This wire basket mounted over your rear Bike rack offers the greatest bang-for-the buck in terms of volume and cost. And the HSYOYO retro motorcycle storage basket is the best volume-to-cost ratio we could locate in our comparison chart. The basket itself is made of Almost 26 liters of steel for under 20 dollars. That is a difficult combination to beat regardless of whether you're driving an electric Bike, a moped, or a motorcycle.
There is a caveat (and there is always a caveat at these prices). You'll be attaching it yourself. Brackets aren't provided. If that doesn't bother you, continue reading.
Capacity and Build
HSYOYO lists this at 25.7 liters, which places it firmly in the grocery run area. Two grocery bags, a lock, a rain jacket, and room to spare. Classic milk crate configuration in a more vintage fashion with side handles that serve as tie-down points for bungees. People that have purchased this basket state that the thickness of the wire is greater than they anticipated at this price point. The reason why thinner wire baskets tend to bend out of form upon lugging a large bag of dog food home is because of the thinness of the wire.
Collapsing design
People either love or hate the collapsing nature of this basket. Fold it flat for storing. Pop it back up for riding. When attached to a motorcycle, you will likely leave it in place all the time and allow it to remain on your rack. When stored on a wall in an apartment, the collapsing design becomes useful.
On the Bike
Since HSYOYO does not provide mounting hardware, your ability to install it is dependent solely on what you currently have installed on your Bike. Rear rack present: zip ties or two small U-bolts and you are finished in about ten minutes. Moped/motorcycle with flat luggage rack: same story. Engine heat and vibration will kill plastic zip ties over a season.
Weight limit
No official weight limit is provided. Therefore, view it like a milk crate, not a pannier. Cargo loads of 20 to 25 pounds should be viewed as reasonable without putting excessive strain on the wire or your rack. That is plenty of space for groceries, clothing, toolboxes, or cases of drinks. Do not attempt to haul your entire climbing gear set with this basket.
What Buyers Say
Buyer feedback regarding similar wire baskets consistently mentions the same trade-off pattern. Price/capacity receive positive comments, and the finish receives minor complaints with some buyer comments stating the coating may chip to expose the underlying metal at the areas of contact. One motorcycle owner reported using a basket such as this on their scooter rack for an entire summer while delivering packages and did not experience any structural issues. There are no formal ratings listed for this product yet, therefore, the nearest comparable data is from the overall wire-basket category mentioned above, where the trend continues. Inexpensive steel wire either lasts many years or fails within the first month depending upon proper installation.
Who Is This For
You benefit from this product if you own a rad runner or any utility ebike with a rear deck, a vintage styled moped, or a standard motorcycle with a luggage rack, and you want maximum volume/liter dollar without over-thinking it. Do not purchase if you desire a lockable or enclosed solution because this is simply an open wire bin and your groceries will get wet.
Pair it with a cargo net and embrace the old school look. That is half of the fun.
See our full comparison table for baskets and cargo racks to determine how it compares to the rest based on price/volume. See more guides and reviews for additional carrying solutions.
Sizing It Against the Alternatives
Price per liter is where this basket gains its fame. Based on its typical street pricing, it ranks in the lower portion of the dollars per liter column on our comparison table, which is essentially the only number needed to rank products according to our philosophy here at gearing data. Quick release units sold by Topeak charge three times as much for comparable volume, and what they are charging for is the engineered mounting hardware and brand consistency of quality assurance. If your riding style involves parking your moped on the street and a rider who values function over finish, then the budget wire will win out every time.
A better comparison would be to compare it to the CXWXC unit that resides close to it in our table. The CXWXC includes its bracket and weather accessories which solve problems left to you by HSYOYO. Riders who currently own a rack with tie down points similar to their needs will never notice the difference in daily usage. Riders starting with nothing but a bare rack will find that CXWXC bundle pricing is nearly identical once all required accessories are purchased. Therefore, the real decision comes down to mounting style rather than value.
Weight distribution plays a larger role with wire baskets than spec sheet numbers indicate. Since the load resides high above the rack rather than low like panniers, cornering with a full load has a top heavy character which takes several ride cycles to become familiar with. Keep your heavier items lower in the center of the basket and the effect should disappear completely.
Long-Term Ownership Notes
Wire baskets constructed in steel have documented life-cycles. The frame outlives everything else installed on your Bike and failure points occur cosmetically rather than structurally: coating wear where contact points exist and occasional wire fatigue where bungee hooks concentrate stress. A ten-dollar rattle can of matching paint covers the first issue and rotating your tie down points covers the second issue. Riders who have done both report that these type of baskets serve them well for decades.
Salt added due to Winter riding creates another enemy of coated steel - salt. The same habit protects your rack fasteners and chain anyway so there is no extra effort involved.
In terms of motorcycles/mopeds specifically, vibration creates yet another variable. Wire baskets held by zip ties will work loose over weeks of engine vibration. Metal hose clamps cost only a couple bucks each and converts the installation into a semi-permanent fixture that survives an entire season without needing re-tensioning. It is simply the best upgrade any budget basket install can be upgraded with.
The Verdict
As the per-liter leader in our chart, this basket earns its position honestly: most volume for least money - in a package whose weaknesses are known, cheap, and avoidable. Collapsing hinge provides actual functionality for apartment storages, side handles double as tie-down points for bungees, and retro styling means it looks intentional instead of afterthought on vintage styled machines.
Compare it to your needs instead of its spec sheet: if you need waterproofing, integrated locks, or engineered quick-release hardware then spend further up the table. If you need lots of volume for least amount of money then this basket is currently the benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this fit a standard rear bike rack?
Yes, the base of this basket is approximately rack-sized and most riders attach using zip ties, U-bolts or hose clamps. Check the dimensions of your rack platform before ordering as HSYOYO does not provide included hardware.
Is 25.7 liters actually enough for groceries?
Enough room exists to carry 2 large bags of groceries plus odds and ends. Essentially equivalent to a milk crate volume used for years by many riders as a benchmark for around town cargo transport.
Can I use this on a motorcycle at highway speed?
Many owners of similar baskets use them on small motorcycles/scooters and state they operate just fine under those conditions. Utilize metal clamps, inspect your fasteners after the first few rides and keep cargo below 25 lbs.
Does the folding mechanism loosen over time?
Any type of folding basket adds a hinge and hinges are a wear point. If you plan to never collapse it again (or less often), a single zip tie across the hinge eliminates the concern entirely.
How does it handle rain?
Steel wire sheds water adequately but anything inside remains wet. Adding a cargo net and an affordable dry bag will help if you are carrying electronics/paper goods etc...
Is the finish actually retro?
It is matte vintage-styling coat applied to steel wire. Closer to old-fashioned French utility bikes than showroom chrome which is exactly what most buyers want from a basket such as this.
Check live pricing on Amazon prior to making your final decision
See how the rest of the category stacks up on the basket and cargo comparison table, and browse more reviews and guides.