Unit Garage - heavy duty crash bars for R12 G/S

[rost12]

I've purchased these crash bars by Unit Garage. The install is very straight forward, just two bolts each side. On one side the gap between the head and the bar is 1-2mm, only good enough for a flat piece of paper to fit. Given that the bars fit onto the engine block itself, they move in unison with the heads so I don't see any evidence of them touching, but doesn't sit right with me? I've not seen other crash bars in person, any comments with other brands?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I've purchased these crash bars by Unit Garage. The install is very straight forward, just two bolts each side. On one side the gap between the head and the bar is 1-2mm, only good enough for a flat piece of paper to fit. Given that the bars fit onto the engine block itself, they move in unison with the heads so I don't see any evidence of them touching, but doesn't sit right with me? I've not seen other crash bars in person, any comments with other brands?

Doesn’t sound too good at all

I would be wary of crashbars that attach to the engine itself

Better to the frame or NO Crashbars at all

I dunno what the fascination is for Crashbars is, when I bought my first 1100GS I never considered ever fitting crashbars and my subsequent 3 new 1150’s (2000/2002/2004) I never fitted them whatsoever and my 2005 1150 GSA only has them, because BMW fitted them as standard

My other 1150 GSA doesn’t have them and I wouldn’t consider fitting them

Crashbars just add extra weight anyway

 

[APHezzer]

I'm with johnny on this .. I'll just be fitting cylinder head protectors on mine to prevent cosmetic scuffs and damage when offroading .. much lighter and quite effective. I had them on my 1250 GS and GSA and they did the job fine.

 

[nicholsonj2252]

I always fit crash bars and have been saved from minor damage to the heads before by having them

That said in a proper "off" I dont think any make of crash bar would do much

I've got the Wunderlich ones fitted and they have a good gap all round the engine head even with the OE head guards fitted (Wunderlich supply a specific kit to use when you have head guards fitted)

 

[siddo]

Do whatever you like and ignore the old farts who will infect this thread.
If and when you drop it, you can can reflect on their bad advice.

 

[rost12]

I'll keep the crash bar, I need somewhere to mount my one yellow off-set light to make it look old school cool

But will replace Unit Garage ones with something else that's not touching the cylinder head.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

.
If and when you drop it, you can can reflect on their bad advice.

Or possibly do more damage with Crashbars if they pull a mounting bolt out of the block

 

[Spook1969]

Crash bars make the bike easier to pick up