Just received the Globscout 45L panniers for my 2014 GSA and thought I'd post some quick first impressions. A little background...I also have an '04 GSA with Jesse Odysseys on it. The Jesse's have been great and stood up to more abuse than they deserve to over the 10 years they've been on the bike. Jesse and company have provided great customer service in the few times I've called. It was just for this bike I wanted to do something different both in look and function. I also wanted to use the OEM racks for some reason. Just like most here would do I started looking at the possibilities long before the bike landed. The OEM bags were easy to dismiss. Yes, a single key would be nice but the build quality just isn't worth it. TT makes a great product and there are a number of other options but in the end...the styling, features, and competitive price point made the Globescount panniers the choice. Paul at ADVDEPOT did a great job with the communication and the order. Based on my experience thus far I can recommend them without hesitation. The cases arrived on schedule and were packed appropriately. Others have shown pics of the packaging and case insides so I won't repeat. The only thing I'll add is that the bags needed a couple days to air out and let the smell from the adhesive/sealant dissipate. It was strong and still lingers a bit but it will fade. The build quality is first rate as are the features and functionality. The left case weighed in at 15.75# and the exhaust side case at 15.9#. Inside dimensions at the top are 17.25" x 11". The mounting brackets on the top of the lids will allow top bags with 1 5/8 straps. Starting with the mounting. On the exhaust side the cutout is well executed. They added essentially a bit of a heat shield which in early runs seems to contribute to much cooler temperatures on the exhaust side than I have with my Odysseys. You can see the small plate in the pic below spanning from the top of the bracket to the bottom. The puck mounting system is secure with no play. <img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/14242251149_8cf2823dfc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="image"></a> On the left side you'll find the same solid mounting. <img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3876/14449080633_e0b77aaae8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="image"></a> A bit of work I needed to do involved the Wunderlich GS Emotion Alu Compartment. It's a nice little tool case but the front mounting tab comes straight off the front of the box. This configuration mounts the box at a slight angle and not parallel with the OEM rack. Thus in its default configuration there isn't room for the Globescout mounting puck to lock into position. The solution I came up with was to take a couple M5x25 bolts and make a little spacer bar to clamp onto the rack. I then added some spacers and mounted the Wunderlich mounting tab. It now aligns with the OEM racks and the puck is free to lock into position. Total spacing added 5/8". <img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/14425553321_ddd16a50e3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="image"></a> I like how they look on the bike a lot. Debated between black and the natural and decided not to black and white the bike. <img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/14428908725_a71dd8933a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="image"></a> Overall width is 39". <img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/14242304650_d7a36551d6.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="image"></a> The lock/hinge mechanism works well. Like others I wish they would have used a little bigger key but that's looking for issues. It comes with 4 keys which I appreciated. The lock covers are heavy plastic and will last. The inner bags are well constructed but nothing fancy. If you sew or know someone who does you could make them a lot cheaper. In my order they forgot to send the upper nets but Paul put them in the mail to me immediately. I'll probably end up seeing about making some kind of bad for the upper lid on one side instead of the net but I'll try the nets first. Overall very pleased with the cases. Ride safe.
tag346, Thank you for the great writeup! BTW, those clear anodized cases look great on your bike! If anyone else may be interested in pre-ordering a set of the new GSA-W special cases, we have a few more sets in each color that will be available from our next shipment. Thanks, -Paul
Yes they do look GREAT! I have a white GSA on order and really appreciate the time you took to review and post pics. Paul do you think you would have any pics from other owners with white GSA's and Black Cases. I am thinking Black might make the white and front end pop a bit more and draw attention to the more beautiful part of the bike (and yes your cases are beautiful too Paul!) as opposed to all white I do love Tag's pic above and may well choose that color - just wondering..
