Cheap does not always equal cheerful!

[Groenie]

Some of you guys recommended that I fit crash bars to my new toy and as a result, I looked around and chose a set of Motech bars. They were around £90 cheaper than the BMW product. However, a word of advice for all of you that are looking at the Motech bars:

1. Although they are cheaper than the BMW bars, they do not fit to the bike in the same way and as a result, the existing cylinder head protectors (aluminium) have to be removed. With the BMW product, these additional items can remain fitted.

2. The lowest section of the bars attach to the belly pan of the bike via a strong bracket that is supplied with the kit, and this is where the problems really start. Any bike that is still being dealer serviced, will need to have the bars removed either prior to the service or by the dealer on the day. This is because the belly pan must be removed to change the oil filter / oil. My local BMW dealer (Bradford) have confirmed this is the case with the Motech bars and they will charge around £50 a time to remove / fit.

3. Despite Motech saying that the bars allow access to the cylinder heads, there is one bolt that could not be removed easily when the bars were fitted to my bike, again necessitating the removal at service time. (lower front bolt)

4. The bars also hinder access to the secondary spark plug and I think the lamda sensor cables that come from the same area as the spark plug lead.

5. Unless you already have a torx 55 adapter, you will also need one to fit the kit. The BMW toolkit did not include one!!!

The Motech bars look great, are finished well but will end up costing more in the long term if you are having the bike dealer serviced during the first 2 years.

Hope this thread is of use to anyone that is trying to make a choice. The thought "you get what you pay for" comes to mind.

 

[haydw]

Recently put Motech bars on my 2000 1150GS over xmas- I also did a 12k service (myself) a few weeks later.

You do have to remove the bracket to get the bellypan off, but it isnt more than a 5 minute job as there are only 4 bolts to remove- the 2 bolts holding the bar lowers to the bracket and the two you would have to remove anyway to get the bellypan off.

I also managed to get the head covers off easily- the only impeded access I had was that I couldnt turn an allen key through 360 degrees on one of the bolts- 180 degrees instead. They did come off and go back on easily with the bars in situ. As regards cylinder heads themselves then maybe.

Cant comment about the 2nd plug as mine doesnt have one- the lambda wiring also doesnt seem to interfere either.

Have noticed that the top bracket does get a bit close to the front shock spring- if I or anyone decides to replace the front shock at a later date then will have to be careful that the diameter of the shock spring isnt any wider than the OE one as it the bracket will hit the spring.

£50 to remove the bellypan- IMHO that is a bit rich to remove 4 bolts. Call me a tight arse but have had bad service from dealers (admitedly not BMW) in the past and am more than capable of wielding a spanner or two. Aim to keep the bike for a long time so would much rather do it myself to know what has been done.

 

[Humbug]

So if you can fit them yourself you can also remove them before a service - save yourself £50.00!!!

 

[Nate]

I also managed to get the head covers off easily- the only impeded access I had was that I couldnt turn an allen key through 360 degrees on one of the bolts- 180 degrees instead.

An Allen key to socket set adapter is a great investment.

Draper do a really good set for about £10. Its called a Hex bolt adaptor

 

[Groenie]

Update to original post

While it is a great thought to take them off myself and save £50+ each time Humbug, I confess my enthusiasm for unneccesary work does not stretch that far and with my luck, something will happen on the way to, or back from the service, where the engine bars would have been real handy.... but they were not fitted .

Anyway, I spoke to a friend yesterday and he mentioned that his local dealer in Manchester told him that the price quoted for the service included the removal / refitment of engine bars if needed.... it was not an additional charge.

Lesson from this is perhaps just to be aware of the fact that it may cost you more in the long run, but it does depend on your dealer and does not apply at all if you service the bike yourself. As for me, I want to retain my aluminium engine covers, so I am re-evaluating the situation. Apparently the latter will protect suffieciently in various instances, so I am not too nervous to take my time to decide what I want.

 

[baldycop]

So let me see saved yourself £90 on something not quite as good, but will cost you £100 extra in 2 years worth of servicing

 

[Sea Lion]

OEM crash bars have to come off to remove the belly pan as they fix to all four of the bellypan bolts. Motech ones just require the bottom bracket removing. 5 minutes at most.

 

[baldycop]

Sorry i stand corrected.
Have H&B fitted mesen