Modern Vespa

Question for the photographer + scootering types out there.

I'm looking for a good bag to strap to the GTS style back rack on my GT. I normally use Domke bags to carry around my stuff, but I don't think that will give me enough protection for the gear if directly bungeed to the rack.

I use backpacks to hold the gear when I travel, and then switch to my bags at site. The packs themselves are too big for the back rack.

So I'm looking for some kind of smaller, semi-hard or hard sided case that can be strapped to the back rack to ride, and then unstrapped and carried around at the location. (Not small backpack style)

Needs to be able to accomodate Hassy + couple lenses + film or big SLR + lenses type of stuff. I can add/customize with self cut foam inside if needed for protection.

I don't prefer to use (or now have) a hard top case and just stuff bags inside. I also don't want to put the gear, especially film, in the pet box since it can get like an oven.

Some older postings talked about travel bags down on the floor board, but I don't need anything that large. Back rack size would be plenty.

Would love to hear from you photo types that have found some good solution for yourselves that I can look into also.

(like most old / long time photo guys, I've got bags coming out my ears!..but none that seem to work well to strap to my new scoots rack. I guess I just didn't think enough ahead! )

Ortlieb Shuttle Photo

http://www.ortlieb.com/_pdf_en/shuttle-photo.pdf
http://www.ortlieb.com/_prod.php?lang=en&produkt=shuttle-photo

Have you thought about Pelican cases? http://www.pelican.com/

They would also offer some seriaous environmental protection in case you get stuck in the rair or something.

Thanks for the tips.

The hardside backpack seems strong but looks a little big for the standard GTS rack.

I know of the Pelikans but have never had one. But it looks like they have quite an an assortment of sizes, so I'll take a closer look at those. I bet those WOULD be great for the "occasional" rainy weather we get up here.

i'd be kinda scared to tie my camera bag directly to a vibrating Vespa. Would a nice back pack be out of the question?

yeah if it was my standard soft camera bag, I am worried. The photo back packs I think might be a little big for that back rack, that's why I was looking to see if someone had found a smaller / different type of solution.

The Pelikan type case was one potential solution.

I've also seen those hard leather Vespa top cases, that I might be able to fill with foam inserts and convert to this use.. but other threads I saw here recently said those were quite spendy.

They used to make such stiff sided leather photo bags many years ago, my dad had one, and that would be great to convert to this usage I think. But I haven't seen one of those in years.

Why not go with a Givi case. Buy the size you need, modify it with egg crate foam or any other way you want and then at the twist of a key and a push of a button it comes off the rack and is carried suit case style where ever you need to go.

They come in tons of sizes and styles - everything from tiny E260's to Monster E52's that will swallow two full face helmets.

Dave

Thanks for the Givi pointer.

Since I never wanted to put a regular top case on my scoot, I never paid too much attention to them, and only saw the big round ones that other MV'ers put on. Those look too bulky to me to use for what I want, even if they are readily detachable. Those don't look too carry-around-able to me either.

But from what you say, it sounds like Givi has other styles that are more suitcase style, with a carry handle (maybe like the Pelikan case)...so I'll go look for info on those.

If any other MV'ers have mounted this kind of suitcase-style Givi on their rack and has a pic, or a model number, to share, it would be appreciated.

I have the SX Appeal top case. I stick my dslr camera bag (Crumper 6 million dollar home) in there.


Pic from Motorsport: http://www.scooterwest.com/item_detail/SX-Appeal-Canvas-Top-Case-BLACK/2558/

heinzanova puts his camera bag in his Vespa top case. Dan (can't remember his username) puts stuff in his Givi hard top case (kinda like the vespa one) and also a messenger bag around the front of his .

ahh..this looks interesting..

Is it a flexible/collapsible case..or it it pretty rigid? In the pics, it looks rigid enough to not collapse when you strap it down tight. The straps shown are how it attaches to the rack, correct?

This might be an option, but I'd have to get a carry bag with more padding than my Domkes, something more like your Crumplers. If the SX case is just canvas, then that plus just my Domkes is not really very much protection I'm afraid.

This seems a little more compact than the Givi "suitcase" type cases, which I went to look for online from the previous suggestion. And the price is very good, if it's a pretty sturdy case. Lots cheaper than those fancy leather Vespa cases I've seen that look like this style.

The site says the bag is 15" x 12". It looks about 15" long, based on sitting on the back rack..but it doesn't seem like it's 12" tall, or 12" deep.
Can you guess at what your case's depth / height dimension is?

Thanks for the pointer.

It is pretty rigid. The straps you see on the front is to close the case, there are four mini straps [included] on the bottom to strap it to the rack. I also use a couple straps [that I bought]to connect the back to my grab rail.

My bag fits snugly in there. The SX bag is just canvas, but what are you looking for? Even if you have a Givi/Vespa hard case, doesn't mean it has much protection if you go down or if it falls off- it has no padding inside (i think). bagel's Vespa hard case mount broke and the case flew off on the 3 peaks ride and broke. Hard case had to be bungeed together and to the rack. Not sure if a camera in a protected bag would have survived the tumble.

A foam mod for a Givi is a fantastic idea!

Camera would be easily accessible for on the road access. If you're just wanting it as a transportable case, velcro some foam into the top, so the case could still remain useful when not on the bike.

Pelican are also great, but the weight of an empty case is pretty substantial.

Search E370 or E470 here.

Looks like you were posting while I was adding in my dimension question edit.

Thanks for the extra info about the bottom strap mounts. I probably would add extra straps like you did too.

Yeah.. I don't think I can expect something that would hold up in a hard fall, and what you said about even those hard top cases sound reasonable. So If I tumble enough to spill my bike/gear/myself.. I gotta depend on my insurance to help recover any damaged equoipment. When the site said "canvas" I just wasn't sure if it all that stiff or not.