BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I want to try Artie without any luggage.
It just took me 20 mins to remove all the luggage and the King Charles ears (crash bars).
Having had it all on from new to me (apart from when it was on the work bench) the ass end looks small.
I've not tried it without the luggage yet, so going to try it on my next ride this week.

You'll soon get used to it.

I run with the Top Box always, but only add the side panniers if I'm going on a tour.

I tend to just leave it all on, the panniers are good leg protection in a crash, and the top box is just handy. With no crash bars in place it takes just a few minutes to take off all the luggage

Panniers are always off until needed and top box is always on as it's a pain to remove

Ditto.

I've had the bike a year and have used the panniers once. They are mounted to the garage wall above my car the rest of the time.
Less weight, easier to filter through traffic and less chance of damaging them than if I leave them kicking around the floor.

@SimonD

How have you mounted the panniers, just on ladder hooks or similar through the handle, or on a shelf?

I was going to make some brackets from used pannier rails but managed to pick up a pair of Wunderlich brackets which did the same job on ebay last year. I don't think they sell them any more:

I have a small Touratech tailpack for the various odds ‘n sods as I don’t like topboxes, too heavy, high up, and far back over the rear axle.

I generally prefer when possible to run without panniers, they’re also heavy and offers my wife the opportunity put in loads of stuff that she apparently ‘needs’ when she rides pillion.

Touring-wise it’s obviously panniers, plus a tankbag, and a larger waterproof tailpack.

SimonD wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2024 10:27 am I was going to make some brackets from used pannier rails but managed to pick up a pair of Wunderlich brackets which did the same job on ebay last year. I don't think they sell them any more:

That sounds good, can you pop a pic of the brackets on here pls?

My panniers are always on. Good safe storage for my helmet and jacket when I visit places. Did try once without them and found the exhaust note louder. I do fit my top box most of the time when on a journey. I think the RT looks strange without panniers fitted. It's a touring bike so in my mind they should be on.

I was pleased to pick up a low mileage 1200RT-P affordably, figuring I was an area day tripper only. The lean look, bulk and weight suited my aspirations. It has so far also been just right for how I use "Leo".

However, plans change ... I am now considering some overnighters and possible 3-4 day routes and regret not having the panniers as an option. I may end up fabricating something as the conversion with official BMW parts is expensive enough to not make sense.

If all things were otherwise equal, I would swap mine for a standard RT and leave the luggage in the garage when not needed.

Steve398 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:49 pm That sounds good, can you pop a pic of the brackets on here pls?

I'm afraid I can't get to them at the moment. This is the only image I have:

That doesn’t look too hard to knock up does it… though I dread to think what Wunderlich priced it at

I'd just get a pair of these on ebay and mount them to the wall:

EasyRider wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2024 2:51 pm I want to try Artie without any luggage.
It just took me 20 mins to remove all the luggage and the King Charles ears (crash bars).
Having had it all on from new to me (apart from when it was on the work bench) the ass end looks small.
I've not tried it without the luggage yet, so going to try it on my next ride this week.

Obviously lighter, more flickable, brisk on acceleration, and turns in quicker. You’ll really notice the loss in weight, and don’t forget to reset your suspension!