Dual-Sport Luggage Question?

[Mr. Guy]

Hi All,

While following a few links in threads here I came across this trunk:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10111/s-10101/p-100000346517/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000346517/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000346517

And thought it was a good price and wondered if any other Dual-Sporters here used a hard truck on their bikes. I like the idea of being able to lock up my camping gear but wondered if I don't pack it full would my gear just slid around in there. With a bike as light as mine, I think you would really notice your camping gear sliding around in there. Anyone else have any thoughts, I'd like to hear them, any and all.

Thanks, Guy

[Flingshot]

That looks like a good deal Guy.
I have considered that style for my DRZ but quite honestly I didn't know you could get them that cheap. I ended up with the Wolfman Timberline Duffel and love its versatility.
Not sure if you would feel your stuff shifting around but that wouldn't be too hard to remedy with some straps or even a cargo net inside the case.
Scott
Posted via Mobile Device

[Trailace]

I have one on the GS and it works great. I was thinking of putting one on the GX but only to use in town not off road.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Guys,

Yea, on the highway I think it would be fine, but on National Forest roads I'm not sure. Has anyone used one off-road at all, I'm thinking I would rather have my gear tied down in a duffel were it can't shift around.

Guy

[GroundHog]

Here is a post about getting the JCW trunk cheap. Last post was dated 11-08-08. I think the shipping has gone up a little since the original post.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294434&highlight=whitney+trunk

[Trailace]

Welcome to the site GroundHog!

[Ironheadziggy76]

Guy I have been looking at this case to go on the back of my Strom for quite some time. It would be a lot more handy than using the dry bag I'm using now for my rain and cold weather gear. I would also like to be able to lock my helmet inside it as opposed to having to remove the seat and use the helmet hooks.

Welcome GroundHog!

[Trekker]

While this is a good deal on this trunk, be careful that it is actually robust enough for off road use. I think this is a thin material plastic that may not last as long as you would hope.

Or, I could be wrong, I often am.

[bigTom]

I got one on the back of my KLR. I strongly dislike top boxes, I added it to my collection which I sold this fall:) I'd way rather use soft bags as needed. Just my 2¢.

It was light, but more or less ok. I'm thinking it would go a ways if it were mounted well.

[Mr. Guy]

Hi GroundHog and welcome to the asylum,

Thanks for the link, that's an even better price but I think I'm going to stick with my duffel. When it's not full I can just pull the straps down tighter and not worry about stuff shifting around.

Thanks for the comments everyone, Guy

[sandman]

While this is a good deal on this trunk, be careful that it is actually robust enough for off road use. I think this is a thin material plastic that may not last as long as you would hope.

Or, I could be wrong, I often am.

Never wrong, just "miss-taken"

[KLRGreen]

I have that exact trunk on my KLR. painted the side stripe to match the bike for everyday riding. May want to add some weatherstripping to make it 100% waterproof though.

[Trailace]

Looks great! Welcome to the site.:D

[Ironheadziggy76]

Welcome, I love that color on the KLR's.

[bigTom]

Welcome!

I like your green a lot more than mine:)

Glad you are here!

[ucwinters]

You can get pretty much the same topcase on eBAY for $89 shipped to your house as the Bestem topcase brand. Had one on the Reflex scooter and have one on the V-Strom. Plus the Bestem doesn't have that "iron cross" decal on it that the JCW case does (seems like most folks end up removing the decal). Boxes are easily repainted using either Krylon or Rustoleum rattle-can spray specific for plastic.

Ed W.

[Black and Blue]

Welcome!

I like your green a lot more than mine:)

Glad you are here!

bigTom, we don't see anything wrong with your color.:)

Welcome to the MotoCamper Forum, KLRGreen.

[lddave]

I have a large Givi trunk that I use on my KTM Adventure and I leave it on when I go offroad.

[Paper]

I also don't like top boxes, but wanted a secure, waterproof place to lock up things that needed to be locked.
I went with a 1450 Pelican case, mounted to my rear rack, and then put Bungie Buddies on top of that..

