Side Case Thoughts

[kennneee]

I know there is a lot of discussion about side cases. I am in decision mode for the side cases I will buy for a new 2025 V85TT. My preference is for hard cases and slightly lean towards top opening. My last bike had a pair of huge Micatech aluminum cases. The design of these really worked for me. They opened from the front but have a ledge along the bottom and a substantial lip around the sides. There was little tendency for packed items to fall out when opening them up. I don't need huge cases these days and that company is long gone. After looking online at what is available I am drawn to the Shad Terra aluminum and the Bumot Evo Defender. The Shad are front opening but are clevely designed with a folding tray at the bottom that helps to keep things from falling out. Moto Guzzi sells the Shad with Moto Guzzi branding. The Bumot are top opening and seem to be very well made. I am a bit of a tool junkie and like that Bumot has a toolbox that can stay on the bike when the side cases are removed. The cost is not that much different.
I welcome any thoughts. Thanks! Ken

[kingoffleece]

I have the stock Travel cases with bags made to fit.  Zero issues or complaints.
I've had top load, side load, whatever.  They all work.

[DoubleGuzzi]

..Travel cases with bags made to fit..

That's the key: inner bags. Makes just about any outer a viable proposition.

[ridingron]

Having always had inner bags, how do you load a saddlebag or box? Just stuff the stuff in it? How does that work on the front or clam shell luggage? 

[DoubleGuzzi]

Having always had inner bags, how do you load a saddlebag or box? Just stuff the stuff in it? How does that work on the front or clam shell luggage?

Supermarket poly bags, extracted from cases/saddlebags with the care of a UXB. When money is tight, one makes do.

[Moparnut72]

I have the factory side cases on my V100. I despise them especially in that the downside one wants to spit out its cargo when opened. As everyone who has a Guzzi knows they lean over pretty far when parked, no center stand. I wouldn't change that due to the very cambered roads here. I haven't tried liners but trying to pack groceries in them I wonder how well they would work considering the odd shape of the V100 cases. I have a set of top loading Segway cases on my V7lll which work well for me. I use a Cbow mount for them and would like to be able to swap them back and forth but the Cbow mounts can't be put on a V100 with a luggage rack which I have. I keep hoping someone will make top loading cases for the factory mounts on the V100s. Not very likely due to the small production numbers of the V100s, not financially feasible.
kk

[Perazzimx14]

I totally dislike side loaders as things have a tendency to fall out especially the left side when the bike is on the side stand. I use top loaders as for me they are just far more convient to load/unload. I have also put false bottoms in the top loaders so I can stow things like tools, tire plug kit and Rox straps in the bottoms then install the partition and then I have a clean open area to drop in either Kathy's journey bags (if traveling) or bags of groceries or cases of beer.

Here is a link to one of my threads that has a few pictures of one of my setups:

https://www.r1200gs.info/threads/fixing-up-my-panniers-to-make-them-more-useful-for-an-upcoming-trip.56248/post-342253

[kennneee]

I totally dislike side loaders as things have a tendency to fall out especially the left side when the bike is on the side stand. I use top loaders as for me they are just far more convient to load/unload. I have also put false bottoms in the top loaders so I can stow things like tools, tire plug kit and Rox straps in the bottoms then install the divider and then I have a clean open area to drop in either Kathy's journey bags (if traveling) or bags of groceries or cases of beer.

Here is a link to one of my threads that has a few pictures of one of my setups:

https://www.r1200gs.info/threads/fixing-up-my-panniers-to-make-them-more-useful-for-an-upcoming-trip.56248/post-342253

Great idea. I have used 2-3 individual zippered codura bags on each side. One for cloths, another for food another for tools, etc. Good way to be organized and find things quickly.

[PeteS]

My BMW and Goldwing had side opening cases. My dual sports have top opening Trax bags. I much prefer top opening with removable liner bags. Would have preferred the taller slimmer Trax cases for my V85 but they don’t make mounts for them so ended up with Hebco Becker Xplorer bags. Seem like excellent quality but they are short and wide, the 40 ltr is especially wide.

Pete