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Head protectors vs crash bars - how effective?
- Thread starterNeville
- Start date
Well, I opted for the heavier guards, and am glad I did. When first researching the engine guard options last spring, I felt the Aluminum design … being mounted directly to the head, just wasn’t as solid. Interestingly, of the many compliments on the bike I’ve received, not one person said, “… nice bike, but, those guards are horrible”
. Seriously, though, I can attest, they do work. I had my first tip over on Sunday (a long story), but the bike went down on the street, on the left side. Contacted the front of the left bar, and corner of the side bag - see pics. Nothing else touched… no handlebar grip, body parts, etc. I’ll lightly sand the guard and hit it with some gloss black touch up. I already used some plastic cleaner to rub out the side bag. Minor… I can live with it
. This stuff is inevitable.
. Seriously, though, I can attest, they do work. I had my first tip over on Sunday (a long story), but the bike went down on the street, on the left side. Contacted the front of the left bar, and corner of the side bag - see pics. Nothing else touched… no handlebar grip, body parts, etc. I’ll lightly sand the guard and hit it with some gloss black touch up. I already used some plastic cleaner to rub out the side bag. Minor… I can live with it. This stuff is inevitable.
I went for the aluminium head protectors. I agree with the comments that they won't do much in a crash, but I only want them to prevent damage from a drop in the garage or low speed manoeuvring. Anything faster is going to be an insurance claim anyway. Picked the bike up today in horrible conditions - 5C, hail stones, windy. Got it home, cleaned it off and ceramic coated the paintwork and wheels, and fitted a Biondi touring screen, Tomorrow I'll fit the radiator guard, and the Pyramid fender extender and small sump guard. It's forecast to be cold but dry and sunny on Sunday, so will be out on it then.
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Gutsy
Just got it firing!
Are your bars the factory crash bars? Looks like they did a good job.Well, I opted for the heavier guards, and am glad I did. When first researching the engine guard options last spring, I felt the Aluminum design … being mounted directly to the head, just wasn’t as solid. Interestingly, of the many compliments on the bike I’ve received, not one person said, “… nice bike, but, those guards are horrible”
View attachment 34559
View attachment 34561
@Gutsy … Yes, I had the dealer install them when I picked up the bike. I like that any “impact” force is transferred to the frame, not the engine itself. And, although they don’t look as elegant, they are substantial (and, cheaper). I lightly sanded the scrape with 200 grit sandpaper, and touched up with some black gloss spray paint. Like new. I believe these are also available in silver. Cheers!
Gutsy
Just got it firing!
Well, posts #2 and #4 on page 1 (the previous page in this thread) have photos of the Aluminum bars. They “look” sleeker, more integrated. But, I wanted max protection. Hopefully, none of us will encounter a situation that requires it
.Billy Button
Just got it firing!
I'd have to say I've grown to like the tractor bars, even though I originally got them mainly to mount the LED driving lights.
- I get that they visually crowd those gorgeous cylinders/heads from some angles (not others).
- In the Verde they add a slightly butch element (from some angles) that complements the bike's more sleek lines.
(In a tipover, I thought the alloy "protectors" risked serious damage to those same gorgeous cylinder heads, so ruled them out even though I liked the aesthetic.)
- I get that they visually crowd those gorgeous cylinders/heads from some angles (not others).
- In the Verde they add a slightly butch element (from some angles) that complements the bike's more sleek lines.
(In a tipover, I thought the alloy "protectors" risked serious damage to those same gorgeous cylinder heads, so ruled them out even though I liked the aesthetic.)
I’m trying to decide which V100 crash bars to get, factory Guzzi ,Hepco & Becker or Givi,
Does anyone have an option?
Thank you
Does anyone have an option?
Thank you
Hepco and Becker are popular on this side of the Atlantic.
I have the Guzzi crash bars with the auxiliary lights and I like both.
Pricy but nice.
Thx , I’ll probably go with the MG bars from my dealer
Got my stock tractor bars from the dealer after three months (not complaining). Easy install, more subtle than I imagined, and the black paint has some metallic flakes in it.
nervouswreck
Just got it firing!
I have question, I'm thinking it's appropriate. I elected to mount the head protectors in lieu of the crash bars. I'm fine with finished mount. However I had a heck of a time getting the bolts out of the blind holes. One out of four came out without issue. The other three l cut a slot in them, iced them and used a hammer and dull chisel. Anyone else have an issue backing them out?
I installed them myself, but didn’t have any issue tbh.
Perhaps the bolts were more hard tightened than loosely tightened, but it was then nothing I reflected over, so I guess my bolts were tightened correct (on the bike off course, my personal bolts are always loose…
).nervouswreck
Just got it firing!
LOL
MG_Rider
Tuned and Synch'ed
I had similar hassle with the fasteners for the so-called engine belly/bash pan. Had to grind the heads off two to remove said pan so I could tighten oil pan bolts.
Whoever installed that pan before I took ownership effed up the job. I see no need for a bash pan on a sport touring bike anyway. Not gonna be riding slick rock at Moab, tho there are some sections it could do it.
The extended front fender I put on works well, until you get to fresh California tar snake job. That's a carb cleaner job!
Whoever installed that pan before I took ownership effed up the job. I see no need for a bash pan on a sport touring bike anyway. Not gonna be riding slick rock at Moab, tho there are some sections it could do it.
The extended front fender I put on works well, until you get to fresh California tar snake job. That's a carb cleaner job!
nick berg
Just got it firing!
Hello I am new to the forum unfortunately I was doing a u turn in a car park with a slight slope and the combination of slope not enough speed too much lean and steering on near full lock resulted in a fall. I have the pretty cyclinder head protectors and the damage is new rocker cover required also clutch lever, I had the guzzi top box on and it kept the bike off the ground although took scrapes to the body and some marks on the painted lid needing touch up. Obviously the cyclinder guard is marked, I am replacing the rocker cover and brake and clutch lever with aftermarket versions that fold up expensive but not much more than the brembo ones fitted. I cannot believe that I made such a rookie mistake and honestly I am still analysing how the hell I managed it. Only thing I can think of is that I have other bikes with different handling characteristics and my aging brain hadn't adjusted to the changeover in bikes. Anyway, lesson learned, I am short of stature getting older and the V100s is a hefty bit of kit to manage, save to say I am now fitting the engine bars keeping the cyclinder guards and giving myself a good talking to about the dynamics of the v100. I love the performance of the bike and for a few minutes after the drop considered changing it for a V7 but came to my senses and realised that there is simply nothing like it for looks character or all round satisfaction of ride quality, ride safely watch those slow manoeuvres.
Vagrant
GT Reference
Don't feel bad. It gets easier and easier to screw up the older you get. I think brain farts start about 3pm now days at 76. The full engine guards might have saved you $$$.