BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Had these fitted to my 2020 RT last week, just want everyone to know that the clearance on the right side is very tight.  I called illium works and they said it is normal and that they might rub on the fairing on some bikes.

The clearance will be tight. On all boxer engines the left hand cylinder is offset forward If it wasn't the engine wouldn't work, it is the same on all boxers. Therefore there can not be the same clearance on both sides, or the engine bars would be offset.

On my 2010 the Heed crash bars fit closer and do touch the fairing slightly on the lower part of the right side as well.

I might add it’s no big deal, just takes a little extra maneuver to install. Tip over at gas pump when sidestand wasn’t locked in place and when parked on hill and both times no damage beside a scrap on my highway pegs.


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On my 2016 the Heed bars fit perfect and come with added belly pan protection.Can't fault them.

I had an off on the Dalveen Pass in Scotland 8 weeks ago when I met two sheep right on the apex of a left hand bend. I was able to put the bike down on the grass verge while I bounced down the tarmac.


My crash bars worked as designed, once I got the bike back up onto the centre stand and let the oil drain back in she fired right back up and I drove her home (another 30 miles). I had no damage or marks on the bike apart from some mud and grass.


Moral of the story is to fit any protection you can as it can and will save the day or you could end up with very expensive repairs.


Only had to replace my helmet and take pain killers for a few weeks as I had bruised my left side ribs bouncing down the road


Brian

srpuywa wrote: Had these fitted to my 2020 RT last week, just want everyone to know that the clearance on the right side is very tight.  I called illium works and they said it is normal and that they might rub on the fairing on some bikes.

Re: Illium works Crash Bars

Good to have the head protector as well.


My RT was blown over (?) off the side stand at the weekend, and - even with Ilium crash bars - I will be replacing a cylinder head cover.


I'll also have to either replace or re-powder coat the Ilium bar itself, which is a PITA.  All in, with all the minor cosmetic scratches and scrapes it's about $3600 in parts alone to return the beast to pristine, from a simple zero-mph tip over.


After years of virtually no-cost flinging of a GSA all over the place, hardtop & gravel roads, fields and ditches it's a bit disappointing.

Wow, how could this add up to $3600?  The video at Illium shows the bars do a great job of protecting the bike on a tip-over.

Agree with Jack.  Our R1200GS/GSA bretherin simply smirk when their bikes tip over, circle, initial & date the damage with a sharpie and move on  . . . not so much on the [much more] cosmetic R1200RT.  Best thing you can do is find a good local body shop, paint matching resource.