Inexpensive top case options ?

[Muybig]

So one of the take-aways from my recent trip is the necessity for a top box I'm looking for an inexpensive solution (since I will only uses it about 3 weeks a year):

1) looking for an aluminum case (Black)
2) must accept a full face modular helmet and some gear
3) Lockable of course

So after some searching I would like to know if anyone has bought a Chinese knock off ?
What can I get for a set of OEM side cases like new ? If I sell my OEM cases I'm thinking of a Bumot Kit ?

 

[whisperquiet]

So one of the take-aways from my recent trip is the necessity for a top box I'm looking for an inexpensive solution (since I will only uses it about 3 weeks a year):

1) looking for an aluminum case (Black)
2) must accept a full face modular helmet and some gear
3) Lockable of course

So after some searching I would like to know if anyone has bought a Chinese knock off ?
What can I get for a set of OEM side cases like new ? If I sell my OEM cases I'm thinking of a Bumot Kit ?

Brooks Pannier system (Left + Right Bags) Yamaha super tenere 1200XT w/Mounting Racks

 

[RCinNC]

It might help to define what you consider "inexpensive", especially when it comes to aluminum luggage. There are a bunch of Givi aluminum top cases on eBay that are in the high $400 range, not counting shipping costs. Is that the price range you're considering?

 

[Muybig]

Brooks Pannier system (Left + Right Bags) Yamaha super tenere 1200XT w/Mounting Racks

Whisper thanks I will get them to quote me delivered to Montreal but with freight they might be too expensive - thanks for the lead !

 

[Muybig]

RC see below - this is probably too good to be true, have tried reaching out to them !

Cheap Triumph Tiger 1200 Expedition Black Aluminum Top Box - 70% off Special Savings - Ogio shop - Mooseracing-store.com

This Triumph Tiger 1200 Expedition Black Aluminum Top Box is perfect by itself or when layered .Shop the promotional & save up to 70% today. Free Shipping.

www.mooseracing-store.com

Also found this on Amazon but not sure about the quality ?

Amazon.ca

 

[RCinNC]

Tough to say; I don't see any brand name on it as to who actually made it.

If you want something really durable and not too expensive, you should take a look at Happy Trails luggage. They have a $250.00 aluminum top case that'll hold a full face helmet. Their stuff isn't as aesthetically pleasing as something like a Zega, but it doesn't cost 600 bucks either. Their stuff is really good quality; I've been using their pannier racks for the last decade.

Happy Trails Top Box

Aluminum Top Box - 47 Liters - No Canyon Cut (will hold a helmet) Features: High quality cam latches are lockable (padlocks not included) Positive seal ensures watertight luggage... no leaks! Four Footman loops on the lid for strapping on additional

www.happy-trail.com

I forgot you're in Canada; shipping might make that a lot more expensive.

Another source of potential cases is military surplus. There's a pretty wide selection of aluminum cases within the military supply system that are used to house equipment like night vision goggles. These sorts of cases can often be found for under $100.00. I suspect the Canadian military has the same sort of items in surplus, which might ease the shipping cost burden. I'm not sure how deep a case has to be to house a full face, but just some quick googling found this:

U.S. Military Aluminum Storage Box

Waterproof/airtight (rubber seal), 6 hook latches, non-hinged lid, aluminum carrying handle, inside dimensions 18-1/2" x 8-1/2" x 11-1/2", outside ...

go-armynavy.com

I suspect that might hold a full face laying on its side, but without measuring the helmet I couldn't be sure.

 

[Muybig]

RC thanks Happy trails I forgot about them - i dealt with them on for the Skid Plate on my Strom great people to deal with I will take a serious look at them !

As far as your second option is concerned (LOL) - I'm not broke just don't want to spend too much on an item that will be getting limited use !

 

[RCinNC]

LOL, I'm not broke either; I just like to repurpose old stuff into new stuff. A lot of those mil-spec cases are really well made.

