Modern Buddy

Friday was an unusual day here in SoCal. It was raining hard and windy. The wind blew off the cover of my scooter. When I got home, I recovered it.

Today when I opened my Shad topcase, there was a nice little puddle in the bottom. I'm not sure how the water got in.

Reviving one of the older threads about topcases. I did just discover about a week ago the same problem with my Genuine topcase, bought last June, even though I hadn't even been out in the rain. But I keep a couple of field guides in the case at all times and I discovered that they had gotten soaked at some point, though were dry again. My scooter stays under a carport so I guess blowing rain got it, as again I hadn't been out in the rain in many, many months because I really avoid riding in the rain.

On top of that, I've never been happy with the case. I don't know if it was a manufacture or installation problem, but the top didn't sit squarely on the bottom, off by just a smidge. It really kind of looked like the bottom was torqued a little by the bolts securing it to the plate, but it could have just been poorly manufactured. The lid always rattled even when closed and locked until we put some gasket material around it. And it was rubbing the paint off where the lid sat on the bottom as well.

Then, on top of all that, just this week, it quit latching. At all. Mechanism seems to align okay, and button operates the latch when I'm not putting the lid on it and just looking at it, but it won't latch anymore.

If I liked the case anyway I'd probably look at fixing or replacing the latch/lock, but I dunno. If it might leak anyway not sure there's a point.

And then there's the look. I'm not that wild about the look of a hard topcase, though I like the functionality esp since I often go grocery shopping with the scooter.

Alright, enough of the observation part. Here are some questions:

Informal poll, please weigh in:

I like topcases and I think they look fine!

I don't like the look of topcases, but they are so functional I must have one!

Topcases are an atrocity and I won't have one anywhere near my ride!




And finally, I was sorry to hear pcbikedude had a problem with such a well-respected brand as Shad. I know GIVI gets lots of good reviews. Has anyone had the GIVI E260 Microcase? I would give up some room for a little smaller profile to the case and would love some feedback on this one. If a link is okay, here it is: http://scootrs.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=1765


THANK YOU, everyone for reading/commenting.

I have always used an S/X softcase and I purchased a waterproof cover for it. I have one for me seat too. I just put it over the case when rain is anticipated and never have had an dampness. . . I also pop it on if I go through the scooter wash. . . Easy, cheap, and effective. and it stores in a tiny little zipper pocket.

RoadRambler wrote: Informal poll, please weigh in:

I like topcases and I think they look fine!

I don't like the look of topcases, but they are so functional I must have one!

Topcases are an atrocity and I won't have one anywhere near my ride!

My vote: I like topcases and I think they look fine!


I ordered a matching Genuine top case a few months ago through my local dealer (Scootersmith), but they were unavailable. He said they were being redesigned by a new manufacturer and would likely be available in March. I'm holding out to get a look at these before making a decision on one.

Any dealers on the board with additional info on the new Genuine line of top cases?

RoadRambler wrote: Informal poll, please weigh in:

I like topcases and I think they look fine!

I don't like the look of topcases, but they are so functional I must have one!

Topcases are an atrocity and I won't have one anywhere near my ride!

My vote: I guess the last choice, though I wouldn't say they are an atrocity.. I just don't particularly like the look of them, and I would prefer to have something that I can put on and take off in a minute or two and have a choice of size.

After all, I have a small backpack for the days I am just taking the scooter to work, I have a wide variety of larger packs for days that I may need more stuff, or for short trips, AND I have two different sized milk crates and a crapload of bungee straps and nets for when I go on longer trips/the grocery store and need to carry more than can fit comfortably on my back.
I also have some quick-detach 500dp cordura saddle bags in the works, that will probably end up being my summer project for rainy days.
Making waterproof covers, for everything (or even just bags to go inside whatever you are using for storage) is fairly easy also, as long as you have some basic sewing skills and access to the right materials.

>>As far as puddles in the bottom of a top case go, I don't have one, so I don't know how well it will work... buuuut I know this always worked for my cox-box hard case when I was a coxswain for my school's crew team: drill a couple holes in the bottom so the water can flow out instead of leaving a puddle in the bottom. This may not be anyone's first choice, but it should generally work. Like I said though, I don't have a top case, I haven't seen one on a Buddy in quite some time, so I don't quite remember how they bolt on, and the shape differs by brand and model, so it might just not work at all for some. Lots of variables to consider.<<

I have never liked the idea of having anything "permanently" bolted to my scooter (or any of my other vehicles for that matter), sooo...

...I won't have a top case anywhere near my ride!

I have a Genuine top case on my scoot (matching color, natch ) and I like it. No problems so far, but I've read about problems with them so I take care when opening and closing, and check the hardware on occasion to make sure it's all tight. I also have a top case on one of my MC's. Looks hideous, but since it's behind me while I'm riding, out of sight, out of mind.

Haven't had a leak problem, because I never ride in the rain and the scoots in a garage. So I have no advice on sealing your case.

Thanks to everyone for the added comments! We took the topcase off the Buddy and I really like how it looks without it, with the rear rack but no hard case. (Though I was really just exaggerating for humor, I don't think they are atrocious! Just prefer it without.)

We do have a softsided topcase we like that goes on and off pretty easily, so I think I will use that when I need to go shopping. Probably get a milk crate to have at the ready, too.

Plus the used Blur we are about to add to our scooter stable comes with a Shad, so hopefully we'll have better luck with that.

I'll vote "I like topcases and I think they look fine" however, I'm really more about function than form when it comes to my scooter; the topcase is not a fashion accessory for me. As for the issue being with a Shad, I'd like to think it's an anomaly. I've had my Shad case for more than 2 years now and I ride in the rain all of the time (here in Portland, avoiding rain makes for a really short riding season). I've never had any leaks at all. However, when parked, my scooter is almost always under cover, either in my garage at home or in the parking garage at work, so I can't say that it wouldn't leak if left parked in the rain. Maybe it would.