Hand guards

[Yellow Peril]

Hiya, I have been doing some upgrading of various bits one of which was to change from the original hand guards to the face lift type .i.e the two tone version without the built in reservoir protectors.

However after the change I am sure that the air flow to the upper body has completely changed has anyone else experienced this? Made things a lot more drafty with additional buffeting.

 

[JayC]

I can't comment on noticing as my bike came with them already on. That said, whatever addition you put on your bike, even a change of clothing, helmet, mirrors etc , is going to affect airflow. The decision you need to make is whether or not you can live with it as it is or go back to no guards, or modify other parts of your bike to compensate and redirect the flow elsewhere.

Again, every mod will affect the flow and so you may end up chasing your own arse!

Alternatively you could learn to convince yourself that nothing has changed.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Nah think I change back to the originals prefer the peace and quiet, just amazes me that the upgraded guards where in fact a retro grade step in regards to airflow typical BWM really face lift for the sake of it

 

[Jon P]

My new set of two part hanguards will arrive tomorrow - bloody expensive! But I don't like my one piece ones because the previous owner fitted the TT deflectors which I don't like.

As for getting it wrong, my understanding is that they made the change as if you should drop your bike with the old ones fitted they could break off the mirror supports which are also the brake / clutch supports.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Yes I see that but airo wise they do appear to have got it wrong but you give it ago and see what you think.

A better solution could have been the use of the original shape with the update mounts?

 

[Nick V]

As for getting it wrong, my understanding is that they made the change as if you should drop your bike with the old ones fitted they could break off the mirror supports which are also the brake / clutch supports.

Nope. You're thinking of the tabs between the handguards and combined front handguard/rearview mirror mounting (The ones with depressions for nuts mating to two 5mm screws.). The 'tabs' are GRP, and most likely to break in a drop. The front handguard/rearview mirror mountings are cast aluminium.

The 'second generation' handguards use an entirely different inward mounting.
There is also a factory-manufactured 'extended' handguard available. See photographs: the grey handguard is the 'standard' part, the black one is the extended variant.

 

[MikeO]

The Touratech extensions for the 1150's handguards actually get your hands wetter. Fluid dynamics is a complex subject...

 

[Yellow Peril]

The Touratech extensions for the 1150's handguards actually get your hands wetter. Fluid dynamics is a complex subject...

Yep so now we have one "new" hand guard and one old for a test ride. It doesn't
help that we have just changed helmets as well LOL

 

[Fluffy Bridges]

I've had the same 2007 GSA from new which now has the updated two piece hand guards due to some accidental damage, (not of my causing!). I find the new ones more efficient - my hands are noticeably warmer esp. in summer. Plus they have changeable tops, one low, one high.

However, I was sent some stickers by BMW to put on the originals quite early on as there was an issue with them twisting down and pressing on the clutch/front brake levers. I didn't put them on and still have them somewhere as I kept them as evidence of the elusive German Sense of Humour. It seems a sticker is a better solution than sorting the fault that may cause clutch/brake drag...

When the bike was repaired (by CW in Dorchester) they couldn't get the originals as they were superseded and "upgraded" to the newer ones that are better and deeper sitting further away from the levers. Ditto the screen. Lucky me. So I have an old bike on private plates that looks 5 years younger, YAY!

A rare case of newer is better...

 

[Yellow Peril]

Well test rode today, one new one old, the new ones are now off, the buffeting caused by the new version is noticeable especially the upsetting of the airflow over the shoulder causing increased helmet noise.

So the "new " set will be on fleabag shortly as in mine and my pillions opinion they are a retro grade step my hand was noticeably colder too, but then you only have to look at the aero design of the original and it was bound to have a more designed airflow.