Crash Bars... Again (yeah i know)

[swebb]

Ok, so i know there have been about a gozillion posts regarding crash bars.. but as i've read through just about all of them... i'm left with one or two questions....

I'm hoping some of you more experienced GS12 owners can offer me some useful advice for my recent order

It seems that general consensus is that H&B bars are the cheapest and as good as any others, that BMW bars are expensive for less protection and that Wunderlich are the same as H&B but more expensive.....

So.. my questions....

I keep reading odd snippets about "powder coating" and "stainless steel" and "magnet testing" etc etc.... (don't laugh) but it all means nothing to me!!

In your opinions.... which bars are the best to buy (protection wise) and why?

Which are Stainless, which are powder coated, and whats the advantages/disadvantages of each?

I've just made my order for a GS12, delivery end of march.. and i'm desperately looking to protect my investment as best as is possible, but don't want to pay more than i need to, however the level of protection is the most important factor, not necessarily the price....

HELP ????????????

Cheers peeps...

 

[GSmonkey]

H&B - cheap, good protection, powder coated, suspect overall quality/fit.

Wunderlich - these ARE H&B, but cost more

OEM - expensive, dubious protection, stainless steel (not sure)

Touratech - expensive, protection probably somewhere between H&B/OEM, stainless steel, still not available (checked with TT last week - no 'projected date' as yet, but bit waiting list)

So these are the options - its seems H&B are front runner for now, but this may change when TT bars are available. If you want protection NOW, it will have to be H&B.

 

[TerryM]

H&B - cheap, good protection, powder coated, suspect overall quality/fit.

Wunderlich - these ARE H&B, but cost more

OEM - expensive, dubious protection, stainless steel (not sure)

Touratech - expensive, protection probably somewhere between H&B/OEM, stainless steel, still not available (checked with TT last week - no 'projected date' as yet, but bit waiting list)

So these are the options - its seems H&B are front runner for now, but this may change when TT bars are available. If you want protection NOW, it will have to be H&B.

QUESTION??

It would interest me to know if anyone has dropped their bike hard with H&B, or their clones, fitted, in what circumstances and speed and what was the outcome. As you know my analysis of their protective abilities is at variance with yours Monkey.

 

[John Armstrong]

TT

At the moment the TT ones are as good at protecting your cylinder heads as a chocolate fire guard is at stopping your house from burning down.

 

[GSmonkey]

Terry, I was just reflecting the general consensus of the forum. Personally, I've only seen the H&B bars and I share your views on their quality of their fabrication. So I think we agree on the H&B bars.

I've only seen the TT ones in the catalogue picture - I don't think anybody on the forum has got one yet????

Similarly I've only seen the OEM bars in the 12GS accessories catalogue, which I understand is only a marketing photo. Maybe somebody could post some detailed photos fitted??? I also understand that someone on the forum has had an incident and the OEM bars have failed to protect. In comparison there are numerous reports of the H&B bars providing full protection.

Personally I'm waiting for the TT bars which are now compatible with the downpipes (Y-piece).

 

[Brooklyn GS]

I've had an incident with the OEM bars, and I was not impressed with their protection.

My bike got tipped over when someone backed into me -- about as low a speed crash as possible. Bike fell on its right side and the following parts grounded out: bmw rear pannier, valve cover, bmw crash bar, handlebars.

Although the valve cover only sustained some scratches, I was pretty disappointed that the crash bar allowed the valve cover to hit the ground at all. Not really acceptable performance.

I'm anxiously awaiting the Touratech crash bars -- they seem to be much better build and finish quality than the H&B, but I want to have a better idea about their crash worthiness before I purchase them.

If the Touratech can't protect my valve covers in a low speed tipover, then I'm going to purchase the H&B.

Would really like to see some detailed photos of the Touratech when people get them installed.

Joel

 

[demito]

stainless steel aftermarket

This might be an option if you prefer stainless steel. IMHO this looks better than H&B ones.

http://www.evamotor.nl/Motorcycles/Bmw/R1200gs/bmw_r1200gs_2004.htm#Engineprotection

 

[GSmonkey]

Cheers for the feedback Brooklyn - sounds as though the OEM bars are bugger all use if the valve cover gets scratched when it falls over. In that respect, you get more protection from the plastic guards.....I had a low speed accident and similar points touched down as with the OEM bars, only difference is the valve cover didn't get marked.

The dutch ones look a bit dodgy IMHO, as there is only one bottom connection and cruicially, it doesn't connect to the engine mount.

I'd say its a toss-up between H&B and TT. Anybody got TT yet??

 

[jphelps]

Anyone know if the H&B bars fit ok with the Stanton head protectors?

 

[GSmonkey]

Anyone know if the H&B bars fit ok with the Stanton head protectors?

I'd say they probably would. The reason I say this is because they work with the OEM protectors, and the only difference with Stanton protectors is that they protect the top of the valve cover, where there would be no interference with the H&B bars anyhow.

 

[swebb]

I'm interested that there seems to be quite some support for the TT bars, yet nobody has actually come forward as OWNING any ??? I'm a little bemused by the "support" they have, from what i can only assume are pictures alone..... surely judgements offered as "advice" would be better made following experience and use?

If anyone has "used" them, maybe they'd offer their opinion?

(No offence to anybody who has offered their opinion)

 

[GSmonkey]

I'm interested that there seems to be quite some support for the TT bars, yet nobody has actually come forward as OWNING any ??? I'm a little bemused by the "support" they have, from what i can only assume are pictures alone..... surely judgements offered as "advice" would be better made following experience and use?

If anyone has "used" them, maybe they'd offer their opinion?

(No offence to anybody who has offered their opinion)

When I checked last week there was still no ETA for the TT bars - thats why nobody is offering any experience of use. They could well be shite.

 

[Arthurwg]

TT USA says that no one has them as they have yet to be manufactured. Now expected end of February. I've got as set on order.

 

[motozen]

Anyone know if the H&B bars fit ok with the Stanton head protectors?

Stanton head guards will NOT fit the new 1200 motor. They are strictly for the 1100 or 1150. I asked the maker directly and at the moment has no plans to produce headguards for the 1200.