Modern Vespa

I'm looking to get a storage case for my Sei Giorni and can't decide if I should go with a Hard top case or a soft case like the Nelson Rigg. I've never had a storage case before, and would like some advise / thoughts from those who do.
Thanks

I use top boxes exclusively. Water tight, sturdy and sorta tamper proof and easily removable. My favorites:

SHAD. Open without a key but can be locked if needed. Offer color plate options or blank plates to be custom painted.

KAPPA. GIVI alternative brand. They make some cool looking to boxes style wise. I have a Manta series on my Liberty.

GIVI. Wife likes them. Best overall fit and finish of all 3 I listed.

No personal experience with the Vespa color matched ones but never heard any complaints from owners.

Never been a fan of soft luggage.

It's great to lock your helmet in the topcase when stopped. Hard cases for me.

I have topcases on all 3 of our scooters. I like the OEM Vespa topcase for the GTS. It is well made, color matched, and a backrest is standard. They are more expensive than most, but perhaps you can get a deal with the purchase of a new scooter as you plan.

Oem vespa topcase for me also for the same reasons already told.
If i would go with an aftermarket i would with this- both look and practicality at high level.

I've had both.

In general, I prefer a hard top case for everyday use. It locks, it isn't easy for someone to steal, and if you get one that is meant to be easily removable, it's very simple to do. They're generally waterproof (or at least rainproof), and I can just toss stuff in there and not have to worry about it. You can also add reflective stickers and sometimes even extra lighting to a hard case. I like to be matchy-matchy a lot of the time, and the fact that you can usually get a case that already matches your bike (or easily paint the top part of it) is a bonus for me.

I've actually had a Nelson Rigg bag before, in addition to a couple of other soft cases. Those are nice for when you know you're going to need extra storage, probably won't be making a lot of stops where the bag itself might be vulnerable to theft, and don't mind some possible extra work in attaching or removing it. I usually use those sort of bags for longer trips, and situate them in such a way that they become backrests for me. Most soft cases meant for motorbikes do come with a little bit of reflective pinstriping, but usually not very much. You can add more, but it can be tricky to do so without compromising the structure or any sort of weatherproof coating that might be present. Most come with a rain cover.

Obviously, it really comes down to personal preference.

Okay, as usual, I'll be the gadfly here: I prefer a soft (or, as as is actually the case with Nelson-Rigg gear, semi-soft) bag: I'm a bit of a minimalist, and as nice as topcases can be–and I don't entirely rule out getting one for occasional use–I like the idea of something that I can easily remove from the bike and take with me upon arrival. I had this setup with Melody, and, thankfully, I can transfer this setup to Thelonica as soon as she graces yon driveway. (Interesting thought: If I'd had Melody equipped with a topcase, not only would it have gotten trashed along with the bike in my December accident, it might have made the situation worse in the case of potential injury. Merely speculation on my part, but there you are.)

Great advise, thank you for your thoughts. I think I'll go hard top case matching color, and see how I like it. 😀

Vespa Matching Top Case always looks good. Very pricey @399.00 . I do enjoy locking my helmet in a somewhat secure place. Rather then it banging under my seat with the underwear hooks. I noticed the paint is not as well finished on my case and scratch's easily. Summer time I have a large leather roll up bag I use. Really nice and I wear a half helmet so that fits under the seat.

I have GIVI hard cases on all three of my scoots, and they all use the same key. The matched locks only cost a few dollars apiece and they took just a few minutes to swap out with the original ones.

Hi I have the matching hard top case colour matched.
Advantages , perfect match the lines are the same as the scooter and it looks fantastic !! , the back rest is comfortable for the passenger, it comes with hardware to put on the folding rear rack, heavy bar ends and it is waterproof (theoretically ). I am usually a matchy matchy original kind of guy.
However
Disadvantages it scratches very very easily, it is very very expensive, the locking mechanism is kinda cheap, if you close the case and your keys are inside you are totally fubar. The case does not come off easily . I have it I used it took it off and put it away.

I purchased two cases to put on the vespa, a smaller 35l shad for around town with back rest, and a larger Givi for longer trips. The givi was mint, and the shad in very good condition. Both came with backrests, plates, etc I paid less than 50% of the price of the Vespa top case for both.

You can find them used on FB or Kijiji for not too expensive (like 25-30% of the price of a vespa topcase) The fit and finish is better they lock well, completely waterproof, plus you can easily take it off and bring it inside with you, with the key. the base plate fits well on the folding rack.

I had soft bags before but was always paranoid that they would be opened or stolen off the motorcycle.

You can always opt for the pelican 1520 also usually available used. locks with a combination, completely waterproof, durable etc. attach it to the rear rack with ubolts
just my 2cents

I prefer roll bags. Look classier.

I have an original Piaggio leather roll bag on my LXV, and a Scooterwest bag (no longer available) on my LX. The Piaggio leather bag is padlocked onto the rack.

Lockable helmet storage is not an issue for me, as my helmet fits in the pet carrier of both scoots.

I prefer the look of roll bags too as the Top Boxes just look too big for a Vespa.

