Newbie with a question

[apc1]

Hello everyone
After years of dreaming, I've finally bought the bike I've always wanted, I bought the 90th anniversary model RT1200. Have to say I really love it and it does everything it says on the tin, great for 2 up or just going for a blast on my own.
My question is , What is everyone's view on engine and pannier bars?
I've been toying with the idea of putting these on but I'm just not sold on the look of them or maybe I've just not seen a set I like. Plus I work away from home so don't get to use the bike as much as I would like, although at present I'm working in South Wales so I'm thinking of taking it over as the road here are something else.
Advise/views on engine bars would be great. Thanks apc1....

 

[fatnfast]

I fitted the black Wunderlich bars on my RT. Pretty subtle and look like the will prevent head and body work damage if the bike is dropped.
Some people will say they can transmit forces to the chassis during an 'off', but I have never heard of that happening with the RT.
The alternative is just using the BMW cylinder head protectors if you don't like the look of the bars.
Here's a review on the Wunderlich ones:
https://youtu.be/4wmxYq9FuW0

 

[steadysteve]

The Wunderlich ones are crap in my opinion. They do not prevent the valve cover touching down. I recently dropped mine when stationary, on level tarmac, resulting in scratches to the valve cover and bar.

The clearance between the bars and valve covers is very tight in places which would allow the bars to contact the engine in anything other than a stationary fall, i.e no space for any flex or deflection of the bar when it touches down. The fixings are non-adjustable.

I suggested to the supplier that they are not 'fit for purpose' , only to be told that Wunderlich only intend them to prevent serious damage to the engine and allow the bike to still be usable after a fall.
Also the bottom part of the bar rubs on the plastic bodywork- Wunderlich supply some foam padding to slot between the bar and bodywork( as opposed to engineering them properly in the first place.

 

[fatnfast]

I've not had any of the problems highlighted above. The clearance is fine, nothing touches the bodywork at all, no need for foam strips. When fitting I put all the bolts in finger tight which allowed it to be set up perfectly before fully tightening them.
There is plenty of clearance around the heads as well, but not so much as to make them stick out like a sore thumb.