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Shad top case size??

Mandlampuku

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I have decided on a Shad top case. I'm wondering what size Shad top get? I'm thinking either 34, 39 or 44. Mostly for help when shopping and so my partner doesn't fly off the back!!
 
Btw, if anyone is looking at Shad vs.GIVI (pronounced Gee-Vee; I called their HQ long ago to verify ;o), my two cents is that Shad offers WAY better build quality.

I just bought a '22 CE 04 that came with a Shad case. The difference between that and GIVI is night and day. GIVI seems like cheap plastic in comparison. The Shad case feels close to BMW's OEM top case (had two of those).
 
Btw, if anyone is looking at Shad vs.GIVI (pronounced Gee-Vee; I called their HQ long ago to verify ;o), my two cents is that Shad offers WAY better build quality.

I just bought a '22 CE 04 that came with a Shad case. The difference between that and GIVI is night and day. GIVI seems like cheap plastic in comparison. The Shad case feels close to BMW's OEM top case (had two of those).
Good to know! I was wondering if the SH39 was too bulky by its dimensions but the pics help, it looks like it sits well on the CE 04. The TR 41 (if I can get it) is more the shape of the OEM vario but has places for top straps, if needed, and is narrower but taller than the SH model.
 
it looks like it sits well on the CE 04
SH39 looks like it was designed for the bike. It also provides a protective buffer for the delicate tail lights, which apparently can snap off if you look at them sideways. That happened to the previous owner who replaced one to the tune of $184 USD.

Found a handy tip on this forum that I already adopted -- zip ties to bolster the tail lights (photo). I already brushed the taillight assembly with my knee once, even with the top box, and sucked in a breath, thinking, "Oh, geez, don't snap."

Back to aesthetics and comfort: saw a video recently (sorry, but it was Australian) where three reviewers, two guys and a woman, test rode a CE 04 that had the top box situated over the pillion part of the seat. Then they complained that the bike didn't feel very roomy! Unlike any other bike I've ridden, a CE 04 bench seat, flat without the hump, could easily fit the tallest player in the NBA.
IMG_2098.webp
 
I think the new Vario top case for the 1300 GS looks best with the CE 04.
P.S.: The best option would of course be to paint or foil the silver parts of the top case in the CE 04 vehicle color.

 

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SH39 looks like it was designed for the bike. It also provides a protective buffer for the delicate tail lights, which apparently can snap off if you look at them sideways. That happened to the previous owner who replaced one to the tune of $184 USD.

Found a handy tip on this forum that I already adopted -- zip ties to bolster the tail lights (photo). I already brushed the taillight assembly with my knee once, even with the top box, and sucked in a breath, thinking, "Oh, geez, don't snap."

Back to aesthetics and comfort: saw a video recently (sorry, but it was Australian) where three reviewers, two guys and a woman, test rode a CE 04 that had the top box situated over the pillion part of the seat. Then they complained that the bike didn't feel very roomy! Unlike any other bike I've ridden, a CE 04 bench seat, flat without the hump, could easily fit the tallest player in the NBA.
View attachment 6031
I saw that video! I guess they just went for the OEM Vario top box and didn't think outside the box! Yes, the topcase is for storage BUT also to give spatial awareness around the turn lights! I am going get some protectors for the lights.
 
I have the Shad SH47 and Shad rear rack. I'm very happy with the amount of top case storage capacity and the stability of the setup. I purchased mine during a Shad online sale. It was by far the most affordable option. Like some other commenters, my pillion passenger likes the security of the top case behind her. Interestingly, I was washing my 2007 BMW R1200GS the other day and noticed that the OEM BMW accessory vario side cases were made by Shad.IMG_1833.webp
 
I have the Shad SH47 and Shad rear rack. I'm very happy with the amount of top case storage capacity and the stability of the setup. I purchased mine during a Shad online sale. It was by far the most affordable option. Like some other commenters, my pillion passenger likes the security of the top case behind her. Interestingly, I was washing my 2007 BMW R1200GS the other day and noticed that the OEM BMW accessory vario side cases were made by Shad.View attachment 6035
Thanks for this, I was worried this was going to far with size...maybe not! The Shad TR series looks good, too. Much pricier! Shaped like the Vario top case but larger volume. I think the new 41L will land at AU$500+. I am waiting for the container to be unloaded.
 