Considering the weight, looks and cost of the Top Box it's a no from me especially considering a roll bag will only contain my clothes so not worth stealing. Valuable stuff can be locked up in the pet carrier and glove box.

I have a roll bag, it came with the scoot when I bought it. I love the looks, but when I'm going to make longer trips, I will probably get a topcase for that.

That's mainly because of ease of use, not having to worry about it: either regarding theft or regarding rain.

i only have experience with the standard Vespa top box. When I got my scooter many years ago they were willing to cut me a deal on the top box so I got it. It is mainly to hold my helmet when I am not riding, and some extra gear like gloves, and some other gear if it gets cold, although a few times I have dragged a lot of stuff on my Vespa and between the top box, the pet carrier, the front rack I have, the bag holder between the legs and the floor carrier over the battery compartment that I have and a backpack I was able to carry a ton of stuff. Mostly though just use it for the helmet. But on this blog I have seen quite a number off very cool boxes so check them out.

If it works for your needs, I have found a basket to be very useful.

I particularly appreciate that it can accommodate bulky loads that might not permit the lid to close on a hard case. If I have loose items, I just put them in a shopping bag and secure it with a bungee net.

Here's my setup: Quick release basket mounting on a folding rack

I don't like hard tail boxes. They just seem to be in the way. This goes back to one on a CB125 that I had in the early '80's. They rattle around and there is no leeway for jamming something in that doesn't fit the fixed dimensions.

I have a Liberty 150. I lock my helmet using the tab under the seat or carry it with me, so putting it in the tail box is not an issue.

What I like is an expandable soft tail bag. The nicest one I have found so far is the Oxford F1. It is 35 Liters expanded and about half that folded down. Not obtrusive. Has a base "plate" so it can be zipped off and carried off. I don't use it that way, but it is an option.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/oxford-f1-large-tail-pack?sku_id=1243268

I made my own base using a 1/2" black plastic cutting board (custom order to size) for mounting, rather than buying something expensive, using the 3 bolt points on the stock tail bracket.

I have attached a photo with the Oxford and also the Nelson-Rigg panniers that I throw on when I really need to haul some stuff. There is also a bag added on to the Oxford sitting on the seat that I have since deleted, as I found it wasn't needed.

Second photo is the Oxford (and now deleted 2nd bag) and my floorboard backpack (computer, lunch).

Maybe in the past. I wasn't riding in the 80s. But if today's top cases are rattling, pull over immediately, before they fall off. I installed brackets and three cases on my motorcycle, none of them rattle.

Re: awkward dimension stuff - you just strap em to the top of the hard case.

Please tell me the manufacturer/part # of your roll bag. Your photo convinced me to buy one. Thank you.

I'm not really sure. The bag is from K-Drive (k-drive.com, according to one label, but the site seems to be dead), but it's been made to fit on the GTS rack (with extra straps) by a Dutch bag store. I'm afraid it's a one of a kind...

(it was on the scoot when I bought it used)

The case itself didn't rattle, just the stuff I tended to want to throw in it. For example, a drill, screw drivers, ratchet set, 6-pack of canned beer. I'm not sure why I didn't think of finding a bag that fit inside to dim the noise (and keep the beer from getting shaken-up).

An example of an awkward dimension item, that I wouldn't want to strap on, is my laptop. It won't fit in anything but a pretty large case, while I can put it in at an angle in the soft bag and it stretches to fit. I did this until I got the backpack for the floorboard...and use it for the computer and lunch. Frees up the tail bag.

Then again, maybe my company needs to buy me a smaller laptop!

For fun, I attached a photo of the old bike, about '79-'80.

Is that the 125? I've only ever seen them with a front disk brake. Yours came with a drum?

My laptop is a 15.6". Fits in my 41 liter GIVIs easily peasy. I have a special sleeve that I put it in first that is both hard and soft, and then I fill the case with clothes all around it so it's a bit more protected.



Ignore that the side cases were mounted backwards in this pic oops lol

I prefer a traditional hard top case for secure and weather tight storage, and my Givi is easily removed as needed. The aesthetics of these may not be ideal for some, but the functionality cannot be ignored. Also, top cases can be fitted with additional tail/brake/turn lighting for improved visibility and safety.

I do like the looks of the tail bag Amateriat posted above. I think something similar in a larger size is available for even more storage.

Thank you.

Indeed, they are: I believe mine is the smallest (or next-to-smallest) of the three available; all are height-expandable in size as well.

And I will say that a big advantage of that Givi hard case is the ability to augment rear lighting with it.

It was a '73 CB125S. Came with drum on the front. I don't think they started discs until '76. The good thing about this year/model was a bit more HP.

I could do about 70 (on the speedo, so maybe 65), but not often. Unless I was really late for school, I took back roads rather than the highway.

My girlfriend, on the back, ran into a car on a solo ride when I was teaching her to ride. Lucky for me the NOS parts for new forks were still available at Honda....for less than $100 I am sure.

It was low speed, but she flew over the trunk of the car. Luckily, she was wearing my full face helmet, as it got cracked on either side of the chin. We are still friends today.