I am changing the tail section and seat on my K75RT to civilian type. What type of OEM Panniers should I look for? I have a very nice set of City Cases but they are rather small for travelling. I have seen people talk about Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 etc. Any suggestions?

I think I am right in this.

My K came with OEM BMW panniers, these were type 1 that had the little flap over the key hold.

There is a later type that has a raised lock with a larger diameter barrel about same size as the barrel in the fuel cap. The type 2 has this barrel facing inwards towards the bike. Type 3 has it facing outwards.

As far as I know the rails are same and the panniers are interchangeable.

Look for the type 3 if you can get them but I suspect you may have to go with what you can find but they are not heavy if posted. Also, buy spare hinges as the plastic hinges split. 2 per pannier but buy a few spare.

Olaf is right about the keys. The Type 2 and 3 has locks that can be rekeyed to the same as the ignition/fuel tank/seat lock keys.

Correct me if I'm wrong...but the Type 3 is slightly larger so it accommodates a full face helmet.

Hinges...buy some for spares!

Aftermarket considerations are

•  Givi (I think Rick G uses or has used a set).
  
• Krauser (designers of the BMW luggage) , I use K2's on my LT a 30litre pair for normal use and a 45litre pair to swop for camping trips. These have a rail that incorporates a rear indicator.
  

The outer door I find preferable to the clam shell types.

This type of Givi is what I have and they are water tight and strong
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-BRANDED-GIVI-MONOKEY-E36-PANNIERS-WITH-TOPBOX-1-X-KEY-/152393187904?hash=item237b578240:g:2NMAAOSwopRYd0X6

RicK G wrote:This type of Givi is what I have and they are water tight and strong
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-BRANDED-GIVI-MONOKEY-E36-PANNIERS-WITH-TOPBOX-1-X-KEY-/152393187904?hash=item237b578240:g:2NMAAOSwopRYd0X6

As a matter of fact Rick, I have a set of Givi Monokey's. Two cases and topbox. Very strong and waterproof. We use it on the FJ1200 ABS which my wife rides. For the K it would probably be better to use OEM, then I can switch between the City Cases and Touring Cases in no time.

I own a set of type 1 and type 3 panniers. Both fit on the OEM plastic frames of my 1985 K100RS. However, the type 3, being a tad larger, do not permit the pillion foot pegs to fold completely back.  They strike the pannier.  Not an issue for me, but it's something you may wish to consider. 
I bought the type 3 panniers simply because I find the locks on the type 1s so very frustrating.  

I would agree with the comment on the locks, the type 1 are very annoying and prone to leaking too.

But the Krauser K2 use a universal carrier that the pannier locks onto with a key and you must user the key so its not a case of them falling off. My LT had them when I got it and I subsequently got a set of rails for the RT. The Krauser 30 litre K2 is a very neat pannier and the contents don't fall out when you open them. If you do go for the BMW panniers you really need the pannier bags. You would be able to pick up a set for the FJ too.

All that said the BMW panniers do look neat. In hadn't realised the Type 3 were bigger but my flip face helmet did fit on its side inside the type 1 pannier.

If you like camping........ the Krauser pannier will take your weight if you use it as a seat.

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:I would agree with the comment on the locks, the type 1 are very annoying and prone to leaking too.

But the Krauser K2 use a universal carrier that the pannier locks onto with a key and you must user the key so its not a case of them falling off. My LT had them when I got it and I subsequently got a set of rails for the RT. The Krauser 30 litre K2 is a very neat pannier and the contents don't fall out when you open them. If you do go for the BMW panniers you really need the pannier bags. You would be able to pick up a set for the FJ too.

All that said the BMW panniers do look neat. In hadn't realised the Type 3 were bigger but my flip face helmet did fit on its side inside the type 1 pannier.

If you like camping........ the Krauser pannier will take your weight if you use it as a seat.

Since everything is very expensive to import to Iceland the best thing for me would be to buy good panniers with inner bags. Preferably in the UK because I go there at least twice a year and can take them home without shipping cost or import taxes.

Is Type 3 bigger than type 2?

Do I understand it right that Krauser does not fit the Z pannier racks on the K´s?

You are correct, the KrauserK2 does not fit the Z pannier rails.

But the Krauser pannier rails are the same part for all bikes, there is a separate fitting kit that varies according to the bike. Krauser Germany sell the rails and fitting kits but an ebay search will throw up plenty of used ones.

My photo has the 42 litre Krauser K2s on the K.

Would this be Type 3 panniers? I found this bike in Reykjavik. The Owner is going to customize it he says and the panniers might be for sale. I will go tomorrow and inspect them. What would be a fair price to pay for these if they are undamaged and in overall good condition.

After I posted, I found this informative webpage: http://www.verrill.com/moto/hardcases/bmwhardcases.shtml

To be able to make a fair bid on these panniers, I am interested in how much I would have to pay in the UK and in Germany for a good set of Type 3.

These are Type 3 panniers.

They won't be found under every hedgerow. Prices are wide-ranging.

TIV wrote:After I posted, I found this informative webpage: http://www.verrill.com/moto/hardcases/bmwhardcases.shtml

To be able to make a fair bid on these panniers, I am interested in how much I would have to pay in the UK and in Germany for a good set of Type 3.

You can look at the prices yourself, they will be listed on ebay.co.uk and ebay.de if there are any around.

I've got 3 sets of BMW genuine panniers that I use.
You can get a full face helmet in the type 3's but definitely NOT in the type 2's. The T3's aren't that much bigger that T2's and worth having.
I also have a set of city cases and find them very useful. You can get more in them than you think because of the partition inside-I love mine. Don't get rid of the City cases!
All the cases mentioned above also fit later Paralever R series bikes if it helps widen the search.

Aside from the city cases, it has always puzzled me why BMW panniers weren't designed to open from the top. We'de get much more swag in them if they did.

I really like the City Cases and would not dream of getting rid of them. I  will probably use them more than the bigger ones. But they are rather small for long tours.

TIV wrote:I really like the City Cases and would not dream of getting rid of them. I  will probably use them more than the bigger ones. But they are rather small for long tours.

....but really good round town.

Right.