The best engine bars R1100gs

[The Heff]

Can anyone guide me about the pros and cons of engine bars on a 1998
R1100gs - what to buy and which ones to avoid.
Thinking about getting a set by Hepco&Becker?

Comments please

Thanks
Heff

 

[Aidan1150]

I have H&B on my 1150 and am happy enough with them. They do offer quite good protection. It is possible to remove the rocker boxes (just) to set the valve clearances etc without removing the bars.

You should be able to pick up a new set for around £100 or so.

 

[(RIP) ugg]

When bike falls over , its easier to pick up if you have engine bars fitted , coz it dunt go over all the way .

 

[lockyv7]

I have these Hepco bars on my 1100 and they work great,I got the lower bars from Germany and the top section from Holland and had them posted to Australia and still came out in front. The only thing to remember is that when you first start riding with them if after the first few hours you like to stretch your legs and swing them for and aft a bit the first couple of times your going to crack your shins on the bars, but you do get used to it. Locky.

 

[Chrizm]

Fixing details

Does anyone have the installation instructions or some close up pics they have taken?
I am collecting some 2nd hand ones 2morrow and they dont have instructions.
Thanks.

 

[Gecko]

Make sure you have all the fixing bolt sand spacers - not just the bars if you are buying second hand. There are spacers used at several of the fixing points and you need them to be able to mount the bars.

 

[STUBBS]

do one side at a time

 

[Chrizm]

Guess what, no spacers or bolts! Guess I'll have to pop and buy some!

 

[John Armstrong]

Guess what, no spacers or bolts! Guess I'll have to pop and buy some!

What's the betting the combined price isn't much different to a new set of bars

Might be worth asking Motorworks / Motobins / James Sherlock if they've got any bits from a bike they've broken.

 

[Thunder]

Guess what, no spacers or bolts! Guess I'll have to pop and buy some!

Bolts are easy, you can get the sizes from the parts list on the fitting instructions available from the H & B site, they may even list the spacer sizes but getting those may prove a total pain tin the arse.

Have you spoken to the seller cause frankly they are bloody useless without the correct fittings.

 

[essjay]

I should be selling my silver ones soon if anyone is interested.

 

[Steptoe]

I should be selling my silver ones soon if anyone is interested.

]

Ahh yes. The classic bmw (remove the complete engine bars just to change the oil) design.

 

[essjay]

Ahh yes. The classic bmw (remove the complete engine bars just to change the oil) design.

Not if you have the bash plate removed

 

[John Armstrong]

Ahh yes. The classic bmw (remove the complete engine bars just to change the oil) design.

Any of the cast headguards likely to be on sale shortly?

 

[Jon]

Does anyone have the installation instructions or some close up pics they have taken?
I am collecting some 2nd hand ones 2morrow and they dont have instructions.
Thanks.

Have a look here; http://www.ukgser.com/info/wisdom.htm

 

[Steptoe]

Not if you have the bash plate removed

The bash plate is a major part of those crashbars strength. Removing the bash plate leaves the bars supported by just two rubber mounts each side. By having the bash plate fitted the crashbars are connected to each other.

No point having the crashbars without the bashplate

Anything is only as strong as it's weakest part (two rubber pads in this case)

 

[Steptoe]

Any of the cast headguards likely to be on sale shortly?

Still waiting on the foundary.

 

[Stewart H]

I should be selling my silver ones soon if anyone is interested.

Mine look like those, apart from the scratches and rust and theres a join part way up from the bashplate each side, four M6 bolts and the bashplate is off for servicing (my bobbins are only rubber lumps bolted to the engine)
Stewart

 

[John Armstrong]

Still waiting on the foundary.

Ta

 

[Steptoe]

Mine look like those, apart from the scratches and rust and theres a join part way up from the bashplate each side,t

Those are the later type, when BMW realised they'd made a cock up