Photo: BMW Motorrad
It's been just a couple of weeks since BMW pulled the wraps off the new variant of the R 1300 GS adventure/touring/enduro bike, and we're already seeing the first dedicated and original products being let loose into the wild. Today's treat: bags.
The new R 1300 GS is described by the Germans as the most powerful of its kind ever made, and that's owed to the 1,300cc boxer engine sitting in the frame, always ready to unleash all the might of the 145 hp and 149 Nm of torque it is capable of developing.
That's impressive for those looking for speed and strength, but as always with touring riders, people would also like their rides to allow them to take along sizeable luggage. And this is where the new Vario bags announced by BMW this week come in.
As usual when it comes to motorcycles of this class, three such systems are being offered, two for each side of the ride and a third a top case. They're not particularly new in the BMW Motorrad accessory catalog, but they've been completely revised (now made, for instance, in plastic with anodized aluminum trim) and purpose-made for the R 1300 GS – which means that can't be used on previous models.
The two side cases come with the ability to carry up to 10 kg (22 pounds) each, but additional cargo of up to one kg (2.2 pounds) can be attached to either of them by means of tension straps.
As far as space is concerned, each of them can fit a BMW Helmet 7, but more importantly than that, the left case is now electrified. What that means is that it can be used to charge smartphones, tablets or laptops, thanks to the USB-A charging port installed in there.
The top case has a USB-A port as well, and just like the other two it also comes with lighting and integration in the radio central locking system (physical keys are also offered).
This case is large enough to accommodate a BMW Helmet GS, and it comes with a maximum load of 6 kg (13 pounds). That brings the total capacity of the system to 26 kg (57 pounds), with the volume capacity for all three rated at up to 97 liters (26 gallons).
That's achievable thanks to the volume adjustment system which allows for the expansion of each case. On top of that, several inner bags are available for each case, with a small one doubling as a handbag if need be.
BMW says the new bike can only be ridden as fast as 180 kph (112 mph) when these things are fitted, but that's probably not an issue for riders going the distance.
No mention is made as to how much the new cases cost or when they will be available for purchase.
That's impressive for those looking for speed and strength, but as always with touring riders, people would also like their rides to allow them to take along sizeable luggage. And this is where the new Vario bags announced by BMW this week come in.
As usual when it comes to motorcycles of this class, three such systems are being offered, two for each side of the ride and a third a top case. They're not particularly new in the BMW Motorrad accessory catalog, but they've been completely revised (now made, for instance, in plastic with anodized aluminum trim) and purpose-made for the R 1300 GS – which means that can't be used on previous models.
The two side cases come with the ability to carry up to 10 kg (22 pounds) each, but additional cargo of up to one kg (2.2 pounds) can be attached to either of them by means of tension straps.
As far as space is concerned, each of them can fit a BMW Helmet 7, but more importantly than that, the left case is now electrified. What that means is that it can be used to charge smartphones, tablets or laptops, thanks to the USB-A charging port installed in there.
The top case has a USB-A port as well, and just like the other two it also comes with lighting and integration in the radio central locking system (physical keys are also offered).
This case is large enough to accommodate a BMW Helmet GS, and it comes with a maximum load of 6 kg (13 pounds). That brings the total capacity of the system to 26 kg (57 pounds), with the volume capacity for all three rated at up to 97 liters (26 gallons).
That's achievable thanks to the volume adjustment system which allows for the expansion of each case. On top of that, several inner bags are available for each case, with a small one doubling as a handbag if need be.
BMW says the new bike can only be ridden as fast as 180 kph (112 mph) when these things are fitted, but that's probably not an issue for riders going the distance.
No mention is made as to how much the new cases cost or when they will be available for purchase.
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