Modern Vespa

Which aftermarket top case do you have?

Why did you pick that one?

Was price an issue in picking a top case?


Thanks,
Dani

I presently have a Givi on my BV500 and a Vespa brand on my GTV. I've owned several Givi cases on motorcycles and they are well built and do what they're supposed to do without breaking. The Vespa case on my GTV is very flimsy when compared to the Givi. Givi makes two lines of cases: One for lightweight use (Monolock series) and the other is more heavy duty (Monokey series). The lighter weight (Monolock) versions are less expensive and will work just fine for your scooter (I have an E370 Monolock series on the BV500).

I have the Givi E450 with the optional brake light kit. I've had it installed for about two years and have had zero problems. The brake light install was fairly straightforward and IMHO really helps make the bike more visible. The case has loads of room, enough for my XXXL full face plus gloves, bungees, rain gear, etc. And you can easily remove it from the mounting plate and use it as luggage. Overall, I've found it to be a great case at a reasonable price.

i have the vespa top case for the s150 and that was i believe 350$.
love it though because it matches the bike. but i think for the same price or a little more you can get the chrome rack on the back and a prema roll bag, that i find very good looking.

Do you have any pix? I was looking at that one too - but was concered it would be too big. Your BV 250 might get away with it, but my sportcity is a bit smaller and thought it might look odd. Storage-wise it is what I want, probably big enough for my backpack on the way to the office, and my helmet and other stuff while in the office.

-J

Baldanzi: I've used the E450 on three different motorcycles and IT IS a BIG case. I guess it depends on one's perspective but I thought it would be too large for my BV500 when I decided to install a topcase on it (and the BV500 is a BIG scooter)

If you're counting every kind of topcase...

--I have a tan SX Appeal topcase.

--I picked it because of the looks, and because of the price.

--Price was as much an issue as looks in this instance for me. I was seriously considering the plastic Vespa topcase, but I just couldn't convince myself it was worth $600, even if it did have a leather backrest. The SX is removable without a lot of time or tools, and should something happen to it, $150 is a lot easier to replace than $600.

I have a Vespa topcase on my Portofino green LX. I wanted a case that matched the scooter and I don't think there is an aftermarket one that matches that color.

I have a SX Appeal black canvas topcase on my GTS. I just wanted something different looking on that scoot. Personally, I think the canvas case holds more than the Vespa topcase.

I have a Sx appeal bag on my GT and a prima roll (small) on my Buddy. I had a Vespa top case on my ET4. I like the looks of it, better than the topcase on my scoots. My husband has a Vespa top case and it looks good.

I have the Givi E30 Monolock E30. It is small, but just right for my needs. Also, pretty inexpensive compared to some. Here's what it looks like on my LX150:



$90 with free shipping at:

http://sporttour.com/luggage/givi/Givi_E30_Tour.htm

Whatever case you get, if you don't add the tail light kit, be sure to add some SOLAS tape behind the "reflector."

See: Vespa topcase reflectors

I have a Givi E35 on my GTS. It is a good quality well priced topcase and it will go onto my next scooter when I get it. If I was looking for another topcase I would certainly consider getting another Givi topcase.

1. Vespa's Top Case

2. Matching paint and it was already attached to the scoot when I bought it.

3. no sir, worked it into the deal.

Here you go (Note: the backrest was another option I added and doesn't come with the standard case). Sorry for the less than spectacular cell phone pics.

1) Vespa topcase
2) Matched bike color and leather backrest
3) Figured if I didn't buy it now and 10years from now wanted it, it would be hard to find.

If I had to do it over again, I'd buy the Givi case because it's better made, cheaper, and can be easily removed from the rack. Taking the Vespa case off is a pain in the but and although I haven't had any issues, it seems flimsy.

SHAD is a newer name to the American market and they seem to have nice products for a good price and the mounting brackets are often included in the price of the case.

The cases close and latch but do not lock unless you turn the key, which also locks the case tot he mounting plates. Makes it hard to lock you keys in the case and quick and easy when you don't need security (inside your garage). Cases come off to take inside with you, if you want.

I don't have one but the people I have chatted with like theirs.

Check out Twistedthrottle.com. They are a New England based company located in Rhode Island, south of Providence. If you prefer a non-plastic case, I got a case from Motorsports via the internet. For 99 dollars, it is similair to the leathercase sold by Piaggio.

