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Studds Vault box to work as a handy-dandy small top case on the 2015 KTM Duke 390 to carry the essentials required for the motorcycle and the rider.
With top cases in general, most if not all of them come with a base plate along with the necessary nuts & bolts to fit it. To install the top box onto a scooter or a motorcycle, the vehicle is required to have a compatible rear carrier rack to fit a top box on it. A compatible rear carrier rack can be purchased either from the respective motorcycle dealer (if available), an aftermarket fitment assembly or can be custom made by a local fabricator.
The Chosen One
The shortlisted & chosen top case here is a grey colored Vault Box. A motorcycle side luggage box that can be fitted on almost all bikes, just besides the rear wheel of a motorcycle making it rather inconspicuous. It is water-proof, sturdy and has locking system that comes with a set of two keys. This Vault Box comes in few color options to match the color of vehicle - Wine Red, Silver Grey, Gun Grey, Flame Blue & Cherry Red.
What's In & Out
Studds Vault Box has space within for a puncture repair kit, mini tyre inflator, chain cleaner brush, microfiber cloth, basic first aid kit and a small torch.
These items are some of what has been inside of my Viaterra Fly tank bag, that which has been in use from the time of purchase in 2015. Although the said items are important, they're neither expensive nor fragile. And you would NOT want to be taking them on and off the bike every single time. This was the purpose for me choosing this vault box. To have these items accessible when on the bike. Also to not make it so distinctly obvious if there was to be a big top case sitting the back of the motorcycle.
Installation
For the installation of this particular Studds Vault Box to work as a rear top case without tampering or drilling any holes either into the top box or to the rear rack which in this case is the SW Motech alu-rack on the 2015 KTM Duke 390 motorcycle required some bit of custom fabrication work. Came by a motorcycle workshop and the person-in-charge there got the job done. Based on my requirement, a metal sheet was welded within the base plate that came with the top box. Then three holes were drilled into it to match with the holes of the rear rack on the motorcycle.
Unlike most top cases wherein the locking mechanism is on the side face of the box, this one has it on the top. Also, the Studds Vault Box isn't rectangular but rather trapezoidal in shape. So it made sense to fit this box with the smaller back side facing out. Now, it was just a matter of putting it together. The fabricated base plate was bolted onto the motorcycle rear rack by adding half inch spacers. Next up is bolting the vault box on top. And done! This custom fabrication costed Rs.550/-
Oh, if possible use Locktite 243 thread tightener to the nuts and bolts used. This is to prevent the nuts and bolts from loosening up due to vibrations over a period of time.
Observations
The top lid of the box doesn't quite close flush with the bottom half. There's no rubber gasket of sorts along the rim to make the box watertight. Nevertheless, upon subjecting this vault box under heavy water splashes, except for a few drops of water the inside remained pretty much dry. Although fine, it wouldn't be safe to keep any expensive electronic devices/items inside.
This vault box doesn't have any reflective surface to increase nighttime conspicuity for the safety of rider and vehicle. A waterproof high intensity reflective tape stuck to side of the box that faces out back will be a good idea.
Other options
Other options for a small top case for a scooter/motorcycle that one can consider are given below:-
Studds Top Case (Black)
COOCASE Top Case (S 30B) Black
JB Racing TC (J32) 32L Top Box
SHAD SH29 Top Case - Black
Givi E250N Monolock Top Case
TREK 'N' RIDE Motorcycle Top Case (Black)
Figure out your requirement, determine the purpose for what's to be purchased and if you really need it, not want it. Chose wisely. Wishing you all safe travels!
With top cases in general, most if not all of them come with a base plate along with the necessary nuts & bolts to fit it. To install the top box onto a scooter or a motorcycle, the vehicle is required to have a compatible rear carrier rack to fit a top box on it. A compatible rear carrier rack can be purchased either from the respective motorcycle dealer (if available), an aftermarket fitment assembly or can be custom made by a local fabricator.
The Chosen One
The shortlisted & chosen top case here is a grey colored Vault Box. A motorcycle side luggage box that can be fitted on almost all bikes, just besides the rear wheel of a motorcycle making it rather inconspicuous. It is water-proof, sturdy and has locking system that comes with a set of two keys. This Vault Box comes in few color options to match the color of vehicle - Wine Red, Silver Grey, Gun Grey, Flame Blue & Cherry Red.
What's In & Out
Studds Vault Box has space within for a puncture repair kit, mini tyre inflator, chain cleaner brush, microfiber cloth, basic first aid kit and a small torch.
These items are some of what has been inside of my Viaterra Fly tank bag, that which has been in use from the time of purchase in 2015. Although the said items are important, they're neither expensive nor fragile. And you would NOT want to be taking them on and off the bike every single time. This was the purpose for me choosing this vault box. To have these items accessible when on the bike. Also to not make it so distinctly obvious if there was to be a big top case sitting the back of the motorcycle.
Installation
For the installation of this particular Studds Vault Box to work as a rear top case without tampering or drilling any holes either into the top box or to the rear rack which in this case is the SW Motech alu-rack on the 2015 KTM Duke 390 motorcycle required some bit of custom fabrication work. Came by a motorcycle workshop and the person-in-charge there got the job done. Based on my requirement, a metal sheet was welded within the base plate that came with the top box. Then three holes were drilled into it to match with the holes of the rear rack on the motorcycle.
Unlike most top cases wherein the locking mechanism is on the side face of the box, this one has it on the top. Also, the Studds Vault Box isn't rectangular but rather trapezoidal in shape. So it made sense to fit this box with the smaller back side facing out. Now, it was just a matter of putting it together. The fabricated base plate was bolted onto the motorcycle rear rack by adding half inch spacers. Next up is bolting the vault box on top. And done! This custom fabrication costed Rs.550/-
Oh, if possible use Locktite 243 thread tightener to the nuts and bolts used. This is to prevent the nuts and bolts from loosening up due to vibrations over a period of time.
Observations
The top lid of the box doesn't quite close flush with the bottom half. There's no rubber gasket of sorts along the rim to make the box watertight. Nevertheless, upon subjecting this vault box under heavy water splashes, except for a few drops of water the inside remained pretty much dry. Although fine, it wouldn't be safe to keep any expensive electronic devices/items inside.
This vault box doesn't have any reflective surface to increase nighttime conspicuity for the safety of rider and vehicle. A waterproof high intensity reflective tape stuck to side of the box that faces out back will be a good idea.
Other options
Other options for a small top case for a scooter/motorcycle that one can consider are given below:-
Studds Top Case (Black)
COOCASE Top Case (S 30B) Black
JB Racing TC (J32) 32L Top Box
SHAD SH29 Top Case - Black
Givi E250N Monolock Top Case
TREK 'N' RIDE Motorcycle Top Case (Black)
Figure out your requirement, determine the purpose for what's to be purchased and if you really need it, not want it. Chose wisely. Wishing you all safe travels!
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