Can you Help Me Please?

[Halesowen Kid]

Hi Guys,

I'm aged 60+ & a born again biker after an 8 year break.. & I've just got myself, with the wife's permission.. a BMW R1200GS Mk2 on an 09 plate.

When I used to ride a BMW R1150GS back in early 2000, & it was fitted with engine crash bars, but I can't remember the maker of them..

Now to help me out please & save me lots of time, this is where you guys come in!

What are the best make of engine crash bars for the 1200GS Mk2 & why?

Also please point me in the direction of the supplier.

I look forward to your replies & thank you..

 

[Mr K]

I've used the BMW ones since a few weeks from new on my 2004 model and have no complaints.

There's quite some choice and I'm sure others will be along with their choices soon.

 

[ghiribizzo]

Motobins will happily sell you Hepco & Becker ones:

http://www.hepco-and-becker-luggage.co.uk/index.php?selectmodel

 

[walrus]

As another 60+ rider on an 09 plate 1200GS, I have BMW bars on mine. They have one overwhelming advantage over the others; they were a good price second hand. Were I you I would keep an eye on the for sale section and see what comes up.

 

[Fanum]

As another 60+ rider on an 09 plate 1200GS, I have BMW bars on mine. They have one overwhelming advantage over the others; they were a good price second hand. Were I you I would keep an eye on the for sale section and see what comes up.

What he said

All crash bars will give decent enough protection for average day to day use and a good amount of off-roading.

They're all made to pretty much the same standards, all use pretty much the same mounting points and bracing.

Unless you have a specific need (such as a larger tank that requires a certain shape of bars, or a bash plate with a rallye style toolbox which prevents you from using some bars) then go for anything with a known name in decent condition, either from Ebay or from here.

Some do look slightly nicer than others, but that's a purely subjective view.......do a google image search for r1200gs crash bars and see if there are any that you really like, or any that offend your eye, but otherwise, get the cheapest set you can and you won't go far wrong

 

[Boxerboy55]

My bike came with standard bumwee bars, but I would prefer the H&B type that give more protection to the cylinder heads. Saying that I've laid mine down gently a couple of times without problem

 

[Bobbin-Man]

What are the best make of engine crash bars for the 1200GS Mk2 & why?

Touratech bars. They're stainless steel with a "brushed" finish so easy to tidy any marks after "use" (rather than messing up a painted bar) and offer all the protection you're going to need for most uses. A little more expensive than the others but worth it.

 

[mikeyboy]

Touratech bars. They're stainless steel with a "brushed" finish so easy to tidy any marks after "use" (rather than messing up a painted bar) and offer all the protection you're going to need for most uses. A little more expensive than the others but worth it.

 

[Bendy toy]

Ive had my GSA engine bars powder coated, but when I was rounding off the (very few) sharp edges it did look like they might be stainless. Hopefully, i wont regret having them coated.

Anyway's - my point is the GS bars might also be stainless.

 

[scottpa]

I had the BM crash bars on my GS. I was able to sand/polish out some fairly deep scratches after a slow speed drop and it did not rust afterwards. The cylinder did get scratched as well. So you could look into some cylinder head covers such as the BMW ally covers or the xhead version as well or instead of.

 

[Nunkie]

I had the BM crash bars on my GS. I was able to sand/polish out some fairly deep scratches after a slow speed drop and it did not rust afterwards. The cylinder did get scratched as well. So you could look into some cylinder head covers such as the BMW ally covers or the xhead version as well or instead of.

Seems they are stainless-steel; I have these on on my '04 GS and I was able to dress-out the results of a low-speed drop with a smooth file but how good are they if the valve-covers sustain damage, as mine did, in such a minor prang?

 

[tspivey]

I've had a few and prefer the Hepco and Becker because of quality, fit and price.

 

[malcopopolo]

crash bars

Have a look at Altrider, come in black, silver or even red. You tube or google.
Nippy normans sell them but they are cheaper if you buy direct from european website.

 

[Bendy toy]

Mine is a GSA with Touratech head protectors and standard crash bars. They all did a great job when it stalled in the B'ham rush hour and tipped me off in the middle of the road. Thanks Mr bus driver for not laughing while I picked it up.

Anyhow, the crash bars were fine and the TT head protectors were hardly marked. They actually add to the bike's character.

 

[Pukmeister]

Threw my old R1200GS up a tarmac road in Australia at 30+ mph, H&B crash bars spark quite nicely and save the bike. Easy to weld a plate over them to repair, bit of spray paint jobs a good 'un.