I finally broke down after six years of Vespa riding and bought a topcase. This one a GIVI E370 with a holding capacity of 39 liters — big enough for my fullface helmet, raingear, digital SLR, gloves, and a jacket. Carefully packed mind you. The thing locks and is will keep the contents nice and dry. There is a quick release button that allows me to remove the case from the mount if I decide I want to haul something unusual.
Not sure why it took me so long to get one of these things. Their utility was apparent immediately. I’m slow to adopt new things. Maybe I will get a motorcycle in another five to ten years.
The quick release came in handy today for attaching two new Kenda K413 tires to the back of the scooter. Time to remove the Heidenau winter tires and get ready for snow and ice free tires. I won’t be amused if it starts to snow again.
This Vespa GTV 250 was parked outside. Spent a few minutes talking with Duke who I thought was the owner but it turned out the scooter belonged to his wife. He said they would be trailering the GTV to the Mid Atlantic Scooter Rally in New Holland, Pennsylvania in late May. I tried to convince him that he and his wife should ride to the rally. It’s only 120 miles.
Hopefully tomorrow evening I get pick my own scooter up with some new shoes. I’ve tried a half dozen different brand tires and they have all performed well. Now I am just trying to find ones that last a little longer.
Steve
Requesting a profile shot of the Vespa with topcase….am curious what it does to the fine Italian lines.
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Do you notice this top heavy item during the ride?
Dom: I’ve been afraid to look at it in profile for fear that I have completely uglified the Vespa with the topcase. You could see it in the last post in the shot through the StarBucks door.
I’ll be going for a ride once I get the summer tires on and will point the camera at the Vespa.
Rogier: I’ve only ridden about 25 miles with the topcase but so far I can’t tell any difference at all. Certainly is no heavier than when I piled the softcase full of stuff.
I never had a top case until I bought the ST1100 in 2001. I bought a new mount and transferred it to the FJR. I’m sure you will commend yourself for your wisdom many times over in the future.
As long as it comes off, though, mind you. You still need to be able to haul things like Christmas trees!
I have always had a top case on my Vespas and have the GIVI E370 as well (on an LX 150). I love its convenience more than anything but also secretly think that it considerably dresses up my Vespa by enforcing its visual presence 🙂
I’ve had a topcase on my ET4 since new. I cut foam for my Nikon and a zoom lens to fit in the bottom, and two jackets fit over top. My rain gear gets carefully folded under the seat, and I just have to carry the helmet.
No change in weight or handling and it looks decent. My kids like it because they have a back rest, which they never had on my old SS180.
Steve:
I think of the topcase as a visual deterent. Imagine there is a Ford E-350 super duty on your bumper at a light. Real close so you can not be seen over the hood. I thought that a topcase would make me more visible. The fact that it can hold things is a bonus.
As prev mentioned, it can also hold a 25 year old Bonsai Christmas tree
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
I’ll be interested in hearing how you like the Kendas. I have found them more than satisfactory, even on wet pavement. The price is right, too!
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
Longevity for a Vespa rear tire? Ha ha very funny.
I am amused by the nonsense prated about how ugly top boxes look on motorcycles. In a world where Chevy Tahoes are purchased because they are so useful I find it profoundly odd that a simple $100 addition to a high gas mileage motorcycle is pronounced ugly when in fact said top box makes the bike actually very useful.
Now you and I have something in common. Brrr.
Hmmm… The GTV does need some tooling down the highway. I talked to a Harley rider in a parking lot once who was passing out flyers about the opening of a new chopper shop, which was to include a “butt burner” 80-mile ride. While we were having this talk, I had just arrived with a group aboard my 1985 Honda Elite 250. We had ridden 138 miles – for lunch. After lunch, we rode back…
irondad: I’m already convinced of the utility. And the GIVI has a quick release that I have already taken advantage of to haul new tires.
So I guess the Christmas tree is still possible.
Schnarpsel: I have a ways to go before I think the top case enhances the look of the Vespa. But I will admit that it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Once I start photographing the GTS in its new incarnation I’ll be better able to tell…
Mark: Putting some foam in the top case is a good idea. I’m still tinkering with what goes in the case and what stows under the seat. Once I have that clear I’ll pursue the foam.
Congratulations on your new blog!
bobskoot: I try and stay clear of those trucks but it makes sense that the top case will be up a bit higher. My topcase and my head….
Orin: The Kenda tires are inexpensive. Rode home today on them but couldn’t tell how they were performing — brand new, wind blowing hard, and I was traveling on the expressway.
I hope to take a more typical ride soon.
Conchscooter: I thought we already had a bright, cheerful disposition in common. And now a topbox.
I resisted a long time. Not out of any rational place, just a reluctance to change. If you keep reading here long enough I will probably have a Triumph Bonneville with saddlebags, a BMW R100 GS with hard cases, a Smart Car, and of course a K Bike.
All this should happen by 2031. So stay tuned!
Clifton: Butt Burner and 80 miles don’t seem to go together. But I understand the perspective. Have talked with lots and lots of riders who never go much more than 40 or 50 miles. They have their fun in nice weather and go home. They know what they want I guess. Those kind of miles don’t quench my riding lust though.
Love your Typecasting on your blog. I have been looking for a nice old typewriter for a long time. Had an old Woodstock for years that I used. One of these days I am going to find just the right machine.