I like the fact that empty the bags are so compact, but will each hold a full-face helmet during stops on day trips.  Two local friends with K13S's have also mounted the sport bags and, except for the usual outrageous BMW price premium, seem to like them also.

[Major 662]

I had the BMW bags on my K1200S.  They fit nice, the mounting hardware disappears with the bags off the bike, and it's impossible to remove your key unless the bags are locked to the bike or completely off.  They're not waterproof unless you use the bag liners and they were kind of tough to pack because of their odd shape and they aren't very big, even fully expanded. I never travel 2 up so I could pack enough in them to keep me on the road for about 5 days.  My bike was gray so they matched pretty well, on some of the other colors they don't look quite as nice.  I liked them.

  That's a good summary.

I have 'em on my tri-color K13S and I'm happy with 'em.  They're expensive (they nickel and dime you on mounting kit hardware).  My big Shoei Qwest helmet doesn't quite fit even with the bags expanded.  Since my cold/wet weather gear is kindy unwieldy (i.e. cheap), I add a tail pack for weeklong trips.  On the flip side, they integrate so damn well -- I didn't want Givi cases sticking way out from the bike.  They have a great locking mechanism.  The mounting hardware is very subtle when the bags are off.  You don't hafta worry about 'em when you're doing the ton.  

[CMS_Sprint]

Thanks for all in the input and advice!  

I took a look at the Givi bags when they were here for bike week and at the end of it all, I've ordered a set of the BMW expandable bags. (BMW are PROUD of them aren't they??) While they are spendy, I liked the compactness of them when they weren't loaded and holding a helmet is a huge bonus. I'm heading to Barber next week and the GA/NC mountains after that, I'll post some comments after I've got some miles on them.