Do Your Engine Bars . . . . . .?

[Dan Glibitz]

OK, looking at the SW Motech Engine bars,

1. they seem to reduce the ground clearance with the bar that goes under the sump. Is this the case?

2. Has anyone out there got these bars fitted and dropped the bike (Either stationary or a big 'un) and were your pots saved?

3. Any problems with the finish? What with the H+B ones seemingly open to flaking paint!

In my opinion, the H+B ones look neater and possibly a better colour match but the SWM ones seem to offer higher and possibly better protection, though ground clearance may be an issue?

WHAT SAY THE MASSES?

 

[birdseye]

H& B bars on for over a year now - no flaking paint though given the construction I would expect to have to re-paint at some stage. They are, after all, mild steel tube.

 

[ally]

they must have plenty of curves on them if you have them

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Bars

I have had standard BMW bars on seven (out of eight) bikes. All were dropped at rest a few times - none suffered any damage other than paint scratches, easily retouched. On my 1150 I had the S/S bars and despite a number of drops there was no damage. My 1200, being lighter, different stand etc. has (touch wood) remained upright since new in 2004. (The bike without the bars was the only one from which I fell off whilst in motion and I punched a hole in the rocker box cover (K100RS) - easy and cheap to repair - except that I was between Paris and Lyon so there were slight difficulties.(Sods law of course.)

 

[Dan Glibitz]

I have had standard BMW bars on seven (out of eight) bikes. All were dropped at rest a few times - none suffered any damage other than paint scratches, easily retouched. On my 1150 I had the S/S bars and despite a number of drops there was no damage. My 1200, being lighter, different stand etc. has (touch wood) remained upright since new in 2004. (The bike without the bars was the only one from which I fell off whilst in motion and I punched a hole in the rocker box cover (K100RS) - easy and cheap to repair - except that I was between Paris and Lyon so there were slight difficulties.(Sods law of course.)

My only experiance of the BMW SS Bars was on the Demo. bike I borrowed. I left it in a car park for 10 minutes and in that time, someone had knocked it over, causing damage to not only the bars but the rocker cover and the mirror.

If engine bars are supposed to protect the engine . . . . . . . under what circumstances?

 

[Yoda]

Dan,

The SWM bars do have a thin bar that goes under the front of the sump plate. The effect on ground clearance is very small, especially as it's right at the front.

I've found the finish on mine to be very good, and they colour match quite well to the frame tubes.

Regards,
Rich

 

[Dan Glibitz]

Dan,

The SWM bars do have a thin bar that goes under the front of the sump plate. The effect on ground clearance is very small, especially as it's right at the front.

I've found the finish on mine to be very good, and they colour match quite well to the frame tubes.

Regards,
Rich

So Mr Knight,
what made you chose the SWM over the H+B then?

In fact, what were the deciding factors for anyone chosing either SWM or H+B?

I'll be easily lead by folk's arguements!

 

[Thunder]

So Mr Knight,
what made you chose the SWM over the H+B then?

In fact, what were the deciding factors for anyone chosing either SWM or H+B?


I'll be easily lead by folk's arguements!

I went with SMW as I heard the Hepco's would not fit with some aftermarket front pipes.

Looked at the BM bars, and those on the Touratech site, but in the end costing was also a factor, SMW half the price and as I'm at the point of offering a kidney on EBay to raise funds for my shopping spree it made a difference

 

[Yoda]

So Mr Knight,
what made you chose the SWM over the H+B then?

In fact, what were the deciding factors for anyone chosing either SWM or H+B?

I'll be easily lead by folk's arguements!

As Thunder says - the cost is good, so on the VFM scale (value for money) they came out high.

2nd point was that Nippy stocks them, so they were there the next day and fitted (ably assisted by my 12 year-old trainee mechanic) that evening.