Hand guards - ever needed them?

[Ross Dean]

I have just re-entered the GS world and am expecting a new F800GS (orange) mid March. My budget means that extras will come slowly. So far I have ordered Adventure-spec crash bars. Next on the list could be hand guards but, while they seem like a sensible buy and I had them on my last 800GS, I cannot recall ever needing them. I completed the BMW off road beginners course in Wales on an 800GS, and on my bike did some rough-road/track in the Atlas Mountains and desert in Morocco and one excellent day in the Cotswolds with BurtieBoy - so, not a lot of experience off-road but a bit ... including a lot of falling off in Wales. The trouble is, when riding rough trails and falling off I am not particularly aware of what is happening to my hands so far as protection is concerned. I need experience-based advice.

Has anyone found their hand guards gave protection (e.g. during falls or riding through thick vegetation) when off-roading as opposed to just wind protection when road riding?

 

[Malcolm Leick]

Hand protection is probably secondary to the protection you get for the bars and levers.

Normally, when the bike goes down my hands are off the bars before the bike hits the dirt/rocks. But the bars/levers themselves can take a hammering so that's where the handguards come in. A busted lever can ruin your day. They do offer some protection from foliage, thorns etc.

The other obvious benefit is keeping your hands warmer and dryer on long rides when touring. I started with BMW handguards and bent them so now have Barkbusters with Storm plastics on them (which give much better wind protection.) Got them from Adventure Spec.

Hope this helps.

 

[SERVDAVE]

I wouldn't be without my barkbusters! I got mine from metal mule! Not only are they worth the 80 quid for keeping my hands warm, they havep saved mya clutch and break levers many times.

 

[StumpyFingers]

I find mine help keep the hands warm and look better than muffs.

 

[Sooty09]

I clipped a dry stone wall with the bar ends, I had the BWM bar type guards fitted and I escaped with no injury. The bike ended up on its side and the bottom steering stop, radiator and side panel took a beating but the clutch lever was OK. I don't know if my hand would have take the impact, or if the clutch lever would have crushed my fingers, all I know is the end of the guard was very scuffed.
The bike was damaged but I was fine, given my time again and making a choice between crash bars to protect a bike I may have 5 years or Hand guards to protect items I will have for the rest of my life is a very easy decision.
I did 17 years enduro riding and the only levers I broke were on the DT175 and XL185. The bikes after, KDX, IT, RMX etc all had original guards or bark busters.
Weather protection, lever protection, or just finger protection, after helmets and good clothing they are the best protection you can get. I will never have a road bike or dirt bike without them.

 

[Ross Dean]

I am convinced - thanks guys

 

[StumpyFingers]

The number of people I have heard of who through no fault of theirs have had the bike go over and break a lever number in the 100's. If the guards stop that then they are worth every penny.

 

[Ross Dean]

The number of people I have heard of who through no fault of theirs have had the bike go over and break a lever number in the 100's. If the guards stop that then they are worth every penny.

I can claim to have experienced the bike go over a number of times ... not so sure about it being no fault of mine however

I have decided to get Ocean BMW Plymouth add hand guards to my new bike as a direct resut of this thread. Thanks to all concerned.

 

[v8legend]

It might be worth mentioning that the R1200GS handguards fit quite well. They offer better weather protection than the F800GS guards, but less crash/bash protection.

 

[Jimbike]

They also stop the levers being grabbed by branches and undergrowth.

The only time I didn't have them fitted to an off road bike I clipped a chain link fence with the brake lever which stopped me instantly by pulling the front brake on and turning me sharp right into the fence!

I still have the chunk of bone missing from my leg from the serrated foot peg to remind me

 

[(RIP) Ewan]

Hand Guards

I just spent five weeks in New Zealand riding a Wee-Strom with no hand guards - and really missed them! Now riding the F800 again with hand guards, and very grateful for them. Protection is a bonus, but for me they are essential for touring comfort. Get 'em!

 

[scarpro]

Taxiguards

They're a must in my view, have protected the levers in a few falls (Need to pay more attention to the road camber and potholes when your vertically challenged ).
They also may save your life when the idiot in the taxi changes lanes without looking, just as your filtering past! Could of been nasty

 

[Lost John]

Which Hand guards

So which are the best to fit to the 800 taking into account strength, wind protection for touring and price. Also if the consensous is GS1200, do they fit straight on or do you need any extra bits.

 

[nig5]

So which are the best to fit to the 800 taking into account strength, wind protection for touring and price. Also if the consensous is GS1200, do they fit straight on or do you need any extra bits.

Fitted barkbusters, resonable price, good protection and have a wind deflector on the top which can cost extra with other brands.
Don`t know about crash protection as I haven`t dropped it, yet!

 

[SERVDAVE]

Fitted barkbusters, resonable price, good protection and have a wind deflector on the top which can cost extra with other brands.
Don`t know about crash protection as I haven`t dropped it, yet!

I can vouch for the crash protection of the barkbusters. Also like that you can lower the deflectors during summer to get a bit of fresh air on your hands.

 

[v8legend]

So which are the best to fit to the 800 taking into account strength, wind protection for touring and price. Also if the consensous is GS1200, do they fit straight on or do you need any extra bits.

You don't need any extra bits to fit the 1200 guards, they go straight on. However, they don't look quite as 'factory' as the 800 handguards. They're bigger, and offer better weather protection.

 

[Sooty09]

Although the 1200GS guards do fit the F800GS and F650GS they do apply pressure to the clutch cable which in my opinion was unacceptable and could have lead to premature wear. A certain amount of cutting is required to prevent this. An alternative is to buy a set of touratech guards which are cheaper and more robust.

 

[Packer]

Similar to Scarpro. Someone decided to get out of the passenger door of a stationary van as I was filtering past, on the motorway. The edge of the door went straight into the handlebar. I'd probably have lost parts of my fingers without the guards.

I'm fond of brush guards

 

[v8legend]

Although the 1200GS guards do fit the F800GS and F650GS they do apply pressure to the clutch cable which in my opinion was unacceptable and could have lead to premature wear. A certain amount of cutting is required to prevent this. An alternative is to buy a set of touratech guards which are cheaper and more robust.

Mine apply no pressure to the clutch cable. I fitted the guards off a 2009 model R1200GS, which look the same as the current model. 2 tone black/grey. Perhaps you had the guards off an earlier model?

 

[scarpro]

Fitted barkbusters, resonable price, good protection and have a wind deflector on the top which can cost extra with other brands.
Don`t know about crash protection as I haven`t dropped it, yet!

+1 for Barkbusters.
Choice of deflecters, good protection, easy to fit, and good price (compared to new levers and panels following an unexpected application of the front brake!).
Some might worry about being a metal support, but i know no different (not having had guards before) they just seem more solid than some of the plastic ones i looked at.