Modern Vespa

I am looking to add a top case and would like to hear pros and cons of the Vespa brand and Givi brand -- those are the two I am most interested in, but would not rule out other options (except a milk crate - sorry gang, just can't go there!).

I have fought the good fight, but am getting ready to do some touring in Germany, France and Italy. I think I need the lockable storage for the trips -- but I've gone two years without a top case, and haven't felt I'm missing anything for commuting requirements.

I use a military helmet bag for almost all my commuting storage requirements, and that works great with the "bag hook" and the "pet carrier" I covered for daily storage requirements, but I'm going beyond stuff for my commuting/day requirements.

I have the Vespa case for my ET4 and the GIVI on my Burgman. I would go with the GIVI. It is a better made case with a much better lock. They offer several sizes and light kits as well.

Janine

I recently had the opportunity to ride a GT with a Vespa Topcase. I have to admit, the storage would be nice but the driving experience was horrible. I could actually feel the difference in the handling of the bike. It was no where near as tight, and the balance felt flighty,especially in tight turns. It did have the added bar ends, but they just seems bulky.

I prefer the soft cases. I think they fall more in line with the vintage looks of the Vespa. They still hold a fair amount of goods, and I notice no difference when it's mounted or not.

If you do get the Vespa topcase, be sure to get a locksmith set the lock so the same key can work the ignition and topcase. Those keys are bulky enough so you only want one in your pocket!

You don't need a locksmith!!

Just put the original topcase key in and undo the nut behind the lock. Pull the barrel out with the key in and then put your ignition key in the barrel. Trim off the protruding bits with a dremel (I used a hacksaw and a file) and put it back together. The Vespa topcases aren't that secure anyway!!

You're a lot more adventurous than I. Usually when I ham-fist my way into something with tiny springs, said springs end up springing out all over the place!

I went with GIVI because it was much cheaper than the Vespa. It may detract a little from the form of the scoot, but, the function is well worth it. I commute every day with mine and would be lost without the extra storage space.

I noticed some extra rattles when I first rode with it on. I got some foam insulation tape and applied it where the noise was coming from...the seam where the two have overlap to close.
I keep a tool bag in it (Sears codura) to keep small stuff in so it doesn't jump around and make noise. I've got small cases for my eyewear so they don't scratch from the vibration while riding.

I also added a little reflective tape to it. I'd rather tape it up than my scoot.

The Givi is less $, sturdier and better lock. The Vespa is more $, sexier-looking and not much of a lock. If you want looks go Vespa but for durability I'd go Givi.

Or, you could do it properly as shown in this Tech Library article by Jess.

How To: Re-Key Your Top Case


Dave

I have the matching Vespa top box on my GTS. To my eyes it is not bad looking but not that good looking either. I find the shape is decent for hiding my full face helmet, but I'm not all that enamored with the size. I think the advertised size is 33 liters. Personally I think the GTS is large enough to be able to visually accept the size of a Givi 42 liter box. The Givi 42 due to the shape should be able swallow more grocery bags, larger overnight bag etc. The Givi's are very well made, very well finished, and look very nice. An added bonus is the option on some to add brake lights. For the cost I don't think you could beat a Givi. I am considering selling my Black and Tan Vespa box. (That's not a hint or an offer just a random thought, but if your interested PM me.)

Edited to add this: another plus for the Givi, even though they lock securely to the rack, they are easily removed and carried into your motel room, house etc.


Dave

For touring, the Givi has it won hands down, when you get the model with the quick release mechanism. When you're stopping for the night, just unlock the quick release, and your Givi topcase is your luggage. Nice feature!

Hey guys (and gals),

Thanks for the responses. I'll be picking up a Givi thid week.

Coach

Anyone have a favorite site for the Givi's? I sure like the idea of being able to detach it and carry it as my overnight luggage.

Karen

I got mine at Midwest Cycle in Minneapolis. They have an Ebay store and I ordered it through there. Their website is http://www.midwestcycle.com/
They don't gouge you on the price and they are really good guys. (I don't work for them! Just appreciate that they are very helpful)

Thanks for the link. I was just looking at some models and wonder, do you think the newest large one--52 liters--would look awful on the back of a GTS?

Karen

I have a 39LTR GIVI. Most important to me, the GIVI pops right off like a suitcase. Great for motel travel and makes it easy to wash.

Go for the "boblebe-e".

http://www.boblbee.com/
http://www.boblbee.com/us/


These models are, according to their homepage, TUV certified as backprotectors...

Agree with Alan A, topboxes are too ugly.

Bought my Boblebe-e in 1998 and I love it!


You can match the colour of your scooter if you're lucky
They comes in lots of different colours, but they don't come in Cameo, thou

My wife and I both have new GTS. We both wrestled with the similar dilemma. We chose the GIVI top cases and couldn't be happier. On the Blue one I have the E370 and on the yellow on she chose the E470. You can see from the pictures that the E470 is a little wider than the E370 but it still fits the scooter pretty well. The E470 will fit two helmets, the E370 only fits one. Hope this helps.

Here is the Blue GTS with the E370

Here are both in the same pic.

Stogie, you are a real PAL!! Those photos are *exactly* what I needed! (Not to mention that my new Buttercup is like your wife's!)

