Cylinder Guards or Bars

[Diverman]

Just after some advice on my new order for GS TE. I like the look of the bars, but not sure if the cylinder protects might be better. Only dropped a bike once and unlikely to repeat, but would be mortified to damage those fine looking twin pots.
Would like to hear your views.

 

[rocky burns]

Both.

 

[Diverman]

Dealer tells me I can't fit both the BMW supplied ones. Like the aluminium BM covers and the BMW bars too.


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[crashhat]

I've gone for the sw motech bars off ebay 145 delivered. There is a nice set of touratech ones currently listed.
I've also gone for touratech cylinder guards.
I've no plans to go mental but had a couple moments during the holidays so I'm going all out to protect my investment

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[Andy63]

Just after some advice on my new order for GS TE. I like the look of the bars, but not sure if the cylinder protects might be better. Only dropped a bike once and unlikely to repeat, but would be mortified to damage those fine looking twin pots.
Would like to hear your views.

Definitely both, I dropped my GSA on a country road not going fast at all, the aluminium cover did its job but was destroyed in the process doubt it would give too much protection at speed . I bought some Heed engine bars that go around the Ali covers.

 

[Blackal]

If the water-cooled is anything like the previous 1200 - I'd recommend the cylinder head covers (only).

They skid nicely down the road and don't cause any additional damage (like bars may).

Al

 

[UpgradeAl]

If the water-cooled is anything like the previous 1200 - I'd recommend the cylinder head covers (only).

They skid nicely down the road and don't cause any additional damage (like bars may).

Al

Totally agree (for the TC). If you go down slow, or drop from stationary, the cylinder head covers will do their job. If you go down fast, the bars probably won't do what you want, as they will bend and generally not protect you from the other damage you would have got anyway - they might even cause more. IMHO

 

[crashhat]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aceaimQ0Ps4
The reason i've ordered some (@31minute mark)

 

[UpgradeAl]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aceaimQ0Ps4
The reason i've ordered some (@31minute mark)

that's the risk when BMW reduce the side-stand lean on the WC "in response to customer demand" (apparently)

 

[littleade]

that's the risk when BMW reduce the side-stand lean on the WC "in response to customer demand" (apparently)

He left it in neutral rather than in gear.....

 

[UpgradeAl]

He left it in neutral rather than in gear.....

Point conceded - it is difficult from the video to see what sort of slope the bike was on. But it doesn't change the fact that the more upright the bike is on its sidestand (and also the less the forward "throw" of the sidestand), the more likely the bike is to roll off on any slope.

 

[Troppo]

I looked long and hard for suitable bars.

If you want to emulate Charlie and Ewan, go for the Altrider ones. Turns the GS into a tank.

If, like 99.9% of us, the bike stays on the blacktop for most of its life, the Hepco and Becker are the best all round compromise.

IMHO...

 

[littleade]

Point conceded - it is difficult from the video to see what sort of slope the bike was on. But it doesn't change the fact that the more upright the bike is on its sidestand (and also the less the forward "throw" of the sidestand), the more likely the bike is to roll off on any slope.

It certainly doesn't, make it more upright and it stands more chance of ending in tears. At the NEC the off road crew were giving demos on handling a GS and repeatedly made the point that you shouldn't leave it in neutral on the sidestand. Other things they suggested included don't try and put your right foot on the floor when getting on the bike, but put it on the footrest instead in case the ground on the other side is lower etc.

 

[littleade]

I looked long and hard for suitable bars.

If you want to emulate Charlie and Ewan, go for the Altrider ones. Turns the GS into a tank.

If, like 99.9% of us, the bike stays on the blacktop for most of its life, the Hepco and Becker are the best all round compromise.

IMHO...

Hmmmmmm....that's clean....