Cylinder head guards or crashbars

[beemerboy9]

Hi all,


For those that have changed bikes recently and had to choose between the head guards and crash-bars, what type/brand did you choose and why?


I ride without panniers and when I dropped the bike, I chipped the rear light cluster (which was expensive!). It landed on the top box (lower part), cylinder heads, handlebar end and passenger grab-rail.


If you have dropped a bike with crash-bars, what collateral damage was done beside the bars.


Thanks in advance for your comments.


John

[Casbar]

Just been through this dilemma. On my 2014 went for cylinder guards, never dropped the bike, but those would not have helped with the plastic bits, which are expensive. So with my 1250 I decided on crash bars. I went for Illium works bars, they are expensive, but seem to get the best reviews and the owner has a video on his site of them fitted to his own RT and he just lets it fall, so they work. The other benefit for me, was the rear bars are lower, so no impact on pillion shins and they are easily removable when I take the bags off. Of course that wouldn't help the rear if I dropped the bike with them being there Fitting wise, they were easy and fit perfectly. There is also a UK distributor, Mike at sportouring.co.uk Plus when I bought the bike in April, there were no cylinder head guards available. I deduced the £200 odd for guards offset the price of the bars. I was not a fan of engine bars until I managed to drop one of our RTPs, so thought I would protect my own bike investment. The obvious answer is, just don't drop your bike

[Shakleton]

I also mused on which to buy. The head covers look good but I doubted they offered much protection in a fall, only to prevent scrapes maybe (IMHO). So I went with RG- Racing adventure bars.

They are easy to fit, I think they are unobtrusive and disappear into the bike (mine is black and white) and I think they are strong but I have not tested them[emoji3]

Also they allow access to work on the cylinder heads / valves without needing to remove them  hence saving time and or workshop fees.

https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/BM ... /AB0024BK/

[Casbar]

I also mused on which to buy. The head covers look good but I doubted they offered much protection in a fall, only to prevent scrapes maybe (IMHO). So I went with RG- Racing adventure bars.

They are easy to fit, I think they are unobtrusive and disappear into the bike (mine is black and white) and I think they are strong but I have not tested them

Also they allow access to work on the cylinder heads / valves without needing to remove them  hence saving time and or workshop fees.

https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/BMW/R1200RT/2014/AB0024BK/

They look good, a lot cheaper than the option i chose Mine are also good for valve work. There weren't a lot of options for the 1250 a couple fo months ago

[Arek]

RG- Racing adventure bars.
https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/BMW/R1200RT/2014/AB0024BK/

I hope someone will know the answer here in forum.
Do the above RG bars will fit 1250RT model?
I heard that there is little difference between 1200 LC and 1250. But obviously I know nothing about it, as I even do not have bike yet :-)
Can anyone confirm or denied that?
I really like that RG bars from link above.
Thanks

[Arek]

Yes I noticed. Thanks for that.
There are potential two reasons for it. First and obvious - the mount points do not match and they can't be fitted. The second one which I had with my Kawasaki Z1000SX they did not had yet 1250 available to test, and because of that they will not list it. So they listing just generic bits which fit almost every bike.


I found many parts for Kawasaki older models fit perfectly for my one, even if that wasn't listed.
And that was my intention for the question below.

[David.]

Do the above R&G bars fit 1250RT model?

No, but these do, https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/BM ... rettyPhoto

[Arek]

No, but these do, https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/BMW/R1250RT/2019/AB0049/#prettyPhoto

fantastic, thank you so much. I missed the 2019 drop down in the selection and I was thinking that they only have generic bits

[trickstercop]

The Ilium Works Crash Bars look really good and very easy to fit however at around £625.00 for front and rear seems costly. If I had that kind of spare cash I would definitely have them ordered.  Does anyone know if R&G do the rear Bars or is it just front?

[bandytales]

Think very carefully about those R&G bars. They do not offer the same level of protection as the Wunderlich, ilium or indeed most other bars. They do not have the part that protrudes outward and I have my doubts whether they will stop the rocker covers getting damaged. Of course, it is your choice, but I would choose a crash bar that has the little bit extra on the end.

[Arek]

Think very carefully about those R&G bars. They do not offer the same level of protection as the Wunderlich, ilium or indeed most other bars. They do not have the part that protrudes outward and I have my doubts whether they will stop the rocker covers getting damaged. Of course, it is your choice, but I would choose a crash bar that has the little bit extra on the end.

I will definitely do think before any move.
I just checked once more the pictures, and despite the R&G do not look from the side that they have some extra bit outward, the front picture indicate that in fact there is space between bars and covers.
https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/BM ... 19/AB0049/#


I agree that Wunderlich looks a bit more solid. But also from the pictures they make valves servicing a bit more harder.
But once again. I do not have bike yet, and never seen any of those bars in flesh. So my opinion is probably inaccurate.

[Casbar]

There are plenty of pics of the Illium bars, but if anyone wants to see some pics of them fitted to my 1250, pm me with your email and I'll fire some off.

[bandytales]

I just checked once more the pictures, and despite the R&G do not look from the side that they have some extra bit outward, the front picture indicate that in fact there is space between bars and covers.
https://www.rg-racing.com/browsebike/BMW/R1250RT/2019/AB0049/#

Hi Arek, That picture from the front is VERY decieving. The perspective makes it look like there is loads of clearance. There ISN'T.


My Son in Law has the R&G bars fitted to his Wethead. The clearances are very tight. Hence the reason why I have flagged this up. In my opinion, choosing (almost any) other brand will yield better results. Let's face it, the reason you want guards is in case the bike goes down. Then it is too late to change your mind. Loads of people have the Z Teknik / Wunderlich / Ilium bars and have no problem servicing their bikes. These other brands are WAY better.

[Arek]

Hi Arek, That picture from the front is VERY decieving. The perspective makes it look like there is loads of clearance. There ISN'T.
My Son in Law has the R&G bars fitted to his Wethead. The clearances are very tight. Hence the reason why I have flagged this up. In my opinion, choosing (almost any) other brand will yield better results. Let's face it, the reason you want guards is in case the bike goes down. Then it is too late to change your mind. Loads of people have the Z Teknik / Wunderlich / Ilium bars and have no problem servicing their bikes. These other brands are WAY better.

Thanks a lot for details. As I mentioned. All my thoughts are based on pictures, and that picture from front looks correct in my eyes. So once again thank you for explanation.
You know. I just spend quite chunk of my "pocket money" and looking for some reasonable savings. But definitely not false or foolish savings.
You're totally right that the reason I'm looking for bars is to guard engine and bodywork. If something is not really good in that job, there is no point to buy it. Better spend a little bit more at start but be safe. For sure.
Ilium had great reputation, however they are a bit above my price range right now.
Wunderlich at this moment looks reasonable as per opinions and price overall.
Have to check those Z Teknik as I did not cross them so far.

[Dee Dub]

My reservations about crash bars in general is that the load goes directly to a part of the frame that wasn't designed to take a sideways impact. Surely this threatens the integrity of the frame? I use head protectors and would happily replace them, and head covers if necessary, in the event of a major drop. At least the main mass of the bike would be in direct contact with the ground.


Incidentally, I know GSA owners find that, in the event of a drop, gravel and stones go between the crash bars and damage the head covers anyway. Some owners add a plate across the top of the cylinder head to reduce this.