Affordable Top Box Solutions

[avc8130]

I am looking at affordable methods to add some removable and water proof luggage to the bike for commuting and weekend trips. Does anyone have experience with the luggage options from JC Whitney?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/motorcycle-travel-trunks/p2010969.jcwx?filterid=c14603u0j3#prodDetailTabPanel
A coworker has the medium box and it seems well enough for the money. Does the Large fit better on our bikes? I want something big enough to hold a full suit, heated liner, gloves and MAYBE even a full size helmet.

ac

 

[EricV]

No personal experience, but have read various reports that were positive on the JC Whitney boxes. Here is a LINK to some more info and links there to the Sears site that they suggest has lower prices on the same item. Sears links seem to be bad. Looks like they are carrying Emgo boxes now.

There are a bunch of these on eBay too. HERE

Another inexpensive option - HERE

Even cheaper, Rubbermaid ActionPacker. The small sizes can be had for ~$20. You just have to roll your own mounting solution.

 

[jajpko]

Have you thought about using a dry bag? I have two of these and have used them for years. Very water proof and come in a size for what you need. If you can put your stuff in and carry the bag into work you would not have to worry about locking it down. Lighter than a hard case and folds up to near nothing.. just a thought
http://tinyurl.com/7nck54r

 

[avc8130]

Have you thought about using a dry bag? I have two of these and have used them for years. Very water proof and come in a size for what you need. If you can put your stuff in and carry the bag into work you would not have to worry about locking it down. Lighter than a hard case and folds up to near nothing.. just a thought
http://tinyurl.com/7nck54r

I had thought about a dry bag. For a trip they are awesome in my opinion. However, for my use, I don't think it is ideal. I am looking for something that attaches to the bike securely that I can pile my riding gear into so I can use my bike to go to events and such and not worry about $700 worth of riding gear just laying on the bike.

ac

 

[jajpko]

I had thought about a dry bag. For a trip they are awesome in my opinion. However, for my use, I don't think it is ideal. I am looking for something that attaches to the bike securely that I can pile my riding gear into so I can use my bike to go to events and such and not worry about $700 worth of riding gear just laying on the bike.

ac

Got ya,, I thought you needed this for commuting. Givi makes a two 21L system that is 169.00, and racks are around 229.00 You would still need a top case for all your stuff.

 

[Kidder]

Got ya,, I thought you needed this for commuting. Givi makes a two 21L system that is under 200.00 with racks that would help if you had a top case to go with it..
It would help keep honest people honest.. lol

With racks? Have a link?

 

[jajpko]

With racks? Have a link?

Ya got me Judd.. ::025:: I thought they came with racks, but I was thinking of using my SW motech racks with them.
Still not bad as the racks are only 229.00 at Revzilla and the cases are 169.00 at RLmotorcycles.
The cases used to be cheaper. Even Matt says 150 in the video..
You might be able to find the racks cheaper also. It is a Monokey system, so for less than 400.00 you get some good in town cases and the racks that will take larger cases.

I'll have to go back and change my post... ::025::

 

[TNVol12]

I read that SHAD builds the factory top and side cases for Yamaha ST. Started researching company and found they make reasonable priced top cases plus now make a special top case mount for the ST. Ordered SHAD top case and mount from www.rlmotorcycles.com. Will post pictures early next week when delivered. The mount is $60 and top case is $150 (and up). Bill

 

[Karson]

I'm personally leaning towards the Givi 46L Trekker as my top case. Granted that thing is huge, but it should fare well in holding all the things you mentioned just fine. The price is a far cry from the JC Whitney you referenced, and many folks in the KLR community love them. Sorry if I keep referencing the KLR, it's all I've got to reference I had a wolfman duffle, but didn't really fit what I wanted for top rack storage, but YMMV.

I haven't seen the 46L Trekker in person, but one thing that concerns me is the amount of drag that it may produce at highway/freeway speeds.

 

[MIKE R]

I have a Givi Trekker 46ltr on my S10. As I always ride with a box on the back I cannot comment on how handling is affected.

The smaller 33ltr panniers can also be used as a top box, but won't hold a helmet

These pictures may help you make a decision.

Mike

 

[avc8130]

That looks AWESOME.

I have a temporary solution complete. I adapted my Rocket Locker to my stock rack. This will tide me over. Eventually I will be upgrading to Pelican.

ac

 

[Karson]

I have a Givi Trekker 46ltr on my S10. As I always ride with a box on the back I cannot comment on how handling is affected.

The smaller 33ltr panniers can also be used as a top box, but won't hold a helmet

These pictures may help you make a decision.

Mike

Very nice setup, Mike...you have sealed the deal that the Givi's are the route I'm going to take. Definitely not the lowest cost option, but an alternative solution nonetheless.

Thanks for posting up some pics

 

[tkad]

I am looking at affordable methods to add some removable and water proof luggage to the bike for commuting and weekend trips. Does anyone have experience with the luggage options from JC Whitney?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/motorcycle-travel-trunks/p2010969.jcwx?filterid=c14603u0j3#prodDetailTabPanel
A coworker has the medium box and it seems well enough for the money. Does the Large fit better on our bikes? I want something big enough to hold a full suit, heated liner, gloves and MAYBE even a full size helmet.

ac

I have the large JCW box on my tenere, had it on my weestrom. with a little paint (to cover the orange), it looks great. drill 2 extra holes in the included mount and it works well with the tenere rack. it often goes on sale for less than $70, free shipping too. it had a much rougher life on my strom, fell against a wall, hitting the top box first, then snapped the windshield off. the box was fine exept for getting scratched up a bit...amongst other misfortunes, it's a great value, imho.

 

[211john]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/travel-trunk/p2002510.jcwx?filterid=c14603u0j3

I had this one for years, the EMGO. I used it commuting in the SF area and it saw a lot of rain. Never leaked a drop and the box itself is pretty sturdy. I did break the latch that holds it to the mounting plate. I drilled a couple of holes and bolted it on. No more quick removal but it still didn't leak. It's not real big, but a good box for the money.

 

[Borghi]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/motorcycle-travel-trunks/p2010969.jcwx?filterid=c14603u0j1

I had this box on my VStrom DL1000 for three years and it was perfect. Just ordered one of these and a black Bestem TopBox for the new S10. Will see which I like better and return the other. If you get the JCW box, you can remove the orange piece and spray it black or gray and the box will look very close to a GIVI. Box is very sturdy and functions well. Bestem also makes good inexpensive cases. Google Bestem.

 

[terryth]

The big one you show has a real sucky stamped steel mounting plate that gets really loose really quickly and doesn't hold it well at all, but if you drill holes and bolt it down its not too bad. This JC whitney one, http://www.jcwhitney.com/travel-trunk/p2002510.jcwx?filterid=c14603u0 , while smaller, is much much better made, I used one of 10 years on several bikes (including a DRZ400 that was mostly trail ridden) and finally broke the mount on hitting the whoops too fast on the trans-labrador highway this past summer on a F650 Dakar.

I am looking at affordable methods to add some removable and water proof luggage to the bike for commuting and weekend trips. Does anyone have experience with the luggage options from JC Whitney?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/motorcycle-travel-trunks/p2010969.jcwx?filterid=c14603u0j3#prodDetailTabPanel
A coworker has the medium box and it seems well enough for the money. Does the Large fit better on our bikes? I want something big enough to hold a full suit, heated liner, gloves and MAYBE even a full size helmet.

ac