My current panniers have over 100,000 miles on them; they're Chinese knockoff Pelican toolboxes.

And many years ago, I even did the 20mm ammo can pannier thing:

 

[Muybig]

Nice - thanks for your help

 

[Dshane]

LOL, I'm not broke either; I just like to repurpose old stuff into new stuff. A lot of those mil-spec cases are really well made.

My current panniers have over 100,000 miles on them; they're Chinese knockoff Pelican toolboxes.

And many years ago, I even did the 20mm ammo can pannier thing:

I got some Chinese knockoffs at Harbor Frieght and they seem very rugged. Looks like the ones on the top picture.

 

[RCinNC]

I got some Chinese knockoffs at Harbor Frieght and they seem very rugged. Looks like the ones on the top picture.

I think the Harbor Freight ones (I believe they're marketed under the name "Apache") are actually a better quality than the ones I have, but their largest case is smaller than my side panniers. The ones I have were sold under the Duratool name by a company called MCM Electronics when I bought them around 2013. If I didn't do so much two up touring, I'd have probably switched to the Harbor Freight ones; they're pretty well made at that price point.

I haven't seen my exact cases available in the US for a while now, but did see them on the Canadian Tire website.

 

[racerxpunk2]

Check out SoloBox
Hes a guy from PNW making really nice aluminum boxes. I have a set of his older generation and really like them. They have held up very well so far. I would definitely put another set on my next bike.

 

[Matt51F1]

RC see below - this is probably too good to be true, have tried reaching out to them !

Cheap Triumph Tiger 1200 Expedition Black Aluminum Top Box - 70% off Special Savings - Ogio shop - Mooseracing-store.com

This Triumph Tiger 1200 Expedition Black Aluminum Top Box is perfect by itself or when layered .Shop the promotional & save up to 70% today. Free Shipping.

www.mooseracing-store.com

Also found this on Amazon but not sure about the quality ?

Amazon.ca

The one at Amazon looks the goods but the material it’s made of says that it’s EVA (plastic). Not the aluminium that you’re looking for.

 

[South]

https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005002675516380.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.5.7b6d6bebaGdpHz&algo_pvid=2e85ff95-b281-4631-8cf9-c34b01c1b5d3&aem_p4p_detail=202308210408031070541919492110013743846&algo_exp_id=2e85ff95-b281-4631-8cf9-c34b01c1b5d3-2&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%21264.78%21182.7%21%21%21281.23%21%21%402101f49c16926160830867124e4c6d%2112000021660484305%21sea%21PT%214160608505%21&curPageLogUid=4qmP9JZb0Nmf&search_p4p_id=202308210408031070541919492110013743846_3

Not sure if this link will work for you but search for Motorcycle aluminum top box on ali express. Kemi moto is a pretty decent chinese brand, cheap and they have plenty of reviews. They also have several sizes which might suit you better. Disclaimer that I have not purchased any top box from them, only other stuff.

 

[Muybig]

South = thanks you the more i look into this the more chances are that I will go down this route. I was mainly on Amazon but yesterday I started looking at Aliexpress as well there are numerous good options and the more i investigate the more that some of these look like some of the branded stull ?

 

[South]

South = thanks you the more i look into this the more chances are that I will go down this route. I was mainly on Amazon but yesterday I started looking at Aliexpress as well there are numerous good options and the more i investigate the more that some of these look like some of the branded stull ?

I think they make them as copies of the branded stuff, I actually saw a video on YouTube once testing a touratech top case vs a chinese one and the chinese although not as good built stood up really really well. So I suspect for the average user they will work fine. Just make sure to check reviews, photos, etc.

 

[Muybig]

I think they make them as copies of the branded stuff, I actually saw a video on YouTube once testing a touratech top case vs a chinese one and the chinese although not as good built stood up really really well. So I suspect for the average user they will work fine. Just make sure to check reviews, photos, etc.

Yeah I saw that video - thanks