Top box and side cases options

[LSGiant]

I read somewhere that the factory top box is not quick attach. Also the only option option for side cases is the factory cases.
Does the gallery feel there will be other after market options?

 

[Clifton]

Personally I am waiting / hoping for Bumot, Tourtech, Givi, etc, come out with top load panniers, hopefully that tuck in well. I like how nicely the factory plastic, side-load, ones integrate. I just wonder how rigid and secure they will be on bumpy, non-paved roads though. Plus if they are the same as on the Mandello more than one person has had one fall off if not attached exactly correct.

 

[TombaLaBomba]

Over a decade ago I rode a CRF450R (prepped for Baja) from Texas to Ushuaia exclusively on gravel roads. On one leg of the trip I encounter a kraut on a beamer who insisted on following me on rough single track. Despite being a good rider, his tough looking panniers finally exploded due to the incessant vibration, knocks and whatnot. His $hit was all over the jungle. From that moment on, I swore never to use hard luggage (at the time, I was riding with a 80L pack strapped to my back and was confident on putting the weight on my instead of on my bike). Anyways, here I am exploring ways to put weight on my bike. These are definitely not meant for our bikes, but for any of you wondering if they would work – the answer is they kind of do.

Something else I confirmed, though I already knew it – jumping this Italian iron is sketchy and to be avoided if possible. I’m actually thinking of fitting an Ohlin’s steering damper for when you really haul a$$ over messed up gravel roads. Oh, the OEM skid plate is useless – it buckled upon first contact with a log.

The weight distribution makes stoppies super awkward. Till next time – oh, sweet news about the big bore kit.

 

[scottmastrocinque]

Oh, the OEM skid plate is useless – it buckled upon first contact with a log.

You own an “Adventure Tourer” motorcycle.

Not an Enduro.

 

[TombaLaBomba]

You Sir, are 100% correct.

I had no business taking this bike where I did and even less any expectations that it would be able to.
That said, this bike is amazing. Best motorcycle I have ever owned – bar none.
It also is not meant to drag your knees, and yet I did just that around Lake Travis & ranch road 2222.
Its one of those bikes that allow you to get home Friday night and say to yourself, maybe I’ll head to Flagstaff over the weekend. Then, when you get there you are tempted to explore the north rim and one bad decision leads to another, but much to your surprise this bike handles it and just gives you the feeling that it says “man, what are you doing?”

Any ways, I posted just to inform new owners that it holds its own well outside of the envelope for which it was designed. Testament to a good tour bike.

 

[Francis Lukesh]

Can any new owner report on how long it took them to get OEM bags / topcase from Piaggio? While they did place an order when I bought the bike, my dealer has zero information on availability and timeline, and I'm (theoretically) going on a big tour in May. Obviously the aftermarket doesn't exist yet, but I'm hoping that there's some USA inventory that Piaggio can ship to me before then.

 

[Clifton]

I just called the dealer to check on the high seat I've had on order and while I had them asked about panniers. They said they still have no date for the panniers but he just called Piaggio and they are supposed to get back to him. If I hear anything I'll post back.
I'm waiting for someone to bring out top load aluminum panniers.

 

[SC_Goose]

I just got my side cases this past Saturday, April 6. They were ordered when I bought my bike on Feb. 3. So roughly 8 weeks. Still
no info on when top cases will be available.

 

[Francis Lukesh]

I just got my side cases this past Saturday, April 6. They were ordered when I bought my bike on Feb. 3. So roughly 8 weeks. Still
no info on when top cases will be available.

Ooof. Ok, well just to double-check: did they come with the tumblers so you can match the locks to your ignition key?

 

[SC_Goose]

3 lock-sets that match my ignition key came with my bike. They were in a plastic bag in the cubby hole underneath the seat.
The side cases came with locks that were keyed to a generic key. I took out the generic locks and installed the locks matched
to my ignition key. If you did not get 3 matching locks with your bike you need to contact your dealer. They forgot to give
them to you.

 

[Clifton]

Yes the three matching locks came in mine as well.

 

[BioKnee]

I’m currently hiring a Stelvio on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands west of Morocco for a week. This island has the most intense and exciting twisty roads I’ve encountered - long sections with almost continuous left/right/left corners snaking through the mountains. The Stelvio is just superb. I’m riding two up with factory panniers and topbox. Apart from crash bars it has no other options fitted.

The topbox IS quick release. Turn the key left to unlock the lid and right to release from its mounting frame. The front of the box has generous molded padding and my pillion says she finds it, the seat and the sitting position very comfortable.

The panniers are ‘quirky’ to fit but actually quite secure. Each one takes a full face helmet, as does the topbox. The quality of these items is not up to the standards of my Ducati Multistrada luggage and the price for them is eye-watering.

The handling two-up is on a par with the Skyhook adaptive setup on the Duke, which is honestly the highest praise I could give it. I’m unlikely to get the chance to set it up for my solo use, so that will have to wait for the test ride I have booked with a UK dealer in four days’ time. I’ve waited four months just to get that! MG seem to have prioritised deliveries to other markets than the UK.

The drive train is fabulous, the noise even better than the Mandellos I rode last year (but discounted from buying because my lower back complained. The gearbox is however more clunky than those bikes and more than the 1979 LeMans I owned in my twenties. Perhaps greater mileage will improve that, or maybe it’s got the start of the clutch drag issues that some owners have complained of .

Most of my riding experience dates from the eighties and I didn’t get back on two wheels again until the day before my sixtieth birthday, so aside from my Ducati I don’t really know how other marques have improved.

All things considered, I think I’ll be ordering a Stelvio PFF with heated grips & seat, quickshifter, centre stand, luggage and engine bars. It’s a great bike.