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.
An important factor before making any purchase is to determine it's 'purpose' ... be it a motorcycle or add-ons. Followed by quality and finally it's price that makes it value for your money. It's been observed that many go wrong here.
Value for money is conditional. Price is usually proportionate to and incremental with quality. Then again, an item that's pricy for one might be a bargain for another. However, what a person can afford doesn't mean he/she should buy it. It's the need, not the want that's to be fulfulled. With that said, let's move onto the topic at hand.
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.
Brand : STUDDS
Country of Origin : India
Material : Polypropylene (tough plastic)
Dimensions LxWxH : 28 x 24 x 14 cms
Weight : 1.1 kg
Volumetric Capacity : 8 litres
Payload : 6 kg
Price : ₹895.00
Link : Click here for Studds Vault Box
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 touring and workshop named 'Beyond Tarmac' and the person incharge 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.
What's In & Out
Studds Vault Box has space within for a puncture repair kit, mini tyre inflator, chain cleaner brush, microfibre cloth, basic first aid kit and a small torch.
Below is a list of items (with links provided) that can be handy if inside the top box or tank bag and ideal to bring along if travelling on the motorcycle, especially over longer distances. Choices and preferences are left to the reader's discretion.
- Universal Tubeless Tyre Puncture Kit* | Price : ₹432.00
- ResQTech Micro Tyre Inflator | Price : ₹1,155.00
- Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge | Price : ₹487.00
- Chain Cleaner Brush | Price : ₹93.00
- Motul C2 Chain Lube | Price : ₹245.00
- Liqui Moly Visor Cleaner (100 ml) | Price : ₹514.00
- Loctite 243 Threadlocker (50 ML) | Price : ₹531.00
- Pidilite WD-40 Degreasing Spray | Price : ₹120.00
- Microfibre cloth (40x40cm) 4pcs. | Price : ₹299.00
- Mini First Aid Kit Bag** | Price : ₹299.00
or ST JOHNS First Aid Kit | Price : ₹195.00 - SYSKA 1W Led Rechargeable Torch | Price : ₹269.00
or GlowPro P20 LED Pen Flashlight | Price : ₹350.00 - Rynox H2GO Pro 2 Rain Jacket | Price : ₹990.00
** The Medical Kit requires to be filled with and so should comprise of Bandages, Cetrimide Cream, Alcohol Swabs, Gauze Swabs, Cotton Roll, Band-Aids, Sugar & Salt Satchets and Surgical Gloves.
The items mentioned above are most 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 choosing this vault box. To have these items accessible when on the bike.
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 tbat one can consider are given below:-
[These are listed by the order of increase in cost price of each.]
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Studds Top Case (Black)
A sturdy, water-proof box with tamper-proof and quick-release locking system. Fits one full helmet (Studds). It comes with reflectors for high visibility at night.
Brand : Studds
Country of Origin : India
Material : Polypropylene
Dimensions LxWxH : 28 x 26 x 35 cms
Weight : 1.1 Kg
Volumetric capacity : 23 Litre
Payload : 3 Kg
Price : ₹1,352.00
Link : Click here for Studds
-
COOCASE Top Case (S 30B) Black
Fits one full face helmet and gloves.
Brand : Moto Central
Country of Origin : Singapore
Material : Polypropylene
Dimensions LxWxH : 45 x 32 x 59 cms
Weight : NA
Volumetric capacity : 30 Litre
Payload : 3 Kg
Price : ₹3,500.00
Link : Click here for COOCASE Top Case
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JB Racing TC (J32) 32L Top Box
Fits one full face helmet and gloves. It comes with pillion backrest and reflectors for high visibility at night.
Brand : JB Racing
Country of Origin : India
Material : Polypropylene
Dimensions LxWxH : 46 x 35 x 28 cms
Weight : 3 Kg
Volumetric capacity : 32 Litre
Payload : 3 - 5 Kg
Price : ₹4,200.00
Link : Click here for JB Racing
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SHAD SH29 Top Case - Black
Included are the universal plate and the fitting kit screw set. Optional backrest as an accessory. Optional brake light as an accessory. Fits full face helmet and gloves.
Brand : Shad
Country of Origin : Spain
Material : Polypropylene
Dimensions LxWxH : 38 x 40 x 30 cms
Weight : NA
Volumetric capacity : 29 Litre
Payload : 3 Kg
Price : ₹4,499.00
Link : Click here for SHAD SH29
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Givi E250N Monolock Top Case
Monolock System. Fits one half face helmet.
Brand : Givi, Malaysia
Country of Origin : Italy
Material : Polypropylene
Dimensions LxWxH : NA
Weight : NA
Volumetric capacity : 25 Litre
Payload : 3 - 5 kg
Price : ₹6,099.00
Link : Click here for Givi Top Case
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TREK 'N' RIDE Motorcycle Top Case (Black)
Fits one full face helmet and gloves. It comes with pillion backrest, top rack for extra luggage and reflectors for high visibility at night.
Brand : TREK 'N' RIDE
Country of Origin : China
Material : Polypropylene
Dimensions LxWxH : 48.5 x 43 x 31 cms
Weight : 4 Kg
Volumetric capacity : 40 Litre
Payload : 3 - 5 Kg
Price : ₹7,999.00
Link : Click here for TREK 'N' RIDE
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 safe travels!