Hey Mobthrob, At the moment with the limited availability of getting our hands on a white ADV as well as waiting for our stock Globescout shipment, we haven't had anyone be able to take photos (though if that's the combination that you end up with, we'll be happy to work with you for high quality photos! PM me for details). I do need to agree with you though, as I think the black cases on the white bike will look great! Actually, Rob, the previous business owner, had a white F800GS with the black cases, and that combination looked great as well. His bike was used for the photos here: http://advdepot.com/globescout-world-class-pannier-kit-f800gs-f700gs-f650gs-twin.html Our GSA-W pannier sets are due in mid-August and as we've already taken quite a few pre-orders, this order is selling out quickly! PM me for availability. Thanks, -Paul
hey paul, any top cases coming in on that order for mid-august? i'm in the market for the 3 box set in black for the gsaw. the top case price pushes the overall cost a bit over what i was looking to spend on a set of bumot's, but i'm starting to like the look of these a bit better.
Hey there, Yes, we have plenty of 40L topcases in black and clear anodized coming in with the next shipment and we currently have 40L topcases in natural finish in stock. The GSA-W topcase racks will be in mid-Aug. as well! PM me if you need anything. Thanks again,
Thanks for the pics. I have the white GSAW as well and ordered the Globescouts in Natural. They should be in this week or thereabouts and your pics will help hold me over until they arrive. From your comments and what others have said I feel like I should add the lid nets to my order. I decided to go with the Jesse tool compartment and then I'm bolting a Pelican case on top of that for a high-end camera and some other electronics - a regular top case would have been more trouble for my needs. I do need to decide whether to put the Pelican sideways or longways on the back, and it depends on the opening of the Globescout lids since putting the case sideways would overhang the Panniers by a little bit. Do you find yourself pulling the whole lid off or can you leave one end hooked and pivot the lid upwards through 90 degrees?
Paul, I am getting ready to order the 2015 R1200GS (not GSA). 1. For mounting wise what do I need? Do I gave to order GSA mounting gear from dealer fist, or you have a kit? If so what mounting do you have? 2. Is there option to get left 45L and right 35L, or it come either both 35L or 45L? 3. I like the Jesse powder coated look, is it possible to get that done (obviously not from Globescout, as they don't do it)? If so done can be done on Anodized or non-anodized? Do you know who would do it? 4. Will a Schuberth helmet 10 1/8" to 10 1/4" wide fit into the side panniers?
Hey Montauk, Congrats on making the move to get a new GS on order. If you're looking to mount our GS-A special system, then you will need to retrofit the OEM Adventure pannier racks, which we do offer as a "kit". It is a selectable option in the product page. This is the way to go for a 45L system, as the BMW racks offer the most narrow fit. The special systems are evenly balance, symmetrical sets and only come in 45L/45L (GSA-W) or 35L/35L (std. GS-W). For a 35/45L setup, you'd be using our standard boxes without the exhaust cut-out. We do offer a standard kit here: http://advdepot.com/globescout-world-class-pannier-kit-r1200gs-13.html I'm sure that there are some local powdercoating shops that may be able to do the cases for you, though you'd be on your own as far as any sealing/waterproof issues go. The gaskets would need to be removed, as well as all plastic pieces, and reinstalled after the powder coat is baked on. Speaking of, I cannot guarantee any sealant or O-rings will hold up to the baking process. Some customers have mentioned a spray-on bed liner. I recommend going with the anodized finishes however. Our panniers are not designed to fit a full face helmet. This is due to the design of our lid gaskets offering the best waterproofing as possible. Our 40L topcase is designed to fit a full-face helmet. To sum up your options, these are the Globescout kits that we offer for the standard GS-W: http://advdepot.com/bmw-items/r1200gs-lc-2013/luggage-2/pannier-kits.html
Sorry, we do not have a special pannier system for the F800GS-A, if that's what you're asking. However if your bike did not come with the OEM racks, we can certainly order them for you. PM me for any details.
I can't decide between the 45L/35L and the 35L/28L kit. Anyone know the overall width of the 35/28? Anyone buy the 35/28 and wish they would have gone with the bigger ones? I would like to see some pictures to compare as well. Thanks for any input......