Cheapo Topcase for Maria Redux

I ordered a couple of days ago this trunk from JCWhitney. It's the same one that I'd posted about before: LINK.


I've been dithering about getting a topcase or trunk for a few weeks now, and while I had found something similar with reportedly better build qualities, it was also in the end about $100 more and I just don't see the ROI given what little gain I expect to get from having a topcase again.

What made the decision for me, cheap as I am at times, was finding a posting on the COG owners discussion forum where the poster mentioned the special item# you could use to get the large topcase that I got for about $56 shipped! If you just search using the word "trunk" on the JC Whitney site, you get a listing for same item but for $64.99 before shipping!

Here's the magic item # in case you're interested, just plug it in to the search bar on the JC Whitney site and you'll get the better pricing of 49.99 AFTER you go to checkout with the item listed at $64.99.

ZXE277022 - the E is what makes it special. No idea how long it'll last this way, so don't delay.

Yep, follow me closely here, it'll list in the initial screens for $64.99 but as soon as you enter your credit card and before you do the order, it'll go down to $49.99! The rest of the cost was shipping via USPS.

So yeah, you get what you pay for...build quality is OK at best. The lock failed me before but I plan to upgrade it with a better lock from an online source for cam locks. The Universal Mount takes a some doing to get it right on my Maria but unless you look real close, it's not a problem. I had been happy with the previous trunk, and with the experience I gained from it and the great customer service JC Whitney displayed in terms of taking it back makes me feel pretty safe in this cheap storage farkle purchase.

As usual disclaimer: No, I don't get a cut from JC Whitney, just passing along what I believe to be a fair bargain for a cheap motorcycle trunk. YMMV, do your research before you buy...yada yada yada. Caveat Emptor and all that. You don't like it after you buy it? Send it back since they've a 3 month no questions asked policy. All you're out then is shipping costs.

Storage Farkle for Maria

I'd been thinking about a top case for Maria, my R1150RT Motorcycle for quite a while now and finally took the plunge last week and got her one from J.C. Whitney.

Yes, I am sure some of you true-blue BMW riders out there are shaking your heads in disapproval at the perceived sacrilege of putting not only a non-BWM top case on a Beemer but a "frugally priced" one at that! Not even a Givi case for pete's sake, some of you might say. The horror!

Well, I gotta tell ya. There's some truth in the answer, at least as it pertains to me, to the following question: What's the cheapest thing on a BMW Motorcycle? The owner! : )

The OEM one is a little larger I believe but not by much. I can fit both my helmet and riding jacket in the top case I bought with no issues. Here's a pic of the OEM case that retails for $400. I paid $90 for the J.C. Whitney case and while the finish and fit is probably not as fine as the BMW Case, it'll do the job nicely for the money it cost.

OEM Case

In truth, the case is more of a knock-off of the GIVI style case. Here's some pics of Maria with her new top case, had to be a little creative with the mounting hardware that came with the "universal" mounting plate that J.C. Whitney threw in for free with the purchase. Note: The mounting plate for the BMW case, to make it easily removable, costs $106! Heck, the optional backrest is another $106. The one I bought has a backrest built-in!





The case's finish is a little dull when you get it out of the box, so I got some Vinylex on the topcase when I got her home from the test ride and it shined right up to same levels as the system case. I replaced the cheesy maltese cross/chopper stick-on emblem with a BMW Roundel.

Going to see if I'll keep the top case on the motorcycle on permanent basis or just put it on for long trips. I am curious to see its effect on gas mileage. I did not feel any difference in terms of aerodynamics/handling when I took her out for a test ride both on the local slab and some main streets. I can remove the case simply by unlocking it, pushing the release button and lifting the case off the mounting plate. Overall, am pleased with the purchase. Now let's see if it lasts!

A Topcase for Vikki the V-Strom

So the farkling continues on the new-to-me motorcycle, Vikki, the DL1000 Suzuki V-Strom.  Her first farkle was barbacks/risers to place the handlebar grips a bit higher and closer to me for the longer rides.

This week, the topcase I'd ordered from BestemUSA Motorcycle Accessories last weekend and it arrived on Thursday.  Installation was pretty straighforward on the V-Strom and the hardest part was mating a power lead wire to the brake light's power cable.  (not much room in the tail section of the V-Strom to move around in with one's hands).

The topcase is similar to the Givi topcase of similar dimensions.  It's also, based on my experience with the JC Whitney topcase, much superior to the Whitney knockoff.  For example, it comes with a built-in LED light which once you hook it up, lights up when you apply the brakes.  Hopefully it'll catch some unwary cager's attention.

