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JC Whitney top case

6K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  phatguy 
#1 ·
#2 ·
Yup, I have 2 of them (x-large). They get the job done. Don't leak a drop. The locking mechanism is cheap and can be broken into easily, but it's enough of a deterrent in most places. Same as the old Sears top case. Just make sure you use a screwdriver and pop off the iron cross emblem on top. Really classless.
Mounting on the Strom is a bit of a pain, I don't remember details, but it's not that big of a deal. I think mine was $44. The largest size really holds a lot.
 
#3 ·
I have 2 of these. I was attempting to find a inexpensive solution for side mounted storage. The 2 boxes worked initially, but after a few trips the hinges gave out on one of the boxes. The hinges are very weak and really not meant for that type of abuse. Lesson learned. I've since gone the other direction, Givi Trekkers side and top.

The JC Whitney boxes are more than adequate as a top box however. Much less strain on the hinges. The one that survived it's tenure as a side box is still in use today on top of my Brother in law's Wee.

They do fit a Givi mount.
 
#4 ·
I had one on my '09 Wee. I was rear ended by a large Chrysler car, and the back end of my bike was toast...rear wheel, swing arm, fender, lights. The top box, however, held up like a champ. I have a Bestem box with the light kit on my '12. I'm still frugal, but it is lessening somewhat. I think I have less than 150 bucks (including the Eastern Beaver plug and play harness) invested. Now I have a big, bright brake light.
 
#5 ·
I have one as well. Works well and doesn't leak. Not very fancy but I can fit one of my helmets in the size that I have.

Mounting on the OEM side rack was kind of tricky. The mounting plate as shown in this model: Garage Pro Universal Glossy Motorcycle Trunks - JCWhitney had to be fanagled to get it to fit. That bronze bar had to be cut down to fit inside the rack.

I would get the one linked personally.. considering trading mine out for that one as it's bigger and I already have the mounting hardware on.
 
#8 ·
I guess the ones I've had are the large one. I have one on each bike. Holds my helmet. I use a strap around it to keep it from bouncing around. The base and latch seem a bit loose on all of them.
For the price they are great thing. Unlike Duece, mine shattered when I crashed but the bike flipped and came down on the box.
I hate when that happens.
 
#10 ·
I use a strap around it to keep it from bouncing around. The base and latch seem a bit loose on all of them.
For the price they are great thing.
I haven't used it on my wee yet, but I had a similar situation on my KLR. I used a bungee cord just-in-case. Losing personal items because your truck decides to take flight sucks, and is no fun for the the rider following you.

I solved the base-to-latch flop situation by placing large rubber grommets on the rearmost base bumpers. Makes for a better connection (i.e, slightly more resistance when bringing the truck down on the latch). Before you ask - yes I have lost the grommets on occasion.

Oh ya, like others, I painted the butt ugly orange plastic black.
 
#9 ·
I have one of the big ones. It is on my Honda Helix and I have been riding with it for over 4 years. Still doing just fine. Watertight in heavy rain too.
 
#12 ·
" Losing personal items because your truck decides to take flight sucks"

I've had saddle bags leave the bike too, or the lid flop open. I've been using a good nylon strap around all my luggage since.
The latest luggage, Sea Horse is bolted on and the latches are more secure and I put a lock through the hole provided too.
 
#13 ·
I had one of those top cases mounted on my '85 Honda Sabre. It was filled with some hand tools and some vintage Honda spare parts that I had just picked up, when I hit a small pot hole and the entire latching mechanism tore free from the bottom and the case went skidding across the road. I'm surprised I found all of my smaller sockets considering the gaping hole in the bottom. Fitting all of those tools and spares in my pockets and whatever crevices I could find on the bike was quite interesting.

Moral of the story: don't overload your cases!
 
#14 ·
Just an FYI I am a new Vstrom DL1000 rider and pulled the one I was using on my 2009 KLR it works great for being over 3 years old, and I did get the large one so I can carry tools and spare rain suit.
 
#15 ·
so it arrived and I got it mounted. It's actually pretty damned solid, seems at least as nice as my Givi sidebags - one of which leaks. However, it did NOT fit my Givi mounting plate...it's a lot smaller. I don't know if there are more than one size or not, I was under the impression they were all the same.

Anyways. I removed that stupid Iron Cross. Hinges and lock seem a bit cheesy, but as a top case seeing only light duty it's going to be fine.

I'd rate it 4 stars overall, but for the money it's a solid 5.
 
#16 · (Edited)
I have one I took off a BMW F800St. I found it as functional as any Givi top case I've owned. It was painted to match "BMW Graphitan" plus I replaced the Iron Cross with a BMW Roundel. Got lots of compliments from the F800 crowd. It would hold my full face and my wife's open face helments or both our riding jackets. I did not mount it on my 2011 Wee because my wife hated the backrest pad. She much prefers the padded (real padding) backrest from Pirate's Lair. I use a T-Bags expandable on the top rack...another good product IMHO.
 
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