I ride a 1300 Pan European so not really relevant to your GS question but I'll answer anyway.

I always leave my panniers on for two reasons:
1. The Pan doesn't look right without them
2. As the bike gets older and the colour fades the panniers are fading with the rest of the paintwork.

Rachel Anne

Hi again everyone just to say thank you for taking the time to respond to my question.
Having read all the information that you have provided I have decided, drum roll, to for local excursions stick with just the top box. That will provide me with somewhere to keep my puncture repair kit and pump. But if go anywhere that will result in me having to walk around I will fit all of the boxes which will provide me with storage for my jacket boots helmet.
Rachel I understand what you are saying as I use to own an 1100 Pan and aesthetically it just did not look right without them fitted.
Fortunately I think my GS looks ok without the panniers fitted.
I think you may know two of my friends Micky and Brian on another Forum I use as well. What a small world it is !
Thanks again everyone.

Mine are never on unless I'm on a big trip. Metal Mules are quite boxy and cause drag plus I prefer the pared down look.
Similarly I hate the look of a sports bike with huge top box. It may be practical for storing your lid but...sandals with socks are practical!

I first had "saddle bags" on my HD FLHSTC & found them useful for all sorts of things, when I moved to adventure bikes, I installed Jesse hard luggage on the KTM 990 & left them on all the time because, #1 I was use to having storage & #2, well , it just looked damn sexy. I've gotten so used to having them I see them as just part of the bike & my current BMW R1200 GS just feels "naked" without them.

I do....
 

The first thing I get for a new bike is panniers and I keep them on all the time. Right now : Suzuki DR650 and DL650. A motorcycle isn't too useful for me if there is no where to stick a rainjacket, or a shopping bag or the books that have to go back to the library.

I always carry my flat tire kit, tools etc - for the DR650 it includes 2 tubes, and tire irons etc: for the DL650 a much smaller plug kit, but a small compressor goes with me as well.

You can (and I have) get a flat just scooting around town. With your kit, it becomes a 15 -60 minute delay. Without it, it's a half day or more, getting someone to help, getting the wheel off and getting across town to a shop, etc.

I could use a topbox i suppose but I despise them.:thumbdown:

and yes, I can frequently be found wearing white socks with my sandals.:cool4:

...........shu

I love my self made panniers. They protect my bike when falling of and store my stuff rain and burgler proof: http://reisemotorrad.eu/?report=seitenkoffer

Bwahahahaha
I can't believe you admit to that:clap:
Topbox is the solution to all that you wish to carry, but we can't help you
in that you like to fall over frequently :oops2::rofl:

Panniers off unless I need the carrying capacity. I will still filter, it just makes it more fun on an Xt1200z with a 48l one side and a 38l the other.


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I have a pair of Metal Mule 38L panniers that fit on both my Bonneville T100 and my XT1200, most of the time they sit in the cupboard under the stairs and I'll use my Givi 45L topbox for commuting etc. However, when riding two up my missus likes them to be on as she figures it gives added protection to her legs; she may have a point.

However, the panniers frequently come out for trips to the supermarket, especially at Christmas when the 'Crimbo beer sledge' makes an appearance, you can fit many a 'slab-o-ale' in those panniers. In the past I've had to strap a couple of slabs to the pillion seat, but that says more about my drinking habits than it does about the Metal Mules.

Late and only partially relevant reply...

I had an Ducati ST2 with panniers (OE aftermarket option). I only used them a couple of times but while I did, I did some filtering. All seemed OK but then I realised the panniers were wider than the bars and I must have missed several cars by millimetres. So afterwards I took them off and I have to say I prefer the look of the bike without anyway.

I ride a standard GS. I only put on the shitty looking plastic expandable panniers when I need them - they look horrible. Far prefer the adventure GS pannier system as they look rugged and if I had an adventure GS then I'd certainly leave them on as they look great. God I didn't think I was so vain:(