Radiator protectors

[Alan R]

Not after definitive facts, rather opinion based on experience, fitment and cosmetic preference: which radiator protectors are best? I'm leaning towards Cymarc for no other good reason other than Mark is a decent bloke to deal with.
Alan R

 

[fred_jb]

If you have the 2017 GS then the black plastic BMW rad guards for the Rallye will fit. I've put them on my 2017 GS TE and I think they look good, should be effective, and best of all they only cost me £23.50.

 

[Alan R]

If you have the 2017 GS then the black plastic BMW rad guards for the Rallye will fit. I've put them on my 2017 GS TE and I think they look good, should be effective, and best of all they only cost me £23.50.

when you say for the Rallye are the BMW original equipment on that particular model?
Alan R

 

[yofi]

when you say for the Rallye are the BMW original equipment on that particular model?
Alan R

Yes, part numbers

46 63 8 556 647
46 63 8 556 648

As fred has said, will fit all 2017 (revised fairing) models. You'd think they'd fit all 2013 onwards? Only plastic but would seem to be as good as any others, you don't really look at them. As theyre oem you'd think bmw are okay with the airflow they afford.

 

[fred_jb]

They fit onto recesses and prongs on the back of the plastic radiator frame, and as the bodywork in that area has changed, that probably explains why they don't fit the earlier models. I found it best to remove the side panels to make it easier to move the radiator frame forward to get the guards behind it. It may be possible to get them on without doing that, but I didn't want to risk over flexing and cracking the frames.

 

[yofi]

Useful info re revised rad surround change (presume that's what you're referring to). Re fitting, I did the same on the one side, i.e. removed the side panel, but then I found that if you simply remove the bottom screw for the inner rad surround you could get them is relatively easily. Found them a bit tricky to line up on the locator pegs at the bottom though (both sides). Can't see why you'd both to spend more and add more weight by going aftermarket for something you don't really see.

 

[Alan R]

Useful info re revised rad surround change (presume that's what you're referring to). Re fitting, I did the same on the one side, i.e. removed the side panel, but then I found that if you simply remove the bottom screw for the inner rad surround you could get them is relatively easily. Found them a bit tricky to line up on the locator pegs at the bottom though (both sides). Can't see why you'd both to spend more and add more weight by going aftermarket for something you don't really see.

These are now my preferred option as they're plastic and BMW approved. I now need to find out if they will fit a 2017 GSA. Anyone?
Alan R

 

[Flaming T]

Being a total cheap skate, I made some out of some wire mesh from B&Q, sprayed them matt black and fitted them. Do the job and look the part.

 

[Gezaware]

Hi Alan.

They don't fit the 16/17 GSA as I already asked Nick from Cotswold BMW. I fitted the Evotech ones which cost a lot more £79.99 but I think look great and are black metal. Super easy to fit and look Factory fitted. Begs the question why they weren't as standard!

Hope that helps

 

[yofi]

These are now my preferred option as they're plastic and BMW approved. I now need to find out if they will fit a 2017 GSA. Anyone?
Alan R

Alan, have seen this question on some forum or other, and unfortunately I think it was a negative: can't say conclusively however.

edit: ah, I see question answered!

 

[Alan R]

Hi Alan.

They don't fit the 16/17 GSA as I already asked Nick from Cotswold BMW. I fitted the Evotech ones which cost a lot more £79.99 but I think look great and are black metal. Super easy to fit and look Factory fitted. Begs the question why they weren't as standard!

Hope that helps

Yes that helps. Thanks.
Alan R

 

[vincentrapide]

These are now my preferred option as they're plastic and BMW approved. I now need to find out if they will fit a 2017 GSA. Anyone?
Alan R

Lind tried to fit the Rallye ones from new to my 2017 GSA. They gave up, saying they would not fit "without extensive bodging".

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I had R&G guards fitted to my 2014 GSA which I've now transferred on to my 2016 GS

I was amazed just how much dead buzzing shite had made its way through the guard but fortunately no stones

 

[JJ's GS]

These are now my preferred option as they're plastic and BMW approved. I now need to find out if they will fit a 2017 GSA. Anyone?
Alan R

That was going to be my question as well.
I guess it may be Evotech then

 

[BigAlSoS]

I bought evotech from a bikermate on here.... easy fit, look good, no probs. You get what you pay for.

 

[CPJS]

Another one for evotech, got them on mine.
A friend of mine fitted them after losing a rad to a stone, first ride out with them on he had a pheasant strike, took out the bodywork down one side and ripped the rad off and left it hanging from one of the hoses. The rad guard was smashed off the rad but survived undamaged and was retrieved from back up the road by a mate. Well made and tough.

 

[roadrunner]

I bought Touratech clones from eBay...$30 instead of $250. Identical and perfect fit. You need to look for a design that doesn't reduce the airflow surface area. Be aware that BMW will refuse warranty on an issue related to engine overheating with radiator guards as they did with cases on the the cam-heads and S1000R's.

 

[gsman1]

Evo tec

Just fitted evo tec today to 2016 GS , quality products.

 

[roadrunner]

Those EvoTech reduce too much surface area for hot climates as in Oz. Should be fine in UK