BMW Alloy Cylinder Head Protectors - Any Good?

[Foto John]

Does anyone with a standard 1200GS have any of the Alloy cylinder head protectors from the GSA fitted? I'm looking at purchasing just these for protection, in place of any bars, especially as my Jesse Odyssey panniers will be fitted 90% of the time, which should stop the tank area from damage in case of a fall.
Could anyone give me some feedback please? As I was looking at going for the H&B bars, but I like the idea of the easy fit and not having to worry about grounding out the engine bars on negative camber hairpin bends (which I've seen happen on a few occasions and even heard from a friend who had a slow speed off due to the bars levering up his bike after digging into the tarmac ) !
I did meet someone the other day with the same Alloy cylinder protector, who had dropped his standard GS, the protectors were scratched, but there was absolutely no other damage on the bike. So for him they worked, but what about if you had a slide, would they still offer good protection?

They work out at about the same price as the H&B's at approx €200, but which would be the best option?

 

[BTBR]

I have no evidence to support this, but IMHO I would have thought that the H&B bars would be much better than the head protectors.

 

[terayon]

I've got the H&B Bars including the tank protectors and they only stick out another inch further than the cylinders, thats about the same as the head protectors. I've never once put them down on the road in a bend, and I'm a sit still rider, I let my bike lean.
The BMW head protectors are designed for small slow speed off's and won't protect against a slide down the road

 

[Blackal]

The GSA head protector plates are brilliant (well - the right hand one was )

Replacement was £53 + vat (alledgedly) - so, glad to have them fitted (if I was to need them, that is )

Al

 

[steveuk]

i had the alloy "1200 gsa" cylinder head protectors fitted to my 1200GS -

the right hand protector came completely off (it didn't sheer the bolt at the front - but the alloy broke / snapped around the bolt) "when i stepped off the bike" (dropped whilst staionary, a car had just rear ended me, but i was stationary) with the front hanging off there was nothing for it but to remove the protector entirely......

maybe just unlucky it snapped / broke - but no damage to the cylinder head - and i guess thats what they're there for..(to protect the cyl. heads)...

 

[pedmo]

I had the aluminim rocker cover protectors fitted, I dropped the bike while stationary on a minor slope and the impact cracked a lug on the cylinder head which is used as a mounting point for the cover. So the rocker cover was OK but the much more expensive cylinder head was damaged, as a direct result of having the protector fitted . I'd go with the crash bars if I were you.

 

[Jon P]

I only recently got my GSA and thought that the alloy covers looked a bit 'mickey mouse' in the brochure pictures. In the fleash however they look to be very well made and fit nicely. However, looling at some of the previous posts it seems that maybe they are too well made!! I don't like the idea that if the bike should fall over that I break off a mounting point - part of the cylinder / cylinder head!

 

[BiG DoM]

I took mine off the GSA - just knew they would look shite after the first tip over and also read reports of them breaking the studs off the head!!???
I then fitted the HP2 guards that also protect the injectors and TPS... and do not show the ineveitable scratches. (The OEM's will go back on when the bike is resold down the line, and look like new )

 

[ovenpaa]

I have the HP2 guards, not sure they will stand up to much though, I am hoping Steptoe will be able to produce some 1200 guards soon as they look very robust

 

[Foto John]

Thanks for the replies...............

It seems that the consensus is to purchase the H&B bars, although I must admit I was hoping to hear that the BMW or even the Touratech Cylinder guards, would be worth getting.

So it looks like a visit to my local Hein Gericke to order some H&B bars is in order!

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

I must admit I was hoping to hear that the BMW or even the Touratech Cylinder guards, would be worth getting.

I had an offroad tumble recently with TT guards fitted and no crash bars.

Have just order some SW Motech bars now from Nippy Norman.

Does that answer the question...?

BWM plastic thingies are a waste of time.

Kai

 

[Janie]

i have both crash bars and cylinder head covers...........the covers just save the cylinder heads from markin when you drop em...........says she who's dropped her gs twice...............but light is at the end of the tunnel.......just got the touratech extra low seat and instead of tippy toes, as with the bmw low seat i can now put the balls of me feet on the floor..........so we shall see.......i would go with both the bars and the covers.........

 

[Tman]

+1

I had the aluminim rocker cover protectors fitted, I dropped the bike while stationary on a minor slope and the impact cracked a lug on the cylinder head which is used as a mounting point for the cover. So the rocker cover was OK but the much more expensive cylinder head was damaged, as a direct result of having the protector fitted . I'd go with the crash bars if I were you.

I witnessed the same happen during a 5mph fall from one of the students during a Rawhyde Adventure's training class during an excercise on gravel. I would stay clear of these cylinder guards and get the crash bars.

 

[Foto John]

Thanks for the advice everyone.......

I've just placed my order for a set of the silver H&B bars , I've just got to wait another month for the bike to arrive now!

 

[Foto John]

I fitted the Hepco & Becker bars on Wednesday evening, here's a pic with them fitted on my way to the Flemish Ardennes this morning. One side needed a bash with a mallet, but the quality of the bars is absolutely superb!

A side view of the H&B's

 

[Captain GSA]

Cylinder protectors are a must in combination with bars. I have a 12GSA and have had 5 spills so far on both sides-(before you all have a go, they were all done off road in Africa at 50mph plus)and they saved the bike totally from damage. BMW Panniers though were trashed. The original protectors are still on the bike scuffed and dented, the crash bars ever so slightly bent.

 

[Janie]

snap same bike..............i have the gsa cylinderhead covers.......

 

[Captain GSA]

Nice huuger- who's that by?

 

[Janie]

bmw southport put it on for me...........ask sadjim off here cos he works for them................janie