So, I'm puzzling over the differences between the E470 & the newer, supposedly larger, E52 Maxia. Dimensions:

E470: 21.9" wide x 13" tall x 16.75" deep (47 liters)

E52: 23" wide x 11.5 tall x 16.8 deep (52 liters)E470

SO....your wife's E470, while holding (supposedly) 5 fewer liters, is 1.5" taller and only about an inch less wide and almost exactly the same depth as the 52 liter 'Maxia'. (And the Maxia is about $70 more.) Weird. Am I missing something?

Coupla questions: Yours are easily detachable, right? And, did you install these yourself? Did you do the electrical kit? I'd have someone do it for me, but I'd want the light on back of the GIVI to work.

Thanks again for your helpful post.

Karen

Karen, Glad the pics helped. Yes, the boxes are easily detachable. There are two red buttons on the back of each case. You press the top button to open the case and you press the bottom button to activate the quick release from the mounting plate. I did the installation myself. It is super easy. I did not go with the electrical kit so these are just the plain old matte black cases. I bought them at helmetheadcyclegear.com . Great prices and service, they even throw in a free t-shirt.

Best part about a top case is: When you come back to your scooter on a rainy day and your helmet is not soaked.

Look around, I got my Vespa top box on E-bay for 100$ even, brand new.

This has ben helpful -- Thanks again.

And here endeth the thread.

Thanks for locking this when it got out of hand, Ian.

Most of this thread was quite good, and I wanted to salvage what I could. I excised the bickering and am now unlocking.

I just order the GIVI Maxi something -- the largest of their scooter/suitcase/topcases.

Flat back with some interesting reflectors, doesn't go with the scoot as well as some other options, but I think it will work better for the intended use.

I'll post a pic once installed, I pick it all up Saturday.

The wife also had me buy full riding gear -- somethging about "since you made it back from Afghanistan, no reason to scrape you off the road in pieces."

I'm a 4XL in Italian riding clothes ( I think that's a medium in the US!)

Is the underseat storage not waterproof? I haven't had my LX 150 out in the rain, yet.

I have a full face and can't get it in the pet carrier. My 1/2 shells will both fit in the pet carrier, but I've sort of gone with only FF protection -- feels safer now that I'm used to it.

I just bought the wife a new FF for riding pillion with all the other stuff. The salesman was pretty happy with me to say the least.

Well I was surprised that my 2XL helmet fit in the pet carrier, but it's only a 3/4 helmet and it just fits.

I'll be getting a FF for the colder months (I assume they're warmer if not safer), so, yeah, I guess it won't fit any more.

Stogie, if you're still paying attention, I'm now confused:

The website posted by the OP, twistedthrottle.com, shows the E470 with these dimensions:

21.9 wide x 13 tall x 16.7 deep

WHEREAS, the site you listed shows its dimensions as:

12.2 x 16.7 x 12.8

Can you clarify the dimesions of your wife's E470?

Thanks,

Karen

Karen, I just went and measured the E470. It is about 22" wide x 17" deep x 13" high .

Hope this helps.
- Bob

So, referring to "deep" as the front to back, which means the E370 is approximately 4 inches thinner left to right, about 4 inches taller from bottom to top and roughly 4 inches shorter in depth front to back, which is what your picture pretty much confirms. Excellent. Thanks for posting those.

Shifty

Hey Karen,

This is your Riding Classmate at SFVespa. I bought the only Portofino Green Vespa Top Case that has come to the dealer. My main reason is that the leather matches the brown leather on the GTV.

I love the look, however I find the latching mechanism kind of shabby. The Givi seems really cool and practical (especially the pack up and go feature and the lights), but I'm cool with the Vespa Top Case. I thought the case would do bad things to the lines of the bike, but I actually think it's perfectly sized and compliments the overall look well.

I read somewhere that theres a lining you can buy to put inside. The Vespa's top case is all hard plastic inside and you can hear things rolling around.

Anyway, there's my two cents.

Ciao,

Can I suggest you an alternative to GIVI top cases?
look at http://www.kappamoto.com

A lot of friends of mine have these products and they seem better than my Givi Flow 36 l.

But maybe you already know this brand

Bye

I think Frosty means that with a FF helmet you have to use the helmet peg and the helmet is hanging out in the elements rather than under the seat which would keep it dry if it would fit there.

My Givi case rattles like it's about to come open at any moment. I can't tell if it's locked or unlocked from just listening to it; it's that loud. I know I just need to put some foam tape along the seam, but really I'm shocked at how poor the connection is.

Agree. Take the original Vespa's if you want the same colour match. Otherwise, GIVI is cheaper and good enough.
I got a E35 Flow for my Scarabeo and think it is perfect. Do not buy a very big topcase, remember you should have as little weight as possible, there.

If you need luggage space, go for side bags and a tunnel bag.


As to the 'rattling' noise problems, I am not worried for them, if the support plate is well fastened. Just use some foam tape, if you are bothered by it.
Maybe more expensive products have better finishing, but I found my E35's price very competitive compared to others.

....is there a scooter behind that big black someting.....?

I can see your point of having a dry helmet, byt why not just bring it inside?

If I had to choose between this Givi...container...and the original topbox?

Need I say more?