We have and '07 R1200 GS Adventure. The panniers leak. But we think it might be a vacuum problem. We live at about 3200 feet and when we go down the hill, we cannot get the panniers open without a big fight (not between us...lol....). We were talking to a friend who suggested that because of the altitude change and the air-tightness of the panniers, the vacuum could be "sucking in" any moisture around the rims of the panniers. What we are wondering is this...has anyone ever drilled any holes in them to alleviate this problem? Or installed some kind of a pressure-release valve? If so...how, what and where? Thanks! Tom and Sue
if you locate the hole where water won't be entering that could work, but if you get in deep water you could still have transfer.
Can you install these on the BMw panniers? I'm not interested in buying another set of panniers... Sue and Tom
If they sell you that part you could probably figure out a way to install it (drill hole stick in w/ some urethane window adhesive or similar) I might be able to look at it this weekend, I have one of these cases for my nightvision gear, but it isn't handy at the moment.
Thanks! We are leaving Fri morning, or sooner, for Tennessee, but will check in from time to time when I get near a computer. Sue and Tom
I know you know the saga of my BMW aluminum boxes...they are in my opinion POSs since when, not it, you drop the bike on a box and crack one of the sealing tongue/groove rims you will be SOL since BMW doesn't not sell them [rims] and there aren't any other vendors for the sealing rims... OK..now before you put in a "vent" to equalize pressure do this test.. Open box and place a dish of baking soda and water in bottom on box..then pour vinegar in the dish [this generates CO2 gas to pressurize the inside of the box] and replace the lid and seal it...then spray outside of the box, ENTIRE box, with a soap solution in a hand sprayer...it wil blow your mind...the boxes leak at pop rivets,through bolts, along seam with silicon all around the bottom and the lid seals...the damn thing fizz everywhere..water can enter at any point that bubbles when sprayed with soap solution...hence a vent will not prevent water from entering box... BMW's website and literature advertises the boxes as "Waterproof and dustproof" but the dealer, BMW tech line and customer service line say; "oh no they are only water and dust resistant"...BS! Ps..Note how easy the latch posts spread [left of photo on lid] and latch roller fell out..I was able to pop rivet it back in after bending posts back..