Damaged Radiators

[rjsmith26]

Have a new GSA on order and there seems to be lots of noise re radiator guards. Wondering why?

Currently on a hex head - zero damage to oil cooler.

Before that VFR800 with side radiators tucked in plastics with scoops that would ricochet stones into the rads - zero damage to oile coolers.

Before that VFR400 - double radiators as Jap import all in the firing line behind front wheel - zero radiator damage.

Just interested how many folks have managed to damage their rad's and if so it it whilst off roading? or is there some terrible danger to rad's on a WC GS both off road and on road?

TIA

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

I'd say they are pretty vulnerable as they stick out in the wind easy target for stones thrown up by cars .mine got hit just a little ding but enough to make me buy some cymarc guards .as you say the TC oil cooler seems less vulnerable but maybe I was lucky .Get a hole in a radiator is a big headache so worth fitting a guard .£60 or so well spent and 5 minutes to fit

 

[kurienp]

Two pieces of chicken mesh from B&Q/Ebay. Cut to size at home. Fix using speedclips and screws. £6.

 

[DC]

i was the same a few years back whats all this fuss over rad protection ? at the time i had a 2008 fireblade the latest super bike to have !!! two weeks later it was back at the dealers, A small stone chip hit the rad and holed it 500 miles from home , total bill was £1200 ,rad labour , getting home ,getting bike collected etc ,, so now on every bike goes some rad covers ….huge saving

 

[Bounce]

Have a new GSA on order

Ooh...what have you gone for Rob & from which dealer did you decide upon?

 

[DC]

wasn't there an Issue with BMW about a bike that went in for some work and BMW refuse to repair the rad due to it having covers, this is turn restricted the air flow to cool em down ,,,,,I'm going hunting for that thread now

BUT…i had a rad problem on a brand new blade in 2008, a small stone it the rad when i was 500 miles from home, my total bill inc pickup and getting bike to shop and new rad was over £1000…so at £60 or £70 quid for guards it makes sense

 

[Stevie4scoops]

BMW should fit radiator guards and a mud sling as standard.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have seen only one with verifiable rock damage. It did not puncture the radiator. Your call if you want to cover it, but it is likely nothing but a cosmetic enhancement, like the intake grills.

Jim

 

[UK Jon]

Grills = piece of mind.

Regards

 

[Nutty]

Grills = piece of mind.

Regards

I look at them as a form of insurance. Hopefully you'll never need them, but they're good to have, just in case.

BTW, I was at Bury Hill last year, and there was a chap there on a brand new Fireblade with...... a hole in his radiator.

 

[cookie]

the obvious lesson here, is don't buy a fireblade.

 

[vsimes]

It happened to me...

...I got a very small stone into left radiator, flicked up from a lorry on a French motorway....Radiator holed and a week waiting for a new one!
= knackered holiday...contemplating how little it took to cause a 'show stopper'
It's not worth the risk. moral: ALWAYS fit guards.....
..... (and Mudsling, fender extender and crud catcher...i.e. all the bits the 'Unstoppable' GS should have as standard?)

 

[Valley Boy]

Here's mine, Black anodized aluminium from e bay, cut to size and fitted with black ties.

 

[madmartin]

Here's mine, Black anodized aluminium from e bay, cut to size and fitted with black ties.

Very nice but not gonna help much......1x small stone doin 100mph+

 

[Valley Boy]

Better than nothing I think,and would give protection

 

[Marius in Africa]

Very nice but not gonna help much......1x small stone doin 100mph+

Why don't you place a solid 3 mm thick plate in front of the radiators and see how well that works!