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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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Old 15 Sep 2012
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Metal top boxes

I am off travelling on an XT660R next year round SE Asia and want a really good 32L top box. I've looked at Metal Mule but they're are so expensive. Ity's only a box for God's sake. Can anyone suggest another option apart from Touratech? Are Alpos any good? I don't want panniers.
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Old 16 Sep 2012
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Make your own , or find a large tool or storage box .
Consider a plastic top box with rounded corners , they hurt you less when you go down .
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Old 8 Oct 2012
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Alpos are OK, but quite thin. Having said that, I've Alpos panniers that have taken dogs abuse that a topbox wouldn't be exposed to, and they are still going. Even after a few quite big 'offs'.

Personally, I use a Peli case as a top-box - super strong and much more secure than any alloy box. Not cheap, but a LOT cheaper than Metal Mule who are frankly taking the piss.

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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Old 8 Oct 2012
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Plan for the future, plan for something that will last, you will pay once, a bit more than normal, but as long as you pick right, you should have no problems keeping the same bit of gear for ages.

Cheap means crap, means it will break and leak, but horses for course, there are plenty of different opinions out there.

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