Problem with oil cooler grill. Do I really need one?

[Geoff Crowther]

Just received this from Nippy Norman's for my new GSA
http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=WUN-8501160&variation=&aitem=152&mitem=162
The site says it fits with adhesive pads but when it came it doesn't. I don't really understand the German instructions but it seems I have to remove the headlamp unit cos the grill fits into the screw holes holding the deflector balde in front of the grill. Once the grill in place you can only access these screws from behind. I don't want to strip the bike to this extent so I tried fitting with my own adhesive pads. The grill won't fit into the space without the risk of scratching thye paint to buggery! (Had issues like this before with Wunderlich stuff.) I'm planning on returning it to NN.
Do I really need a grill to protect the oil cooler; they all look awkward to fit? Is it just a pointless bit of bling?
Your advice would be welcome folks.
Cheers
Geoff

 

[AdamA]

Do I really need a grill to protect the oil cooler; they all look awkward to fit? Is it just a pointless bit of bling?

Would you fit protection to the rad/cooler of any other bike? ???
The oil cooler on the GS is way high up and out of the way so not particularly vulnerable at all, unless you have a habit of following other vehicles too close, or intend on taking it on the dirt. Then it is essential as stones are far more likely to be thrown back from the bike in front.

Plenty of relatively chep protectors about tho, so for the sake of a few quid...

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Yep, point taken Adam. I don't have protectors on my 850R.

Any other contributors?

Cheers
Geoff

 

[g.s.john]

the suppliers of these grills are just feeding the paranioa i have never seen a thread on here about punctured oil coolers or heard any bmw owner regardless which model say that they had this happen to them,come to think of it broken headlights either IMHO spend yer dosh on a good night out and a ruby murray

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Good points John - certainly doesn't sound like "gobshyte".
Thanks for your thoughts.
Cheers
...and ... just sorting the curry now.
Geoff

 

[AdamA]

the suppliers of these grills are just feeding the paranioa i have never seen a thread on here about punctured oil coolers or heard any bmw owner regardless which model say that they had this happen to them,come to think of it broken headlights either IMHO spend yer dosh on a good night out and a ruby murray

I have had a headlight smashed on my old 1150. Not cheap to replace but a lot cheaper than most sports bikes and not many of those use guards, despite being lower,bigger and having more chance of scoring a direct hit.

 

[jonnie comet]

I have had a headlight smashed on my old 1150.

...me too.....

 

[Jon P]

Where do you start, where do you stop??? Maybe we should put protectors on our protectors?

I have seen some GSs covered in all the touratoot stuff - and the bikes tend to be all shiny and clean!

I wear a protective suit because my skin is not designed to be exposed whilst riding a motorcycle and not when falling off.

Some people will tell you that they had a puncture last week after just learning to ride, others will tell you that after 100,000 miles they have never had a puncture.

If you stay at home you won't fall off your bike and no stone will fly through the air taking out your oil cooler.

If you can I would send your cheese grater back to the shop!

 

[Ali-bear]

I dunno why folk fit these things

Like he says, makes a handy cheese grater when camping ...

 

[Funners]

The main problem with all these Guards...is that until you NEED them.....you don't need them....but by then it's too late...
Lets face it most years we don't NEED insurance...but you could bet theat the year we didn't take it out we would....(the law excepted)
thats Mr SOD and his law that !
Having seen the state of my Aprilia Headlight protector and finding out how much a headlight would have cost...I'm happy folk thinking I'm a daft twat...
the guards themselves cost relatively little and certainly don't harm...so whats the problem ?

 

[harry]

I've lost 2 headlights to flying stones on my 12'ves. If you've gone to the expense of fitting HID's I'd say the headlight protector is a must.

 

[Palerider]

I'll admit fitting one to my bike....why?

Cos it looks good!



P

 

[SkyGod]

I`m just doing a search for one now ( not from NN btw) Went off roading yesterday with a bloke in a land rover and he was throwing all kinds of crap up at me on the 1200. I figured a bit of sheet metal and few folks on here calling me a bling merchant was cheaper than a new oil cooler unit.

Dont listen to to many opinions on here, they are like arseholes: Everyone has one and some of them stink.

If you fancy one have one!

 

[jimbo]

I've lost 2 headlights to flying stones on my 12'ves. If you've gone to the expense of fitting HID's I'd say the headlight protector is a must.

Was this off road or on-road? Just interested.

In 25 years car and bikes I don't think I've ever lost a headlight lens.

 

[paul nicholls]

oil cooler cover

if you first remove the beak from the bike then fitting it is much easier.

 

[GS TRV]

I'll admit fitting one to my bike....why?

Cos it looks good!



P

+1

although it has protected mine from some nasty looking flies

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Thanks Paul
Might give this a try then. Can you tell me how to remove the beak please?
Geoff

PS Thanks also to Big nick for a similar PM.
PPS Thanks to all contributors. Seems to me a lot of this is just down to personal opinion but I'm certainly not knocking the valid points made. If I didn't want opinions I wouldn't ask.
Cheers to you all
Geoff

 

[Gipsy]

Fitted mine a few weeks after getting the bike from new, ( 54 plate ) when I noticed 2 large dinks in the oil cooler radiator which hadn't been there before. Decided they were likely to be caused by stones, picked up during a road ride, so invested in some protection. I think as already mentioned we all have different worries/priorities about our bikes, but at least satisfying this one is fairly cheap.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Resolved! Thanks to excellent help from Paul; cheers mate.
Interestingly the best way to fit has bugger all to do with the instructions from Wunderlich, but involved, as Paul said, removing the beak.
Again, no disrespect to any of the opinions out there. If nothing else, it'll keep low flying, now-dead creatures out of the radiator grill.
Thanks to all.
Yet another demonstration of the brilliant resource this site/group/club (or whetever) is.
Cheers
Geoff

Safe riding!

 

[harry]

Was this off road or on-road? Just interested.

In 25 years car and bikes I don't think I've ever lost a headlight lens.

On the road, probably too close to soft rubbered sports bikes. Modern soft tyres grip small stones much more than they used to a few years back.
I've learnt my expensive lessons now