Help me choose please.... Stand and headlight protection on a 2018 GSA1200.

[devonuk]

Guys there's a plethora of 'protection' bits and pieces out there and as my bike now appears to be a keeper I thought I'd better get some protection for the very expensive headlight and the new (replaced by BMW due to corrosion) main stand that I've recently had fitted.

I was thinking of the aluminium Hepco & Becker stand protector, if only because it does fully cover the lower 'bar' across the stand which took a hammering corrosion wise on the old stand. That said I guess crud could build up in places on this particular design.

I've no particular thoughts as to whether I'd go for a mesh or Perspex design on the headlight protector but I guess one which could give easy access to clean the headlight lens would be good?

Over to you guys.... good and bad please!! Price will not be an issue but I don't want to waste my money if some cheap Chinese product will do the trick! You can't beat reviews and the experiences of those who actually use the kit....

Many thanks for your time!!

 

[Doc]

Wunderlich perspex headlight protector for me.

 

[Micko123]

I wanted a quickly removable (for cleaning purposes) perspex type protector that didn't involve screws or hinges not a grille type stone protector.
I got a Powerbronze clear perspex one that is attached to the headlight lens with 4 clear self adhesive industrial type velcro tabs. It's close fitting to the headlamp lens approx 5mm
so no stray reflections back at the rider at night. You can remove it in seconds to wash the bugs off under a hot tap, nothing gets behind it onto the headlamp lens either, it's surprisingly well attached when fitted and I don't think would fall off even with a direct stone strike.
Does what it says on the tin I suppose and protects the headlight, the only possible downside is it could be stolen, Doesn't affect headlight performance at all.

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[Micko123]

Regarding centre stand protection...
I opted to buy the BMW moulded plastic stand protector that is fitted to the GSA as standard for my GS. It fits on the back side of the stand to protect from detritus thrown down from the back wheel .
The front wheel also throws back shite that hits the crossbar too, so I took the advice of someone on this forum and ordered a bicycle frame protector ( £3.50 ish off E-bay) it wraps around the crossbar and and fastens with velcro. Some people use helicopter tape instead. Before fitting the wrap and plastic moulded shield I gave the stand a liberal coating it of ACF 50
the paint is notoriously thin and doesn't appear to have any primer coating from the factory.

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[devonuk]

Brilliant guys... just the helpful feedback I was looking for!!!

 

[Micko123]

My 'befuddled old brain' seems to recall the E-bay wrap chainstay protector thing was lizard skin brand .

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[devonuk]

Wunderlich perspex headlight protector for me.

I looked this one up and it looks the part but it states off road use only?

 

[Doc]

I looked this one up and it looks the part but it states off road use only?

Can't say as I read that. Quite a few people have them.

 

[D16PJM]

The majority of light covers state off road use only, probably something to do with the testing/approval costs.

Pete

 

[Dave N]

The majority of light covers state off road use only, probably something to do with the testing/approval costs.

Pete

Pretty sure it may be because of refraction of the light beam through the perspex/lexan guards, which is why I take mine off if I’m riding in the dark, which is not very often. The angled edges on the touratech one throws the light sideways, which is actually quite distracting. I do like it though, well made, and keeps bugs off the (harder to clean) light unit.
Cheers
Dave

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[devonuk]

I'm now informed that the Cymarc Perspex headlight protector is road legal and doesn't interfere with the beam. Has anyone out there got one and would you recommend it?

 

[DS]

Lone Rider

Expensive but worth it imho.
Could be just coincidence but fewer instances of “incidents” since fitt8ng

 

[yofi]

The centre stand isn't prone to corrosion, it's prone to stone chipping, and which in particular affects the horizontal. Either fit the (for me, rather OTT) plate that's been mentioned or fit a lizard skin (or similar) on the horizontal part.

 

[HGS]

I went for the BMW headlight protector. Wasn't sure of the look at first but it's growing on me.
Bit of a faff to fit the lower mounts, headlight has to come out. Got a great deal on it by mail from Williams Manchester.
Easy to get on and off
Nothing gets through, makes cleaning easier
Has the benefit of stopping a lot of the turbulence that comes through towards the front of the tank

I also got a piece of helicopter tape off ebay and covered the horizontal bar of the centrestand and just for good measure got one of these of ebay for £1.99 - 112009215595 - doing a great job

 

[devonuk]

Thanks again guys...
At the moment I'm going to go for the Cymarc Perspex headlight protector and the BMW black plastic main stand protector as seen on the latest models. For the stand crossbar I've ordered some 3M clear tape along with a can of ACF50 for the rest of the stand.
Your thoughts and photos have been ever so helpful in my decision making process!!

 

[captaindan]

Cymarc

I have the Cymarc headlamp protector on my 2017 LC and I am most pleased with it.
Very good quality product, does not reflect for me at night, I have several Cymarc products on bike now, really good stuff and a good firm to deal with.

I have only protected the cross bar on the stand, cleaned and dried, wrapped with black insulating tape and then put a spiral wrap over it used for hydraulic hoses,
Cheap and solid solution, drop me a pm with your details and I will whatsapp a photo of the stuff

Dan

 

[2 wheel humvee]

I used a Rugged Roads centre stand bash plate on 3 of my previous GS and GSA, well made and offers great protection from grit and road spray thrown from the front tyre, used in conjunction with a front fender extender they offer decent protection. After 3 years fitted to one of my bikes the bash plate suffered only minor stone chips to the Black anodized finish and the centre stand was undamaged, a great product

https://ruggedroads.co.uk/epages/00cbb604-5d1c-407e-8207-580e14387ec5.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/00cbb604-5d1c-407e-8207-580e14387ec5/Products/1108B