Shad Topcases

I've been wanting something that will give me more space for carrying stuff, as well as easy on/easy off. While I love my luggage locker, it's a pain putting on and taking off, so I started looking at topcases. While there are a few manufacturers of them, I narrowed it down to Givi and Shad after some research. I decided on Shad after reading in many places that these are the cases BMW and KTM sells, they just put their name on them. I figure if it's good enough to make it to BMW and KTM, it's gotta be pretty good. They also seem less expensive than Givi. While both Givi and Shad require you to buy a luggage rack, Shad includes the mounting plate, while Givi makes you buy it separately... or at least that's how I interpreted the Givi parts. I looked here and found that there had been some questions about Shad but no one had any experience so I thought I'd share my experience with them.

First, in all my looking Climax Riding Gear had the best prices. Also, if you get the luggage rack from Shad for the 6th gen bikes, there is a disclaimer that it only works with their 48, 49 and 50 litre cases. I was originally looking at the smaller 40 litre, but when I saw that statement, I went up to the 48 litre. I'm kinda glad I did so I have the extra space.

I ONLY want the topcase and I don't forsee myself ever having sidebags, so I only got the luggage rack for the topcase, not the siderails for side bags. I like their system for the luggage rack for the 6th gen. It's very easy... just take off the passenger handles and install their combination grab handles/luggage rack. They provide plates to go on top of the existing holes to provide some space, then you simply screw the new grab handles through the plate and you're done. I would suggest leaving them slightly loose until you get the mounting plate in place. The play will help you line up the holes easier, then you tighten everything down.



Once the grab handles/luggage rack is in place, remove the top of the mounting plate (attached with 4 screws) to reveal the matrix of options for mounting/matching up the holes. They give you inserts to use so it's all nice and snug. The red inserts I used, as you can see in the picture, fit in specific square holes. They also provide metal pieces that can slide in the longer spaces to give you flexibility in sliding the mounting pad in minute increments to get just the fit you want.



One you have that fitted and tightened up, make sure to tighten the grab handles then attach the top of the mounting pad.



Here's a pic of the underside so you can see how the ends of the grab handles come back for mounting.



Then, just attach the topcase. Here's mine with my luggage locker





One feature that sold me on the Shads is that they do not lock automatically. I don't have direct experience with Givi, but when reading reviews that seemed be one that people focused on... Givi cases lock automatically when they close, while Shad remains unlocked unless you actually lock it with the key. It DOES click when it closes, and you pop the handle down to provide a more secure closure. I like this as I feel like it is securely closed, but I never have to worry about locking the key inside it, since the key has to be IN THE LOCK to lock it. Here it is with the handle popped out.



In order to open it, you pop out the handle. This releases the first "catch". Then you reach underneath to get the second release that allows you to open it.

To remove it from the mounting plate, turn the key to the "release" position, then pull below the handle and it releases itself.

Here are some pics of it open and with two helmets in it so you can see the capacity.





Here it is with the Luggage Locker off and the seat cowl on




It also has a brake light option which attaches to the mounting plate. This is nice so you have an extra brake light for visibility. I may opt for that at a later date once I see how I like riding with the topcase.

Now, I need to look around for an organizer for it, so I can put all my "little" things in it neatly and not have them sliding all around.

Once I've had some time in the saddle with it, I'll come back and let you know what I think of riding with it. Right now I have stitches in my ear, so putting a helmet on is a bit painful... it may take me a few days to get back to you on a ride review...

 

Very nice looking, I'm impressed that it will hold two helmets while looking very streamlined. Does the bike handle the same at speed with the top box? I know some bikes can have issues with speed wobble when running a topbox. I just put a pair of givi E360 cases with SW-motech quicklock cases on my 99 and I immediately thought I should get a topcase because 98 percent of the time, I don't need 80 liters of storage. I actually debated just getting a top rack cause I can run one of the E360's as a top box. Nice write up and pics, chicky.

 

Nice..................Hummmmm I did not see the set up when i am there.

 

Yeah it was just delivered yesterday. You can see it at Reggie's...