Note the LED Brake Light above the chrome piece with the BESTEM logo

You can, supposedly, put two helmets inside but since I tend to ride solo when on two wheels, that's not a major issue.  I just needed something to stash the work laptop securely within during my commutes to and from work.  Strapping the laptop bad down on the pillion seat had become a bit of a chore and was causing some rub marks on the paintwork.

The "universal" mounting plate worked pretty well with the V-Stroms's cargo rack, and no cursing was involved so you know it was not hard at all to do.  Some drilling, some filing, swapping out the motorcycle's rear mounting bolts with the ones provided by BESTEM and it was all secure.

You can unlock and pop off the topcase in less than 30 seconds if needed, and you do have to remove the case when you want to remove the motorcycle's seat.

I hope to get in a good long ride tomorrow, so more scenic pictures hopefully to follow the below pictures.

 Vikki with her new topcase

Maria goes without her cases as well

So, wishing to give equal time and attention to Maria, my 2004 R1150RT Beemer. I removed her system cases last night and mounted back up the trunk from JC Whitney which is a Givi knockoff.

Coincidentally, I discovered tonight that removing the system cases from either Maria or Brigitta amounts to the same amount of saved weight: 17lbs. The JC Whitney trunk weights perhaps 8 lbs (I didn't remove it to weigh it, too much work since I'd secured it).

Rode Maria to work tonight as the high was only in the low 50s and the skies were overcast with high humidity. A bit chilly on the way in but no problems with a motorcycle such as Maria and her full fairings.



I had thought about buying another small tailbag like I got for Brigitta but since I already had a trunk for Maria, did not seem right to my cheap alter ego.

As with Brigitta, the trunk carries minimal essentials, my tire plugger kit, wet weather gear, air compressor plus extra tools. Oh, and I removed the tankbag with all the electronics and such, it only comes into use on long trips. Probably another 4-5lbs weight savings.

She does look a bit slimmer don't you think, sitting prettily in the falling light of the late evening?

Camping at the Lofer West Park COE Campground

We left Long Branch, TX this morning and headed west, bypassing the Dallas/Ft Worth Metro areas to the south and setting up camp at a Corps of Engineers campground on Lake Whitney, TX.

Before we got to the campground however, we made a stop in Hillsboro, TX to check out the Roadside America Museum.  Not connected to the roadsideamerica.com website which provides a directory of roadside attractions; this museum has been called a "hidden gem".  

It's basically the owner's hobby/passion of collecting what I would call "Americana" that one could find in traveling around the states back in the late 1950's and 60's.

The museum boasts the largest collection of Grapette memorabilia, apparently a favorite drink of the owner when he was a youngster.

See how many of the memorabilia awaken memories for you:

I found the hotdog a bit troubling

You could wear the Mr Peanut costume...

An old soda fountain

token moto content

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Yep, that's a real coffin...

We got to the campground and checked into our site with no issues.  We rested and relaxed the rest of the afternoon away.

Sunset was pretty good.

The JCWhitney Top Case is going back and I get a bike cover.

Original post re the case is here.

Well, although I had been quite happy with the top case overall, the lock failed this week. I accidentally put my motorcycle's ignition key in the lock and found I could actuate the lock with the key stuck in halfway and unlock the case! Later I tried it with a flat tip screwdriver, same results with just a tiny effort.

Tried a couple of times to replace the failed lock mechanism with cam locks from Lowes Hardware but was totally unsuccessful. So, I called J.C. Whitney and they're arranging for Fedex to pick it up from me on 3JUL at no cost to me. I'll get a refund once they get it back and the search for a top case will restart perhaps.

Maybe, I don't really need one and it was just the upcoming long distance trip to Wisconsin that has spurred the buying of the case and some other stuff recently. Then again, who amongst us motorcyclists needs much of an excuse to buy more stuff for our motorcycles.

Case in point, I received today a motorcycle cover I got from Ebay for $35, shipped. I think I got a good deal, it covers Maria up completely with room to spare, has a securing strap to keep in on in windy conditions and even holes to access the wheels to put on my motorcycle lock. Kind of looks like Shamu the killer whale don't it? : )




I hope to be able to pack it onboard Maria for the trip, to place on her while overnighting at motels and such. Out of sight, out of mind....and potential thieves or just nosy folks will leave her alone when I am not around.