Engine Bars

[leftofcentre]

Just the Lowers or Upper & Lower?
Looks like it could be a pain to get the fuel tank side panels off for access to the FPC etc with the uppers in place. Do they add any worthwhile protection?

 

[NLC]

I've got just the lowers which I think is fine. Do they add protection? Haven't had to use them yet! Like anything it depends on how hard you fall. The BMW cylinder protectors are pretty strong for a light drop. I've got the SW Motech bars from Chainspeed which were easy to install.

 

[mrpc]

I have lowers only, BMW ones. Don't know why you would need uppers unless you drop your bike hard and often... Unless you like the look of them. I don't but that's my opinion, which counts for s&@t.

On a GS I'm talking about. ADV, different story.

 

[VAL. H.]

I have H&B bars 'upper and lower'. I have dropped my bike, but only from a stand still (BTW they don't like rivers too much). I like them and I think they make my bike look that little bit different from others out there.

The do I or don't I question depends on what you do with your bike.

For:

They do offer quiet a bit of protection when off roading.

Some have brackets for aux lights.

They look good on the bike (IMO anyway).

They make good grab handles when pulling the bike out of the river


Against:

They need to be removed before you can get at the air filter or remove the tank side pannels.

The servicing workshop will charge to remove them.

Some think they look knaff

If not using the bike off road, why would you need them (unless of course you like them).


Val.

 

[leftofcentre]

Food for thought

Thanks folks

 

[cheap'n'cheerful]

I've got hepco and becker lowers and have had the bike completly on its side
resting on the pannier lid and no damage to any of the upper of the bike ,so for road riding i think just lowers will be fine

cheers C'n'C

 

[VAL. H.]

I've got hepco and becker lowers and have had the bike completly on its side
resting on the pannier lid and no damage to any of the upper of the bike ,so for road riding i think just lowers will be fine

cheers C'n'C

I'd agree with that. However I did manage to drop mine with the cilinder down a deep tractor rut. Couldn't beleive there was no damage to the tank side panel. Bought the uppers just incase I wasn't so lucky next time. Haven't had to really test them yet as I stopped doing the rutted tracks, just do a few gravel rodas nowadays. Uppers are staying on for now as I quite like the look (bastard when it comes to sevicing though).


Val.

 

[Pukmeister]

I threw my last 1200 up a wet and slippery road in Australia at about 30mph.

My lower Hepco & Becker bars ground down quite a bit in a shower of sparks, but saved the bike very well.

A bit of thick walled steel tube mig welded over the top with a dash of silver paint, and all was well again.

 

[leftofcentre]

I threw my last 1200 up a wet and slippery road in Australia at about 30mph.

from Fareham to Down Under
You a bit of a Charlie Boorman then?