R1200GS LC Some Advice

[Pansmiker]

I would be grateful for some insight into your experience on Engine Bars.

The bike will never be off road so the threat is potential rather than imminent. Ideally normal routine servicing wouldn't need to remove the bars.

I have read round the subject as much as I can and now would like some subjective opinion.

While I am at it could someone let me know if you spec the GPS Prep on the new LC does this include mount for the Sat Nav?

Thanks

 

[autogs]

cant help with engine bars but sat nav prep is the thumb wheel on the left grip and sat nav mount,660 or nav 4 or 5 just clip in

 

[Pansmiker]

Autogs thanks for coming back so quick.

Anybody else who can help with the Bars?

 

[dogmaboy]

I think the best looking bars are made by Evotech in your country.I have had them on three bikes and couldn't be happier.

 

[Ozz]

I've got Altrider bars on mine. The bars don't get in the way of servicing - even the cylinder heads can come off with them still place. It's swing and roundabouts though. Lots of people will mention lots of bars. I went for the Altrider because they appeared more substantial than the BMW or TT ones for approximately the same price.

 

[Nutty]

If you're not going off road, just get the MachineArt X Heads.

 

[*touring ted*]

Dont buy anything touratech. Its garbage.

Sent from my G7-L01 using Tapatalk

 

[Gargy]

The thing to remember on the boxer engine, is that the cylinders stick out. If you do take a fall, the damage could be very substantial, whereas with bars fitted there is a good chance you could pick the bike up and carry on.

In the end, the choice is yours........... Personally I'd put bars on........ Just for peace of mind.

 

[Nutty]

Dont buy anything touratech. Its garbage.

Sent from my G7-L01 using Tapatalk

Agreed. Saying that though, their frame guards are good, and are the only Touratech items on my bike.

 

[G&T]

Engine bars by themselves are not going to save your headers. The X heads cover most of the surface if you decide not to go down the bar route. If off-road an additional set of bars will keep your mind at rest if your bike takes a dive. If extreme off-road then top bars too.

 

[nathanthepostman]

I use the AltRider crash bars and have used the bike off road quite a lot. I crash a fair bit and no damage to bike or to headers. I don't necessarily see why you'd need header covers as well as the guards, though thinking about it if you go down on rocks and one misses the bars and hits the casing then you should have fitted the covers as well. To have both then would seem to be the ideal solution. I'm not convinced that head covers on their own offer enough protection if the bike goes down heavy.

 

[leadfarmer]

Got the BMW branded covers on mine which judging by this video are quite effective

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xvUoSzi394

I don't do any off-roading and the only time I've dropped mine so far was on a sandy track because my GPS doesn't know I don't do any off-roading

 

[WaterMonkey]

Got the BMW branded covers on mine which judging by this video are quite effective

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xvUoSzi394

I don't do any off-roading and the only time I've dropped mine so far was on a sandy track because my GPS doesn't know I don't do any off-roading

Having just watched that I'm pleased with my Touratec engine covers that turned up this morning now. Looks like they'll be perfect for some light off-roading

 

[Moose]

I'm not convinced that head covers on their own offer enough protection if the bike goes down heavy.

https://youtu.be/IuXQs5lRrKk

 

[nathanthepostman]

https://youtu.be/IuXQs5lRrKk

I personally think there's a massive difference between a static bike being dropped and one being dropped on dirt and rock at say 30mph, or even 10mph. There's no forward force on the mounting points. My thoughts on the X head covers is that once it goes down the road, or dirt, there's a very good chance of it ripping the mounting bolts out. After all, they're not designed to take a sliding impact. One on my bike is already bent for example. Whereas a proper engine guard - such as the AltRider - will hit the ground at speed and remain intact. I know this from personal experimentation. Until that X head guy produces a video of the stuff being used in a real world environment I'll stick with my thinking that you need good bars as a first port of call.

 

[Biot]

Xhead cylinder head covers are great if your bike falls over whilst static and lands on a rock/stone. Engine bars are great if you slide down the road/track. Fitting both if you have the money will cover most cases but not all. Or just dont fall off

 

[smalleyboy]

I got knocked off my GS in March doing about 20mph. I had the X heads fitted and on the side that was dropped it was merely scratched but both were replaced by the insurance company. There was £5k of damage to the bike. I was fine.

There are pros and cons over covers and bars but I've seen a photo of a GS with bars that didn't stop a small stone puncturing the head, it made a right mess.

Personally I don't like the look of bars on the road and think X heads are more subtle and will continue to use them.