Which crash bars?

[Tim Cullis]

Well I've made the plunge and will be taking delivery of a Red/Grey/Black R12GS mid November. As a newbie I could use some advice from those who've gone before...

So far I'm aware of four different engine/crash bars. The BMW ones @ £195, Touratech @ £197.50, Wünderlich from SPC @ £168 or Hepco & Becker @ £105. I think the latter are painted rather than stainless steel.

I want them to look good, do a decent job of protection and not get in the way of servicing. What would you suggest?

Tim

 

[Welshmagician]

I can tell you that despite Touratech UK stating delivery of 7-10 working days for their stainless engine protection bars that in reality you will almost certainly end up waiting 2-3 months, i spoke to Touratech in Germany today and they told me quite catergorically that although the bars are in the new/current catalogue in reality they will have no stock for at least 1-2 months, and if past experience of Touratechs optimistic delivery dates are anything to go by it'll be a further month before they actually live up to the usual crap they feed we bikers or their UK concessionaires.

 

[Desert Biker]

In defence of TT's delivery promises ( but not their pricing!! jesus)

I received the shiny things I ordered, 4 says after ordering on the internet. Then nearly as long wrestling them off the nice UAE customs chaps. !!!!

I think like most niche players they try and keep production just slightly ahead of demand. Sometimes get caught out tho!!!

 

[TerryM]

crash bars

I have the BM oem barsfitted, ordered with the bike, and they are as advertised, and by no means useless in a road prang, as I have seen suggested on the site somewhere.
I also believe that some(same)aftermarket people are using the BM pictures in their promotional stuff, ask Dutch as he may have some knowledge of this. And when I enquired of the promoter no response was forthcoming.
The Yankie versions look very poor in the area of attachment to the lower motor areas. And no cost advantage.
Also talk to your dealer about fitting costs, they sometimes try for a fee, but honestly this is a joke on such a costly bike, and my dealer Charles Hurst waived this and the odd charge for single key programming of ignition/box and panniers.

 

[Lunsarboy]

Zmeagol

I have the H&B bars fitted and can vouch they WORK. Good luck with what ever you choose.

Lunsarboy

 

[David_S]

Zmeagol

I have the H&B bars fitted and can vouch they WORK. Good luck with what ever you choose.

Lunsarboy

Mee too! Don't hinder service at all either.

 

[ujeni]

Just so you know....wunderlich bars are the exact same bars as the hepco and becker bars....they even have h&b stickers. I have them and they seem fine to me.