Modern Vespa

Thanks for your help getting me started. I have bought a new 2010 500 from a dealer in Portland OR and am very excited about it.

I would appreciate your recommendation for a good top case. I carry a fair amount of equipment across Puget Sound to our property where I do landscaping - bags of fertilizer, disassembled chainsaws, etc - so I could go with something fairly large.

I used to carry small trees in my Suzuki w. sidecar, but those days are over, unless you know of a really unusual top case - maybe for trees less than ten feet....

On the other hand, I have carried small chainsaws disassembled in a backpack, so I dont need anything exorbitant. Something good for 20 pounds would do.

Thanks so much.

Dwight Gibb

Givi 55 liter is the biggest out there.

I made on from an old Vetter Trunk, used on 1980's goldwings. Works excellent! It's big enough to hold a full-size helmet even.

And it's really well made, as most Givi products are. In the three years I have used mine I've only had one of the internal straps have stitching break on it, easily remedied by tying it in a knot.

It hoflds two full size helmets, gloves, and a lot more, no problem. Trees? haven't tried that. Bonsai, maybe.

I presume you already know this so forgive me if I point out the obvious. Most if not all top cases, certainly the Givi and the Coocase, detach instantly at the push of a button, leaving a flat deck that you can lash almost anything of almost any size to. Not suggesting that for everyday use (kind of would defeat the purpose of a top case) but for once in a while needs...

I chose - different... I went with a 45L Shad top case. It's big enough to hold my XXL modular helmet, knee pads, gloves, and jacket.

Why the Shad? Well, the case and mount were a solid $150 cheaper than the Givi options, Shad is a very reputable manufacturer (OEM for BMW and others), and it came in basic black-and-silver/white. Looks great on the black 500!

Second on the Shad. I also went with the SH45 which is large enough for my XXL C3 and my wife's L N103 and a couple pair of gloves and some glasses cases. Here are some pics I took before I installed the backrest.

The backrest is great - all my pillions love it!

And I do a very similar thing that you do - I keep a bag of stuff under the top case mount! But in my case it's a waterproof first aid kit, rather than my CoolAss cover (which I keep inside the pet carrier).

Working on a 3rd brakelight mount that will hang off the mount, using some exceedingly bright red LEDs I picked up over here in China.

Shad also made the OEM case for the 500. And, as was stated, it can be removed easily so you can have a flat deck for attaching whatever.

Mark

I had the Cool Ass there for a few days, but I've since done as you have done: a waterproof first aid kit and a small tool kit. Still a nifty place to keep things as long as they're weatherproof. I too love how easy it is to remove the box and also that it doesn't require a key to open like the OEM box on my 400. It's also nice to have the flat 'rack' to use when the box is removed.

I like my Coocase. It has a key fob for locking and unlocking which is one of those dumb conveniences that I would not give up now that I have it.

I wonder...does the Shad 45L fit on the OEM mounting bracket given that it and the factory case were both made by Shad?

Good question! It might, given that Shad offers just one mount for the MP3 500... You get an adapter plate for each case, that bolts to the mount - but there's only one option for a mount.

I have a Shad SH50 on order. I'll post something after I get it later this month. Shad took all the inventory to Americade

Thanks to everyone for the great responses.

I see that many owners like the Bestem Tbox 929, which is about 45 liters, and which sells for under $100.

1. Does anyone have experience with it?

2. Does the universal mount work with the MP3 500?

Thanks again.

Dwight Gibb

My recommondation is the original piaggio top box. Mounting instructions came in Italian (why not Norwegian?) and it was quite some jobb. But now I have a pretty 48 liter box that quickly clicks on and off!
It is a dream just to remove the case like a suitcase and to take it in with you.

The shad cases also remove quite easily like luggage, and unlike the OEM boxes can be opened without keys if you so choose. I have an OEM box, a shad 45L, and a Givi 42L. Of all of them, I like the shad best based on features and ease of use. YMMV

Thanks so much.

The Shad 45 looks great for me, as I prefer not to have to use a key.

I am still curious about the Bestem 929 - is it not as good, or do people just not know about them?