I think the new Vario top case for the 1300 GS looks best with the CE 04.
P.S.: The best option would of course be to paint or foil the silver parts of the top case in the CE 04 vehicle color.

nice!!I like the shape and strap anchors too.
 
I think the new Vario top case for the 1300 GS looks best with the CE 04.
P.S.: The best option would of course be to paint or foil the silver parts of the top case in the CE 04 vehicle color.

What mounting system is it mounted on?
 
@Mandlampuku -

I all my years of motorcycling and scootering, I've never heard an owner complain about their top case being too big. I ride in some city environments where it is super nice to put my helmet and riding gear under lock and key while I'm away from the scooter. The SH47 plus the underseat storage provides a ridiculously excellent volume of storage that puts many motorcycles to shame.

I volunteer for a charity that fixes up donated bicycles, then gives the repaired bicycles to foster children. I ride my CE-04 to the warehouse where I work, and carry all of my tools plus a bicycle repair stand on my CE-04. The Shad Rack offers good anchor points if you need to strap something to the rear seat. In the photo below, I'm carrying 2 child booster seats on the passenger seat. IMG_1861.webp

You will likely find that the more storage options you have, the more cases you will say "why not take the scooter"?

Best wishes to you whatever you decide.

Mike
 
@Mandlampuku - when I was investigating top case solutions that would use a BMW Vario case mounted behind the passenger seat, I was directed to Wunderlich 4180 4000 rack ($407.05 USD). Then to attach the various case to that rack you need Wunderlich Top Case adapter 41804-300 ($397.00 AUS). Adding those prices together plus the cost of the Vario Case put me way above any reasonable amount I was willing to spend to outfit the scooter....so I went with SHAD components.

https://www.wunderlichamerica.com/C...enwNAbjwz4Kqhx2oKa7v274-dAX5RvUGh8VYIaxdLTNbh

https://www.wunderlichaustralia.com...TWMH2KrrPbb7ua6ZQmX9ZY9fitCvJx7YHxCCPHCtdjPF3
 
I have a C 400 GT, not a CE-04, but for what it's worth -- if it's worth anything at all -- I added a Shad 59X to my scoot, and have been extremely pleased with it.

1) I'm with @pedalmike. My feeling is that you can never be too rich, too good-looking, or have too much room in a top case (which is the only one of those three that I could do anything about).

I replaced the stock BMW case -- it was 30 liters when I bought my scoot, although they've increased it to 40-something for model-year '25 on the C 400 -- with the Shad, after using the former for about two years.

The Shad 59X (same thing as the 58X, except for the cover plate) goes from 42 liters to 58 liters, with an intermediate size in between.

I almost always ride with the case in its smallest position, but raise it up for doctor appointments and suchlike, if I want to store my jacket, for instance. I also raise it up when my wife is riding, we stop for lunch, etc., and I put her helmet and maybe one of the jackets in there. Of course, I carry a bunch of personal items, too, and gatorade, etc.

2) I got the Shad from Motostorm in Italy (I'm in NY state, USA), for about half the price that Shad USA wanted.

3) I used the BMW rack to support it, because I already had the rack, because I think it's much more robust than the one Shad offers, and because I didn't have any info regarding whether using the Shad rack encroached on passenger room.

If anyone's still interested, I wrote a long post detailing all this about a year ago: https://www.bmw-scooters.com/thread...a-passenger-mounted-on-bmw-luggage-rack.3221/ . That thread has assorted pics, and of course more can be found in my C 400 gallery, starting with this particular image and caption: https://billanddot.com/C400GT/#S-118 .

4) Of course, aesthetics are a personal thing, but I think it looks fine. Others may disagree.

Good luck to all.
 
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