Engine Guards/Protectors et al

[Gary C]

Hello Everyone

As they say, there are two types of riders, those that haven't dumped and those that have. Officially being in both camps I'm out to protect my poor steed.

So, what I have seen for engine guards are the following:

1. the BMW protectors that fit over the bottom half of the cylinder head, and
2. engine guards manufacturered by Hepco-Becker and SW-Motech.

Suggestions, reviews, all input welcomed.

Gary

[chris]

I think it's 'those that have dumped and those that will' ...

There are a few types, the plastic BMW ones look nice and will help if you drop it in the car park but not much more,
the Stantons (no longer made but you might get 2nd hand) which cover the heads better than the plastic ones and the full on engine bars which are the safest but bulkiest option.

All depends on budget, aesthetic sensibilities and whether or not you pkan to sling it down the road at high or low speed! I like the plastic ones so fitted them, better than nothing, maybe...

[towerworker]

I too have the guards made my BMW and have had them on my 03 since new. They have protected my heads in several "fall overs". Don't think they would offer alot in a slide down the highway but in that case the heads would be the last of my concerns. That's what insurance is for.
I'm more concerned about me "sliding down the highway"!

Wayne

[MIXR]

Just ordered a set of Hornig crash bars. Same as the SW Motech ones. Should arrive in a couple of weeks, so I'll post pics when I fit them. Preferred the styling over the Hepco Becker, even though they offer slightly less protection for the base of the cylinder. No bar across the lower side. The HB ones just seemed too bulky when I looked at them on a bike. Anyway, I hope I never need them. Just additional insurance as I have some dirt roads to travel, and won't be carrying spare valve covers!

[johno]

My bike and I parted company at around 35kph, and my BMW plastics did a very good job of keeping damage to a minimum.
Would have been a lot worse without them.
I have not done any repairs to the bike since that fall, and have covered about 3,000ks since, so not a real problem.

[gregor]

I have the cosmetically acceptable plastic guards for a car park incident.
At higher speeds I'd be more worried about myself than the bike.
Insurance will cover the bike damage.

[Arbee]

The "plastic" engine protectors have a sub metal base and would give
protection up to about 30kmh, seeing as most drops are at zero kmh
at the fuel station hitting the front brake or being distracted by a bikini clad female at the same time...
it would be reasonable enough for 90% of the time.

[duke]

... if you can find a pair of the Stanton headguards - all cast job - they are awesome. They make the BMW original ones look cheap and flimsy.

But last time I rang the manufacturer - they have stopped making them.

So - I managed to buy a set of 2nd hand ones (not dumped , shiny ones). Look around - somebody who is selling their bike may be keen to sell all add-on goodies separately (as in the case of my ones).

[awagnon]

I have the Wunderlich engine bars and like them. Dropped the bike once doing a low speed turn since putting them on and they were about the only thing that touched down. Some scratches on one of them and the brake lever, but no other damage. Also, nice for mounting my PIAA lights on them since they have a light mounting bracket built in.

[MIXR]

I've had a couple of people contact me for more info on my earlier post, so here is the whole story.

The pic I posted is the SW Motech bar, which is similar (the same) as Hornig. They are thicker diameter tube than H&B, but don't have the 'cage' look due to the absence of the lower bar that H&B has. They only come in silver. I don't like the H&B black or chrome options anyway.

Mine will take two to three weeks to arrive. End of month, maybe. Cost was AUD$278, while the H&B are AUD$350 something. For Aussies, I went through Mick Owen's Group, East Coast BMs. They are based here in Canberra. They also do international business.

Mick is a good guy to deal with, and will source almost anything you might want, at a sensible price. He is the Aust and NZ distributor for Touratech, H&B, Hornig and some other stuff, so he tends to get 'preference' on shipping (or so I've been told).

Anyway, that's all I can say until my bars arrive and I fit them. Pics then.

http://www.eastcoastbms.com.au/

[riceburner]

Another Vote here for Stantons - they ROCK. I've seen the BMW OE (R1150GS) ones be completely destroyed by a stationary fall - the Stantons will last for ages no matter how many times you drop it.


There's a fellow on UKGSer who I think might be getting some made up here in the UK.

[ruddy]

Here's a vote for the Hepco & Becker crash bars. They will certainly protect your engine, and they give you a resting place up off the cylinder heads when you want to stretch out your legs.

Here's a site for more info: http://www.eurotechmotorsports.com/form ... ig=Yes[url]

Here's where I got mine:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H-B-ENGI ... dZViewItem

[orangebob]

I belong to the those that have club...probably about 18-25 mph...didn't really look at the speedo. The engine still got some rash...minor, mostly paint. Right across the MAGNESIUM...last few characters are a little difficult to read. The gaurd is shot...bought new ones.

My question...are there any tricks to installing? That front connection just doesn't want to line-up.

[jbuzbee]

Plastic BMW guards + 80 mph + 100 feet of fresh asphalt:

[Biff's R]

The BMW guards did just fine in my wreck a couple of years ago. I have a new set of them on my new bike, and I think that they do fine. I am wary of the bars that mount up and around the tank. If the bar bends there it is a lot more to fix the tank than a valve cover.

I think that their purpose is to reduce the possibility of grinding through the valve cover.

[jbuzbee]

I think that their purpose is to reduce the possibility of grinding through the valve cover.

Um, Biff - see above????

[Biff's R]

It did not look like it went all the way through the valve cover. Through being the key word.