Piaggio top case purchased on Ebay for about $100.00

Not my scoots color so I painted it and stenciled it.

It seems a bit rickety when attached, but so far has not fallen off yet this summer. It can be unlocked and pulled off of the bike if I feel the need.
Holds plenty but I don't trust it to hold my purse so I keep that under the seat.

And I have lost one hinge pin so I have substituted a peice of a wire hanger agumented with duct tape! Seems to be working well.

I had a factory topcase on my GT200 and it would hold a laptop, a dozen bagels, and a lunch bag, which was quite impressive. It was totally waterproof, lockable, and doubled as a passenger backrest. My kids thought it looked dorky and also made it hard for passengers to get on. The reflectors don't really reflect either unless you put reflective tape under the lenses.

I have an SX roll case on my GTS250. it looks better, but holds less. You cannot fit a laptop into it. It holds (barely) a Fulmer 3/4 helmet, gloves and a few other things. You cannot put a laptop in it's case into the bag unless it was a very small laptop. It is water resistant but not waterproof, although it comes with a sturdy raincover with is a bit of a pain to intsall. You can attach it securely but it is not a substitute for a backrest, and it does make getting on a little harder for passengers, but not as hard as the topcase. It is not lockable.

The Prima bag loks ok, is a slightly different shape,( shallower but longer), and did not feel as sturdy to me.

You can look around for used cases or roll bags and get a bargain. That way if it doesn't work out you're not out tons of money.

Thanks guys for the info and pix... I think I'll go for the E370...but there is no denying that the E450 is practical.

I think I'll go with the E450.

Is the optional light difficult to install?

Really? What kind of laptop do you have? I didn't think mine would fit, either. I have a fat 17" widescreen Dell Precision M70. As long as there is nothing else in the bottom of the case (with the ends extended), I can fit mine in there just fine, even with a neoprene sleeve over it. Maybe it depends more on what type of laptop, than the "official measurement" of screen dimension. Or perhaps they've changed the bag a little since you got yours.

Only reason I don't carry it in the case is because I'm afraid I'd hit too many bumps and screw up the harddrive. I know this may not be a real problem if the laptop is powered off, but I've had enough problems with the damn thing lately, and don't want to push my luck.

I have a Coocase V36 on my BV 250 and the Piaggio case on my Fly 150. I got the case for the Fly 150 free--last year's promotion. (Although it took me 7 months to get the case from Piaggio!) The Piaggio case looks nice because the top is painted to match the scooter, but I like the Coocase on my BV 250 better. The Coocase has a remote control to lock, unlock, and set the alarm. (The alarm is probably worthless--it is not very loud at all.) It also has integrated brake lights. The interior of the Coocase is lined, lid-stays hold the top open. The Coocase can be romoved from the scooter with a push of the button. You have to unscrew a bolt to remove the Piaggio case from the Fly 150. The Piaggio case also rattled a lot more than the Coocase, until I spent some time wedging pieces of rubber to stop the rattles

I have a Shad on the LT-150 that came with it. It is on the small side, but is very well made, and fits this bike well.



Vespa on the Vespa.



I have a Harbor Freight case on my '84 Honda Aero 125, but no pics of it. Here is the Aero though...


I just scored an ultra-rare factory windscreen that was NIB for my Aero.

Re: the SX case. You could fit a laptop, but not a laptop inside a laptop carrying bag.

I thought the subject was 'all topcases' - well I bought the OEM one. It matched, and wasn't too much of a 'clamshell'. No.

Ditto and I'm VERY happy with it and it was pretty easy to install and wire also.

Givi E350 Flow


Kappa K35

I have the Piaggio original topcase that came with my GT200, works as intended.

My wife's Metro has original Honda topcase...I did leave a message with the folks on earlier link to see if the E450 would work as a replacment for her Metro...but saw the pics...I don't think so. Selling point is the brake light modification.

Off the subject...however related to carrying things...the ROK straps are really nice...will cover under separate posting (with pics).

Is this easy?

I've had owned Vespa Brand top cases and GIVI top cases.

In terms of quality/functionality GIVI winds hand down.

In terms of looks, IMHO the Vespa brand top cases win.

As for a brake light kit, if you decide to go with a GIVI topcase, check these guys out:

http://www.admorelighting.com/index.php?page=products/index.php

They sell add-on LED brake/running/turn signal light kits for GIVI top cases.