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/djpagel/IMGP1394.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/djpagel/IMGP1101.jpg

I can still swing my leg over the box (when there's not a sleeping bag strapped to the top), and it's watertight and even matched the color of my bike..:)

[Mr. Guy]

I like that idea. I may have enough room to put my duffle bag on the seat and still have room for my butt too. Maybe.

Guy

[Paper]

I like that idea. I may have enough room to put my duffle bag on the seat and still have room for my butt too. Maybe.

Guy

Or strap it to the top of the box.:) The bag, not your butt..;)

[Mr. Guy]

I was thinking my arms wouldn't reach. :D

Guy

[Paper]

I was thinking my arms wouldn't reach. :D

Guy

Good point!!

The bag I have on the back of the bike is a Wolfman Alpha bag, which was actually designed with the KLR in mind, but as you can see, it pretty much just leaves a pocket for the rider. The tank bag only makes this worse..

I've now got a Russell Day Long seat for the KLR, so it's a comfy pocket..

[Mr. Guy]

I've got a corbin seat and would recomend a better seat, any better seat, to anyone riding a dual-sport. I like the Wolfman bags a lot. I've got 4 of them. And I also use Dirt-Bagz saddle bags. So not at a loss of somewhere to haul to much crap.

Guy

[BCST]

Being monetarily challenged in all ways I put an Action Packer on my 08 KLR. It always had a small pack with emergency supplies and water in it and a pair of sneakers. I never noticed any shifting of the stuff in the box while riding.It was on the bike when it was totaled. It now sits in my shop waiting for it's next job.

Pete

[Yamifj1200]

Guy,
I have one of these top boxes that I use on my FJ1200 when going on extended trips. I have heard some who use them have had some problems with the latch system breaking. It seems that the movable latch in the bag is a cast piece that can be broken, when I read all the reviews about this case I saw that some owners had cut down the rubber tabs to reduce the amount of pressure put on the latch. I cut the tabs on mine down about 1/8th of and inch each reducing the amount of pressure to the latch.

All in all I think for the money its a decent buy. I do use a one inch web strap around the case and mount plate just in case. I have had mine for the past 3 years and have not had a problem with it at all. In fact I have a friend with a Givi top case and they are remarkably similar in the way they are made. Although the latch piece on the Givi looks more sturdy. HTH

Eric

[Sharpie]

I use the cheaper version of the JCW box-
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=26&pictureid=445
It takes a a lot of abuse however, if it's not packed full of stuff, it's like a paint shaker inside of it. :eek:
I Can still tie down some camping gear in front of it which is nice.
http://www.motocampers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=26&pictureid=444

[coopdway]

In the late 70's, I was a top box guy. By the '80's, I was not. For one, I was riding sportier machines and the box didn't really fit 'sporty', or so I was told. The big reason was that my tents didn't fit inside. In my simple mind, that meant duffel which then meant the box was redundant and not needed.

When I got the Helix last fall, based on zillions of recommendations, I bought one of the JCWhitney boxes. Had I not read all the comments, I'd have been surprised. Since I knew what to expect, I'm simply very satisfied.

While I haven't had it very long, I've been on some nasty(for a Helix) roads and fully expect it to hold up very well. It is no GIVI, but then I just didn't think my barebones Helix justified a more expensive box. I rigged up my own mount and could do the box and mount 3x for what the high quality GIVI stuff would have cost me. There's much to be said for how handy it is to have the box behind me.

There have been many complaints about the Cross logo on the back with various methods of replacing it. I simply turned mine 45 degrees and now it's.....well...... something other than a cross.

Added:
No camping on this trip, but just wait for my '09 riding season!!!! ;)
http://picasaweb.google.com/coopdway/2008_10_31Bayfield#

[Mr. Guy]

Hi coopdway,
Nice pics, looks like a fun trip.

Guy

[oldrocker]

testing....t5hanx