Best,

Dwight

I had personally never heard of the Bestem 929 before you mentioned it, but I checked it out and Amazon and looked over the reviews. The impression I took away from the reviews is this: The Bestem 929 is a great case for under $100. No one there specifically mentioned mounting it on an MP3, but I'm pretty sure the 500 rack would accommodate the mounting plate. That being said, there were quite a few guys mentioning that the locking mechanism easily separates from the box, and there are some quality control issues in that one guys lid fell off after a few miles of riding, and another guys case dislodged from the mounting bracket while riding. Now these could be issues with the product, or they could just be some *ahem* less intelligent, or particularly brutish users.
Bottom line, it's very likely a great case for a great price. Only you can decide if price is your most important consideration, or does longevity/durability, and manufacturer rep play into it as well.

Wow, this turned into a really long post. Sorry about that, but I hope I was at least a little helpful.

Thanks, Burton,

I have just re-read the reviews and I think you nailed it - value with some reservations vs real quality. I think I will take your recommendation and go for the Shad.

Two questions:

1. Is the new name"SH45" or is that a different model?

2. Do I need to order a mounting plate in addition to the box?

thanks again for your help!

Dwight Gibb

This is where I ordered from, and they still seem to have the best pricing.

SH45 Top Case $180

Shad Mount for Gilera Fuoco 500 aka Piaggio MP3 500 $63
hint: It's bike number 1 on the dropdown menu.

Backrest for SH45 Top Case $40

You might try shopping around a bit, but this is the only site I found that has the mount in stock. Took them about a week to get it all to me, and shipping is free over $100.

Also, the little SH45 decals on the sides peel off very easily with a razor blade and some patience. Makes for a nice clean look. Hope you like the setup as much as we do.

I'm going to order the Bestem Top Box in July. So I'll tell you then ...

I did order side saddlebags, which I'll have my FAB shop make be some brackets for them. I would like to have the Rotopax gas containers and saddlebags as one unit.



I'm guessing, but I believe that those red containers hold 1.5 gallons each. That would take me another 200+ miles if need be.



something like this. And I think my saddlebags are about the same size as shown here, just a different model.

The RotoPax are awesome. I keep 2 2-gal mounted to the forward rack on my ATV. I've wondered whether a 1-gal or maybe 2 1-gal would fit in the pet carrier, or possibly the trunk of a 250/400. The side case mounts look like they'll be a very functional setup. Can't wait for pics.

the one gallon will fit in the pet carrier.

Just be careful mounting them to the right side of the bike. That exhaust gets awfully hot...

I think it's been done on here before...

Mark

Thanks so much, Burton.

Your comments have helped me a lot!

Best,

Dwight Gibb

You're very welcome, sir.

Shad SH50 topcase received and mounted.

Very sturdy case (double-walled)
Sturdy mount
Looks nice
Less rattle
Lots of room (my 2XL modular helmet takes up a lot of space)

Any chance you could pull the SH50 off and post a picture of the mounting plate? I have the OEM case which is just a re-badged SH42--but it is just BARELY too small to close with my 2XL full-face helmet inside. I was thinking that the Shad mounting plate was probably generic and therefore all I'd need to buy was the case to get a bit more storage area out back. Thanks!

I have two Shad mounting plates here. One came with the SH50. The other came with a bracket set I acquired from a generous soul on the forum. (peterjhill) Note the catch for the SH50 top case is wider than the other one.

Gotcha; thanks. I would presume at least that if the mounting plate came with the topcase, the mounting brackets underneath must still mate up to the same mounting holes in the plate as the original OEM Shad plate--that suggests that at least there wouldn't need to be still more changes in hardware in order to get a little more space in the back. Thanks for the images; I am most appreciative!

The SH50 came with a think plastic honeycomb plate and a plastic cap. The other mounting plate was a metal plate and a plastic cap. Both have various holes and slots for mounting to different frame brackets. The brackets I used are specially made for the 500. Those did not come with the SH50.

http://www.huntercreate.com/

I installed a RiderScan mirror last night but it is actually raining and cold here in NorCal today so I can't report yet on how it works for me. I will report later this week.

Oops. This was supposed to be a separate thread.

That's funky--how did you mount it at the speed screen up front? I'll have to watch this thread for a ride report; thanks!

Thanks again to everyone for help with top case ideas.

I have bought and installed a Shad 45, and I am delighted with the fit and quality.

AND it is so handy that I can not imagine doing without it.

Two people emphasized the practicality of using the top case platform for odd shaped parcels, and I found this to be true when driving a seven foot Japanese maple across Puget Sound to plant on our property.

Pic attached.

Thanks again to everyone.

Dwight Gibb