 

So, I've been riding with the topcase for a few days now and I really don't notice any difference in ride at all, but I'm not really carrying anything heavy. I'm sure I will notice some difference when I pack it all up and head out to Reggie's in a couple weeks. I DO need to find some sort of organizer insert for it. Currently my stuff is just bouncing and sliding around in it. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

The one "problem" I have been experiencing is a "ghost follower". The first couple of days, I was very conscious that the top case was there, so was prepared to see it behind me. However, as I've gotten back in my normal groove of riding, the damn thing has scared the crap out of me a number of times!! I go to change lanes or turn, and just before I do, I turn my head to make sure no one is in the lane or nearby and.... HOLY CRAP!!! There's something RIGHT THERE!! Oh, wait.... no.... that's just my damn topcase.... Friggin' Hell man.... I will get use to that, but I gotta say, the first time it happened I almost had a heart attack!! If you get a top case that is wider than the bike or your own shoulders, beware of this!!

 

Scare of your own GHOST....................LMAO

 

Looks really good!
Anyone knows if that would work with the oem saddle bags and rack? I'm riding through several states this summer and need all the storage space I can get. Thanks.

 

As you can see by the pictures I posted the mounting plate it comes with offers lots of options to mount on pretty much anything. So, if youve already got a luggage rack or way to mount a topcase Im pretty sure this would work. If you dont already have something, you saw in the pics what the Shad luggage rack is like... it basically replaces your existing grab handles... so if your grabhandles are on the bike or you can put them on, then their luggage rack option should work for you....

 

Any sort of topcase or panniers that are solid can cause wobble at increased speeds. SOP warnings on BMWs with Krauser bags for years.

 

Any chance I'll see it next weekend at the Spring Fling?

 

On my ST I rarely know its there (I have the Hondaline trunk on it.) unless I put a load in it of say....a 30 pack or a 18 pack and a 1.75.


Your eyes and reflexes will adapt to it being in your mirrors....They do kinda block the view in the rearviews of whats directly behind ya but the ability to park your helmet, groceries or road tools in a safe secure place definetly is worth it.


As far as a trunk causeing a high speed wobble, My Hondaline was tested to 140mph on I-40 the weekend before last and at that speed I still didnt know it was there.....You might put her on a slab and confirm the Shad is also neutral for handling at speed.....I've always found that those "speed wobble" warnings really only apply to folks who overload the bags and trunks!

 

Put who on the slab? Anyway,no problem. Top cases look faggy to me and I am not about to wobble.

Panniers and top cases can if one is not at all familiar or conversant with basic aerodynamic and uses one run of "140" mph on an interstate as some sort of universal truth.

Indeed overloading can affect handling especially if one of the doors pops open at the ton or so.

Congratulations on the utilization of the scientific approach.

 

Most likely no. My new job has me busy and with my boss out of the country he needs me to stay in the office... so much for taking the week off... :-(

 

Looks very practical. One intriguing aspect is that I'm guessing that boxes for small take-out pizzas would fit in there. One less reason to take out the cage.

 

Oh yeah, I'm already used to it... those first few times though, man, scared the bujeezuz outta me!! LOL!! I had the exact same thoughts as you with the weight/wobble. I figure the heavier the ass end of the bike is, the more likely to throw off the balance. Especially the top case, since it sort of extends off the back of the bike. I've ridden with quite alot in my Luggage Locker tail bag and had no problems so I figure on the longer road trips, I will be aware and pack heavier stuff in the tail bag, lighter stuff in the top case. For me, there are alot of straight roads around here, so I end up doing the road trip packed on the straight roads so I don't anticipate any issues. Then, when I get to the good roads, I take most of the luggage off and I'm all set for some fun!!

I have no doubt those small personal pizza boxes would fit quite easily!! Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, whatever you want. you could fit enough take out to feed a family of 10 I bet!! I ran some errands over the weekend and couldn't believe all the stuff I fit in it!! Even when I just had my tail bag, I could fit 4 plastic bags of groceries in it very easily. The topcase will hold that and maybe even one or two more. Even though I have a truck, I rarely drive it. I'm on the bike pretty much every day all year, no matter what the temp. I figure out ways to do shopping and whatever is needed...

 

Topcases are similar to The Stockholm Syndrome.

 

Some people on this forum are also similar to certain Syndromes...

 

A pleasure dome in Xanadu..

 

Had an opportunity to test her out at speed and had the same experience as you concours. About 130mph I notice a bit of a shimmy. 140 was about the limit. That was empty... just a few necessities. If I get the chance to try it out at speed with some weight I will report back.