Jc Whitney Travel Trunk

JC Whitney Travel Trunk

Bargain storage solution

REMEMBER JC WHITNEY, THE MAILorder catalog that during the 1960s offered car enthusiasts such classics as skull-head shifter knobs and fuzzy dice that looked so cool dangling from the rearview mirror? Lithuanian immigrant Israel Warshawsky started the business in 1915, and the Chicago-based company mails more than 30 million catalogs annually, offering products for all types of vehicles, including motorcycles.

While we were perusing the current two-wheel-only catalog-153 pages of accessories, parts and riding gear!-a couple of Chinese-made, universal-fit travel trunks caught our eye, in particular a lowprofile 31-liter model in matte-black ABS plastic with a reflective outer band. The bargain-basement $60 price included a mounting bracket and a padded passenger backrest.

Installation on a Suzuki V-Strom using the supplied hardware took 30 minutes. A provided key opens, closes and removes the trunk, which locks to the base plate with a distinct snap. While the

lock and interior security cable are a tad flimsy, the overall structure is solid. And if you need more storage space, there’s always the best-selling 40-liter version ($80). Even if you’re not the traveling type, the benefits of a locking, removable trunk cannot be overlooked, especially for commuters. Ditto the titanic cost savings over other brands of top boxes boasting similar features and styling. 01’ Israel, may he rest in peace, wouldn’t have it any other way. □

DETAILS

JC Whitney 761 Progress Pkwy.

LaSalle, IL 61301 800/853-4227 www.jcwhitney.com Price...$60

Ups

A More stylish than a milk crate A Mounting bracket and hardware included A Universal fit

fDowns

▼ Won’t swallow all brands and models of full-face helmets

▼ Get what you pay for

▼ Universal fit