Do the plastic head protectors work

ktmmark

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If the bike falls over do they stop the covers getting damaged as thinking of getting some as most bmw's have them fitted:)
 
I had a low speed spill when someone drove into the side of me on a roundabout.
The bike went down on it's left hand side and I basically stepped away. The handguard broke at the inner mounting point. The covers protected the lower part of the heads but the bike rolled further over so that the top of the heads were scuffed and the covers for the spark plug lead was broken off.

The damage would have been worse without the covers but they did not protect all of the heads.
 
From 1150 R experience they're ok if the bike is dropped at a standstill but I would not expect them to give much protection on the move.
 
bike rolled further over so that the top of the heads were scuffed

This is exactly what I was told would happen at the BMW dealership.

If you actually hole the head, then your journey has probably ended and protectors may save this, but crash bars are best. Dealer casually told me that box covers were not expensive @about £40 (Not sure if that is correct though)

I therefore made the decision, in view of the cost of protectors versus head covers, to fit bars and replace head covers if they were badly scratched
 
I've had a 5mph and 10mph off on the 1200GS with plastic jobbies. The plastic protectors have saved the heads, unmarked in both incidents.

I suspect I've been lucky.
 
Perhaps I should move mine to the OUTSIDE of my H&Bs them, GSMonkey :D
 
Re: bike rolled further over so that the top of the heads were scuffed

GrinningGSer said:
If you actually hole the head, then your journey has probably ended and protectors may save this, but crash bars are best. I therefore made the decision, in view of the cost of protectors versus head covers, to fit bars
The bikes on BMW's offroad course weren't fitted with any type of protection. Dahoum holed the head of his first bike, but it was still rideable back to base.

or-1852.jpg

At this stage the R12GS had less than 20 miles on the clock

I have the BMW bars on my R12GS and I can tell you they don't fully protect the heads, so I've also fitted the Touratech protectors.

Tim
 
My dealer recommended bars (of any make) saying that the engine castings were now so light that there was a danger than a spill without bars would do more than trash the heads, possibly breaking a major component.
 
Got to put this all in perspective.....drop a sportsbike and you're in for a few hundred if not a thousand pounds worth of fairing, so if you do have a minor off and need new covers, its not the worst thing in the world. I think a new cover is about £150 or something.

In a major off, who gives a toss, as long as you're still alive:)
 
plastic covers

I have them on mine - so far so good. Still thinking about H & B Bars. Just a thouht - if you come off and hole the head/s they will probably be the least of your worries.
 
Re: plastic covers

Georgegs said:
I have them on mine - so far so good. Still thinking about H & B Bars. Just a thouht - if you come off and hole the head/s they will probably be the least of your worries.

Can't agree with that line of reasoning George. The rocker covers ar made of magnesium and are very fragile (in terms of having something the weight of a GS dropped on them, anyway). You could easily hole one in a low speed off - then you're ride's over...

(Cue someone posting that he repaired his using just two drinking straws and a picture of a dead horse, then went on to finish the Road of Bones...;))

Mike:)
 
I repaired mine using just two drinking straws and a picture of a dead horse. Then went on to finish the road of bones
 
Fair enough - Didn't know that - perhaps I had better fit the H & B sooner rather than later. :) :) :)

George:)
 
Didn't think much of the BMW head protectors as I had an off on a dirt road and the protector shattered into 6 pieces leaving me with a badly scratched head, I also have the BMW engine bars fitted.

I think that they are too brittle for the job and will be buying some Touratech ones!
 
Crikey what a coincidence, I too repaired mine using just two drinking straws and a picture of a dead horse. Then went on to finish the road of bones.

:D
 
Cestria said:
Crikey what a coincidence, I too repaired mine using just two drinking straws and a picture of a dead horse. Then went on to finish the road of bones.

:D

Crikey, the kit you guys carry. Save some weight, take one straw and cut in half :rolleyes:
 
Leaped a little too eagerly onto my RT's saddle today and over she slowly but inexorably toppled to the tarmac. Not a scratch on the bike save for a small longditudinal crack in the plastic protector
 


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