which topcase?

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:38 am

I am seeking info and feedback for purchasing and installing a quality topcase on my Buddy 125; my previous one (a Scootr Logic) worked loose (after the tab that locks the case to the baseplate bent) and flew off the scooter after hitting a series of crappy road repairs...

I want one that either mounts directly to the rack or has a very, very secure locking/latching mechanism; I also want to get one @ 29 or 30 liters in capacity; thank you

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:39 am

Givi is the best bet...

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:46 am

Givi is certainly top quality if money is no object. If, however, you don't want to spend that much, Shad cases are good too. I've got a Shad SH33 that works great. It even survived my recent accident with only a scratch. A lot of people buy the SH29, but I wanted a bit more room than that, so I got the 33.

cfargo · Post by **cfargo** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:27 am

Drum Pro wrote:Givi is the best bet...

+1

Bluduh · Post by **Bluduh** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:59 am

I've also got the Shad 33 and am happy with it. It has a quick release for easy on/off, but *seems* sturdy enough to remain on the scoot and NOT come off unexpectedly. I've hit some pretty good sized pot holes without any problems.

The case actually mounts to a sub-base that is bolted very securely to the rear rack. With the top case off, you can still use the rear rack normally, like when you need to bungee a bulky load onto the rear rack that won't fit in to the top case.

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:53 am

thanks...I'll have to narrow down my choice;

for now I have a milk crate attached with heavy duty cable ties (aesthetically deficient, but practical as heck)...I was able to carry home 3 gallon containers of 15w-40 motor oil from NAPA the other day and keep them in there with a cargo net; I just kept the speed down a bit and avoided things to cause excessive suspension travel

ThreeSheets · Post by **ThreeSheets** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:33 pm

GIVI or SHAD are the top two as far as quality top cases go.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:31 pm

sounds right!

The genuine cases are....well they're just crap. I use mine and got a great deal on it, but it's still crap

.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:35 am

Another option:

There's this thread on building the platform. This allows you to take the case off when you want, and still have a little bigger area than your rack allows by itself, to put things on...though that's not why I initially did it.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 2:51 pm

kmrcstintn wrote:thanks...I'll have to narrow down my choice;

for now I have a milk crate attached with heavy duty cable ties (aesthetically deficient, but practical as heck)...I was able to carry home 3 gallon containers of 15w-40 motor oil from NAPA the other day and keep them in there with a cargo net; I just kept the speed down a bit and avoided things to cause excessive suspension travel

I wouldn't recommend carrying that kind of load on the back rack, no matter what kind of storage you have. That greatly exceeds it's capacity and also could cause handling issues. When you have something that heavy to carry, you should either put it on the seat behind you, or put it on the floorboard.

teacherquinn · Post by **teacherquinn** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:50 pm

skully93 wrote:sounds right!

The genuine cases are....well they're just crap. I use mine and got a great deal on it, but it's still crap .

Agreed. On a buddy I don't think I'd go over a 30. I have a Givi 30 on my GTS and I wouldn't want a bigger one. They aren't the most attractive things! More practical than beauty. And you wouldn't want too much weight back there anyway.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:45 pm

pdxrita wrote:
kmrcstintn wrote:thanks...I'll have to narrow down my choice;

for now I have a milk crate attached with heavy duty cable ties (aesthetically deficient, but practical as heck)...I was able to carry home 3 gallon containers of 15w-40 motor oil from NAPA the other day and keep them in there with a cargo net; I just kept the speed down a bit and avoided things to cause excessive suspension travel
I wouldn't recommend carrying that kind of load on the back rack, no matter what kind of storage you have. That greatly exceeds it's capacity and also could cause handling issues. When you have something that heavy to carry, you should either put it on the seat behind you, or put it on the floorboard.

+1

In non-rainy weather, I do Costco runs all the time on my Buddy...but I use either saddlebags, behind me on the seat or on the floorboard for heavy stuff...I put the bread, strawberries and potatoe chips in the top case.